I’m putting this out there. High heels.

[Undercoverbanana]

I think they are ugly and make women/girls look ridiculous. AIBU?

I can accept that we are all influenced by society. I am fortunately alive in the 21st century UK, where the shops provide me with a vast array of fashions and styles to choose from.

I can wear jeans, pumps, trainers, loose dresses, shorts, trouser suits, skirt suits, trackie bottoms, Tshirts, sandals, jumpers, high heels, doc martens, tuxedos, posh frocks, blouses, cardigans and I'm sure a lot more.

All I have to do is decide what I want to wear and when. I am glad that I am a woman and have so much choice. I have been particularly glad of it when I am at summer weddings and all the men are sweating in suits and ties, while I am wearing something cooler (both temperature and style wise).

I like wearing heels. Makes me feel more confident.

I’m not saying for a minute that all you need to do is grow armpit hair, I’m saying that having armpit hair is better for stink prevention than shaving

*What a daft stance.

I shave armpits because it makes anti-perspirant work better and I think under arm hair is ugly. I would like men to shave it too if they will be showing underarms as it is ugly on them too. I think some gymnasts do.

I shave leg hair because I think it looks ugly with bare legs or sheer tights. I don't bother when I wear opaque tights in winter.

This has zero, nada, zilch to do with trying to look younger or pre-pubescent.

Hair poking through tights looks ugly to me. Removing it takes nothing from how old I look*

You can't say that, @Lass, you'll only be asked WHY you think hairs poking through tights and furry pits is ugly. And it'll circle back towards misogyny and the patriarchy.

Yes. Someone finally said it!

I agree with you OP.

Do you think body hair ‘looks ugly’ on men?

Yes. I don't like hairy men

Why so/not? Don't know. I'm not keen on ginger hair or very muscly rugby player types either. Or big bottomed men either.

Don’t you think there is some societal reason why people think something totally natural is ‘ugly’ and seek to remove it from the body? Don’t you think it’s an incredibly coincidence that those ‘ugly’ things are a sign of puberty?

No because shaving my legs has no effect whatsoever on how old I look. Are men without beards trying to look pre- pubescent?

She can say what she likes Kitten

As can I. Still would love to know why leg hair is intrinsically ‘ugly’ on women but not men. Funny that isn’t it.

So you think it’s just coincidence that female fashions are full of ‘wrinkle reducer’ ‘hair remover’ smooth skin’ etc etc

Whereas men’s fashions are far more natural (and based in clothes)

Of course it’s because society expects women to look younger and to crave looking younger. I can’t beleive that’s not blindingly obvious to everyone and anyone

I absolutely adore high heels and have lots and lots of pairs. I can't walk in flat shoes as my calves hurt and don't like the way they look on me in a dress or shorts. I do everything in my high heels.
I don't wear my heels (or anything for that matter) to impress any man, I wear them for myself and I would never have to ask to "cab" it anywhere due to my heels.
I think it looks stupid if people can't walk in their shoes, be it heels or anything else.
You are probably not bring unreasonable to think that , as everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just think it's a shame you think that about such wonderful items 😉😉

I’m saying that having armpit hair is better for stink prevention than shaving

Can't say I've ever noticed a difference, personally. My stink levels very much depend on my cycle and length of time since last shower. But that's just me. Has anyone ever done a study on stink levels on hairless v. hairy pits? Only thing I can find is this, which does not back up your case, but equally isn't particularly peer-reviewed.

You can't say that, @Lass, you'll only be asked WHY you think hairs poking through tights and furry pits is ugly. And it'll circle back towards misogyny and the patriarchy

I lnow. I think cats are nicer than dogs but if I were to have a dog I'd pick a greyhound over a labrador.

And I prefer lillies over tulips.

YANBU OP. Why do women hobble themselves?

Madeline I only have anecdotal evidence and the concept of common sense really here

Still would love to know why leg hair is intrinsically ‘ugly’ on women but not men. Funny that isn’t it

I have given you my answer. I personally think it is ugly on men. Fortunately most of the men I meet wear long trousers.

I only have anecdotal evidence and the concept of common sense really here

Then your opinion is just as subjective as anyone else's, innit?

I'm not a fan of heels for myself, simply because I find it painful to walk in them. I won't allow my daughter to wear anything taller than a very small heel, because she is still growing. Heels change the way your feet hold your weight, and this can lead to foot, leg, and back problems. I don't want my daughter to grow up with messed up muscles and bones because she wore heels while her body was still developing. I think if adult women wear them, that's their business.

Madeline

I’ve never suggested otherwise

Lass

How unfortunate for you that societal norms has taught you such a basic aspect of human anatomy is ‘ugly’

Thats a real shame

Crikey, heels and body hair really get the party started!

