Keeping Up Appearances

[Galant]

A lot of men love them, and many more women can't imagine life without them - but do they really enhance one's attractiveness?

High heels. They're everywhere. Most women own at least one pair and believe that sometimes you do just have to wear them. Apparently a lot of men think they should too. Some boyfriends and husbands even require their partners to wear them. Take a second look though. The following articles might open your eyes:

Feet For Life

Biomed Library

Flat Facts About High Heels

Yale-New Haven Hospital

So, yes, high heels are widely considered as attractive - but they also damage a woman's back, knees, and feet. Take a look at the many women in their 50's and 60's who are now suffering with painful knee and back problems; women who hobble and can't walk. Think of the women who no longer have the condition to move freely or quickly, with energy. What's attractive about that? Give me a woman who can smile with joy and enjoy life free from pain any day.

High heels are damaging to health. Guys why would you require your women to suffer (now and later) just so you can satisfy your ego? Women, sorry for the pressure to wear such torturous footwear, really, you are beautiful without those heels. So some fancy gal in Hollywood is looking gorgeous in a skin tight dress and 6 inch heels. We all know just how unreal their lives are anyway, and when she's looking awful at 50 in her big white house, with too much make-up, one too many face-lifts, and pink tutu wearing chihuahua at her side...I'd rather be out taking long walks, enjoying the day with the partner sent to me by God; blessed in the joy of life.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Never knew high heels did that....

nethertheless, I wouldn't really care if my lady (or one day possible lady) wore high heels or not. But I'd probably tell her the dangers of it... but maybe it depends how steep the high heels are? I assume platform shoes aren't harmful... because your feet aren't sloped downward

[starfire]

Some boyfriends and husbands even require their partners to wear them.

require? Bring em to me, I'll knock some sense into em!

Hmm...I wear heels sometimes. But mostly for a special occasion or meeting. They do kinda make a girl feel powerful, though! Especially the spiky ones. Otherwise known as the "keep your date in line" shoes.

But, most of the time flip-flops and tennis shoes are best. I don't see the point in doing something that's damaging to your health in the long term.

It's nice to see someone who has some sense about these things! Thanks for the post Galant!

[FarmGirl]

I don't wear heels much at all. When I do, it's usually for a dressy occasion, in which case I drag out the old thickheels.
What stinks about heels (other than the health issues...) is: After the speech, dinner, or whatever compelled me to put on those shoes, when all the guys are running around outside and having fun, we ladies must stay inside and listen to the adults talk about stocks and recipes and such. >_<"

And yes, thank you for posting the info.

[Hephzibah]

I hate high heels... I can't walk (let alone run! Strewth, girls that can do that have my respect) in them to save my life! So now I have an excuse not to wear them at all X3 BWAHAHAHA thankyou my friend!

[Puguni]

I like to here the click click of high heels. XD But I usually don't wear high heels, especially when I have to walk to school, and when I do, they're usually thick heels, not those killer stilettoes.

[Galant]

Apparently, whilst thicker heels are better for the foot they are still bad for the knee and back. As for platforms, they weren't mentioned, I think they are probably better than both thick or narrow high-heels but still put strain on the ankle I would imagine. Just my thoughts though.

[Maledicte]

Hm. I thought flats were back in this year...*girls around the world cheer*

[rii namuras]

(I *hate* high heels. Because they restrict my movement. While I could walk/run fine in them, I would not, however, be able to dodge anything in them, or anything that requires any amount of agility.)

(Though I think my mom's going to make me wear a pair for a tourney.)

[Alice]

I don't own any high heels. Although I have a pair of boots with some rise to 'em... xD;

[DaughterOfZion]

i guess its a good thing i cant wear high heels if i did id kill myself tryin to walk

[Mave]

IMO, high heels can cause serious problems if you wear them on a regular basis. But I don't so I'm not too worried. I only wear them at special occasions.

But nevertheless, I will emphasize that they hurt like HELL. If my feet are screaming in pain within one hour of wearing heels, surely something must be wrong. They may look good on gals but guys who pressure their female partners to wear them should try them on for their own experience or deserve to be at the receiving end of a sharp stilletto heel. Ok, I was just joking about the latter but you know how I feel about it.

[livewire]

I wear high heels sometimes....but, yeah, they aren't too good for your posture at all....
the only pair of heels that I enjoy wearing are these black ones with a one inch heel. I climb ladders, lift heavy objects, jump up and down and run around in them...all at work...my coworkers think I am nuts...but, hey.

