First The Manolo predicted their imminent demise a few months back. Yet the heels grew ever higher, and the designs more fetishistic with each new season.
Now, via Linda Grant at The Thoughtful Dresser, another death knell rings for the über high heel.
Une femme says, enough already. Die you crippler of women, you harbinger of bunions! We express horror at the concept of foot binding and think we've come so far from the days of whalebone corsets laced so tight one could not take a deep breath, yet the underlying premise of "that which most incapacitates the wearer is most desireable" remains. And that's really what it's all about. You can talk about how heels make a woman's legs look longer, blah blah but when you get into the arena of 5 inch, 6 inch, 7 inch heels, it's really about rendering the wearer useless, purely ornamental. Aren't we smarter than that?
Now before you grab your torches and pitchforks, I'm not suggesting that we all must plod around in Birkenstocks. There's nothing shlumpy about a nice 3 inch heel. Why is it so hard to find heel heights available in between earth and sky? It's time to get our heels out of the stratosphere, and rediscover the concept of walking.
Friday, April 25, 2008
The Hooker Shoe Trend: Not Dead Yet?
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Now here's a manifesto I can get behind! I love heels, but 3 inches is my limit. Platforms that leave my feet unable to feel the ground make me uneasy. Sure, one or two pairs of "sitting" shoes for special occasions, but generally, I demand of my shoes that I can walk at least several blocks in them without pain.
ReplyDeleteI hate winter boots that have high and thin heels and that are so sharp on the toes that they actually turn upwards. How on earth are you supposed to keep your feet warm in them and walk on snowy streets?
ReplyDeleteI've only once bought heels higher than 3inches and boy, did I regret it. The high heels 'look' lovely, like a sculpture but they sure aren't for wearing.
ReplyDeleteDejapseu: I think you are right about that which incapacitates the wearer the most...
ReplyDeleteGwyneth Paltrow was recently seen wearing very high heels and holding on to her handler's hand (I think it was in Paris). What is the point if one cannot walk?
That said, research out last week suggested that barefeet is the way to walk (I think they mean indoors) since the human feet evolved through centuries of walking. Right? Well, of course we find a trend in there too - MBT - Masai Barefoot Technology anyone?
I have to admit that I do love the thought of these ridiculously high heels, as long as I don't have to walk or stand very long in them! :) But yes, you are absolutely right, a 3 inch heel is anything but dumpy and still elongates the calf nicely.
ReplyDeleteSuper high heels are the 20th and 21st Century version of Chinese foot binding.
ReplyDeleteI'm 5'10" ... not as tall as I'd fantasized as a child, but plenty tall enough. Yet, I went through a 5- and 6-inch heel phase. Why? What did I need with those shoes? My feet are still recovering from the ridiculousness of hoisting myself up on those things.
ReplyDeleteI actually have a pair of the MBT sneakers. They're quite funny-looking, but really funky to walk in, they feel great. I just wish they were cute!