High heels completely eradicated from central London

[TheOGCCL]

I was in central London yesterday at lunchtime observing the office workers getting lunch. And not a single non flat shoe to be seen. Mostly the trainer and dress combo (all sorts of dresses and all sorts of trainers), also as its summer flat sandals. Same at the all-female conference I attended including all the speakers.

I've always been mystified by very high heels as they tend to look more unattractive than attractive as the wearer hobbles down the street like they've been hit by a car but think lower heels can look nice and add a bit of height and style. Clearly most people are not prepared to put up with uncomfortable shoes now.

Yes! I vividly remember the freezing warehouse I spent NYE in, observing a stocktake. No heels, but trousers were still not really OK so I was in a skirt suit. I insisted on being lifted up on the prongs of the forklift to check that the huge pile of pallets being counted was solid, as mentioned in my auditing textbook. Idiocy!

Where in central London? No heels around some parts, but definitely plenty in others, and for formal events. Quite a number of people will also move back into trainers it they're popping out for lunch. They've also come back in a big way for younger people in the evening.

I've always tried to wear low heels, but nope, even a tiny heel like a 3cm wedge on a boot makes my feet and legs ache if I have any distance to walk.

Kind of glad they aren't in fashion then.

During lockdown my city based DIL WFH for months. While that was happening a scheduled office move took place and removers had to pack up everyone's desks/lockers and move them to the new premises. They found it very funny that under nearly every woman's desk was an entire wardrobes worth of heeled shoes. They would travel in in flats/trainers and then change before the working day started. DIL was delighted to get to the new office and be reunited with shoes she had forgotten she owned.

I am also London based although now retired. I'm goIng to a fancy dinner 'up west' tomorrow, I'll wear trainers on the train and change into my posh shoes in the ladies.

I was thrilled to get my heels back on when I stopped working from home! Definitely not mandated (though I couldn’t get away with trainers) but I love them - they’re a crucial part of being dressed for work for me. Still wear them for going out too, but I accept that that makes me an anachronism (at 39). They make me happy!

I've been in trainers for years in the City, it's marvellous

I keep a pair of smart shoes like mocassins under my desk and put them on for client meetings but put my trainers back on when I leave!

They'll be back. Cos fashion, innit?!

My daughter changes shoes when she gets to work. She likes heels (heeled boots are usually what she wears) but they are nor practical for cycling/the tube.

Bollocks.

I can remember the days of heels all day in the office. In my twenties I used to wear huge stilettos and walk up and down all day in them. I can’t imagine going back to that now. I’ll wear a low block heel now on special smart occasions, but I don’t think a 4 inch heel will grace my feet ever again.

They’ve gone in London, for sure.

There isn’t a single woman of any age in my workplace who wears them anymore.

I even went to a glam wedding the other day and maybe only a quarter of women were wearing heels.

times have changed!

I love it, if I was the Prime Minister I'd ban them for office wear, horrible things. The only ones that would get a reprieve are a lower square heel that is comfy for walking. Jimmy Choos would end up straight in a museum somewhere.

Personally I'm glad to be free to wear what I like on my feet - which is heels.

I think it's great. Women shouldn't be pressured to wear uncomfortable shoes that cause all sorts of health problems just so they look 'better'! It makes office and formal wear more accessible for those of us who can't wear heels too

I adore high heels especially on Meghan duchess she's got sublime taste in footwear. Third child at 45 I gave up on heels don't know if I could walk in the 4" now.

Oh that's great to hear. I remember the case of the temp receptionist who was fired for refusing to wear heels. It's the foot binding of the modern age. I'm glad it's on the way out.

I'm sure they will circle their way back around at some point, everything does, but I personally never intend on wearing heels again. My style tends to the gamine anyway, but if heels do make an inescapable comeback I'll stick to the embellished flat. My days of teetering are behind me, and good riddance too.

I was at a conference last week, with a women’s breakfast on the second day. I had a bit of a look round at feet while we were sitting waiting for the panel discussion - trainers, sandals, the occasional loafer or similar. The one exception was the woman running the event, which I assumed was because she wanted to look especially smart - and was either not spending the next ten hours on her feet, or planned to get changed. No, she’d been told she was too short to be seen behind the lectern, so had to wear heels for at least the filmed bits 😠 She was not unusually short.

I'm in the office/ corporate work place about 10 years now. I've never coped well with heels but did try in my 1st 'real job' after uni I felt it was expected. I WFH now but if I did go back to an office I wouldn't even attempt them

No one needs high heels. They are bad for your feet. People are being sensible.

I'm curious what kind of trainers are suitable for work wear these days?

I love heels too, wearing them when I was working as a criminal defence solicitor made me feel totally empowered and it was one of my skills that I could run in them if needed. I don't think they will come back just yet because wearing them is an acquired skill that needs practice. As someone who is 5'3" and short legged wearing trainers is not a flattering look for me, I just look dumpy. It is very time consuming sourcing elegant solutions. Solvair and socks is not for me.

Exactly what I was thinking.................

Really, DP has gone into a meeting with clients from Holland wearing high heels.
She loves them.

Heels are too nice and expensive to wear out when getting lunch. Plus they slow you down.

false observation OP soz