Comments on: New York Times Sez: You Women Suck at Choosing Your Choice

By: AuntieM

AuntieM — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:45:30 +0000

The local courts attempted to implement a dress code of what was deemed to be appropriate foot attire for attorneys in Court. Nothing drastic, just closed toes, no strappy cocktail type sandals and the like. Women had a fit. Of course the majority complaining wore stilletos, strappy sandals and toe rings. I believe in Freedom of Shoe but feel that innappropriate footware can certainly affect people’s impressions. Especially in a situation where you want people to recognize your intelligence and not your attire.

By: Sissy Panty Buns

Sissy Panty Buns — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:26:23 +0000

@Nefarious Newt: I’m 6 feet tall and like the extra hight in the heels. Many women (including a woman I had a date with) are over 6 feet tall as is First Lady Michelle Obama. The problem isn’t just thinking the wearing of high heeled shoes through. There are societal conceptions of beauty and sexiness to deal with. I hope that dreadful foot binding is no longer going on in parts of asia. One of the things going on is that men have been conditioned to associate women wearing high heels with sex and may women are aware of it. @ Becky: Why would you think being a drag queen was more rare among guys in their 60s? @ Fresh Peaches: Men have those problems too. I have very wide feet and cant find shoes wide enough to avoid cramped toes without getting a size longer than my foot. Where did your bf find EEE 10 1/2 high heels? Re: the NY Times article and quoted survey: I suspect that if there were the same proportion of men and women wearing high heels that the men would be at high risk of getting sprained ankles. Walking in high heels is hard to learn to do and can be dangerous. It’s true they are harder on the feet, tendons and ankle. From a troll’s perspective I associate them with dominatrixes and sexiness. There’s nothing quite like being on the receiving end of a well placed kick in the sphincter with a very pointy shoe. Is it a question of priorities?

By: Fresh Peaches

Fresh Peaches — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:03:43 +0000

[blockquote]@NefariousNewt: I couldn’t help but wonder about the >2% of men in the study who reported that they didn’t wear flat shoes.

Were they professional drag queens? Prince? Tom Cruise? Unlikely, since the study was of people in their 60s![/blockquote]

My guess is cowboy boots.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:01:33 +0000

@PhDork a bit of both?
I’ve had issues for a while with the fact that women are ‘required’ – whether through workplace dress codes or simply social pressure – to wear shoes (and clothes too, but that’s another rant)that basically cripple them. I wear flats most of the time and heels only if I can take them off when my feet start to hurt. Over the years, I’ve found that my feet have changed shape as a result and I can no longer fit my foot into the heels I used to wear way back when. And since I’m not spending on new heels, I suppose I’m consigned to living out my days in unfeminine flats. My mother is NOT happy.
(My feet haven’t grown longer or anything – they’re just wider because my toes actually grip the ground and aren’t all squished in a point any more.)

By: PhDork

PhDork — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:44:21 +0000

Flip flops in the summer, ass-kickin’ boots in the winter. I suppose the latter technically have a heel, but it’s big and flat and clompy. And did I mention ass-kickin’? I’ll never get caught in a subway grate or not be able to hustle up/down stairs. I’m never sure whether i should pity or scorn the fashion victims I see everyday.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:38:07 +0000

I have arthritis in the balls of my feet and toes (although I’m only 28) so wearing heels becomes extremely painful after about 5 minutes. I have the HARDEST time finding fashionable, affordable flats. I am not a fan of the “ballet flat” as they also offer no support or cushioning, and the nicer flats that don’t look like crap are ridiculously expensive. I feel like there just aren’t options for those of us who want to be both sensible AND fashionable!

By: Kristine

Kristine — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:26:00 +0000

I hate heels. Hate them, hate them, hate them. Since I take public transit and often am forced to navigate treacherous street grates I also stopped wearing them to work and just keep them under my desk.

Sometimes I feel like the only woman in the world who despises heels. Most of my female friends are of the “cold, dead toes” variety and there are moments when I feel distinctly unfeminine in flats. Which of course is all part of the bullshit. However, these same friends would be just as ticked off at this article.

By: theorchidthief

theorchidthief — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:57:26 +0000

@Becky, me too. I wear flip flops from my car to my desk and when walking from meetings across campus, etc. (or weather appropriate flats). But sometimes we have all day events and I have to run around in heels and dress and by the end of the day my dogs are barking!

By: BeckySharper

BeckySharper — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:52:21 +0000

Meels! I will have to check that out! But I’m guessing that if men are buying them, they’re a user-friendly, non-femme model–2 inches or less, and nice and chunky and stable, and without a pointy toe.

@Orchidthief: I occasionally wear heels at the office but I’d say 90% of the pumps I own are under my desk at work. I put them on when I get to the office, and take them off when I leave.

By: theorchidthief

theorchidthief — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:36:16 +0000

UGH! I have to wear heels to look professional! Sometimes I really hate the NYT. I’m lucky that I sit at a desk all day I guess.