All hail the heel: Highs, lows and more

As a team of a rocket scientist, fashion expert and an astronaut, among others, try to come up with a painless pair of heels, we take a look at why we love and loathe the shoes
I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot,” Marilyn Monroe had once said and while not everyone might agree with her, we can agree that all heels aren’t just something to walk in.As a former US space transport company executive recently announced she was creating the ultimate shoes – heels that don’t hurt – with a team made up of a fashion expert, an orthopaedic surgeon, engineer, astronaut and rocket scientist, we take a look at how heels affect so many aspects of their owners’ lives – whether it’s feeling confident or inspiring some of the most iconic scenes in our favourite films
Why men love high heels
The relationship between men and heels is a complicated one. They love how women look in heels, but don’t quite love listening to their girlfriends’ complaints about how painful it is to wear them. Sociologist Jean Claude Kaufmann noted, "In a relationship of seduction, men are very attracted to a woman in heels, as she looks taller, more sexually confident, sure of herself, with a lengthened silhouette and sensual jutting buttocks." The Evolution And Human Behaviour Journal claimed that a woman in heels is forced to take shorter strides and looks like she has smaller feet – both of which make her look more feminine and thereby more attractive. A study from Universite de Bretagne-Sud, France, put this claim to the test and found that men were more receptive to women in high heels than those wearing flats. Heels and personality While some might scoff at the idea of reducing a woman’s entire personality to the shoes she wears, studies shows that shoes can be a good indicator of what kind of a woman you are. One study from University of Kansas, US, proved in 2012 that while many believe high heels were worn by women who were emotionally unstable, it was calmer personalities that preferred pencil shoes. It further found that women with aggressive personalities preferred ankle boots.
What exactly do heels do to your body
Back
- Stress on lower back
- As lower back and chest is pushed forward, spine goes out of alignment
- Spine’s ability to absorb shocks reduces
- Spondylolisthesis – one vertebra slipping over the other
Hips
- Hips and tendons get overworked due to the unnatural posture
Ankles and calves
- Blood circulation is constricted, causing varicose veins
- Calf muscles and Achilles tendon at risk of stiffening
Knees
- Extra stress on the knees can lead to Osteoarthritis
- Knee’s ability to absorb shocks is reduced
Feet
- Your entire foot’s ability to absorb shocks and take the body’s weight falls on your toe bones and the balls of your feet
- Causes nerve damage
- Blisters and ingrown toenails
-If worn constantly, bones in the feet can crack
Surgeries
A number of newspapers last year noted the growing trend of the Cinderella Surgery, which involved women cutting portions of their toes to fit more snugly into their heels and getting botox injections in the balls of their feet to provide added cushion.
FAMOUS FALLS
Who can forget Jennifer Lawrence stumbling her way to the stage when she accepted the Oscar for best actress in 2013? A combination of a billowy dress and five-inch heels made for one of the most popular GIFs of the actress, who refers to her heels as “Satan's shoes.“
Naomi Campbell famously fell on the catwalk as she modelled in twelve-inch heels in 1993 and was stunned for a few minutes before she regained her composure. She eventually got her revenge when she successfully walked in the same heels during the Jonathan Ross Show in 2013.
In 2014, Madonna took a tumble as she was dancing in high heels while partying in the Netherlands and even had to walk on crutches for a while. “She bruised a bone in her foot from dancing in her high heels... she'll be fine and off crutches in a week,“ her spokesperson had told a US newspaper.
HOLLYWOOD ACTRESSES SPEAK OUT AGAINST HEELS
Sure, heels look great, but when that's supposed to be the only way a woman can look great, it's a problem. This was best highlighted at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, where female guests wearing flats were turned down at the gates. The rule came under heavy criti cism, with actress Emily Blunt stating, “I think everyone should wear flats, to be honest.We shouldn't wear high heels anymore.“Cannes isn't the only no-flats venue, as many highend pubs in London are criticised for their heelsonly-or-get-out policies. Author Germaine Greer wrote, “If a woman (...) never takes off her highheeled shoes, how will she know how far she could walk or how fast she could run?“ Incidentally , many Hollywood actresses have spoken out against heels and the perceptions that go along with them. Emma Thompson, for instance, had presented an award at the Golden Globes barefoot while hold ing her heels in her hands. “This red is my blood,“ she said pointing at the soles of her sandals, before she flung them across the stage.
Girls star Lena Dunham too took off her shoes at 2012's Glamour Women of the Year awards.
Lena started off her acceptance speech wearing metallic heels, but halfway through she said, “I have to take my shoes off, you guys, I'm so sorry ,“ and placed them at a side. “I feel more confident on my feet,“ Kristen Stewart said while explaining why she often wears sneakers on the red carpet, adding, “In terms of just kicking around and actually experiencing an entire night, heels limit me. Literally, (they) slow you down.“