Calm down

Contrary to popular belief that European royalty began wearing high heels in the 16th century to make them taller (hence the term “wealthy”), high heels can be traced back to Persian warriors. The heels gave them greater stability on horseback and allowed them to be more precise when shooting arrows.

Men’s high heels of that time were generally around 1.5 inches. Think cowboy boots and you get the idea.

As heels evolved, the trend was for thick heels for men and thin heels for women. As always, the elite tried to maintain their status with higher shoes when the poor and working people began to copy them. Over time, men, except those who wanted to increase their height a little, stopped wearing high heels, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be back in fashion at some point.

the highs and lows

High heels have been in and out of style for centuries, but since World War II they have become a runway and office staple for women. A low heel is classified as one that measures between 2.5 cm and 6.4 cm; tall comes in 2.5″ to 3.5″. Anything above that is virtually impossible to get into and slides into fetish or jewelry categories.

According to The Spine Health Institute, 72 percent of women wear high heels at one time or another: special occasions, parties, and dances. And 31 percent of women wear heels to work every day.

types of heels

Like everything else fashion-oriented, heels have their seasons. Names like Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik are shoe gurus to those in the know and their fans eagerly await their next collections.

Heels can be pumps, or pumps, stilettos, or platforms. Colors, shapes, and heel shapes may come and go, but the basics remain the same. One year old platforms can be all the rage, only to be scrapped the next year in favor of pumps.

Why do women wear heels?

The easy answer is that they are sexy. The higher the heel, the more the hips bend forward. As a result of this imbalance, the calf, hip, and back muscles have to tighten to compensate.

Heels also ensure that a woman walks slower and moves her body more provocatively. Heels are sexy, sneakers are not.

shoe fetishes

The Urban Dictionary defines parphilla, the technical term for shoe fetish, as an unusual fixation on high-heeled shoes and/or boots. Some men develop a shoe fetish and may visit a Dominatrix to live out their high heel fantasies.

The average woman has around 20 pairs of shoes. Others, however, develop an obsession and own hundreds of pairs of shoes that may never leave the box or closet. One theory is that while women may gain weight and have to buy larger clothes, their feet generally stay the same size, hence the shoe-buying compulsion.

Crossing the sex gap
One group of men who wear high heels as part of their outfit are transvestites and transsexuals.

Carmen Rupe, a well-known drag queen from the underworld, always wore heels when she worked as a snake and belly dancer in the ’60s and ’70s. Later in life, however, she had to ditch her prized shoes for more sensible footwear.

Similarly, Bob/bi, a crossdresser from New Zealand, would not think of going out without heels, although he prefers low to medium heels, rather than stilettos. “Wearing heels is a very important part of feeling feminine. And without them it just doesn’t work. The only thing tragic transvestites have to learn is how to walk in heels. Women start when they’re young and it becomes natural to be able to balance. For men , however, is a skill that needs to be practised.”

Heels in the developing world

High heels in Africa and Asia are status symbols. Remember that Imelda Marcos from the Philippines, for example, is rumored to have had over 3,000 pairs of shoes?

Unless women are wealthy enough to have a car and a driver, heels are totally impractical where there are no good sidewalks. When riding a small motorcycle or taking public transportation, some third world women carry their heels in a bag to get on the spot. That way, they can still look stylish. Quality high heels tend to be cheap plastic, rather than leather.

heel damage

Dr. Natalie Nevins, an osteopathic physician, warns that prolonged use of high heels can cause damage. Included under this heading are falls, low back pain, nerve damage, bunions, and sciatica.

Pregnant women may also want to wear flat shoes as the altered position of having the hips forward is not good for the fetus.

Sexy or sensitive?

Ultimately, it is up to each woman to make an informed decision about her appearance. A good balance can be sensible during the day and sexy for special occasions.