Even prior to the 20th century, boots were predominantly associated with military uniforms rather than being considered elegant attire for women. Men would wear rugged leather boots with laces, while women preferred alternative footwear that exuded more femininity.
Efforts were made to transform men's boots into women's boots, but these endeavors often proved unsuccessful. For instance, Joseph Sparkes-Hall's endeavor in the 19th century to produce "Chelsea boots" for Queen Victoria, which she personally favored, did not generate much enthusiasm among women during that era. Later in the 20th century, the members of the musical group "The Beatles" popularized Chelsea boots, causing a shift from women's footwear to men's. Nevertheless, it was inevitable that women's boots would eventually come into fruition. In 1938, French designer André Perugia created the first ankle boots specifically designed for Parisian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli. These ankle boots were crafted from black suede and adorned with long monkey fur that cascaded along the floor, transforming human legs into animal-like paws. Around the same period, Salvatore Ferragamo introduced a similarly eccentric pair of ankle boots made from antelope leather, featuring toe caps made of bone. Naturally, such extravagant footwear was not intended for everyday use; rather, it was regarded as an artistic masterpiece. Shortly thereafter, French designer Roger Vivier designed ankle boots for Queen Elizabeth II, which proved to be a resounding success - this type of footwear perfectly catered to the royal figure's desire to conceal her slender ankles. Thanks to Roger Vivier, prominent designers embraced the concept of shortened boots, and ankle boots gradually made their way into the collections of renowned fashion houses, eventually adorning the shelves of shoe stores and women's wardrobes.
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