Damaged feet. The cost of wanting to look taller and sexier.

I came across an interesting article about the effects of wearing heels, particularly when combined with any kind of medical condition or pregnancy. The BBC article stressed how women who are pregnant are warned of the dangers of wearing heels for, not only their own health but the health of their coming child. The findings were pretty astonishing, but they still seem pretty fruitless at bringing the wearing of heels to an end. Quite the contrary.  Women are probably even more inclined to wearing the latest platforms than ever before in history, whether expecting or not.

Alexander Mcqueen SS 2010 killer 12-inch-heels

It’s in the Choo

Jimmy Choo’s start as one of the leading women’s shoe designers can be traced back to his workshop in London Borough of Hackney, North London, which he opened in the mid 80’s in an old hospital building. As I read more about Mr Choo, I found that “His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he came to the verge of international notability when his creations were featured in a record eight pages in a 1988 issue of Vogue magazine.”

Jimmy Choo printed pony and suede clutch bag

More than anything else, I think it’s Mr Choo’s journey to success that makes him so interesting. And for my own investigation of women’s eternal love affair with heels, he seemed the perfect man to provide me with some more answers to the question: Why do women risk their health for a pair of heels?

Heeling treatment. Christian Dior show

I had to read some more. I found plenty of articles that were giving me a somewhat clearer picture of a woman’s desire to opt for heels instead of some, let’s say, more comfortable and practical shoes. Major, high-end shoe designers, such as Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin have all revolutionized women’s footwear. As claimed by millions of women, heels just make them look and feel sexy. But hold on. Can that only be achieved with the expense of your over all health? The mind boggles…

Heidi Klum: Pregnant and sporting a pair of super high heels

I think marketing plays a key role in the popularity of heels and the desire of wearing them. Every day there are some new health related discoveries that we’re supposed to incorporate in our lives. In the words of one expert:  “High heels alter your posture, shorten your calf muscles and place increased pressure on your back and knees” — as said by Lorraine Jones, a Podiatrist. And while reading many other medical quotes such as the latter, I managed to find plenty of articles that claimed the actual health benefits of wearing high heels. So what are we, women, the target market, more than impressionable victims of clever marketing?

Pedro platform heels/ Photo courtesy of Pedro

At the end of the day, I suppose it’s a decision of each and every one of us whether to wear or not to wear heels. I personally feel more comfortable having my feet a bit closer to the ground and when opting for heels, I tend to go for a more moderate lift from ground level. No stilettos for me, thank you very much, no matter how beautiful they might be.  I think it’s just good to remember that while a pair of Jimmy Choos’ might make you look leaner, longer and sexier, they not only burden your finances, but they can also place a considerable burden on your health in the long run.

What do you think about heels? Are they worth the possible health risk? Tell us about it.