Do you think high heel shoes make females look more attractive?

When I first became an engineer there were only a couple of us women.
The men that were there let us know we were not welcome.
That did not sit well with me so I wore 3 inch heels with my suits.
Im 5'10 so that made me 6'1. Its hard to look down on somebody when theyre taller than you. :D :D

I wore heels at my desk but I changed to tennies for the walk to the parking lot. Heels were my sit down shoes.
After I retired I didnt have a sit down life. I dont dress up now so theyre not very practical.
Besides those point heels get stuck in the dirt when you garden. :D
 

Babs2u said:
I am older than most of you but I never felt we had a choice. Heels were part of the business "uniform". I wore them, my sister wore them, all my friends wore them. I was happy that girdles finally went out of favor. They had garters attached to hold up your stockings. Playtex made rubber girdles.
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Heels were part of our uniform too. I remember garter belts. Boy did I hate them things.
Im tall so they were never long enough. And those buttons would dig into the back of your leg when you sat down.
I think we all cheered when panty hose came out.
 
Maybe the girls that love the stilettos also dance a lot too.
Stay in shape with Chorography type dance !
Dance on tippy toes a lot ?
 

I can see short women wear high heel to increase their height and boost their confidence and presence. But I don't understand why those tall women insist on wearing high heels and stand taller than men. We can see many politicians and celebrities couples like that.
 
Babs2u said:
I am older than most of you but I never felt we had a choice. Heels were part of the business "uniform". I wore them, my sister wore them, all my friends wore them. I was happy that girdles finally went out of favor. They had garters attached to hold up your stockings. Playtex made rubber girdles.
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OMG I remember girdles! TG they went out of fashion.
 
oscash said:
Wasn't it a man that invented high heels for women? I wonder why. Through wearing high heels as a young lady, I now have bunions and big toes that curve inwards and I have to go to a Podiatrist every 12 weeks to get the in-grown toenails cut.
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Who Invented High Heels? History of Fashionable Footwear - Syed Rafid Kabir | Fashion, Who Invented, World History | December 6, 2023

"Commonly associated with women’s fashion today, the origin of high heels is often traced back to 10th-century Persia, where soldiers wore heels for functionality.

But who first dared to rise above the rest? And were butchers the ones to first wear high heels?

Who Invented High Heels?

High heels were not so much invented by a single individual as they were adopted and adapted through various cultures and periods. The consensus, however, is that the high heel descends from the riding footwear of medieval Persian cavalrymen. These heels served a functional purpose, helping to secure the rider’s feet in the stirrups.

Were Butchers the First to Wear High Heels?

While not widely acknowledged as the first, there is evidence that suggests they did wear them to elevate themselves above the blood and offal on slaughterhouse floors.

High Heeled Shoes

The journey of high-heeled shoes is long and varied. From the practical heeled footwear of the Persian cavalry arrived the trend of men wearing heels in Western Europe, particularly during the 17th century. Heeled shoes were a status symbol; a sign of nobility and privilege.

Over time, the thick high heel evolved into various forms, including the now-fashionable thin stiletto heel. This evolution was influenced by changing social norms and technologies in leather and wood craftsmanship, spurring a diversity of heeled shoes suitable for different sexes, occasions, and statuses.

Wearing Heels

Wearing heels was once socially acceptable for men, serving as a marker of status and power. Notable figures such as Louis XIV of France were synonymous with wearing high, red heels. But as the French Revolution approached, men stopped wearing heels due to their association with the detested aristocracy.

The transition to more practical footwear, such as flat shoes and riding boots, marked the decline of heels for men. Conversely, women began adopting high heels, eventually leading to their association with women’s fashion and femininity in today’s world.

Platform Shoes

Platform shoes represent another category of elevated footwear with a long history. They have been around since ancient Greece and were worn by actors to signify different statuses or characters.

However, platform shoes differ from high heels in that they are thick soles that uniformly raise the entire foot, rather than pitching it forward. While not directly related to the question of butchers being the pioneers of heel-wearing, platforms signal another facet of how shoes have been used throughout cultures to add height and distinction.

