Okay, when can women give up wearing high heel shoes?

[Grasswire2]

Hobbling their steps.
Deforming their feet.
Hurting their backs, long-term.
Risking a fall, when going down a flight of stairs.

Is there a movement toward liberation from this relic?

[catbyte]

1. Well, Laura Bush is wearing flats, and Michelle & Hillary aren't wearing hooker heels

like Melanie was.

[GoneOffShore]

8. The reason that Mealanoma was wearing Laboutine's was for her Tinder profile.

[Mr.Bill]

35. Melania wears them because

her feet are 14" long.

[GoneOffShore]

38. She has a long felt want as Morecambe and Wise said.

[mtnsnake]

50. I believe that

I remember hearing that her second toe alone is supposed to be over 4" long. Not that I have anything against people with long toes or anything.

[moonscape]

65. When I was growing up I had large feet, well,

still do! I was self-conscious until I learned Jackie Kennedy wore a size 10, then I figured it was cool

[Fullduplexxx]

2. they do that to themselves so they can stop whenever they want to stop

[Skittles]

3. no one makes you wear high heels

women do that shit to themselves

[DownriverDem]

62. I never

really wore those high ones.

[Skittles]

81. neither did I

they are ridiculous

and I really detest anyone who is really "into" shoes - I find it utterly pathetic

[demmiblue]

4. Umm, most already have.

I can't remember the last time I wore heels.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Any time. No law says you have to wear them, or...

other uncomfortable clothes and underwear.

[Dem2theMax]

7. I gave them up in 1998. And I was in my forties.

I saw what heels and pointed toes did to my mom's feet.
She paid for it dearly in her later years.

[renate]

9. Jill's feet must have been killing her

And on Joy’s special last night I was SO worried about Nancy on those skinny little stilettos on the polished floor.

[bdamomma]

29. Nancy had

plenty of practice.

[PatSeg]

45. I was really concerned for Jill

She looked so uncomfortable walking in those heels. I wanted to tell her, its okay to go with a lower heel and it would sure make walking easier. I know what its like to have stand and walk when your feet hurt and I quit wearing heels a long time ago.

[LeftInTX]

53. Nancy always wears stilettos

[dianaredwing]

60. they probably

don't set off the metal detectors......

[lame54]

10. Didn't realize they were mandatory

[Fullduplexxx]

11. Well iguess it's time for the old circumcision thread again

[grantcart]

55. When Olive Garden makes them optional?

[planetc]

12. Kamala Harris wears running shoes when not being photographed, and sometimes

while she is being photographed. Let us take her as a model of sensible but elegant public behavior. Let's draft her as our leader in Foot Liberation!

[ChazII]

57. +100 agree with

your position on this topic. Maybe Dr. Biden can make sensible shoes one of her goals.

[KentuckyWoman]

13. Madam Speaker still rocking heels

Don't ask me how.

[Grasswire2]

40. Have you seen how she walks?

I have to hold my breath watching her, for fear of a fall.

[LanternWaste]

69. If that's your conclusion, I have to wonder if you've seen how she walks.

[KentuckyWoman]

97. She does fine.

Those marble floors are a problem for anyone in heels. Heck, even in my 30s I slipped on linoleum with flat leather soles.

She is fine in heels. If she felt the least wobbly even once, she is smart enough to make an adjustment.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. They are horrible and I hope they are consigned to the dustbin of history.

The origins of high heels are interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-heeled_shoe At one time both men and women wore them, if they could afford them, because they kept their feet out of the mud. But more recently they became associated with female sexuality; they cause an alteration in a woman's gait and an arching of the back that is associated with sexiness. They have become part of the expected "uniform" of women in many white-collar office settings but they are terrible for feet and backs, even apart from the sexual aspect.

[Hekate]

94. All shoe-wearing cultures try them at one time or another for both sexes, & not for muddy streets

They grant height for social stature. They elongate the calf & ankle in a manner deemed graceful across centuries, and again, for both sexes. Gentlemen in knee breeches with lace at their sleeves would get an appreciative eye for having “a well-turned leg.”

Sometimes shoes are a sexual fetish — go figure, but I have to say the movie Kinky Boots was hilarious.

