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Original poster

High Heels WTF is it about

164 replies

FattyArbuckel · 05/02/2011 17:04

Why in this day and age do we STILL worship high heels

I think they are one step away from chinese foot binding and can't look around the pavements without cringing...

Really, why do women wear them? I think they look awful.

Rant over - just could not keep it in any longer today....

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 19:26

I am not being defensive really.

People are saying high heels are awful yet women are expected to wear them.

I just don't feel expected to wear them and am pretty sure I am free to choose.

Doesn't everyone?

FlamingoBingo · 06/02/2011 19:24

But Dittany - the same argument comes when people talk about the WHO Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Everyone says 'I don't decide to formula feed because I saw an advert!'.

It's disengenuous though - clearly billions and billions of people are affected by advertising, as you say, otherwise why do the manufacturers and suppliers spend so many billions and billions of dollars on marketing strategies! They're not stupid - they know that advertising their wares creates buyers.

And I am beginning to see why feminists get so frustrated, when people a desperate to see them saying 'you can't do this' when you're not saying that at all! We're arguing about a culture that makes us want to do certain things, not about the people who make the choices to do them.

Katiekitty · 06/02/2011 19:23

Heck, it's ingrained in girls from a teeny weeny age that high heels are The Way To Go.

Even Barbie's feet are so shaped as to be ready to slip into high heels.

I'd say that it's only when you stop to think about it, then you decide if you want to wear them or not. Either is ok, heels or flats, as long as no one's being forced.

I'd add though that the ruddy Sex And The City has alot to answer for in the 'squeeeaall, shoooees' mentaility that some people think they have to adopt.

dittany · 06/02/2011 19:22

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dittany · 06/02/2011 19:20

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Prolesworth · 06/02/2011 19:20

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MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 19:18

Well what are you lot talking about then? What do you want women to wear?

FlamingoBingo · 06/02/2011 19:17

Who said 'women should only wear flat shoes'?

MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 19:15

Even Camper advertise. They do mostly only flat shoes. Are they ok? I guess so!

I just don't feel compelled to buy them either.

noddyholder · 06/02/2011 19:13

They are feeding a demand Some of us WANT to wear them and if I feel like wearing other shoes I do.The magazines I full of things that people have designed in teh name of fashion and most people pick and choose and don't feel compelled

MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 19:11

What like women should only wear flat shoes do you mean? Wink

Really everyone that produces something goes to the effort of manufacturing it and advertising its existence. I don't see why it means I am expected to wear heels more than anything else that clogs up the advertised airways.

FlamingoBingo · 06/02/2011 19:01

Just to add to Dittany's list:

The people who think that people ought to dress a certain way because of their age/skin colour/gender/whatever

Oblomov - I'm sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree. I think it is entirely inappropriate to think that everyone should dress a certain way.

dittany · 06/02/2011 18:45

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noddyholder · 06/02/2011 18:16

I wouldn't wear them if I was in pain or couldn't walk though!Who would?

MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 18:16

That was about feeling like one is expected to wear heels to feel fashionable. I don't think that is true.

I do have one pair of solid-ish heel (ie not stiletto) 'pumps' and a couple of pairs of ankle boots with same sort of heel. Ie not too bad to walk in. Which I wear when I go out at night.

FiammiFreeway · 06/02/2011 18:13

I have a few pairs which are never worn. I simply can't feel confident and safe walking in them, not from fear of being chased really but of falling over.

I like them to look at but can't think of when I might wear them - only I think in a protected situation, where I was with someone who was taking care of me and where I wasn't going to need to walk far.

So something like a dinner at home with partner. that sort of occasion.

I don't like the pain and I don't like the way it makes people walk - which is weird.

MarshaBrady · 06/02/2011 18:09

It's really easy to avoid high heels if you want to and still buy nice / current or fashionable stuff.

Most women I know do wear flat and/or comfortable shoes in the day anyway. Nice ones.

TheFallenMadonna · 06/02/2011 18:07

The vast majority of women don't wear shoes like that though, do they? If they wear heels day to day, they wear something lower and more confortable. I am on my feet all day at work. I wouldn't wear unconfortable shoes.

noddyholder · 06/02/2011 18:03

Who expects them to?

dittany · 06/02/2011 18:01

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noddyholder · 06/02/2011 17:58

No one is expected to wear them It is a choice You obviously need a weekend in Brighton because plenty of teetering men here Grin

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 06/02/2011 17:47

good grief D.

those red wedges in the pic at the top don't actually look like shoes, they look like blocks of wood strapped to someone's feet deliberately so they would not be able to walk.

dittany · 06/02/2011 17:40

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Oblomov · 06/02/2011 17:36

No blisters here. Uncomfortable ? Bin. Immediately.

vesuvia · 06/02/2011 17:27

Men with bad intentions don't even have to see the woman in high heels to know that she is approaching. That can have serious safety implications for the woman.