Surprised to still see so many shoes like these in the shops

[Gilbot]

In M&S today & I was surprised to see rows of these in this colour & also in black.

I used to wear these circa 2011/12 ~inspired by Kate Middleton~

I keep hearing everywhere that heels are out of fashion, and despite being a heels lover myself, even I ditched this kind of shoes some time ago, due to comfort as much as fashion reasons - I was probably one of the last women in an office of several hundred people to do so.

Why are shops still selling these kind of shoes and who wears them?! Presumably there’s still a market for them or else surely shops would stop stocking them. But I’ve not seen a woman in shoes like this in the last few years. So I’m genuinely perplexed. And I’m a middle aged mum so not a 20-something hanging out in cool places or anything.

(Just to add this is a genuine question and I’m not having a dig. I’m also a big believer in wear what you want regardless of fashion so if some people still enjoying wearing these shoes good on them)

My 18 year old dd recently got some black high heels like that for her sixth form prom. All the girls wore similar things. I think heels are out for day to day but they’re still in for formal things. She said she loved wearing them.

I had a similar pair of M&S nude courts - in fact I had 4 identical pairs in the end! Swapped out the ones either the ruined heel from driving etc. So comfy. But I think the last usable "pair" died about 3 years ago and I thought they were out too. I don't know what they'd go with that I wear now.

God I love those. 2011/2012 was prime time for me, good memories. I had some shoes very similar to those and they were so comfy and I felt so fancy!

I love these shoes still. Always loved platform Heels. Very comfy to wear as well.

I'm 37 and have those in nude. Wear them for meals out, sometimes nights out. They're comfortable

I'm not sure why you're surprised tbh! Firstly M&S is hardly at the cutting edge of fashion . And secondly a large proportion of the clothes and shoes generally on sale in normal high street shops are things that aren't necessarily currently particularly fashionable but still appeal to plenty of people. I hate heels, but lots if women love them!

I wouldn't wear heels most of the time but would probably want something formal for an interview/funeral/wedding etc, there must be a market for them or they wouldn't sell any!

And I've just bought these for work too!

Fashion is cyclical. Never been a fan myself of these

When I worked in hospitality as a manager, I loved these in back, they were comfy and I could wear them all day. Also staff would hear me coming in a pair of heels so know to look busy 😂

People still buy that type of shoe because (1) the beige colour is said to lengthen your legs, (2) beige supposedly goes with everything, (3) patent is easier to look after than suede, (4) a slight platform apparently makes heels more comfortable.

Plenty of women attending summer events, eg weddings, would want to wear a heel and would prefer something that goes with lots of different outfits.

I still like heels but I wouldn’t buy any with a platform and I wouldn’t buy patent in that colour. Chacun a son gout, eh?

@NotMyCat I have just bought those shoes too, ready for when I am back in the office.

I think after 18 months of staying in and pj's, lounge wear, meeting up outside there will be an explosion of glam. Plus heels have been out for a while now, they are due a revival.

So weird, I was in M&S yesterday and thought the same thing myself.

I guess they're banking on a lot of postponed weddings/graduation ceremonies in the next six months...

Perhaps they have stocked those in anticipation for all the summer weddings now restrictions have eased and end of school proms?

I agree, it's more unusual these days to see women tottering about in heels like those.

Out last night and 90% of young women were in heels, with a handful in trainers. Strappy brightly coloured sandals, perspex and metallic and very high indeed. Don't think the younger generation, or older for that matter, got the MN memo that heels are out. Didnt see any like the ones in the picture though.

Oops sorry Barbara cross post. I'm not BabaraPapa's sock puppet.

It's nice to get back into something other than slippers

I agree, it's more unusual these days to see women tottering about in heels like those.

Every time heels are discussed, someone always says that women wearing them are ‘tottering about’ or ‘staggering about’.

This will shock you. Plenty of women are capable of walking steadily in heels, at a normal pace.

Are these not a classic shoe? Like some outfits require a heel and that would do the job.

I'm 44 and not in the least bit fashionable so maybe I'm the target market

Those sort of heels have never been a fashion item really. I'd describe them as a sensible heel that's comfy enough to wear at work all day or to a wedding.
Most female office workers I know have ditched those in favour of flatter shoes.
There was a time when a "small heel" for women was a compulsory part of the office uniform.

If going on a night "out" out I would dance all night in the high impractical heels like 5128gap describes and anaesthetise my feet with the alcohol I was drinking. Only in the morning would I think Fuck what's happened to my feet, I can barely walk.

They are not fashionable, no, but nor are skinny jeans but people are still buying those in droves.

Sorry I shouldn't have said women tottering about in heels That's what I walk like in high heels so it was a gross generalisation to include all of womenkind in that description.

It's a classic shoe surely..?

Those are my standard work shoes - I've got multiple pairs. Not that I've been to an office in ages, but when I go back in, it'll be those with a dress every day.

I drive to work so don't have to walk miles in them, they're comfy for walking round the office, and I prefer wearing heels because (a) I'm a short arse and (b) I think it helps my posture.

Don't tell M&S nobody wants shoes like this any more, I'd be stuck without them!