They are a fashion accessory I’ve never been able to wear in comfort, owing to the innate structure of my feet (long, high arches), but they “complete” certain outfits. Now that I’m old I no longer care, but I also live in jeans and sandals.

In much younger days my very tall sis came to visit & we went out to dinner at the mall. She wore some 3” heels and it was grand to watch male heads turn all the way the length of the mall as she sashayed through.

Melania is a problem unto herself. I am utterly glad she is tottering along toward the dustbin of history.

[Generic Brad]

15. No one is forcing them

Wear them. Don’t wear them. Personal choice.

[luvs2sing]

16. Haven't worn anything higher than an inch.

since I was 21..over forty years. I don’t begrudge anyone wearing them, but I learned early they are not for me.

[cbdo2007]

17. Whenever they want to. Why is their choice any of your business?

[Buckeye_Democrat]

18. I don't understand why women keep wearing them.

I had a Vietnamese-American coworker who "explained" high-heels in a way that cracked me up years ago. He walked on his toes and then thrust out his butt and his chest (while pulling on his shirt), which struck me as a plausible reason... and also hilarious to see him doing it.

Edit: I assume they were first created to raise the height of women, but I don't really know.

[SlogginThroughIt]

56. Men wore them first.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

76. You're correct.

Horse-riders in Persia, it seems.

I never thought that I'd Google-search high heels, but I didn't do much beyond Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-heeled_shoe

They've had varied explanations throughout history. Women who wore them were even treated as "witches" in England and colonial Massachusetts at different times.

[SlogginThroughIt]

88. totally weird!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. Y'all tried, and some said "nope, I like a sharp shoe."

[SMC22307]

20. Whenever they want to. Biden's feet, her choice. Same with Kamala in her heels.

Hillary, Laura and Michelle appear to be wearing flats or mid-heels. Their feet, their choice.

I cannot believe people are focused on f*cking footware.

[StarfishSaver]

59. THANK you!

Pretty condescending to suggest that three of the most powerful women in the country are helpless victims when it comes to picking out their shoes.

[SMC22307]

71. Exactly. It's mind-boggling. (n/t)

[PatrickforO]

66. I hear you, but they just look so painful. I've got bad feet and it can be agonizing.

To imagine trying to wear these things makes me really glad I'm a man. Yeah, it is their choice, for sure. But both my wife and I have always counseled our daughters and granddaughters only to wear them on occasion or not at all. I see high heels and think of lower back pain, twisted ankles, and hammer toe.

[SMC22307]

75. I never found them particularly painful, but I always wore...

many different styles of shoes and never had foot issues. If I had worn spiky pumps every day to work, traipsing on Metro, etc. I might now be singing a different tune. I work at home now so slippers and flip-flops it is (and it's easy slip out of both!).

[MustLoveBeagles]

101. Why is this a thing?

I wasn't even looking at their shoes. I assume they were all capable of picking their own footwear.

[JuJuYoshida]

21. who's holding a gun to your head to wear heels?

[LizBeth]

22. All I have are my boots with fat heels, and I hear ya.

[malaise]

23. Haven't worn a pair in decades

and it's been very good for my feet, my back and my posture

[TygrBright]

24. Not as long as "fashion" magazines, designers, and shoe vendors need profits. n/t

[DrToast]

33. You mean as long as people keep buying/wearing them.

[Grasswire2]

41. And not as long as HIGH PROFILE people who know better adhere to this sexist nonsense. nt

[eShirl]

25. about the same time they can give up wearing makeup

any time they want

[GoCubsGo]

34. Yep. Be free!!!!

All it does is age your skin faster than normal.

[Grasswire2]

42. At least wearing makeup doesn't potentially render your body deformed and painful. nt

[mtnsnake]

100. Really? Look what happened to this lady when she bought toxic mascara, lip balm & hair spray

[hlthe2b]

26. I never wore really high stillettos or anything, but even modest pumps destroyed my ankle

I paid the price. I can walk and do anything that is not high impact, but if I were confronted with a mugger, I'd have to try to fight back--running is not a possibility. Sigh...

[Amaryllis]

27. +1000. Wore them for my HS graduation in 1966 and never again.

[obamanut2012]

28. Major props to Laura Bush for wearing flats

For real.

