Would You Wear… Ultra-High Heels?
From left: Alexander McQueen on the runway, Heidi Klum in Louboutin, and Prada on the runway
Alexander McQueen shocked fans when he debuted the infamous 10 inch “armadillo” heels in his Spring 2010 runway show. The shoes later appeared on Lady GaGa’s feet in the music video for Bad Romance – and while she was dancing, no less. Not quite as tall, but perhaps equally impressive, Louboutin’s 7 inch high ‘Bridget’ bootie showed up on a pregnant Heidi Klum at a pre-Emmy party. As fashion becomes continuously about pushing boundaries, trends like these beg the question: Are ultra-high heels actually wearable?
I love heels. At 5′2″, they make me the height of an average person, and as a curvy girl, they make my legs look longer and leaner. They are also perfect for pulling together any outfit and making it look polished and purposeful, even if it consists of jeans and a t-shirt. However, at 5′2″, I am also not used to being very high off of the ground, and struggle sometimes to wear 4 inch heels for more than a couple of hours. That said, more expensive pairs of heels are said to be more comfortable, despite their heel height, than cheaper (lower heeled) shoes. So it’s a toss-up.
For those daring enough, the key is certainly comfort and keeping the rest of the outfit classy. Before wearing the shoes, try them out at home for an afternoon to spot any problems. Heel liners are perfect for any gaps between the heel and the back of the shoe, and partial or full insoles provide some cushioning for the foot to ease any stress. The height of the heel begs for a streamlined look, but ensure that whatever you wear, your hemline is not too short. Anything shorter than mid-thigh is almost certainly a no-no.
Here are two outfits I’d love to wear with ultra-high heels:
Outfit #1: Out and About
Product Information: Grey Skinny Jeans: American Eagle, 6 Inch Heels: Brian Atwood, Green Top: Old Navy, Graduated Hoop Earrings: Charlotte Russe
Outfit #2: Classy and Dressy
Product Information: Rosette Top: Forever 21, Pencil Skirt: Forever 21, 5 3/4 Inch Black Satin Heels: Steve Madden, Chandelier Earrings: Accessorize
What do you think? What do your feet think?
Would you wear this trend? Have you tried on any of the really expensive ultra-high heels? Are they comfortable? Where do you think it’s appropriate to wear super high heels, and what constitutes “super high” to you? Talk to me!
Posted on on February 9, 2010 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Alexander McQueen, Heidi Klum, Lady GaGa, Louboutin, Prada, Super high heels
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Eliza
I have some! And they are so, so sore!! I’ve not even worn them out yet because they kill my feet after about an hour. They look good though, the pain is worth it for sure.
Rachel
The higher the heel the better! lol I’m obsessed with this trend.
s.
I find ultra high heels that provide some sort of ankle support or wrap around the ankle to be the most comfortable, like the Steve Madden heels featured…
michael kors makes some very high, but very comfortable heels.
Their T strap sandal is by far the most comfortable pair of heels I own. But even their gasenvort platform sandal, which is ridiculously high, fits comfortably because of the thick strap support. :D¸
Also, high heeled booties usually do the trick (and they dont even need to be expensive because booties are generally supportive…. I own a sky-high pair from H&M that I bought for 60 bucks)
The one downside is that with a short hemline, straps around the ankle can sometimes make a short girl (ie. me) look stumpy… in which case, you haave to invest in expensive, but comfortable, pumps.
….I am 5`3 and I also love high heels!
jessielou
i love wearing heels, even tho i am 5′8 i will not be stopped wearing my heels!
JG
I love these heels! Although I think my highest pair are about 4 inches, I’m willing to go higher (as long there’s a bit of a platform so I can actually walk a little)…I’m 5′5 (which I think it’s kind of tall) and I would totally rock some 7 inch Louboutins. The higher the better…you’re legs look 10 times longer and makes your body look that much better. If they hurt a little, so be it. Pain is beauty ladies.
JG
I meant to say beauty is pain I think haha…oops!
barbara
I love heels and everything but no way will anyone ever make me wear one of these monstrocities. I’d like to have some feeling left in my feet by the time I’m fifty, thankyouverymuch.
Isabelle
I’m wearing them right now, I think they’re fabulous and I will wear them for as long as I can.
kaley
love! I usually won’t go above 5 inches but im only 5 feet tall so this trend is soo for me! Also, if you arent used to heels, try a pair with a platform. It can make 5 inchers feel like 3.5s!
