Shoes don’t just get us from A to B – they can also be deeply symbolic. One special pair can captivate nations and inspire generations. They’ve sparked revolutions, told unforgettable stories and even defined eras. From high fashion to high fantasy, these iconic pairs have stepped off the feet of their wearers and into pop culture legend. Here are some of the most famous shoes in history – and the impact they’ve made.
Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
No shoe in film history has cemented its position in pop culture quite like Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Worn by Judy Garland nearly 9 decades ago, they became a symbol of magic, hope and home. Originally silver in the book, MGM changed them to red to showcase Technicolour. Today, they’re amongst the most treasured artefacts in movie history. They are possibly the most iconic shoes of all time, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.
Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 1 – NBA Debut (1984)
In November of 1984, Michael Jordan stepped onto the court of his 11th professional basketball game wearing Nike’s Air Jordan 1s and changed sneaker culture forever. This was back when Nike wasn’t the sports industry giant that it is today, and they took a huge gamble by creating a sneaker specifically for Jordan, who was a very young player at that time. Banned by the NBA and embraced by fans, the black and red high tops became a rebellious badge of honour. By purchasing the sneakers, fans could ‘Be Like Mike’, helping to promote Nike to stratospheric success and promoting them to a recognisable, global brand. The sneaker line remains a universal fashion powerhouse and a collector’s dream decades later.
Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 Space Boots – Moon Landing (1969)
When Neil Armstrong stepped out of the Apollo 11 spacecraft and placed his foot on the surface of the moon, he famously said, ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’ He was wearing a spacesuit and specifically-designed boots made to help him navigate the lunar surface. These boots weren’t flashy, but they carried humanity’s first steps beyond Earth. Left behind to save weight, they now rest eternally on the moon – a monument to human achievement. And we think that is pretty iconic.
Cinderella’s Glass Slipper – Cinderella (1950)
Possibly the most magical shoes in fiction, Cinderella’s glass slipper represents true love and transformation. We all know the story. As Cinderella rushes to leave the royal ball before the final stroke of midnight and returns to her life as a servant to her wicked stepmother and ugly stepsisters, she leaves behind one of her glass slippers on the palace steps. With only a small memento of the mysterious and beautiful woman he had been dancing with all night, the prince searches the entire kingdom to find the owner of the slipper, eventually finding Cinderella, marrying her and living happily ever after. If shoes truly did have the power to attract princes into our lives, a lot of us would be walking around with one bare foot.
Marty McFly’s Nike MAG – Back to the Future Part II (1989)
After the box-office success of Back to the Future, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, was asked in 1989 to create a groundbreaking sneaker from the future (specifically 2015). From this specification, the Nike MAG was spawned. The futuristic, self-lacing MAG became real when Nike produced limited versions in the 2010s. Worn by Michael J. Fox in the film, they were both a sci-fi dream, inspired by 80s popular fashion and technology. Proceeds from their release raised millions for Parkinson’s research.
The Red Ballet Slippers – The Red Shoes (1948)
In the haunting British film, The Red Shoes, a ballerina becomes consumed by her passion for dance and by the literal red ballet slippers she wears. The shoes symbolise artistic passion, destructive obsession and the blurred line between the two. Their deep crimson colour remains unforgettable in cinematic history and ballet culture alike. The Red Shoes was a deeply inspirational film for modern cinema, breaking previous moulds by emphasising the use of technical and visual elements to produce an expressive and formalist cinematic experience.
Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahniks – Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Popular 90s show, Sex and the City, focused on four friends' love and social dramas as they navigated life in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker played Carrie, whose obsession with Manolos made designer heels part of everyday conversation. One blue satin pair famously marked her proposal moment. Through Carrie, Manolos became shorthand for confidence, sex appeal and New York sophistication.
Doc Martens – Punk & Subculture Movement (1960s-present)
Once work boots for British postmen, Doc Martens were adopted by punk rockers and rebellious youth in the 1970s. Their chunky silhouette and durable construction became a symbol of counterculture and defiance. Today, they straddle fashion and heritage with an unapologetic attitude.
Many of us take our footwear for granted, easily forgetting about all the places it leads us. From the silver screen to the moon, our shoes carry us where we want to go, and these examples of iconic shoes have walked paths that have shaped the world. Sometimes, all it takes is one remarkable pair to make history.
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