HRC also has modestly heeled winter boots.

[Grasswire2]

43. Yes! nt

[GoCubsGo]

30. I don't get it, either.

I never could walk in them. I have high, stiff arches. Anything over an inch totally throws me off balance, not to mention the pain it causes in every joint from my hips and back downward. Not to mention that most of 'em are butt-ugly. Wouldn't wear them even if I could walk in them.

The same goes for another relic: make-up. I quit wearing that shit decades ago. Most of it caused my skin to break out in a rash, and what didn't was expensive. It's a pain in the ass to apply, and you have to spend the day worrying about smearing it. Screw it. And, men aren't expected to put in the time and expense to paint up their faces, so why the hell must we women have to put up with it? Like high heels, it needs to go the way of pantyhose.

[Grasswire2]

44. OMG pantyhose! nt

[unblock]

31. Being a short man, I've never understood high heels for women....

[zeusdogmom]

32. I LOVE wearing my heels

I have a couple of pair that are really comfortable to wear. I can stand in them thru choir concerts, multiple worship services where the choir is standing and singing more than sitting, hauling band music folders, etc. for concerts without discomfort. I wear them for me - I like the way I look and feel in them...my other shoes are hiking boots. 😂.

Sadly I haven't worn them much this past year. No choir, no band - but my feet are waiting.

[BannonsLiver]

36. There must be a market for them because they're still being made and worn

[Greybnk48]

37. I just mentioned this to my husband when they were at the Tomb.

It was refreshing to see Laura Bush in flats, and Hillary was wearing a short stacked heel. I couldn't see Michelle's feet, but I was glad to see this.

My feet and back are trashed from heels when I was in my 20's and I haven't worn them since, not 2" or higher.

[Yeehah]

39. I'm a man and I always thought they look stupid

I mean WTF. I'd break my ankle if I tried to wear that stupid crap.

[LisaL]

46. When can woman give up wearing high heel shoes?

When they decide they don't want to wear high heel shoes.

[Aristus]

47. Soon, I hope.

I think flats are sexy...

[GulfCoast66]

48. My wife has not worn them since she was 45.

Ironically, the most comfortable footwear I own are cow boots! I guess a larger, less tall heel works for me.

[MsJaneFuzzyWuzzy]

49. Oh, it's always fun to read another thread about freedumb of choice.

Funny how it's always women's freedom to do self-destructive things that people get so militant about.

This isn't actually a relic. In the 60s, for instance, we didn't do this shit. Not even in the 50s, actually. This hooker heels business is a much more recent development and it is, you know, just so sex-positive.

And, like the whole surname-abandoning thing, women have such weird and wonderful excuses for their choices. One of my faves from the mid-90s or so, which is what I date this trend to, came from a woman I knew who was a big old feminist in local politics and business: it's good to be tall in those worlds, doncha know; gives a woman a stronger presence and makes people pay attention to her.

Gosh, if only we'd all realized how easy it was to get heard. Just strap on some stilettos.

My own suggestion is that we -- that means you, men -- stop selecting tiny little women for breeding. There is no evolutionary advantage for women to being small enough to be picked up and carried off, really. In fact, it's pretty obvious that selecting small women to mate with, and thus increasing the odds of small female offspring, achieves quite the opposite: it creates a class of human beings who are vulnerable to violence because of their size. And, in the case of hooker heels (like bound feet), unable even to get away.

And women, we need to reflect on why we feel a need to minimize the space we occupy in the world.

Meanwhile, I don't care that Harris wears sneakers off-camera. What she does on-camera is what the world and all the little girls and boys in it see.

Anybody who wants to pretend to believe that I said something I did not say, or meant something I did not mean, or think something I do not think, is entirely welcome to do so. Anyone who does so makes it clear that they are dishonest and that dishonesty is their only weapon (I decline to believe that anyone doing this is so stupid that they believe their own claim). Best of luck to them in their future endeavours.

[Turin_C3PO]

68. It's a personal choice.

Some women like them, some don't. Some like makeup, some don't. Some men like short women, some like tall. It's not some sexist conspiracy.

[MsJaneFuzzyWuzzy]

95. So is selling one's self into slavery.

Have a nice night.