I don't wear high heels partly because my back is fucked up, but partly because I like to be able to walk places without blisters and without wanting to cry because my feet hurt so much. I have worn high heels, I never found a pair that kept my feet as comfortable as a good flat or a low heel.

I have one pair of high heeled shoes, which are vintage Italian leather stilettos. I sometimes put them on in the house because they're beautiful. I won't sell them, but I won't wear them anywhere again either. I also have two pairs of odd sort of shoes that are a mid heel height, but they don't have heels. They're the Eamz pumps by United Nudes. I bought a second pair because the first were so comfortable and had been stupid cheap in a sale, so I bought the second pair so I could have them forever, or near enough . They are very comfortable but look as though they wouldn't be at all. I'd longed for them for ages before I got them. I'm sure lots of people would think them ugly, but whatevs.

Really high heels nearly always look awful to me, not least because when one sees them on the red carpet so many of them are stripy sandals, the feet in them look so uncomfortable, the toes are squashed together, although the little one sometimes pokes out, the heels are too thin to give any support and there are always bunions.

I think flats with a lift of about half an inch or so are great and my favourite form of shoe or sandal. A low heel can be lovely to, but ultimately it's up to each woman what she wears, I just wish more of us would think more about comfort. Comfort can be sexy, high heels can be hideous and very often are. Ballet pumps are lovely and very bad for the feet. Blah. Also, hairiness is cool as.

*Actually that’s totally untrue. Hair doesn’t stop antiperspirant from working.

Actually hair wicks sweat from the skin and prevents bacteria build up on the surface of the skin which means no stink.*

Your actuallying there does rather suggest otherwise IMO, Camel.

1) Can you accept that we are all influenced by society in our decision processes and therefore wearing heels is not entirely a free and independent choice?
2) Can you accept that it is odd to make a free choice that causes physical damaged?
3) Can you accept that other choices such as make up and clothes are also influenced by society BUT don't limit our mobility and cause long term damaged, therefore the question you keep asking is irrelevant?

It's not at all irrelevant, can you accept that your wearing of clothes in general is not a free and independent choice? can you accept that I'm not talking about the physical damage that wearing heels apparently causes? can you accept that for quite a lot of women, the occasional wearing of heels holds no long term health complications? The point is, we have lots of women on this thread re-hashing the 'fact' that some women wear heels because they're mindless drones, only these women will not come forward and say that they only wear bin bags, don't do their hair, don't wear make up, don't shave, don't own form-fitting clothes, don't wear a bra, have never had their teeth straightened, who try in no way to make themselves look nice, and you could argue, like so many do, that women would only ever want to look nice to be pleasing to the eyes of men. I'm not arguing with you, but your original argument was indeed that women only wear heels to look pretty. You changed it to foot health after I mentioned all of the above.

I think high heels look pretty but agree that is conditioning; I've never seen my Mum in flats at a formal event (I also think the exaggerated hourglass a Victorian corset gives you still looks attractive even though I think we all agree they restrict women's movement and at worst were dangerous to wear). Now I can see how her feet are deformed from wearing narrow heels for years . Exaggerated female forms are still held up as an ideal, just think of Disney Princesses) whereas spending my 20s in DMs (and doing a lot of yoga) mean I have no feet deformities at nearly 50.

I only wear flats and have a selection of pointy flats for posh events (and sparkly converse for not so posh events). Means I can enjoy the walk to a restaurant and can dance the night away without getting sore feet. I find heels very painful and have no desire to feel like the little mermaid all night.

For those who think you need heels to finish off an outfit look at enbrogue.

Fucksake, I'm really going to have to up my bolding game.

*So you think it’s just coincidence that female fashions are full of ‘wrinkle reducer’ ‘hair remover’ smooth skin’ etc etc

Whereas men’s fashions are far more natural (and based in clothes)*

But this isn't the case these days, it's moving that way for men too....

I'd suggest you watch the Sky Sports channels, they are literally FILLED with famous sportsmen advocating various men's beauty and grooming products....... it really isn't just a woman thing anymore.

Also all the footballers and rugby players not to mention reality TV stars who are now totally hair free.

These days there's as much pressure on young men to be well groomed and turned out as there is on young women.

Why would it be unreasonable?

Banning everybody from using them is unreasonable, but just sharing an opinion isn't.

I wear heels at times, though usually only for special occasions or if I feel short gang day.
When I do though I pick ones that are relatively comfortable and go with what I'm wearing.

I personally can't stand pointy shoes of any design. All I ever think of is that they look like they're squishing the wearers feet and I really dislike 'toe cleavage'.