Russian peasants used to wear lapti (bast shoes), whereas in
towns high boots were the most common footwear. Heeled boots
appeared in Russia somewhat in the 14th century. The high boots
were usually square-tipped, whereas the nobles were
distinguished by upturned toes. The tops of the boots were
comparatively short and angularly cut towards the knees. They
were sewn of coloured leather, morocco, brocade or velvet and
were often decorated with embroidery and even gems. In the late
17th century under the influence of western fashions the
nobility started to wear low shoes. In Russian self-perception
the braided footwear known as lapti is one of the most important
symbols of the traditional national mode of living. The lapti
made of bast or birch bark were the main type of peasant
footwear in Russia till the mid 19th century. The lapti were
worn with the onucha, i.e. a puttee, a strip of cloth wrapped
round the foot. The onucha was fastened to the leg with a bast
lace fixed to the shoe and was twined up around t