[anamnua]

98. I actually hate my surname and oten wished with a passion that the convention were reversed

and I could have adopted my wife's.

[Mister Ed]

103. Wait...wut?

Please tell me you're not serious about barring women of small stature from having children? Please?

My own suggestion is that we -- that means you, men -- stop selecting tiny little women for breeding.

I never thought I'd read a proposal for eugenics on a Democratic forum. But it's 3AM. Maybe I'm groggy, or even dreaming? Maybe that's it.

I'll try to get back to sleep. Just got to get that old Randy Newman song out of my head. The one about how "Short people got no reason to live..."

[Mister Ed]

111. Actually quite serious here.

Your insults notwithstanding, does this paragraph really not say what it seems to - that women with a petite build should not be having children?

My own suggestion is that we -- that means you, men -- stop selecting tiny little women for breeding. There is no evolutionary advantage for women to being small enough to be picked up and carried off, really. In fact, it's pretty obvious that selecting small women to mate with, and thus increasing the odds of small female offspring, achieves quite the opposite: it creates a class of human beings who are vulnerable to violence because of their size.

[drmeow]

51. the tone deaf responses to this post

Last edited Wed Jan 20, 2021, 08:54 PM - Edit history (1)

highlight some of the gender related problems we have as a society.

"No one is forcing you" - some companies have dress codes mandating high heels for women

"You can stop anytime" - wearing high heels and makeup are associated with higher pay and better career advancement

Women are prohibited from wearing flats at the Cannes Film Festival - and before you say "then don't go" would you tell a man not to go to the equivalent of an important professional conference in his field?

Edit: I don't want to have to write the same thing to both responses so I'm going to say it here - 1) show my in my post where I said they were "forced" to wear heels and 2) if you don't think there is pressure on Harris and Biden to wear high heels, you aren't paying attention. I remember when Hillary was just Hillary Rodham - the same political pressure that caused her to take Bill's name hasn't eased since he was in the White House and its the same pressure that "forces" Harris and Biden to wear heels. Women are judged for their appearance all the time - and the news media rants about female politicians clothing choices no matter what they do.

I am so f**king tired of women being judged for the choices they make to be emotionally comfortable in a patriarchal society even when that emotional comfort comes at a physical cost. Unless you have walked a mile in their shoes, STFU.

[Kaleva]

70. So what is your guess as to who forced VP Harris to wear high heels?

[drmeow]

83. see my edits to my post

[Turin_C3PO]

73. So Harris and Jill Biden

are being forced by society to wear high heels? You sure you wanna go there?

[drmeow]

82. see my edits to my post

[MsJaneFuzzyWuzzy]

96. You seem to be very invested in this subject.

Invested enough to repeatedly misrepresent what others are saying.

The mark of a demagogue. Are YOU sure you wanna go there?

[Kaleva]

85. Are you not judging VP Harris for her decision to wear high heels?

Or do you support her right to choose?

[MsJaneFuzzyWuzzy]

110. Exactly where did this fool idea come from:

that supporting a right to choose requires approving all choices?

that condemning a choice means calling for it to be outlawed?


Is there a particular day or event to which we can trace this?

Maybe just a general decline in education and/or decency?

[AwakeAtLast]

52. Haven't worn them since college.

And even then, I was more apt to wear Birkenstocks. Still love Birkenstocks! Anymore it takes a lot to get me to even wear socks!

[Meowmee]

54. I liberated myself a long time ago

I only wear low platforms occasionally due to various physical issues. I always had some pain in my feet from them when I wore other types of heels mostly. I can only wear platform types now not even a low heel due to pain. I mostly wear fitflops now or sneakers.

[StarfishSaver]

58. Women already have the option to wear whatever kind of shoes we want

I and every woman I know who wears high heels wear them because that's or choice.

[PatrickforO]

61. Now you're talking sense. High heels have no business being continued.

I've always told my daughters and granddaughters, WEAR FLATS. You're much, much better off. And if some guy wants you to wear high heels, he's probably the WRONG GUY.

[JohnnyRingo]

63. Women don't spend $800 on a pair of shoes because they have to wear them.

I'd rather snatch Trump's rug right off the top of his head than take my friends heels from her.
All the Secret Service could do is shoot me.

