by Zenaida
I’ve been feeling the need to get out and meet men, so I started putting myself out there, and my first steps in preparation were to begin updating my wardrobe and dusting off my high heels. I hate them and love them. I normally wear flip flops, Sketchers, or flats. But, when going out or dressing up, I do like to wear heels on occasion.
They fit in the cultural norm of looking “sexy,” and as Wikipedia says, they change myposture requiring more upright carriage and altering the gait in what is considered a seductive fashion, accenting the muscles of my legs and butt, making my legs look longer, feet look smaller, and something I didn’t know, may improve the tone of my pelvic floor. These accessories so apparently associated with phallic symbolism and being sexy were my gateway to be more appealing to the opposite sex.
But, let us remember that Wikipedia also tells us that heels will cause foot pain, increase risk of injury, create foot deformities, decrease the wearer’s stride, and predispose one to knee problems. They are so impractical and even dangerous. I will tell you, though, I’ve had almost overwhelmingly positive responses, though I’ve had one lecture on how they ruin women’s feet, but everyone else has commented on how good I look, and how great my shoes are.
Can I still be a feminist and wear high heels? On the one hand, they seem to empower women by granting them social status and the attention of men and women alike. On the other hand, they seem to trap us into the damsel in distress model of sexuality, waiting for the knight in shining armor to rescue us from spraining an ankle in those 4” stilettos. Maybe if I buy Earth-friendly shoes?
So WHY do I wear them? I really don’t know. I walk in these shoes that look so good, and it noticeably alters the way I walk. Super annoying. I have blisters from where they rub. I paid quite a lot for these shoes, and they’re suede with the layered heel that I like. I wanted to look sexy and expensive. Feels really silly. BUT, they did get me a foot rub…
13 Responses
I read an article (that I can’t find now) that said that wearing heels wasn’t the main cause of feet problems, but wearing the same kind of shoes too much is the problem. I think being a feminist means you can wear heels…or not. Whichever you like. I think once we start trying to define what feminists are allowed to do, we’re just oppressing each other instead of being oppressed byo thers. I like to wear heels because I think they’re pretty and I like pretty things. Also, I do like what they do to my butt and my legs and my height. I like to look in the mirror and think, “Oh! Nice.” It provides a little personal happiness.
“I think once we start trying to define what feminists are allowed to do, we’re just oppressing each other instead of being oppressed byo thers.”
AMEN!!!
Thanks, Zenaida, for this interesting post.
I think this post touches on others we’ve had here, like the one on wearing makeup. I tend to not take a hard line on the issue about the ethics of conforming to current standards of physical beauty. I wear makeup, I dye my hair, I wear heels on occasion. Though I am sympathetic to the question that then arises: by conforming, do we make it that much harder for the next woman to not conform? Perhaps we do.
When it comes to heels for me, personally, I take a moderate approach. I don’t wear them often. Maybe a total of 3 hours a week, if I do at all.
Keep it rocking! I love that you are embracing your femininity, a most worthy endeavor for a feminist.
Years ago , Exponent 11 published an entire magazine devoted to sexuality. After reading the magazine, I remember sitting on my bed, repeating the words, “I am a sexual being, and it is good.” Walls, barriers, shame, and embarrassment over sex came tumbling down as I began embracing all of me.
Suzann
I love my heels!! Interestingly, the more “feminist” i’ve become, the more I’ve embraced femininity. I work in an office that is business formal (suits for both men and women) and that could be very stodgy, but I love my suits and heels. I used to have only two pair of shoes: one black, one brown and I’d wear them out and buy a new pair. I still don’t have a closet-full (and likely never will), but I’ve been breaking out of my shell and buying more “fun” shoes to wear. Loving ’em!!
Check out Kenneth Cole’s 925 line — really very comfy and lots of fun, fun styles. I recently bought his “silver fox” pump and wear them with everything.
I love wearing high heels because they make me feel powerful. They make me tall, have spiky weapons for heels, and when I look awesome I feel confident. I like to wear them to exams and IEP meetings and other places where I mean business.
