Have Heels Gotten Too High?

[mfcorey1]

Here’s some crazy financial trivia:

Heel heights tend to skyrocket during recessions, some experts believe. That would make 2010 the year of the shoe on steroids: Retailers stocked heels as high as seven inches. And Alexander McQueen’s 12-inch “claw” shoe was spotted on Demi Moore and Lady Gaga, at events and in real life.

Truth is, if you’d worn six-inch heels to the office 10 years ago, people might have wondered if you moonlighted in a more risqué profession (there’s a reason Barneys creative director Simon Doonan calls them “porn pumps”!). Yet these days, strong women—not just Gaga but Barbara Walters and Oprah—have made sexy shoes the norm.

So what’s behind our latest obsession? According to a recent survey, women sayluxe brands like Christian Louboutin (known for red-soled, sky-high stilettos) are about status, but also make them feel better about themselves. “Heels are all I wear. I’m 5’2” and I want to be tall, and there’s only one way that’s going to happen,” says Tristen Sierra, a 23-year-old personal assistant in New York City.

“Some women perceive high heels as empowering, but others feel they’re virtually crippling,” says Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. (That’s why podiatrists typically recommend keep-ing heels to two inches.) Luckily, for perhaps the first time in fashion history, both flats and heels of all heights—welcome back, kittens!—are in style, so no matter where you stand, you’ve got great option

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/everyday-style/staticslideshowglamour.aspx?cp-documentid=26242725>1=32023

[Gabi Hayes]

1. what're you, cracked?

[grasswire]

2. yes

It's a ridiculous thing to cripple yourself for the sake of some false vanity. As wrong as footbinding to produce tiny feet is.

[Gabi Hayes]

3. luddite!

shoes for industry!

[struggle4progress]

4. shoes for the dead!

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. yes!

[elleng]

6. I think so, but my intelligent daughters LOVE their stilettos!

Went to ballet last weekend with daughter, me in flats, she in stilettos; I complained "what did I spend so much effort in educating you and your sister, if what I get is this?" Going to see Hair with her next week, and expect the same!

I think that 30 or so years ago, early in DC job, I aggravated disc problem w frequent use of high heels; quit them then, shortened to 2". Down to flats now!

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. Have you seen the commercial for those flats that roll into a ball? great idea

They are for women to carry in their purse and change into when their feet hurt. Great idea. I remember wearing heels all the time and literally limping.

[elleng]

8. Haven't. Still have my 'old' flats.

Just recalled carrying them (or my short heels) in some sort of case, back and forth to office, and wearing soft 'walking shoes' (or boots when necessary) into work.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. the ones on the commericals 'ball up'. go into tiny pouch. like ballerina slippers