Petunia, check out Elizabethan England (Shakespear) bras, corsets, girdles, and high heels all designed in that era...for MEN to wear. it was illegal for a woman to go onstage, so these props were designed for men to portray women onstage. high heels are designed for the male foot and leg, not for a woman. it was basedf on "riding boots" of the same era. all this is easily verified in the history section of your local library. ~g~