I just don't get high heels

[Orangeanddemons]

I don't know why. I don't honestly think they flatter anyone. I grew up in the era of the DM, and they sort of passed me buy. I don't think I've ever wanted to wear anything with a really high heel. I see loads of boots and shoes I like, but the heels always seem to be so high. Am sure the rest of Europe aren't as bad as the Uk. I always seem to find lower heels on holiday

[MrsKoala]

I hate the 'you can't run away from danger' analogy that has been suggested to me regarding high heels. To me it is all part of the blame the victim for what she was wearing/doing mentality. Ie if a rapist/robber/mugger grabbed me or chased me i wouldn't be able to run away therefore somehow more at fault/deserving of being a victim than someone who wears flats. Why should i chose what i wear based on whether i may need to run? If that were the criteria we applied, surely we'd all be in jog pants and trainers.

If someone said 'don't wear a mini skirt because you may be asking for it' everyone is rightly up in arms, but why when people say don't wear heels because you can't run away is it any different?

[GrandstandingBlueTit]

I tend to agree. I wouldn't not wear high heels in case I couldn't escape an attacker any more than I would avoid the tube for fear of terrorists.

People don't live their lives like that.

[MrsKoala]

Not really sure why i typed analogy above . I was talking to DH about them at the time. I meant reason of course.

[scarlet76]

This thread raises some interesting points.
Great analogy MrsK. One day I might wear a heel. The next I will wear a flat. Does this mean I would be viewed more sympathetically if attacked on the day I was wearing flats? We need to stop putting blame on women.
Women are judged. All. Day. Long. Women judge other women. Forget the sisterhood!
I'm also interested in the height thing. Seems to be that If you are short you feel you need to wear heels for height. Why?
I'm 5ft and on the skinny side. I like heels. I like flats. I tend to chose my shoes to go with the rest of the outfit I'm wearing. I can walk in heels without problem.
Personally I'm not a fan of the ballet flats. Especially not ill fitting ones. I do not think they create a flattering line for many.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

See, I don't see the wearing of shoes that allow you to run if needed as a blame the victim thing at all, just a sensible be prepared for all eventualities approach to life. When I wear heels I can't stop and run around the park with the DCs on the way home from school, can't run for a bus or a late appointment, etc. I wasn't really thing about escape from attack. I don't really want DD to grow up thinking its normal for women to wear shoes that mean they have to sit out spontaneous physical activity in case they injure themselves.

[SirChenjin]

I agree WhoKnows - plus there are many other forms of danger, not just rapists/murderers. Teetering about in extremely high heels does put you at a disadvantage in a dangerous situation, or in a situation where you need to move quickly.

[AnnieLobeseder]

When I think of "not being able to run" in heels, I was thinking more of a zombie invasion, or more practically, a fire in the building you're in, or running to stop a child walking out in front of traffic rather than being mugged etc.

But really, I suppose it's good that some women are in heels. I will be able to outrun them and the zombies will eat them first!

[kelda]

When I think about not being able to run in high heels, I don't think about running away from an attacker, but running for the bus or running home out of the rain. Things that occur daily.

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I have wide feet plus bunions, so I have to choose my footwear very carefully.

I have two pairs of heels which I wear for work (only in the office though, not whilst getting there and back) and they are as comfortable as flats. I do not say this lightly . OK, they are M&S footglove wide fit shoes, but they're perfectly passable, and they are the only heels that I can wear now which are comfortable. They are 2 1/2 inch heels, I think. Certainly no more than that.

So I don't think generalising is really possible.

[Trills]

I want to know if AnnieLobeseder's ponytail is magically held in place by her glasses.

So glasses off = hair tumbling down.

[Trills]

Lots of people wear things that I think look silly or I would find uncomfortable.

I would be meh about it, as long as
1 - My activities are not constrained by your choice of footwear (e.g. we have to pay for a taxi because you can't walk for 10 minutes)
2 - I am not expected to participate unless I choose to

I have no problem with other people wearing high heels, but I do object to the culture present in some companies (generally the serious suit-wearing type places) that the only shoe that is smart enough for a woman to wear to work is a leather court shoe with a heel.

[BeCool]

I don't really run much. But when I buy shoes I like to buy shoes that I can run in if I need to, without fear of hurting or restricting myself.

Not to avoid an attacker or anything like that (though yes it would be useful, though I doubt I could outrun an attacker anyway), but just to be able to get about my day unhindered by my fecking shoes.

[AnnieLobeseder]

No, Trills, no magical glasses. Which is good, considering they're reading glasses and on and off all day. My poor ponytail wouldn't know if it was coming or going!

[FaddyPeony]

I love your post Grandstanding. I love to dress up in heels for special occasions - weddings, posh meals, etc. I just like the added fanciness and I only wear them if I don't have to walk much.

I also love the last part of your post, Trills. I detest this kind of office culture. It's so wrong. I knew a woman who was forced to wear 3in+ heels to work as part of her uniform. She was a naval officer on a cruise ship. A person with that job definitely needs to be able to run fast in an emergency.

