The term “well-to-do” originated in the mid-1800s when those who could afford shoe repairs or new shoes were considered affluent. The industrialization of shoemaking led to year-round shoe-wearing and the invention of rubber-soled sneakers. Today, designer shoes are associated with luxury and wealth, but affordable yet stylish options are available. Shoes are important for a person’s image and job seekers should have well-maintained shoes. Second-hand stores are a good option for those who cannot afford new shoes.
The term “well-to-do” is an American expression that dates back to the mid-1800s. Because city cobblers made and repaired shoes, those who could afford the repair service and/or new shoes were considered affluent. Wealthy is the opposite of the American expression “down at the heels” used in the seventeenth century. The heels of the shoes of the poor were often worn out and differed from those of the rich who were able to keep their shoes or afford new shoes, while the poor could not.
Many people in the United States in the early 1800s went shoeless during the spring and summer and many others wore shoes only on special occasions such as church or school. Some kids never even owned shoes until they were teenagers. By the mid-1800s shoemaking became more industrialized and wearing shoes all year round became more common.
Sneakers were the first American rubber-soled shoes and were manufactured in the United States in the late 1800s. Humphrey O’Sullivan, an Irish-American, invented the rubber shoe heel and had it patented in 1899. Rubber-soled shoes were promoted as “sneakers” by advertising agent Henry Nelson McKinney to accentuate the advantage of a quiet shoe over the usual loud shoe.
Over the centuries, the expression affluent has increasingly been associated with the rich, the wealthy and the concept of luxury. Affluent today means a person with the financial means to afford good quality shoes. Those with high earnings or high incomes can afford to be affluent in a variety of well-made shoes, so the quantity and quality of shoes is often expressed as affluent.
Designer shoes, with their extravagant price tags, are sold to the well-heeled buyer. Brands like Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, and Prada start at around $400 for more casual shoes, and boots could cost upwards of $2,000 or more. Celebrities and the wealthy can afford luxury, but designer shoes are out of reach for the middle and lower classes.
However, with the wide variety of affordable yet stylish shoes available today, most people can afford decent looking shoes. Shoes are considered important to a person’s image and job seekers are often encouraged by experts to ensure they have well-maintained shoes that are suitable for the job. Second-hand stores are often a good source for those who aren’t financially well-off, if the shoes are in good shape and just need a little polishing to make them look like new.
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