The Evolution of Heeled Shoes

From their inception as sturdy footwear for Persian cavalrymen, heeled shoes have transformed drastically, peaking in various eras as different forms of footwear. Throughout the 18th century, Western Europe saw the rise and fall of men’s heels, the elaboration of women’s heels, and the shift in societal norms dictating who wore heels and why.

During the 20th century, fashion icons like David Bowie reclaimed heels for men as part of their avant-garde personas, although they never regained their original status as menswear. Women’s heels, on the other hand, continued to ascend in height and variation, becoming intrinsic to women’s fashion.

Red Heels and the Sun King

King Louis XIV’s penchant for red heels is an exemplary tale in the story of heeled shoes. His red heels, often decorated with battle scenes, were indicative of his regal bearing and became so iconic that red high heels became known as "Louis heels."

This era exemplified heels as a symbol of power and nobility, something that commoners could not easily imitate – the red heels were dyed with an expensive process, further entrenching the gap between the wealthy and the common people.

Stilettos and the Post-War Feminine Mystique

Post-WorldWar ll society saw the rebirth of the heel in the form of stilettos. The stiletto, with its long, thin heel, became synonymous with women’s empowerment and glamour in the 1950s. These heels became emblems of womanly allure, with designers like Roger Vivier leading the way.

The stiletto heel underscored the desired aesthetics of the time, accentuating the legs and pointed toes. This trend solidified the heel’s place in women’s fashion, making it a quintessential accessory for the modern woman."

Read the rest of the article here. > Who Invented High Heels? History of Fashionable Footwear | History Cooperative
 
Bella said:
Who Invented High Heels? History of Fashionable Footwear - Syed Rafid Kabir | Fashion, Who Invented, World History | December 6, 2023

"Commonly associated with women’s fashion today, the origin of high heels is often traced back to 10th-century Persia, where soldiers wore heels for functionality.

But who first dared to rise above the rest? And were butchers the ones to first wear high heels?

Who Invented High Heels?

High heels were not so much invented by a single individual as they were adopted and adapted through various cultures and periods. The consensus, however, is that the high heel descends from the riding footwear of medieval Persian cavalrymen. These heels served a functional purpose, helping to secure the rider’s feet in the stirrups.

Were Butchers the First to Wear High Heels?

While not widely acknowledged as the first, there is evidence that suggests they did wear them to elevate themselves above the blood and offal on slaughterhouse floors.

High Heeled Shoes

The journey of high-heeled shoes is long and varied. From the practical heeled footwear of the Persian cavalry arrived the trend of men wearing heels in Western Europe, particularly during the 17th century. Heeled shoes were a status symbol; a sign of nobility and privilege.

Over time, the thick high heel evolved into various forms, including the now-fashionable thin stiletto heel. This evolution was influenced by changing social norms and technologies in leather and wood craftsmanship, spurring a diversity of heeled shoes suitable for different sexes, occasions, and statuses.

Wearing Heels

Wearing heels was once socially acceptable for men, serving as a marker of status and power. Notable figures such as Louis XIV of France were synonymous with wearing high, red heels. But as the French Revolution approached, men stopped wearing heels due to their association with the detested aristocracy.

The transition to more practical footwear, such as flat shoes and riding boots, marked the decline of heels for men. Conversely, women began adopting high heels, eventually leading to their association with women’s fashion and femininity in today’s world.

Platform Shoes

Platform shoes represent another category of elevated footwear with a long history. They have been around since ancient Greece and were worn by actors to signify different statuses or characters.

However, platform shoes differ from high heels in that they are thick soles that uniformly raise the entire foot, rather than pitching it forward. While not directly related to the question of butchers being the pioneers of heel-wearing, platforms signal another facet of how shoes have been used throughout cultures to add height and distinction.

The Evolution of Heeled Shoes

From their inception as sturdy footwear for Persian cavalrymen, heeled shoes have transformed drastically, peaking in various eras as different forms of footwear. Throughout the 18th century, Western Europe saw the rise and fall of men’s heels, the elaboration of women’s heels, and the shift in societal norms dictating who wore heels and why.

