A Fashion Statement That Reached New Heights
Between the 15th and 17th centuries, Venetian women wore platform shoes called chopines—some towering over 50 cm (20 inches) tall. Originally designed to protect dresses and shoes from muddy streets, chopines soon became fashion items flaunted by courtesans and noblewomen alike.
Law-Proof Footwear
A 1430 law in Venice attempted to limit chopine height to 3 inches, but the rule was widely ignored. Shakespeare referenced their extreme elevation in Hamlet, joking about how high an actor had grown “by the altitude of a chopine.”
Walk Carefully
Many surviving chopines are made of cork or wood, often covered in velvet, brocade, or embroidered leather. Due to their height, wearers sometimes required two attendants just to walk—though dancing masters claimed grace was possible with enough practice.
Spanish Roots and Cork Shortages
Chopines were also popular in 15th-century Spain, where demand for the shoes consumed large portions of the nation’s cork supply. Spanish chopines were often symmetrical and richly decorated with jewels, gilt, and embroidery.
In Renaissance Venice, women wore towering shoes called chopines.
These platform heels, some over 50 cm (20 in) tall, started as overshoes to protect against mud but became extravagant fashion. Their height reflected status, and laws to limit them were ignored…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/dK9raU5Zjf
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) April 20, 2025