Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that high heels are just not worth it

208 replies

OrkneyGirl · 27/08/2024 01:27

I've come back from a girls night out and feet are hurting like feck. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of heels but omg why do I honestly wear them?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 27/08/2024 05:48

I haven’t worn them since university.

As for empowering, I know of 2 fairly recent occasions when friends on their way home from nights out got chased by men, & managed to run to safety. That would have been a lot harder in heels.

Hateam · 27/08/2024 05:46

It wasn't until.I started reading MN that I realised just how much women hate and judge other women for the choices they make.

k1233 · 27/08/2024 05:43

I absolutely adore beautiful shoes. Unfortunately the majority of flats are fugly, but I'm noticing that is changing in recent times. I've got a dodgy knee and tore my plantar fascia about 2 years ago (in flat shoes, on flat ground), so my heels are "retired". I need to donate them but they're so pretty.

Pruneaux · 27/08/2024 05:39

I love them as I have short legs and have some gorgeous (very expensive and comfortable pairs). But I do feel I less fashionable in them now than pre Covid days, and never find myself reaching for the highest ones which I used to wear in the office.

Recent purchases have been 1-2 inches and flat form trainers.

Mercedes45 · 27/08/2024 05:36

High heels does not equal stiletto. To those who don't or never wore them, what do you wear with a lovely dress you are wearing to a wedding for example. Have a wedding in few days, I am wearing heels. They are by no means stilettos but def not kitten heels. But are high heels!

pinkfleece · 27/08/2024 05:34

Never worn them. Think those who do really rather pathetic TBH given the damage that they do to the feet and ankles, really don't see them as sexy.

Scarletrogue · 27/08/2024 05:34

I would say they were worn to make you taller so you looked taller and thus slimmer for your height.

blahblahblah24 · 27/08/2024 05:32

Feet!

blahblahblah24 · 27/08/2024 05:32

Plus so many women have gross deformed get from wearing them

blahblahblah24 · 27/08/2024 05:30

They haven't been fashionable for a while now. I wore them a little 20-25 years ago on nights out as a teen but hated them so never wore them after that. You can usually tell a persons age when they're tottering about in ridiculous high shoes.

SallyWD · 27/08/2024 05:26

I wear them about once every three years if I'm going to a wedding or very posh event (which is rare!). Even then i wear lowish heals. Never for a standard night out. I don't know anyone who does.

romdowa · 27/08/2024 05:24

Gave then up in my early twenties because I couldn't deal with the pain any longer. I now might wear a low block heel but anything higher is just impractical.

Sweetteaplease · 27/08/2024 05:05

N4ish · 27/08/2024 04:51

High heels look very dated now. Seeing women tottering around city centres struggling to walk in them looks increasingly ridiculous. Why bother?

If they're struggling to walk in them, then they shouldn't be wearing them

Sweetteaplease · 27/08/2024 05:04

OrkneyGirl · 27/08/2024 01:56

Why? I've been mulling over why I wear them occasionally...just because they complement a particular dress? But just not sure I'd go out and buy a pair of stilettos for their beauty knowing Ill pay for it at the end of the night!

I just think they are so beautiful 😍 I absolutely love seeing other women in them. I used to wear them all the time and they didn't hurt at all. Sadly now I probably can't after a lock down and a toddler.

XChrome · 27/08/2024 05:00

N4ish · 27/08/2024 04:51

High heels look very dated now. Seeing women tottering around city centres struggling to walk in them looks increasingly ridiculous. Why bother?

Agree. They are anachronistic. Women should have moved past this "beauty is pain" crap by now. The super high hooker heel type stilettos in particular look desperate and sad. It's like advertising that you have low self esteem and need validation from men.

N4ish · 27/08/2024 04:51

High heels look very dated now. Seeing women tottering around city centres struggling to walk in them looks increasingly ridiculous. Why bother?

CharlotteRumpling · 27/08/2024 04:49

I have never worn them. Ever. not even when young. I don't think they look good either.

ForGreyKoala · 27/08/2024 04:47

I've never worn high heels, and never understood why anyone did.

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 27/08/2024 04:44

I don't think I've worn high heels since the late 80s. I'm not really a stiletto kind of person!

existentialpain · 27/08/2024 03:22

I had bunions (genetic- both parents had them) from age 10, so I've never worn high heels. I had my bunions removed two years ago, but I'd never ruin my feet or risk them returning by wearing them. I've never understood why anyone would want to feel so uncomfortable.

Moonshiners · 27/08/2024 03:21

I used to wear them but now think they look a bit silly. Not sure when this happened!

63isMe · 27/08/2024 03:10

I love them too and have lots. Only wear for night out -maybe 2-3 times a week. I can dance in them easily. My back.feet /posture are all fine. It is good to vary heel height and go barefoot often too. Worst for feet are totally flat shoes.

Dreamingofretirement · 27/08/2024 02:54

I love them! I have loads of stilettos, I think they are sexy, empowering and give me loads of confidence. It would take a lot for me to stop wearing them

XChrome · 27/08/2024 02:52

High heels are absolutely terrible for both your feet and your back. Plus, they hobble you. Anything that leaves you unable to run away from danger and unstable on your feet is a big no for me.
I'll wear kitten heels or short wedges if I'm wearing a dress, which I seldom do. I'll wear a short stacked heel in boots or a Chelsea boot with pants.

cariadlet · 27/08/2024 02:08

I haven't worn heels since I was a teenager and I'm sure that's why my feet are healthy. My sister wore heels for work for years and it messed her feet up.

Incidentally, they weren't invented for the male gaze although that's probably why women were later encouraged to wear them.

They were originally worn by male horseriders. I think it was the Persians. The heels helped to keep their boots in the stirrups.

When they spread to Europe, they were adopted by male aristocrats and royalty. You can see portraits of people like Louis XIV wearing high heels.