I've just been wondering this recently cause Ive seen so many girls struggle in high heels and it made me realise that there is no practicality around them. And for women to say 'i just do' or 'they look nice' or even 'they make my legs longer' i dont think thats enough. A friend countered this by saying that 'guys have to wear ties, why do they do that?' but i don't think ties are sexualised like high heels are - just look at pornographys obsession with women wearing high heels.
Theres an interesting article that talks about probably the radical view on all this; that male designers have shoe fetishes and project this on to woman.
"Many male fashion designers are "projecting their misogyny on to the bodies of women", and gives examples of collections featuring images based on sexual violence - Alexander McQueen's show for his masters degree was entitled Jack The Ripper, and depicted bloodied images of Victorian prostitutes. A later show in 1995, Highland Rape, featured staggering, half-naked, brutalised models. And John Galliano, in his 2003 collection for Christian Dior, Hard Core Romance, used the imagery of sadomasochism, putting his models in seven-inch heels and rubber suits "so tight they had to use copious amounts of talcum powder to fit into them""
I dont think i agree with that but i do think its an interesting question, something ive never given a moments thought about. Do women acknowledge the impracticality but wear them cause 'thats just the way it is. Or have they internalised the 'male gaze' and become so locked in their femininity that they cant see that high heels are impractical?
Theres an interesting article that talks about probably the radical view on all this; that male designers have shoe fetishes and project this on to woman.
"Many male fashion designers are "projecting their misogyny on to the bodies of women", and gives examples of collections featuring images based on sexual violence - Alexander McQueen's show for his masters degree was entitled Jack The Ripper, and depicted bloodied images of Victorian prostitutes. A later show in 1995, Highland Rape, featured staggering, half-naked, brutalised models. And John Galliano, in his 2003 collection for Christian Dior, Hard Core Romance, used the imagery of sadomasochism, putting his models in seven-inch heels and rubber suits "so tight they had to use copious amounts of talcum powder to fit into them""
I dont think i agree with that but i do think its an interesting question, something ive never given a moments thought about. Do women acknowledge the impracticality but wear them cause 'thats just the way it is. Or have they internalised the 'male gaze' and become so locked in their femininity that they cant see that high heels are impractical?
I can't answer for women in general, but for me there are 2 reasons:
1) they are pretty, and I like pretty things (and it's really hard to find pretty flat shoes... I've tried)
2) I'm short and they make me taller
And they are my reasons. Some people may not think they are good enough reasons but they are good enough for me.
1) they are pretty, and I like pretty things (and it's really hard to find pretty flat shoes... I've tried)
2) I'm short and they make me taller
And they are my reasons. Some people may not think they are good enough reasons but they are good enough for me.
I don't wear them, but I do like girls in them. I don't think it's that heels themselves are sexual, but they do make a girl look taller and generally make the leg shape and toning look better; both of which are sexual elements.
Well, I am already too tall, so that is not one of my reasons :P
I love the way that high heel shoes can change the look of an outfit... Wearing heels makes me feel confident and strong. No other shoe can do this for me ;))
I love the way that high heel shoes can change the look of an outfit... Wearing heels makes me feel confident and strong. No other shoe can do this for me ;))
Many girls struggle in them because they simply dont know how to walk in them properly. Pair that with the sky high heights of heels and platforms in the last few years and we have an entire slew of women who look like they are torturing themselves for fashion.
Fact is, a lot of women wear them because they want to. I know... Crazy. Since when did women do something they wanted to and not because of pressure from male society?
A lot of people assume its something forced on us by men because its something introduced to us by male designers. Well of course they were. The majority of fashion designers are males. Thats like saying women are forced to live in houses because male architects designed them. Its just trying to inject domination into yet another section of our lives.
Maybe we'd all be seen as equal if we stopped asking why women do things to please men and vice versa and just accept that we do things simply because we do. Life can be pretty awesome when you're just living it.
Fact is, a lot of women wear them because they want to. I know... Crazy. Since when did women do something they wanted to and not because of pressure from male society?
