The Mystique of High Heeled Shoes

Most fashion trends come and go, but a very few are enduring. Among the most interesting of latter is the high heeled shoe.

Suiting up

Before they were "merely" fashionable, heels once served practical purposes. For instance, they were used by ancient horsemen to keep the foot from slipping from the stirrup (some theorize that this was, in fact, their origin). And they were used by ancient butchers to keep their feet clean and dry while standing in pools of blood.

But modern heels are worn purely for fashion. Right?

Well...er...maybe not.

Studies have repeatedly shown that men (though interestingly not women) behave very differently (generally better) around women wearing heels. Check out this summary of some fascinating research on the subject: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201612/the-psychology-high-heels. Perhaps the modern heel serves the very practical purpose of unconsciously manipulating men?

Given the enduring mystique of high heels and the differences in how males and females react to their wearers, scientists have long suspected an evolutionary explanation for their longevity. Heels tend to exaggerate certain well-known evolutionarily cues that apparently serve as proxies for female health and sexual vitality--namely, heels influence the apparent size and shape of female breasts (by thrusting them forward as the shoulders are drawn backward for balance), buttocks (as the hips are tilted forward the rear is lifted higher) and feet (by making them appear smaller). They also add an exaggerated sway to one's gait, forcing the wearer to walk in characteristically feminine and highly endearing (at least to males) ways.

These evolutionary triggers make sense, and I have little doubt that they explain some of the enduring mystique of high heels. And yet, I suspect there's a little more to it. Heels are so numinous to many males, at least in part, because they are so...obvious...in their signaling (even though much of it happens on an unconscious level). Wearing them for extended periods is notoriously uncomfortable and they serve no practical purpose. So...why wear them at all? Why do women endure the pain?

Gaining attention is clearly part of the explanation. The beauty of heels, and their mystique, is at least in part due to the fact that there can be no pretext about them, no plausible deniability. "What, these old things? I was just slaughterin' me some pigs earlier and slipped 'em on to keep my feet nice and dry" really isn't believable.

This lack of plausible deniability creates a compelling and endearing emotional vulnerability. Add to that the fact that running (escaping) in high heels is well nigh impossible, and there's a very real physical vulnerability to boot. Furthermore, as the shoulders are pulled back for balance, the breasts are thrust forward opening and exposing the heart. And as the hips tilt and the rear is consequently raised, the lady parts are exposed to the world just a little more than usual. (To clarify, I'm not suggesting that a women in heels is looking to be groped or for sex)

Heels expose the breasts and heart and raise the rump

Most importantly, such an obvious display of emotional and physical vulnerability requires an incredible amount of confidence--confidence in her surroundings, confidence in her admirers, confidence in her protectors and, most importantly, confidence in herself. I submit that it's this self confidence, and the awesome power that comes from it, that ultimately explains the mystique high heels.

The mystique of confidence