To think high heels (especially when worn casually) look absolutely ridiculous?

[Takemeback84]

I’m probably going to get absolutely flamed for this.

But aibu to think that high heels are a complete monstrosity? The only time I think they are passable is if it’s something very formal. For example TV presenters sitting on a couch, or attending an award ceremony. As they’re really being worn just for show.

Tbh I don’t see many people wearing high heels these days, but sometimes I’ll notice a women teetering round the park or the shops, barely able to walk and looking very uncomfortable, I’ve even seen a woman bowling in high heels.

They look so uncomfortable and impractical.

They are designed by the patriarchy for the male gaze. No other reason to need a step ladder to get into them.

However, Kate Midleton can do heels. Why I've no idea because to me heels look so dated and there is so much choice out there. Diana started a trend for kitten heels and flats because she was as tall as Charles.

Oh and I think they are the transwoman's dream of what it's like to be a woman.

Not for me. I'll stick with low block heels or flats for any occasion.

They don’t look sexy though. Unless you want to look sexy in a seedy, dated way.

Why would you need to look sexy to go to a theme park, the zoo, bowling or shopping?

I can think that I might want to look cool, fresh and well put together, but not sexy.

Didn’t edit out Tanya Bardsley falling down the stairs on Real Housewives of Cheshire, bless her.

I have a foot in both camps (pun intended 😆)

I love high heels as objects and think the right pair really finishes off a special outfit. I spent mostly of my 20s on heels and hardly owned any flat shoes.

Now there's barely any occasion where I want to wear them enough to compromise my comfort and ability to walk quickly! I find it really odd when I see someone hobbling along , obviously uncomfortable in a situation like shopping or something where heels are just not necessary.

I went to a concert recently with DD15 and really noticed that even tho all the young folks were incredibly glam and looked amazing, most had flat shoes.

I used to love a pair of heels and had loads when I was younger, now pushing 50 and can’t remember the last time I wore some. I do buy very lovely flats though now!
@Anotherparkingthreadtotally wish I’d also worn l the shoes and bikinis when I had the body for them!

What an original viewpoint, OP. That's never been done on Mumsnet before. 🙄

I'm not saying that they should be worn to thr zoo 😄

But they do look sexy! They make the legs look longer and emphasise the figure and the way you walk

They're not for everyone, i agree, but the women who can walk in them have my admiration 🙌

Also, they're not just for looking sexy, obvs women might wear them to feel taller or just feel their best

I don’t understand why heels provoke such an unpleasant reaction. “Tacky”, “try hard”, even “monstrosity” ffs. They’re just other people’s shoes 🙄

I took 3 teenagers shopping for prom shoes this weekend, can confirm they looked ridiculous in high heels and all opted for lower block heel sandals with straps. Made me laugh that at not much older than that I could happily skip about in proper stilettos, think those days are gone though, been ages since I wore high heels except of the boot variety!

@Takemeback84

They don’t look sexy though. Unless you want to look sexy in a seedy, dated way.

Exactly. They may look sexy if your definition of sexy is a "quick bunk up behind the Roxy at chucking out time".

Unless they are very well designed and expensive (and worn with power suits or evening wear) they tend to look very 80s/90s and a bit cheap.

Why do men wear flats and never heels? Yep a man decided women would look sexy in heels and voila.

Oh I loved high heels and I wore them for work and when socialising. I could dance all night. But now I'm older and I badly hurt one of my ankles so I can no longer wear them. Now everyone knows I'm small!

I think they look nice ( on other people ) with the right outfit. However , for a day out it’s got to be trainers / flats or low heeled boots etc.
Most young people don’t wear them ( not that I’ve seen ) or it’s wedges ( which I also can’t wear )

I 100% can’t be fucked with them but I am quite tall….I think generally (grown) women wearing them look hot and should wear whatever they want!

I don’t think that they’ll ever deserve to be called shoes tbh.

Hate them. Never worn them in my life, not even for an event. They make feet look like hooves to me. I'm a Doc Martens or biker boots type, always have been.

I love them and I’ll wear them any chance I get. It’s unlikely to be around Chester Zoo these days (although I absolutely would have once upon a time) but I am often the only one in a group wearing heels and I don’t care, they make me happy.

No flaming from me.

I don't like high heels and now don't know how I ever managed to wear them (when I was in my early twenties). I am 58 now and haven't worn them for at least 30 years. I never will again.

I mainly live in trainers but there are some outfits that they are essential e.g wedding guest outfits. Well not essential but they’re always gonna look better than flats.

@Takemeback84 if anyone should be wearing high heels 24/7 all weathers it should be me! At barely 5’ nothing haha. In reality though I’ve worn flats my entire life and heels only when ‘out’ and yet - still, still I developed a bunion argh! 😭

But yes, occasionally whilst shopping in town, I will see average height women teetering in high heels or those chunky ankle boots - even when there’s snow on the ground lol and they almost always have an unnatural gait so I wonder why they preserve as surely it can’t be comfortable and not in an environment either where you’re expected to be dressed up but hey each to their own.

I remember in a past job, a senior manager who was about 5’10 would wear 4” heels every day and every time she passed my desk I would just be fascinated and staring at her as she bounced by in a bow legged manner. The only way she could walk was to bend her legs in a really low pronounced way at the knees. She was a elegant looking lady otherwise always perfectly made up but my gosh I just can’t believe how she wasn’t aware of how she was walking and how it looked to others!

I think they look really dated now.

I saw a woman in an absolute stunning outfit - a sort of jumpsuit (which I normally dislike, but this one was fabulous) in a bold geometric design and bold colours and looked like it was silk, a really lovely flowing material. And then high heals. And they ruined it. It took a really fresh, fabulous outfit and really aged it. They ruined it.

I think it's the way they make the hips and bum move, plus the teetering.

Just can't imagine giving this much brain space to something that has no effect on me in any way
'dont deserve to be called shoes' is proper mad.

I wear then every day to work (still formal where I am) and I love them. Not middle aged, don’t totter and I don’t look dated. In fact for me wearing a suit and flats just looks wrong. I found a brand that are great for me and I can run in then (not that I do) if I had to. It’s a shame that there is judgement and negative attitudes. People can wear what they want.

I can't wear heels but do like the look, unless they are platform heels.
Some people just seem to be able to wear them without pain.