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.

I'm another one who still wear heels, I like to think of my style as classic rather than dated! 🙈😆 (I'm 40 if that makes any difference?)

I have to say, I'm not a fan of trainers for work but happy that women no longer feel pressured into wearing shoes they find to be uncomfortable.

I don't wear trainers/flats because they make me look dumpy!

I wore white, orange and blue Nike hi tops to work yesterday. I also have a pair of minimal, unbranded white leather trainers for work.

How anti-feminist. I rarely wear heels and love it when I get to. My husband hates heels so it’s certainly not for a mans benefit. I just like them.

I wish women would stop trying to dictate what other woman can do. The point of diminish is to support women’s choices.

I saw a woman in Holborn recently who had on a fitted dress and heels and I gave her a double look because I found it so unusual. I think there’s a point where the heel becomes so high that it’s completely unappealing and that’s where she was at. I also saw a pair of heels abandoned at a bus stop and I imagined a younger woman discovering for the first time that crippling feeling at the end of the night when you can’t stand to take another step.

It’s not just trainers though - plenty of flat sandals around. I would wear any of my trainers in the office but I’d keep the rest of my outfit smartish.

I haven't seen high hells anywhere for a very long time, especially in women under 50. I am in the North West near Cumbria.
I'm not sure if London means much since most of the country don't live there. However, a lot pass through there!

Personally I don't like traditional women's shoes at all anymore. I can't even stand low heels or brogues, or sandals that fasten.
I wear Birks, trainers, and in winter doc chelsea or lace up boots.
I could probably stretch to a Teva if feeling adventurous.

But I couldn't go back. I never wore heels, but just regular women's shoes, especially expensive leather ones, used to crucify my feet - I used to walk with a sore hip and never knew what was causing it until I literally ditched women's shoes.

But all of this is just fashion.
And if the trends were changed back to heels again I am certain many people would suddenly re-conform. That's life.

lol at high 'hells', quite apt

Funny how men aren't expected to wear uncomfortable footwear that damages their health in order to look 'professional', isn't it?

20 (35? Gulp) years ago I used to wear heels at work in the City, but I would have had trainers on with my power suit if you saw me in the street 😆

I agree good riddance. Heels look really dated to my eyes now.

Off topic but my husband would disagree with you here! He overheats easily and hates being forced to wear long trousers and a long sleeved buttoned up shirt, socks and proper shoes (mandatory in his office). He often comments he is jealous that women can wear shorter, floatier outfits to stay cool!

This old corker. I agree. Most wear dresses with trainers or brogues etc now. Flats. But not everyone finds heels uncomfortable you know. I wear them rarely. But when I do, I don't find them uncomfortable at all.

I loved heels back in the day and have hundreds of pounds worth in the wardrobe but I wouldn't be sad if they were on the way out. I think they have had their day. However I am still wearing low heels as I have no idea what works other than that with my City lawyer wardrobe of dresses and contrasting jackets. I think loafers look good with cropped trousers but I rarely wear trousers to work - dresses look much better on my body shape.

I loved them in my 20s and 30s and still have so many beautiful pairs of heels languishing in the wardrobe.

I disagree that they're solely for the male gaze. I think a lot of women like the way they finish an outfit and personally I love the design element. Certainly the heels I wore aren't hideous porn-style things that look cheap and nasty. They are well made and expensive and just like a good bag they're a luxury item to me.

That said I'm 50 and now firmly in flats. It's really good that there's no current pressure to wear heels because I would find it hard going.

Isn't choice better? Choice to wear them if you want to. Choice to wear flats also equally ok. I don't get the 'heel hatred'.

Maybe for work that's true, but there's still definitely heels around all over London for fun. I'm going to wear platforms to my gig at Brixton Academy on Friday. I couldn't care less what people think, and it's certainly not for the male gaze, but for the joy of wearing them.

Yes. I am in London and I love it. I have never worn heels and now I am in fashion!

Thought all the women on The Apprentice looked so dated with their high heels and body con and heavy makeup.

Great, should save the NHS a lot of money.

Wearing flat shoes ruined my feet. I have bunions and haglands heels due to ‘fashionable’ flat shoes.

I'm 29 and I've never regularly worn heels . The only time I'd wear heels which would be block or platform, is if I was going on a night out.

Yeah they’re probs Not really in fashion at the moment but everything’s a cycle …

I’ve just been attending our students’ graduation ceremonies and there were a LOT of very very high heels. Multiple incidences of students being almost unable to walk up and down the stage to collect the degree due to the heels just being ridiculously high. It baffles me that women are happy to totter about nearly falling over all the time.

I agree though heels are much less common at work now.

I love heels with cigarette trousers and a blazer. That combo works for my figure, I like how I look and in turn feel more confident. I couldn't care less about the male gaze, I always feel women notice my clothes more.

This is true, I'm a flats and trainers girl on my 2 days a week in the office.

I used to live in heels. Work shoes, winter boots, sandals, they were all high heels. I didn't own a pair of trainers for years. The only time i wore flip flops was on the beach.

Now? Nope. If i put heels on i feel weird and get back into my trainers or my flip flops 😂I don a pair at weddings but that's all.