I don’t like heels, mostly because it’s hard to be very mobile in them. Driving with my heels on feels dangerous, and I like to walk a lot during my work day. Last fall I wore these cute 3- or 4-inch heel sandles to a friend’s wedding luncheon four blocks away from where I work. I figured, why drive when it’s only half a mile there, half a mile back? Well, I had to have someone drive me back to work, because in that half mile on high heels my bare feet (they had a toe thing and I couldn’t wear nylons) were totally torn up and bloody. Bad idea. I usually walk four times as much in a work day on purpose (because I have a sedentary desk job and need the exercise). Anyway, I don’t like the immobility of heels. I need to be able to move!
But as a decoration, they can be fun. As long as decoration isn’t where I’m spending most of my time.
If you like them, wear them. If you don’t like them, don’t wear them. Rosie said it better, but I’m feeling it, too.
Ah, shoes. I usually wear flats, partially because I am not particularly graceful, and partially because my boyfriend is the same height as me, which is a very, very convenient excuse even though he doesn’t mind if I’m taller than him. Sometimes heels go better, though.
I don’t think it’s more feminist to wear one type of shoe or another, and anyone who suggests that it is perhaps needs to examine why they feel that way. (I agree with what Rosie Riot said.) I think if you wear them only for others, it’s no good. But if you wear them because you like them, go for it.
One last thing: they do NOT have to hurt! No shoe or article of clothing is worth wearing if it hurts.
I struggle to walk (non-awkwardly) in any heels that exceed 2″, so that’s kept me from buying/wearing a vast amount of heels. I really enjoy the ones I have, though.
While I definitely don’t believe in ascribing a “feminist” or “unfeminist” label based on whether a woman is wearing high heels, I have to say that I’ll occasionally call my own feminist cred into question when I’m wearing heels (or other shoes/clothes that are pretty but bother my body in some way). It feels a tad shameful that I can recognize these beauty standards as arbitrary and sometimes even harmful, yet still abide by them. Heels are an especially interesting case in that they literally affect our ability to move around and the manner in which we move around. I can understand how they give a feeling of power to some women who wear them, but I personally haven’t had that experience.
As a rule of thumb, I think it’s good for women to prioritize their well-being. If heels contribute to that well-being (or at least don’t detract from it), then grand; if they hurt your feet or your sense of self, just say no.
I love wearing high heels because they make me feel powerful. They make me tall, have spiky weapons for heels, and when I look awesome I feel confident.
What Causes Wide Feet?
Are you wearing the right sized shoe? Wearing shoes that cause foot pain is unpleasant to say the least, but did you know it can lead to other issues as well? Research indicates that more than 60% of people are walking around in shoes that don’t fit properly, which often results in nerve and joint issues, foot lesions and more.
Continue reading about the risks and symptoms often associated with wearing ill-fitting shoes and suggestions on how to avoid them. There is ongoing research that confirms wearing shoes that lack the proper fit often has a negative impact on overall health and quality of life.
#1 Foot Pain and Damage
Conditions such as hammer toe, calluses, ingrown toenails, and joint pain arise from wearing shoes that are too narrow. When shoes are too tight or not properly contoured to mold to the natural shape of the feet, each step you take will add pressure, which leads to damage and pain.
People with pre-existing foot conditions should be especially wary of wearing the wrong sized shoes , as well as those with health issues such as diabetes or arthritis and are already predisposed to swollen feet.
#2 Neuropathy
If you’ve ever experienced the sensation of numbness, pins and needles in your feet, you know how unpleasant it can be. This often occurs momentarily, when your foot falls asleep as a result of poor circulation. However, that uncomfortable sensation can also be incessant, if peripheral neuropathy ensues.
60% of people are walking around in shoes that don’t fit properly!
