As a woman, there's one thing that's always confused me about our gender.
The need to wear overly high heels.
What did you think I was referring to?...And now you can remove your head from the gutter.
But really, what's the point? Sure, I get the idea of heels making your calves and ass look amazing, and they sure do help, but from my experience this can be accomplished with a small heel - inch or two tops will suffice.
What's more, I'm a shorty! Topping out at 5'3" there are days where I could use the extra height, but honestly, my favorite pair of dress shoes are a black, round toe MaryJane that maybe, just maybe bring me to 5'5". I suppose I've embraced my short stature, but I still don't get the women out there who think they need shoes like this to survive.
Okay, so that's an exaggeration, of course. But I just saw this girl walking in my building in what was probably 5" heels and she was walking as if she was healing from two broken legs. She was wobbly and clearly very uncomfortable. Not to mention that she was moving at a snails pace, because really, who can take a normal stride in tall, pointy shoes?
I mean really, this just doesn't look comfortable.
In this country, our obsession with high, tight, pointy, uncomfortable women's shoes boarders on insanity. When I see a woman who has stuffed her feet into a pair of pumps that her tootsies clearly want to revolt against (have you seen the women whose feet spill over the side of their shoes because they're shoved in so tightly - it looks like they have foot fat, seriously), I can't help but think about the foot binding that Chinese women are subjected to.
So my question is this - can anyone explain to me exactly what the point is?
Cute shoes don't have to be this uncomfortable. And as I noted before, an inch or two will get just about anyone where they want to be with that extra lift. So unless you're 4'6" and really, truly need the extra height, what's the point?
I'm sticking with my comfy 1 inchers and keeping my head high - well as high as it can go - and being proud of my short little legs.
Cheers!
-A
I'll be honest, in heels, my feet are more comfortable. Believe me, I'm OK with my short stature as well, but have been on the search for a shoe for ETERNITY that is flat and doesn't rip apart my feet. That said, my favorite "flat-like" have a short 1/2-inch hell maybe, but I spent nearly $150 on them and had them for 10 years.
ReplyDeleteJust last week, I purchased a pair of pillowy (and moderately-priced) Bass sandals -- felt wonderful... until I walked three blocks in them. I STILL had three more blocks of them tearing into my feet & I still had to wear them the rest of the afternoon and walk home afterward!
Short of wearing tennis shoes all the time (eww), I am out of options. Seriously, I have worn some of my favorite heels in my closet with never a problem. Apparently, it's some way I walk when in flats.
*hell = heel, of course. If ever the most appropriate misspelling in talking about uncomfortable shoes. :)
ReplyDeleteAt 5'11", I certainly don't need the height (though admittedly it comes in handy at times). Quite simply, I think they look fabulous. Some people love purses, others buy clothes or jewelry - I collect shoes. I consider them wearable art.
ReplyDeleteAnd high heels and comfort are not mutually exclusive. I have a pair of 5.5" platform stilettos that I can wear for 12 hours without batting an eyelash. I can't even say that about flip flops. It's about the quality of the shoe and how it fits your foot. Some women (like the one who inspired this post) haven't figure that out, I suppose.
Kevin doesn't get it either. Hence the challenge on my facebook page.
Mel - my feet are most comfortable in a 1" heel, I do agree with that. I guess I've just never understood going much higher - maybe I just have tender feet.
ReplyDeleteRachel - I'll admit that I've never purchased a very high quality pair of high heels, though I've heard if you invest, the comfort is usually there. Guess I'll take peoples word on that one :)