[Eriana]

I think I only own one pair of high heels and they don't hurt my feet, probably because the heel isn't all that tall, but especially at the mall I see women walking around wearing high heels and practically tripping, I always think the escalators and stairs must be a huge problem for tall heels. It hurts my feet just thinking about it. >.<;;;
But I don't wear my high heels regularly, only at big events when I wear my Chinese dress. And since they go so well with it it's really no hassle at all, but heels (depending on how tall they are), do really ruin your feet permanently. Especially with the pinchy toe looks. Ow ow ow ow ow...

[livewire]

You know...working retail, I do see a lot of women wearing shoes IN GENERAL that look soooooooo uncomfortable. But, when I ask them, they say that their feet don't hurt. You never know. These women are wearing shoes that look like their toes are all squished! PAIN!!!!! is all I can think...
as for escalators...if you aren't careful, they are a problem...

[Myoti]

Heh, when I saw this I thought you were referring to the British sitcom.

[Silvanis]

Lol, me too.
I HATE heels. They hurt so bad. I wore them twice and never again.

[Ashley]

I think I can recall wearing heels maybe 2 or 3 times in my whole life--and not the stilettos, either, just a moderate rise to them, so I don't think I'm in much danger.

Still, though, it's nice to see a gent with a healthy dose of compassion for us womenfolk.

[ShiroiHikari]

Heels are awful things. I've only worn them like 2 or 3 times, and it hurts every time. My feet hurt easily, so I stick to sneakers usually XD

[Mangafanatic]

Oooh, but they're so darn fun to wear! They make you feel pretty!

But yes, you're right. They are damaging. I only wear them when I can't control myself.

*hordes high heel shoes*

[shadowblade]

I'm not too fond of heels, but I'll wear them on special occasions; sneakers are waaaay better. I took toe class though, so I'm already used to that sorta pain really.

[Ingemar]

This all reminds me of the negative health effects of the discontinued Chinese practice of foot binding.

[Debitt]

I can hardly walk five steps in high heels without tripping or otherwise ending up on the ground. They hurt like a mother, and my feet aren't quite designed for high heels anyways. XD They're all scarred and calloused from running around outside barefoot or playing DDR. Anyways, I'd prefer good ol' sneakers or sandals to heels any day. They don't really make me feel attractive at all, just really awkward

[Kisa]

I hate high heels... I don't own any and I don't wear em... cause they are bad for you like the articles say, and I'm already tall enough, lol ^^

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

And here I was thinking the thread was about the classic British tv comedy series - Keeping Up Appearances! (lol)

[Warrior4Christ]

Heh, when I saw this I thought you were referring to the British sitcom.

Myoti already beat you to it. I was also thinking the same thing.

"It's pronounced 'bouquet', my dear, 'bouquet'!"

[Kisa]

Hahahaha! Hyacinth 'Bouquet' Thats such an awesome show ^^

[Yumie]

I only usually wear high heels to church and on special occasions and stuff, and I never wear HIGH HIGH HIGH heels, just a three or four inches at most. I love 'em, they do not restrict my movement in the least, I guess I have a good sense of balance because I can run skip and jump in them. So yeah, they work for me. I don't think I ever wear them long enough to be damaging to my body-- I have good arches in my feet, I've never sprained my ankle ever, my calf's are quite flexible-- so yeah, no problems for me. As for girls who wear them night and day. . . yikes.

[dragonshimmer]

God bless you, Galant. I think high heels look great on women...it emphasizes our calves if they're in good shape, but they are MOST uncomfortable, so being required to wear them is a no no, I think.

I own a LOT of heels. I'm short. However, most of them are kind of chunky or have square heels. I have probably about 7 pairs of heels, but the only ones that hurt are a burgandy pair I have that are strappy and have 4.5" heels and a pink pair I have that are about 4" with a pencil sized heel. The sole isn't flexible, either, so those hurt HORRIBLY. I don't wear heels all the time, though...my knees are a little worn out from when I used to wear them four or so times a week for hours on end. I do like to jazz up my attire every now and then with a pair, though : )

[Maledicte]

I own a few pairs (4) but for the most part, the heels are thick and chunky, and the lower part of the foot is elevated as well, making less of a rise. (Platforms! XD) They're very solid, with a nice wide toe (I tend to wear shoes a size or so larger than I should). Thin, strappy psycho sharp heels are asdfjhkl;g.

At present I am proudly wearing my Chucks. Now all I have to worry about are the loss of my foot arch and cold feet. :-/