This chronic condition is often caused by underlying health conditions but tight fitting shoes can increase pressure and worsen the ailment and symptoms. Additionally, according to a study published by Wolters Kluwer Health, people who wear the wrong size shoes suffer from neuropathy and foot deformities including corns, lacerations, calluses, and bunions.
#3 Reduced Quality of Life
All too often, people wear shoes that are stylish, rather than comfortable and functional. Choosing to ignore or endure foot pain not only results in hurting feet, but wearing shoes that don’t offer much needed support and comfort can lead to back pain, poor balance, an increased risk of falling, and hinder mobility as you age.
Indications You’re Wearing the Wrong Sized Shoes
Finding the right sized shoes merely requires a visit to a local shoe store or taking measurements yourself. If you’ve encountered any of the following symptoms, it’s likely you’re wearing the wrong size shoes.
Redness, soreness, or skin irritation near the toenails
Unexplained bruising on your feet or toes
Blisters
Tenderness or calloused skin
Keep in mind that your shoe size can change throughout life, whether the rest of your body is growing or not. For instance, our feet often undergo changes as we grow older and experience changes in physical health or weight. Medical conditions routinely cause the feet to swell, as do medications and water retention. It’s also natural for the feet to become wider during the aging process as hormones fluctuate and tendons lose elasticity. Likewise, pregnancy and weight gain frequently require a larger shoe size.
VanHoecks Footwear specializes in shoes in extended widths and sizes for men and women. Contact us here or call us at 8178436259 for any of your shoe shopping needs. We look forward to serving you!
History – The 1950’s shoe shine contests in North Carolina And Shoe History
In 1950, North Carolina hosted a vibrant and highly anticipated Shoe Shine Contest, celebrating both the artistry and skill of shoe shining. Competitors from across the state showcased their meticulous techniques and craftsmanship, transforming ordinary shoes into polished works of art. The contest not only highlighted the precision and dedication of its participants but also served as a communal event where local culture and pride were on full display. Attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere, with music and camaraderie enhancing the competition. The event underscored the importance of attention to detail and personal presentation in the mid-20th century, leaving a lasting impression on the community.
During the 1950’s an amazing shoe shining contest was organised in Wilson, North Carolina, peaking with 12,000 visitors one year. In what was almost like a rock concert the shoe shiners performed their shine work on shoes of people from the audience, where both the final shine and the entertainment they gave was awarded. Read the lovely history of these contests.
Albeit we do see some shoe shiners showing off artistry in these contests, who are real entertainers apart from being great at shining shoes, no one really reach the levels that many of the contestants did in the huge shine contests held in North Carolina some 70 years ago. I came across the story about these a few years back, and it’s really a great one.
As most likely know, back in the days, there were a huge amount of shoe shiners on the streets, in hotels, train stations and so on, especially in the western world. In fact, the first photographed humans in history was a shoe shiner and the man who had his shoes shined. They are seen in the photo “Boulevard du Temple”, taken by Louis Daguerre at 8.00AM a spring morning 1838, of a street in Paris. With the exposure time of this daguerreotype photo being several minutes, the street looks empty since people moved too fast to be captured, everyone except the shoe shiner and his client.
The “Boulevard du Temple” photo by Daguerre, with the first humans ever to be captured on a photograph – the shoe shiner and the customer. Picture: Louis Daguerre / Wikimedia Commons
In many cases, the ones who shined were young boys, often from poorer families, who did this to support the family with an income. That’s where the expression “shoeshine boy” comes from, which was the common name used for shoe shiners for decades, even if it was older men, or women for that matter. In the cities, all wore proper leather shoes, and many of these – men as well as women – regularly had them shined by these shoeshine boys.
In 1949 the American songwriters Harry Stone and Jack Stapp wrote the song “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy”, a really catchy tune that’s been recorded by among others Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, but the main hit version was done by Red Foley. The song is about a shoe shiner who entertain his customers, among other things with how he “pops the rag”, which was a thing shoeshiners did to sort of play a nice rhythm, and get some extra tip. The base beat of the original Red Foley recording is made with catchy rag popping, even if they didn’t include this in live versions as the one below.
