List of barefooters

Isadora Duncan performing barefoot during her 1915—1918 American tour

This is a list of notable barefooters; notable people who are known for going barefoot as a part of their public image, and whose barefoot appearance was consistently reported by media or other reliable sources, or depicted in works of fiction dedicated to them.

A barefoot appearance can be a notable characteristic for an individual, as it has been associated with various cultural contexts throughout human history. Since the Middle Ages, it was seen as a sign of religious ascetism: in particular, discalceation, the practice of going constantly barefoot or clad only in sandals, is a common feature of Christian mendicant orders, practiced by the Discalced Carmelites (1568), the Feuillant Cistercians (1575), the Trinitarians (1594), the Mercedarians (1604), the Passionists, the Poor Clares and Colettine Poor Clares, and the Descalzas Reales. This is undertaken as part of vows of poverty and humility, as well as a remembrance of Moses on Mount Sinai. Hindu gurus go barefoot to allow their followers to demonstrate their love and respect by pranam, the ceremonial touching of a bare foot. It is also customary in Judaism and some Christian denominations to go barefoot while mourning.

The early 20th century saw the emergence of the barefoot dance movement, pioneered by Isadora Duncan, that anticipated women's liberation movement and challenged the then prevalent perception of bare feet as obscene. In the latter half of the 20th century, many singers, primarily women, have performed barefoot, a trend that continues in the early 21st century. Since the 1960s, barefooting has also been associated with counterculture, in particular with the hippie and New Age movements.

Nowadays people who have a preference for not wearing shoes in public are striving for the recognition of barefoot lifestyle, against the social stigma associated with barefooting, and for the abolition of laws and regulations that prohibit going barefoot in certain places.

Notable barefooters

Religion, spirituality, and philosophy

Johnny Appleseed, as depicted in an illustration to «A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County» (1862)

• Socrates (470—399 BC) — Ancient Greek philosopher credited as the founder of Western philosophy. In Symposium, Plato mentioned that Socrates went barefoot all year round, even on ice; Aristophanes also made a reference to Socrates going barefoot in his comedy The Clouds. He is frequently alluded to as "the barefoot philosopher" in academic works, and a television film dedicated to his last days was called Barefoot in Athens.
• Bishr the Barefoot (767–841) — Muslim saint who earned the name Bishr al-Ḥāfī (Bishr the Barefoot). When asked why he did not wear shoes, he would reply "My master Allah guided me when I was barefooted, and I will remain in this condition till death".
• Margaret the Barefooted (1325–1395) — Italian saint who earned her name because she walked barefooted as a beggar to better associate herself with the poor.
• Johnny Appleseed (1774–1845) — American pioneer nurseryman and missionary for The New Church, known for his barefoot appearance. According to his obituary in Fort Wayne Sentinel, "in the most inclement weather he might be seen barefooted and almost naked except when he chanced to pick up articles of old clothing".

Arts and entertainment

Statue of Voldemārs Irbe in Riga, depicted disheveled and barefoot in accordance with his real-life appearance as «Barefoot Irbite»

A barefoot sculpture of Cesaria Evora at the eponymous airport in Mindelo, Cabo Verde

Joss Stone performing barefoot on stage

Steven Wilson performing barefoot at a 2016 music festival in Freiburg

• Isadora Duncan (1878–1927) — American-born dancer and choreographer, who was a pioneer of modern contemporary dance and, in particular, revolutionized dance by performing barefoot. She divorced the bare foot from perceptions of obscenity and made a conscious effort to link barefoot dancing to ideals such as "nudity, childhood, the idyllic past, flowing lines, health, nobility, ease, freedom, simplicity, order, and harmony".
• Voldemars Irbe (1893–1944) — Latvian pastel painter renowned for his eccentricity, disheveled appearance, and going barefoot all year round. This penchant earned him the nickname "Barefoot Irbite"; a monument in Riga dedicated to Irbe also depicts him barefooted.
• Ava Gardner (1922–1990) — American actress who was a part of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her lifelong habit of going barefoot became a part of her public image after the release of her movie The Barefoot Contessa (1954); her decision to accept the role was also influenced by this habit.
• Cesaria Evora (1941–2011) — Cape Verdean morna singer who became known as the Barefoot Diva because she often performed without shoes, which was sometimes described as a way for Évora to honor the poor.
• Sharon Tate (1943–1969) — American actress and model known for frequently appearing barefoot in public. When she went to restaurants with a "No Shoes, No Service" rule, she would frequently put rubber bands around her ankles to pretend that she was wearing sandals. This trait of hers was depicted in the 2019 movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
• Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023) — American singer-songwriter known for his tropical rock sound and persona, and, in particular, for singing barefoot onstage to promote an island/beach bum lifestyle.
• Sandie Shaw (b. 1947) — English pop singer renowned as one of the first singers to perform barefoot. This earned her the nickname "Barefoot Pop Princess of the 1960s". After she started another career as a psychotherapist, she opened a clinic known as Barefoot Therapy: The Arts Clinic.
• Amy Grant (b. 1960) — American singer-songwriter and musician who performs barefoot as one of her concert trademarks. To date, Grant continues to take off her shoes midway through performances, as she has said, "it is just more comfortable."
• Steven Wilson (b. 1967) — English musician; founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Porcupine Tree. For live shows, Wilson plays barefoot, a habit that goes back to his early childhood. He said, "I always had a problem wearing shoes and I've always gone around with bare feet."
• Shakira (b. 1977) — Colombian singer and songwriter known for frequently performing barefoot, a form of dance she learned as a young teen to overcome her shyness, and which gave name to a charity founded by her, Barefoot Foundation.
• Barbara Weldens (1982–2017) — French singer-songwriter whose habit of performing barefoot resulted in her death by electrocution: her foot made contact with a defective piece of electrical equipment.
• Stelth Ulvang (b. 1986) — American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a touring member of the folk rock band The Lumineers. He has acquired the nickname "Barefoot Wanderer" due to his habit of performing barefoot on stage.
• Joss Stone (b. 1987) — English singer, songwriter and actress who was referred to as a "barefoot diva" by The Guardian in 2004 for her performances without footwear.

Businesspeople

• Steve Jobs (1955–2011) — American businessman, inventor, and investor best known for co-founding the technology company Apple Inc. Jobs was known to frequently appear barefooted in his office, and was depicted this way in a feature dedicated to him in Time magazine. His barefoot habit had an impact on American corporate culture, and was adopted by some other entrepreneurs, most notably Adam Neumann.

See also

• List of bow tie wearers

Notes

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