This May, think of Toronto and visit the Bata Shoe Museum to see a compelling new exhibition: Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels. Opening on May 8 as part of the museum’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the show traces the evolution of elevated footwear for men from the early 1600s to contemporary fashion. The exhibition reveals that men embraced heeled shoes long before women did, using heels as markers of status, authority, and masculinity. That association endures in styles such as cowboy boots and the platform footwear of rock performers.
The display features rare examples of men’s heeled footwear spanning several centuries, including 17th- and 18th-century styles, mid-19th-century military boots, 1930s cowboy boots, and biker boots from the 1940s. It also showcases notable pieces from the 20th century: John Lennon’s original 1960s boots from the Beatles era and Elton John’s platform shoes from the 1970s, alongside contemporary haute couture heels. Together these artifacts illustrate how heel shapes, heights, materials, and social meanings have shifted over time.
More than a historical survey, the exhibition examines the cultural and practical reasons men have worn heels—whether for riding, to signal rank, to enhance stature on stage, or as part of a fashion statement. Visitors can expect contextual stories about craftsmanship, changes in manufacturing, and how shifting gender norms influenced both design and reception. The museum complements the curated objects with interpretive labels and displays that place footwear within broader social, political, and stylistic trends.
As part of its 20th anniversary program running through May 2016, the Bata Shoe Museum will host a series of public events linked to the exhibition. Planned activities include a gala birthday evening, a community weekend festival, performances, lectures, hands-on workshops, and commissioned art installations. These events aim to engage diverse audiences—collectors, scholars, families, and fashion enthusiasts—inviting visitors to explore footwear as a lens on history and identity.
Whether you’re interested in the technical evolution of footwear, the symbolism of heels, or memorable celebrity pieces, Standing Tall offers a richly illustrated, carefully curated look at a surprising aspect of men’s fashion. The exhibition highlights how a single item of clothing can reflect changing tastes, technological advances, and social hierarchies, and invites visitors to reconsider assumptions about gender and dress. Plan a visit this May to view these rare objects and participate in the museum’s anniversary programming.