Anyway, long story short, I'm not crazy about this normalisation of heels as daywear. Obviously I don't care what others do and I certainly don't judge, but I do think it's a shame if people feel compelled to do it by their workplace or to fit in with an office culture. Because wearing high heels all day causes pain and does lead to injuries. So for me they are mostly special-occasion, evening wear only.

[Fuckitthatlldo]

"Fuckitthatlldo - WTAF? But what if the barefoot people are doing feminism right?"

Well clearly you'd know Annie, having clearly appointed yourself the oracle of such things.

You know, I really don't like your superior, judgemental attitude. How dare you make assumptions about me based on what I choose to put on my feet?

I'm a passionate feminist. I've worked for Women's Aid for years, both as a paid and voluntary worker. My feminism is rooted in supporting and empowering other women, not sneering at them because I don't happen to like their shoes.

Divide and rule Annie. A very real concept and one that has propped up the patriarchy for years. Working mothers berate SAHM. Educated middle class women look down on "chavvy" working class women. Flat shoes wearers sneer at those in high heels. And all the time we're fighting amongst ourselves, nothing changes. All your attitude does is perpetuate the status quo.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Wow, Fuckitthatlldo, I would ask who pissed in your cornflakes, except that it appears to have been me. Have I offended you in some way on a previous thread?... that's the only explanation I can think of for this random barrage of (as far as I can tell) undeserved vitriol.

Where did I say high heels are "unfeminist"? Impractical and damaging, yes, but anti-feminist? No. I have expressed my dislike of the concept of high heels, not any level of contempt for their actual wearers.

I don't sneer at women in heels, nor am I smug. I simply wonder why some women deliberately subject themselves to pain and discomfort for the sake of appearance. Some women here have said their heels don't hurt or impede them, so fair play to them. Many others have said they find them crippling. There have also been a fair number of posters who said that women who wear flats are making themselves look unattractive.

There are certainly some causes rooted in the our patriarchal society's over-value of women's appearance. When I see women suffering, from something as simple as their footwear to domestic violence, I question why they're putting up with it and how we could change society so they don't have to. But I never judge the individual woman.

But that's not what this thread is about and it's not an angle I'd posted about until now.

Unless you'd liked to turn this otherwise fairly polite and light-hearted thread into a feminist debate?

I'm sorry your post was deleted. I didn't report it and didn't consider it a personal attack, just a bit of (misguided, IMO) annoyance. I'd prefer it to have stood to allow better continuity of the thread.

Out of interest, when/how did I appoint myself the Oracle of Feminism? I have various opinions on the subject, but I wasn't aware I had decreed them to the Only Correct and Allowable Opinions on Feminism.

[SirChenjin]

Wowser - how did we get from a chat on S&B about high heels to that ^

[BeCool]

Fuckit and Annie - I agree with both of you re your comments on women and shoes

[SirChenjin]

There are some god awful heels on the JustFab ad at the top of the page, in case anyone's interested...

[LividofLondon]

Clip-clopping? What, like with these?
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/126196777/black-shaggy-pony-hooves-other-colors?ref=related-2

As an 18 year old I would've sold my soul to have a pair of these though:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/103501505/heelless-hooves-for-costume-custom-epic?ref=related-4

"I run in these {awaits cries of horror}"
Me too Annielobeseder! I love my VFFs and wear them as much as possible.

I'm lucky that I work from home and can wear what I like; I have my slippers on usually. When I go walking and running I wear my Vibram Five fingers, and when I dress up I love my 4" heels. I have shoes for all occasions me.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Wow, livid, those hooves are something else indeed!!!

[SirChenjin]

What on earth are those??!

[Fuckitthatlldo]

"Heels are the work of the devil and part of the subjugation of women".

"I still remain baffled that people give any consideration to the "profile" of their legs".

These comments very much suggest to me that you consider women who wear high heels to be 'unfeminist', colluding in their own subjugation, and vain to boot. The implication is that, as a scientist, you're higher minded and so wouldn't ever be wasting time thinking about such frivolous matters.

And that attitude got my goat, that's all (shrug.) I found it judgemental and smug.

Anyway I'm clip-clopping off this thread now. My silly little air brained head can only manage so much debate

[AnnieLobeseder]

Yeah well, you misunderstood me. Says more about you than me, I think. You're ascribing attitudes to me that just aren't there, and you're the only one who seems to be interpreting my posts that way.

I don't understand people (not "women" - people) who worry excessively about how they look. Not understanding something and being negatively judgmental about it are two very different things. Equally, questioning how fashion plays a part in the subjugation of women is hardly groundbreaking feminist theory.

Now, if I'd said "women who care about the profile of their legs are shallow and stupid", and "women who wear heels are evil and playing an active part in the subjugation of women", you may have had a point.

Do you see the difference? It's possible to questions concepts without placing any individual blame or judgement.

[LadyBigtoes]

Just throwing these into the mix.

[http://www.putinstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/Alexander-Mcqueen-designer-Shoe.jpg clip clop]]