[japple]

64. I cannot understand why any woman would wear those cruel shoes.

They are, as you say, a huge risk.

[Jon King]

67. My daughter has never worn heels or even a dress....

Or spent a day in regular prison, I mean regular school. Since day one she has been taught to think independently, home schooled, wear what you want, when you want. She turned out just fine not following any of the traditional roles and stupid norms and is now one of the top junior tennis players in the world. So ladies, do your thing and screw what society tells you to do.

[Turin_C3PO]

74. That's all well and good.

But some women ENJOY wearing heels. Who's to say they shouldn't? Btw, there's nothing wrong with public school. I'm the proud son of two public school teachers. They certainly weren't teaching at a "prison".

[Celerity]

79. Thank you!!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

72. Never had heels.

I never put myself through that.

[mcar]

77. As amazing as Dr. Jill looked

By the time they paraded, she looked like her feet were killing her.

[Celerity]

78. Hard pass. I love my stilettos. If you do not like them, do not wear them.

I do not live in them, and wifey wears heels less than I do (we are both sneakerheads to a point, her more than I am), but I shall keep wearing whatever I wish.

[Hamlette]

80. Never! I love them

I don't wear them anymore but I loved them when I was young enough. I liked that they made me taller and made my legs look great.

YMMV

[Ilsa]

84. I got a blister on my big toe just watching them.

I won't wear stilletto heels, just low kitten heels or stocky heels. High heels, worn daily, cause foot problems. If they are not worn daily, it is easy to get out of practice wearing them, walking and balancing in them.

I kept wondering if either lady was thinking, "My feet hurt. I can't wait to get out of these heels."

[Raine]

86. Whenever they want to IF they want to. 🤔 nt

[BGBD]

87. Women can wear whatever they want

I dont women who don't own a pair and I know women that wear them daily.

I think there are very few places that care one way or another. This isn't Mad Men.

[cwydro]

89. Never wore them. Ever.

Can’t even imagine.

[ananda]

91. I know. I was thinking the same thing.

WTF is it about heels? I just don't get it.

[phylny]

92. I think if you have money, you can have your shoes custom made.

I am thinking of Billy Porter and his custom-made "Kinky Boots." I saw a documentary on a company that makes custom shoes for Broadway shows and I imagine that a custom-made shoe/boot could be very comfortable.

I haven't worn heels in ages.

[anamnua]

93. Excerpt from Some Like it Hot

[link:

|

For the more youthful of you this was a comedy film about two guys forced to dress in drag to escape a Mafia gang.

[leighbythesea2]

99. Top sales in apparel in 2020

Were athleisure and athletic shoes. Everything else not very good @ all.

We are going the right direction. Lots of runway collections show athletic shoes or "inspired by" designs with work-oriented apparel now.

Every year i get more encouraged with the % of footwear that could be considered in the category of comfortable.

[BainsBane]

102. Lots of us don't wear them

It's not a requirement.

[smirkymonkey]

104. I have spent much of my adult professional life wearing high heel shoes and they have ruined my feet

I am now unable to wear them without being in excruciating pain (Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis, corns and calluses, etc.). The bones in my little toe are actually deformed because of them. I would have to have surgery to straighten them back out.

The only time I can really wear a dress or skirt is in the warmer months when I can wear open toe platform sandals (which are actually very comfortable for me - not that high). In the winter I wear Dansko shoes or other brands like it. I can't believe how much damage the constant wearing of high heels have done to my feet. Not even just high heels, but boots and shoes with heels as well.

They are crippling if you wear them long enough. It's sick, but I do miss being able to wear pretty shoes, but I do not miss the pain at all.

[Kaleva]

105. I trust VP Harris and Dr. Biden would not wear them if they ever decide not to.

I very much doubt OP would have been written had VP Harris and Dr. Biden not worn high heels so i must conclude OP is talking about them.

[betsuni]

106. When men stop wearing neckties.

High heels are nothing compared to point shoes worn in ballet.

[RichardRay]

107. The only thing Melanie ever did that impressed me...

...was to be able to walk confidently across the White House lawn in those spikes

[Beringia]

108. It may be a woman's personal choice, but it contributes to a society that promotes

injuring one's body for the sake of fashion.