Let’s make it clear at the outset. This isn’t about how well you walk, or how high you go, this is about how women’s heeled shoes are seen in the context of a women’s right to choose in a modern society.
Historically heels were worn by men. Look back to the French courts of the likes of Louis XVI and wealthy men’s shoes could easily carry a 2” heel. Fashions ebb and flow so is it valid to say heels are imposed upon women by a misogynistic elite from within the fashion industry or is it simple a case of form over function? Designers echoing the past, drawing inspiration from what went before?
For some high heels are seen as one of those things that society imposes upon women. In order to be seen as attractive, desirable in the eyes of men. Something no woman wears truly by choice. For others they’re a means of personal expression. A way of improving how they look, making them feel good about themselves. It could be argued that this is little different from the male who grows a beard as it’s become fashionable to do so in recent times. Simple conformist behaviour. It’s also become, at least in the UK, fashionable for young males to go to the gym and build upper torso muscles.
So now we have clubs and bars full of macho bearded males competing for the attention of preened heel wearing females.
Is it therefore as simple as that? Women now choose not to wear heels for the everyday tasks. In suit and tie, polished shoes, well barbered, males working cheek by jowl with well dressed women seeking to mutually impress each other at work and at play but in those intermediate periods, the bits were we do the boring mundane things that life requires, we all go dress down at least to some level. If out in the day shopping is it surprising that there aren’t hordes of females walking about in heels? No, it’s just not the right time and place.
In a post started by Charlotte there are replies that in referring to heels talk about women wearing them to be sexy. Perhaps therein lays part of the problem. Is it possible that they’re worn just to make them look and feel more attractive, more stylish, more elegant and that the “Sisters are doing it for themselves” to quote the song.
Are we guilty of when talking about heels only thinking of killer stilettos? A few nights ago I was out at a show at a small theatre and the vast majority of women were wearing a heeled shoe. Most were less than 2” block heel but heels nevertheless. There was a proportion of stilettos but nothing extravagantly high. Stylish but wearable I’d describe them as. So is the problem in our minds? Are some of our community, I refuse to tar all, guilty of creating an image that’s a reflection of their own desires? A failure to move with the times?
I like how heels make my legs, and from that my overall presentation look. Is my first reaction I look sexy or that I present well, a more femme image to the observer? I’ve decided on the latter. The average straight male is never going to see me a sexy. I hope not as mutton dressed as lamb either but in the right light I’ll settle for elegant and stylish
In summation I feel it’s wrong to vilify heels as the work of Satan imposed upon women by misogynistic men and what we're experiencing is in someway a backlash. In truth what’s happened women have chosen the when and where heels are worn. If they choose not to wear them for reasons of comfort or style choice, their muscles and joints don’t allow, so be it. If you can, count you blessings.
Those of our community who go out regularly it seems broadly follow the trend. On a night out then heels are the thing. Spending the day shopping, comfort wins out.
Now I know some are at this point itching to tell how they can spend all day in heels without any issue. So can some GG’s. Most however now opt for a more pragmatic approach and therein I feel lays the truth of the matter. Heels aren’t dead and forgotten, just worn more selectively. Pragmatism wins the day.
Originally Posted by Helen_Highwater