In many cases, the ones who shined were young boys, often from poorer families, who did this to support the family with an income. That’s where the expression “shoeshine boy” comes from, which was the common name used for shoe shiners for decades, even if it was older men, or women for that matter. In the cities, all wore proper leather shoes, and many of these – men as well as women – regularly had them shined by these shoeshine boys.
In 1949 the American songwriters Harry Stone and Jack Stapp wrote the song “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy”, a really catchy tune that’s been recorded by among others Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, but the main hit version was done by Red Foley. The song is about a shoe shiner who entertain his customers, among other things with how he “pops the rag”, which was a thing shoeshiners did to sort of play a nice rhythm, and get some extra tip. The base beat of the original Red Foley recording is made with catchy rag popping, even if they didn’t include this in live versions as the one below.
A photo from the first shoe shine contest in Wilson, in 1950. Picture: Black Wide-Awake
A couple of years later, in 1952, the event had grown even bigger, with the Wilson Department of Recreation and several local stores sponsoring the event. Over 1,200 people attended, and competitors had traveled in from other parts of the state. Bo McCann was there again, several recreation directors from other cities attended to gather info to start similar events back home, and LIFE Magazine had sent a reporter and photographer.
It’s after a photo from the first event started circulating online that photos taken by the LIFE photographer John G. Zimmermann became public. The report never made it into print, but John’s daughter Laura recognised the event from photos she had found when she went through her fathers archive when he past away. She shared the images and eventually a local TV show made a report about the photos, the shoe shine event and one of the contestants, Curtis Philips, who won the professional category three times and was the big star of the shine scene.
After the contests Curtis Philips continued for three decades as a shoe shiner, mainly at Cherry Hotel in Wilson. In the TV coverage the then 80 years old Curtis showed off that he still had shoe shine skills. This when visiting a former a protege of his, Michael Moor, who ran the only remaining shoe shine service of Wilson, called Mr. Magic’s Shoe Shine Parlor. This place was closed a few years ago. Now, sadly, what was once a city where shoe shining was thriving and where this craft was celebrated, has none such dedicated services no more. To prevent the loss of more such places, all current shoe shine competitions and all other ways promoting this craft are highly positive.
One of the contestants in the 1952 edition of the Wilson shoe shine contest.
Over 1,200 people in the crowd.
Here the “shoeshine boy” Bo McCann, who was the inspiration for the Red Foley song, is putting on a show with his rag, while a band is playing. Previous pictures: John G. Zimmermann / WUNC
A Walk Through the History of Shoes
Footwear is so integral to the human experience, it’s hard to imagine a time in history when it didn’t exist. To be without shoes in modern life would pose a significant problem — can you imagine leaving your home and walking even a single city block barefoot? The degree to which footwear is essential for enhanced mobility means that it arguably could even be considered our first vehicle. Whether you’re a bona fide shoe-lover or someone who takes footwear for granted, it’s worth thinking about the lineage of these things we put on our feet to carry ourselves through the world. Let’s go on a quick walkabout to explore the history of footwear.
First Steps
How far back in human history do shoes go? Anthropologists estimate that humans first began wearing some form of sturdy foot covering at least 40,000 years ago, based on changes in toe bones. The oldest surviving pair of shoes is what’s referred to as the Fort Rock sandals
, woven sagebrush bark sandals made by Indigenous people in what’s now southeast Oregon and northern Nevada about 10,200 to 9,300 years ago
(according to radiocarbon dating). Similar variants of these sandals were made by the Klamath Tribes up until the 20th century.
As for fully enclosed shoes, archaeologists made a surprising discovery during a 2010 dig in an Armenian cave: well-preserved shoes made from tanned cowhide that date back 5,500 years. In other words, the world’s oldest leather shoes. Aside from being made of a familiar modern material, the shoes were also laced along a center seam. Renowned designer Manolo Blahnik commented, “It is astonishing how much this shoe resembles a modern shoe!”