A lot of people assume its something forced on us by men because its something introduced to us by male designers. Well of course they were. The majority of fashion designers are males. Thats like saying women are forced to live in houses because male architects designed them. Its just trying to inject domination into yet another section of our lives.
Maybe we'd all be seen as equal if we stopped asking why women do things to please men and vice versa and just accept that we do things simply because we do. Life can be pretty awesome when you're just living it.
I definitely struggle in high heels but I think shoes make or break an outfit and flats make legs look stubby. Even the skinniet girl in the world. Heels are sexy and dress any outfit up. It's worth the struggle.
The original post was really thoughtfully written. Don't know if he's still on here.
In fact, there were certain times and places in history where MEN wore high heels!
I think the fact that a heel elongates the leg, straightens the posture (pushing the chest out) and lifts the rear -- is unarguably sexual. MOST men admit that a heel is sexy (and these are not just misogynists--but men who love women too)--the same way men love women with bright eyes, big lips and a certain waste to hip ratio--this is genetically imprinted on them because these are signs of youth fertility in women. ALl of this is subconscious.
Why to women paint and plump their lips, wear make-up to make their eyes pop, wear push-up bras (or get implants) AND wear high heels? All the same answer: Because these things make them feel prettier. WHY do they make them feel prettier? Because men like them. Why don't lesbians (who are on the butch side) do these things? Because they are not trying to attract men!! Why do lipstick lesbians do these things? Because they are trying to attract women who have the same taste as men.
SO, the answer is BOTH: Women do this because they WANT to and they'es nothing wrong with that. Why do they want to? Of course it's related to men. Nothing wrong with that either.
But wearing shoes that cause you pain or to stumble and injure yourself, IMHO, that's just going a bit too far.
In fact, there were certain times and places in history where MEN wore high heels!
I think the fact that a heel elongates the leg, straightens the posture (pushing the chest out) and lifts the rear -- is unarguably sexual. MOST men admit that a heel is sexy (and these are not just misogynists--but men who love women too)--the same way men love women with bright eyes, big lips and a certain waste to hip ratio--this is genetically imprinted on them because these are signs of youth fertility in women. ALl of this is subconscious.
Why to women paint and plump their lips, wear make-up to make their eyes pop, wear push-up bras (or get implants) AND wear high heels? All the same answer: Because these things make them feel prettier. WHY do they make them feel prettier? Because men like them. Why don't lesbians (who are on the butch side) do these things? Because they are not trying to attract men!! Why do lipstick lesbians do these things? Because they are trying to attract women who have the same taste as men.
SO, the answer is BOTH: Women do this because they WANT to and they'es nothing wrong with that. Why do they want to? Of course it's related to men. Nothing wrong with that either.
But wearing shoes that cause you pain or to stumble and injure yourself, IMHO, that's just going a bit too far.
Heels definitely add a more sophisticated look to any outfit. They can instantly make an outfit change from appropriate for daytime, to appropriate for a nighttime outting. And of course, we woman know that they look sexy in the eyes of men, and what female doesn't like looking attractive? Heels are just sexier. That's why I wear them, and I wear them quite often, lol.
in addition to all the answers here, (height, look of legs, outfit) i believe that men like women in heels because it makes their butt look bigger
I agree with all of the above and justified each reason(s) per outfit and per occassion. For work, it's simple. It looks the part, portrays confidence and poise (I say POISE because I specifically take the time to break in shoes when I buy them and learn to walk in them so I am not seen as some stumbling moron while in the office or about town).
For out and about, I am already tall and like to be taller. The right heel can make an outfit go from great to stellar in no time. I am also athletic, so in specific shorter dresses, I prefer length in the leg rather than bulk. (Maybe not so, dependent on the shoe and boot) Blessed are those with a German for a father and a Polynesian for a mother.
Bulk is acceptable at the gym, not in a social establishment. :)
For out and about, I am already tall and like to be taller. The right heel can make an outfit go from great to stellar in no time. I am also athletic, so in specific shorter dresses, I prefer length in the leg rather than bulk. (Maybe not so, dependent on the shoe and boot) Blessed are those with a German for a father and a Polynesian for a mother.
Bulk is acceptable at the gym, not in a social establishment. :)
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