During the 20th century, fashion icons like David Bowie reclaimed heels for men as part of their avant-garde personas, although they never regained their original status as menswear. Women’s heels, on the other hand, continued to ascend in height and variation, becoming intrinsic to women’s fashion.

Red Heels and the Sun King

King Louis XIV’s penchant for red heels is an exemplary tale in the story of heeled shoes. His red heels, often decorated with battle scenes, were indicative of his regal bearing and became so iconic that red high heels became known as "Louis heels."

This era exemplified heels as a symbol of power and nobility, something that commoners could not easily imitate – the red heels were dyed with an expensive process, further entrenching the gap between the wealthy and the common people.

Stilettos and the Post-War Feminine Mystique

Post-WorldWar ll society saw the rebirth of the heel in the form of stilettos. The stiletto, with its long, thin heel, became synonymous with women’s empowerment and glamour in the 1950s. These heels became emblems of womanly allure, with designers like Roger Vivier leading the way.

The stiletto heel underscored the desired aesthetics of the time, accentuating the legs and pointed toes. This trend solidified the heel’s place in women’s fashion, making it a quintessential accessory for the modern woman."

Read the rest of the article here. > Who Invented High Heels? History of Fashionable Footwear | History Cooperative
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Bella: Thanks for that interesting article about Who Invented High Heels? That answered a lot of my questions.
 
I think really high heels look a bit silly - but medium heels do make an out fit look dressier. Fancy flats might look fine too but they dont look quite as good IMO.

having said that, I only wear dresses occasionally and when I do, I wear heels of only about 3 in high - enough to make the look but still be comfortable enough to wear - especially for short term things like weddings

and I have some boots with a small heel which look good with smart jeans for semi smart occasions

Nevertheless, I go for months on end wearing only variations of flat shoes.
 
After following this thread since the beginning, I suddenly remembered just minutes ago that my mother had high heels, although I never saw her wearing them that I can remember. They were in her closet, and I remember her explaining them to me, although I can't remember any of that explanation except that she said they were for dress up, perhaps that's all she said. I remember trying them on, but they were way bigger than my 4 year old feet, but I do remember how odd it felt to try walking in them. It was not a natural feel at all. Maybe if would have been different if they were actually my size. I remember the heels were not stiletto, but big and clunky.
 
I always wore stilettos to work even on the rare days I wore pants and I was on my feet most of the day, I could run and even take the long escalator two steps at a time in them.

My feet are strong and high-arched from years of ballet, they never hurt. The only time my legs hurt would be on the weekend if I wore flats and the unaccustomed stretch to my Achilles tendon would ache.

I could walk across the tile floors without making a sound because I kept the felt tips in good repair -- also because I only weighed 110 pounds then -- that's probably another reason why my feet didn't hurt. ;)
 
To each, their own. If wearing high heels to complete a look, then, go for it.
I gave them up for lower heels, quite some time ago.
I have a couple pairs of lower heeled dressier shoes, for the odd dressier occasion, which at this point in life are few and far between.
These days, I find myself in Skechers most of the time. They're very comfortable.
 
Ok, y'all broke me down so I confess. I do wear semi heels know as Sedona wedgies made by SAS of the USA. I even wear them in the winter with socks. The hubs says he didn't noticed any increase in posterior manipulation after I started wearing them a couple of years ago. He says I walk the same as I do in my running shoes. They are the best and most comfortable ever and stay stable all day long.

SedonaWoodlands_1.jpg
 
High heels and a nice dress or suit were requirements at most of my banking jobs. I wasn't seeking attention anymore than the military men I served were trying to impress me with their spiffy uniforms. Job descriptions, plain and simple.

Papa Tiger just likes to think all the ladies are after him. ;)
 
Della said:
High heels and a nice dress or suit were requirements at most of my banking jobs. I wasn't seeking attention anymore than the military men I served were trying to impress me with their spiffy uniforms. Job descriptions, plain and simple.

Papa Tiger just likes to think all the ladies are after him. ;)
Click to expand...
Exactly. If men are required to wear suits and ties, women should be required to wear skirts and high heels.
 

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