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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

High heels. Are they a conspiracy?

296 replies

CrockedPot · 25/10/2013 20:49

So today I have spent eight hours in toe pinching, arch stretching, high heeled shoes. At work. By the end of the day I was glaring in envy at the men in their round toed, laced up, low heeled 'ergonomically designed' soled shoes, while I minced around like someone who had their feet bound in some medieval torture chamber. AIBU in thinking we put style over fucking comfort every single day and don't think a thing about it?? What are we doing?? (or is just me, wearing the wrong style of pretty, painful shoe?)

OP posts:
SatinSandals · 27/10/2013 07:29

It is also choice, you do not have to follow the herd. I really don't care if everyone else has heels there is no need for me to do the same and I will still be taller than most with my flat heels.

lifesgreatquestions · 27/10/2013 07:31

I would take the collective "we" out of your post, and then otherwise I agree with you that it certainly is a problem... but not for me, I learned that one about 20 years ago and never looked back. To me it's like trying to wear clothes two sizes too small, why would I?

Toadinthehole · 27/10/2013 07:44

LordPalmerston

This man thinks women wearing high heels look great or terrible, and rarely in between. The longer and stabbier the heel, the more likely it is that the wearer will be shuffling around uncomfortably, doing no favour to her health or appearance.

I reckon about 3 inches is more than enough (he says defensively).

MrsWembley · 27/10/2013 07:51

Heels, yes, fine! But heels so high they are uncomfortable to wear for more than five minutes, why?

Maybe for a wedding or a party where you'd get a chance to sit down or kick them off with gay abandon... But for work? NOOOO!!!

ColinButterfly · 27/10/2013 07:52

I am a heels fan but only once I'm at my desk and in meetings. I won't buy any that are uncomfortable though. I do my walking in flats.

As a dedicated follower of fashion though, it has become apparent that flats are the in thing of late so am wearing them a lot lately. Took a bit of getting used to but I'll admit it is lovely to be comfortable.

fatlazymummy · 27/10/2013 07:53

Most women I know wear flats. I don't know about going out at night because I never do.
The only reasons for wearing heels are - a) work dress code requires them or b) you like them.
If neither apply to you then don't wear them. I don't , because I like to be able to walk very quickly and I can't do that in heels.
Whether men like them is completely irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 07:55

Lol at toad. Never more than ten cm. I'm a metric heel wearer

LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 07:55

You never go out fatlazymummy? Ever?

RubySparks · 27/10/2013 07:55

If men like them, let them wear them!

LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 07:56

Oh no never flats with workwear.

Hate them with pencil skirts. All wrong

Bonsoir · 27/10/2013 07:57

I don't like the look of high heels one little bit unless they are complementing a very dressed up look. High heels with a trouser suit = M&S chic = don't go there.

Toadinthehole · 27/10/2013 07:58

Yes, I think whether men like them is completely irrelevant. I reckon women choose to torture themselves.

LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 07:58

Skinny trouser suit. Ossom

PacificDogwood · 27/10/2013 07:59

YANBU - on a societal level is is a 'conspiracy' IMO and has v ancient reasons: makes your bum and tits stick out in sexy manner Hmm, is totally impractical so indicates high statues and being rich as you must have servants to do all the fetching and actual doing stuff.

YABU if you continue wearing them now that you know how horrific they are Wink. There are smart shoes around that are not Cornish Pasties (love that comparison) and are not absurdly high.

PacificDogwood · 27/10/2013 08:01

I reckon some women chose to torture themselves because they are under the impression they will please some men. And some men encourage that impression...

eurochick · 27/10/2013 08:01

I love heels. I am long bodied, with relatively short legs. Heels help to even up my proportions. I don't walk any distance in them though - I keep them in the office and walk in wearing flats.

LordPalmerston · 27/10/2013 08:01

They're not all instruments of torture though. Are they?

fatlazymummy · 27/10/2013 08:13

lordparmerstone I don't go out night, no ,apart from an occasional party. I did when I was younger but it no longer interests me.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 27/10/2013 08:18

We evolved to walk around barefoot.

Wearing any sort of heel throws your natural posture out. You end up tilting your penis in a weird way as well as setting yourself up for a lifetime of foot, ankle, calf, back pain.

They're not just uncomfortable, they are actually damaging.

MarshaBrady · 27/10/2013 08:21

I wouldn't do heels at work, far too uncomfortable.

PacificDogwood · 27/10/2013 08:23

You end up tilting your penis?? Shock

YellowDinosaur · 27/10/2013 08:25

Massive snort at itsallgoingtobefine's 'you end up tilting your penis in a wired way'

:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

YellowDinosaur · 27/10/2013 08:26

Cross posted pacificdogwood :o

Best dyac ever!

Ilovexmastime · 27/10/2013 08:29

I never wear heels, they ARE instruments of torture as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes I wish I could, as I have a couple of lovely dresses that I know would look better on me if I were wearing heels, but I just don't care about how I look enough to put myself through the pain of heels.

BeScarefulWhatYouWitchFor · 27/10/2013 09:02

ItsAllGoingToBeFine GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

I very rarely wear heels. In work I'm on my feet for most of it so I'm not going to torture myself. I do like them for a night out.