Come to Heel

As the chic New Yorker famously stated “I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes”. The influence extended beyond the screen, making Manolo Blahnik a household name and significantly boosting the brand’s popularity and sales.

If you lay claim to an indulged collection of shoe boxes like myself in my fifties, you will understand how each humble box contains objects of excitement and wonder.

Beneath the lid and the parting of the tissue paper, revealing a pair of shoes is so much more; it’s a moment filled with memories of past events and the excitement of future occasions. Each pair of shoes holds a story, evoking memories of previous parties and occasions and a promise, making the unveiling experience deeply significant. It sounds ridiculous. However, each detail is an enduring source of fascination and delight.

We’ve all heard of Imelda Marcos former first lady of the Philippines, famously known for her extensive shoe collection; amassing thousands of shoes that became a symbol of the excesses and extravagance of the Marcos regime and a point of historical and cultural interest in the Philippines.  Yet this fascination and obsession with shoes is not difficult to understand. Shoes hold a unique place in women’s fashion, often serving as more than just functional items. They are potent symbols of sexuality, empowerment, and personal style.

The elevated posture, elongated legs and accentuated curves that come with wearing heels contribute to their allure. Brands like Christian Louboutin, known for their signature red soles, capitalised by creating shoes that are both sensual and elegant. The 2020 study entitled ‘Wearing high heels as female mating strategy’ by Pavol Prokop and Jana Švancárová claimed that when females imagined an interaction with an attractive male, their preference for high heels steeply increased.

Women in heels are often perceived as more attractive. This elevation of their self-esteem and social presence comes from added height and posture correction, which can make women feel more poised and assertive.

Wearing high heels can also make you feel more glamorous and desirable. This psychological boost can translate into a more confident and assertive demeanour, which can be sexually appealing. Throughout history, high heels have been associated with femininity and elegance. This cultural association contributes to their sexual significance, as they are often seen as quintessentially feminine attire.

Cultural icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Beyonce popularised the idea of high heels as a sex appeal. Their significance with glamour and allure has been reinforced by media and advertising, adding to their sexual association.

As a vital part of self-expression, women use shoes to convey their style. Theresa May, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is well-known for her love of shoes. Her penchant for fashionable footwear has been a media attention and public interest topic, reflecting her style and the broader cultural significance of shoes in politics. In the professional world, they are often empowering tools and wearing high-quality, stylish shoes can enhance a woman’s professional image and convey authority and competence.

TGQ spoke to Gerard Levy of Spice in Primrose Hill, London. His family business has existed for 40 years and prides itself on selling shoes to women who want to elevate their style through footwear.  Gerard told TGQ that his customers find shoes from his collection to suit their lifestyles.  “The modern woman needs shoes that are adaptable, stylish and comfortable that transition wherever your day takes you”.

We are increasingly challenging traditional notions of footwear by choosing styles that prioritise their comfort and needs. Empowerment comes from making choices that align with personal values rather than societal expectations, such as stylish flats or supportive heels that allow them to move confidently without compromising comfort. Blending fashion with functionality will enable women to maintain their style without sacrificing comfort. After all, this demographic, 50+, which often enjoys greater financial stability, can afford to invest in higher-quality, more stylish footwear. Brands such as Jimmy Choo, Ayede, Wandler, Ganni.

Shoes are a powerful expression of personality, serving as indicators of cultural identity, social status, emotional state, lifestyle, and personal values. They communicate a wealth of information about the wearer, often at a glance, making them a significant element of self-expression. Whether through the choice of style, colour, brand, or condition, shoes reveal much about who we are and how we wish to be perceived.

As the chic New Yorker famously stated “I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes”.

Reference:

Is wearing high heels a female mating strategy? Revisiting the original study using qualitative methods
Radomír Masaryk, * Nikola Synak, and Michaela Belišová