[Extra] Stratification of shoes in Europe by social class

In Europe from the early Middle Ages through today, elites have always worn very different shoes from commoners, and shoes, like clothing, have been simple way to note one's class status. The materials used to make shoes, from at least the tenth century, were very different for commoners and nobility. For instance, noble man and women wore shoes made from a variety of luxurious fabrics, including silk, velvet, brocade, and soft leather. Embroidery, vegetable dyes, and beading were used to further decorate elite shoes, while peasants and other commoners wore shoes made of leather or other animal skins. Clogs, simple footwear made out of a carved block of wood, were also a common form of footwear for peasants and other commoners throughout Europe.

- Dutchclogs

- English clogs

***Both images are allowed to use freely by Creative Commons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clog