Times Colonist E-edition

The Highs and Lows of Heels

By K.A. Curtin

The history of high heeled shoes is a colourful reflection of human culture in different parts of the world. It may surprise you to know that they were first developed for utilitarian functions and worn by men. Back in the 10th century, the Persian cavalry wore high-heeled boots in order to fix their feet more securely in stirrups. Platform shoes were worn by butchers in Egypt who wanted to keep blood off their feet. In Europe’s medieval period, aristocrats wore high soles to elevate themselves from the filth of the street. When high-heeled Persian emissaries made their way to Europe in the 17th century, French royalty embraced the look to visually and functionally represent their status. Because of the total impracticality of walking around, the shoes sent the clear message that one did not have to work like lower class people.

Leap ahead to the 20th century, and most men had their feet comfortably situated in Oxfords and other less dramatic footwear. Women’s heels, however, vacillated between stilettos and platforms, and the reasons for wearing this footwear had different effects, both physically and culturally. The original symbol of class steered exclusively towards fashion, not function, and the taller, thinner heels changed women’s silhouettes in a sexualized way. Heels have the effect of destabilizing one’s center of gravity so the back arches slightly to accommodate, which deep in our mammalian brains signals a readiness for sex. Apparently. Heels also elongate the legs and create muscle definition, particularly in the calves, and cause women to walk with a more “feminine” gait. Historical fantasy and eroticism aside, let’s talk about the physiological downers.

High heels worn over long periods of time are bad for everyone. Sure, you can slip a pair on once in a while for a night out, but if you are tottering around in them for eight hours (because tradition deems that some work situations look better in heels?) then consider the repercussions. Besides lower back pain from all that arching, shortened Achilles tendons, and sprained ankles, your feet take the most abuse. Metatarsalgia, bunions, and hammer toes are long term dysfunctions and deformations that, ironically, will force you to trade those sexy high heels for seriously orthopedic footwear. The first condition is usually caused by nerve impingement, often from ongoing compression of the forefoot into narrow-fitting shoes. Bunions can form in response to the same constriction but it is structural, such that the base of the big toe develops a big, bony protrusion in response to that toe being consistently pushed into the others.

Though foot problems can arise from other contributing factors like genetics, structural abnormalities or arthritis, those who consistently stuff their feet into footwear that does not allow normal wiggling of toes or a natural angle of the foot may come to realize the effects too late. More women have bunions later in life than men, so we can confidently guess that high heels have played a significant part. But times are changing. With the rise of sneaker culture, people have been liberated from some of the outdated feminine fashion ideals. Now, it is not unusual to see someone pairing running shoes with a dress. Commuters wear their comfy shoes to work and for short periods of time switch to heels. Many designers are attempting to actually make high heels comfortable, with wider toe boxes, arch support, and more cushioning at the ball of the foot.

Watching Beyoncé stride down the stage looking fierce and powerful is quite different than witnessing the restrained, precarious mobility of someone baby-stepping forward, clutching someone’s arm. In movies, women have used their stilettos as actual weapons. In fashion photos, their shoes elevate the wearer into the realm of myth. Heels are part of the suit of armour professional women wear to do battle alongside neck-tie wearing men (arguably, also a restrictive fashion choice). The love/hate affair with high heels is complicated. In the meantime, care for your feet as best you can before they hurt and know that pointy-toed heels can be both stylish AND evil.

ISLANDER

en-ca

2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaltimescolonist.pressreader.com/article/282230899943888

Glacier Media