Paula
I would just end up hurting myself. My flat feet just weren’t made for heels. Which kinds stinks because I’m 5′ 3″ but I’d rather be short than in pain lol
Dominique
I cannot wear heels that high… I would be stumbling all over the place!
I can barely wear normal high heels, and I only do that for special occasions. Yes, they make my legs look amazing, but it’s just not worth the effort and the stress. I am of average height, so I’m not too concerned about being taller. In fact, I’ve often wished I was shorter!
But really. Why put yourself through the pain and the risk of seriously hurting yourself?
Maybe it’s just not for me.
Nazrine
At 5′9″, I don’t usually wear heels, not to mention they make my feet scream in agony after about an hour – but I recently got a pair of 5 inch leather heels for about $110, and they’re kind of ridiculously comfortable for shoes that high. I still don’t wear them that often, though – I’m already a head taller than a lot of my friends *wince*
Jen
I agree with you, Dominique. I love the way heels make my legs look, but daaaannnngggg they hurt sometimes. I just haven’t found the right pair. I need to get on it though! I’m average height, about 5′5″ but my boyfriend is 6′4″ :( haha heels would come in handy…
Leia
No, I wouldn’t! Nothing above 3″ for me :) My back and apparently, brain, will thank me later http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/health/441632/towering-heels-may-harm-your-back-and-brain.html
Kelly
I’m 5′3″ and I LOVE high heels. Like everyone has said before, booties or shoes with straps (like high heels sandals) are much more comfortable because they keep your feet in place. Platforms are awesome too because while the heel may be 5inches, with a platform of 1 3/4, they will only feel like 3 1/4.
SupaWaifu
Yesyesyes! Ever since I was a little girl, I strutted around in heeled boots and lusted after Spice Girl high platforms. Heels have always been for me.
Learning to walk in them, has been a challenge but once you learn, a whole world is open.
I refuse to wear pairs that hurt. If they hurt, don’t wear ‘em. Platforms are great, so are wedges. You can get heels height without pain.
e t
I like them very much but i don’t wear high heels often. I’m 5′11″ so i don’t really need the extra inches ( i’d rather say that i feel like a giant), and i can’t really walk wearing them (lack of practice), not to mention the pain…I bought a pair of 4″heels last summer but i have never worn them out of the house :(
Heather
I love the shoes in outfit #1. I’m definitely a heels girl, but I don’t know what my height limit is. lol.
Liza - University of Minnesota
I love how super high heels look, so I’m super envious of you shorties! I’m 5′8″, so a 6 inch heel would make me 6′2″! I have one pair of four inch-ers that I fell in love with and had to buy, but I still feel like I giant! If I were on the shorter side, I’m sure I’d rock heels all the time.
Shannon
The higher the better! I figure that whether I wear them now or not, I’ll probably be in orthopedic shoes when I’m 50…you only live once!
Katie
I love high shoes! With a thicker heel, theyre actually pretty painless. I’m about 5′5″ and wear them all the time.
Lizzy
NO way! I simply wouldn’t do that to my feet, my limit is 3 1/2, I’m sure my feet will thank me when I’m older and I don’t have to get foot surgery like my mom! More power to those that dare, but I just hope you limit your time in them!
lizzypunch.blogspot.com
caitlin
i have the ysl tributes (from the link) and i swear by them…so comfortable! it really depends on who makes your shoes–i’ve never had a problem with my feet being sore or with walking in heels after a long day when i wear my ysl’s, but i once got a similar pair of jessica simpson’s shoes (knockoffs) and my feet were killing. they looked kind of similar, but the designer made a HUGE difference
Hannah
I’m 5′8”, so I cap my heels at 4”, maximum. I don’t want to be over six feet tall, especially when almost all of my friends are in the 5′1” – 5′3” range. My two favorite pairs of heels are both 3” – it’s the perfect height for me, because it doesn’t make me outrageously tall, but it still adds height and gives me a more streamlined look.
Ashl3Y
my brains says no, my feet say HELL no, but i eyes HELLZ YES!!!!!! i think i’m going to go with my eyes on this one.
Chelsey
Absolutely! I’m 5′2 and love wearing heels when I can.
Cathy
I’m 5′2″ and I love my four inch heels but I will not go higher than that. I think anything higher looks ridiculous because of my small frame.
Emily
I’m 5′2, and sometimes I feel like the only short girl in the world who EMBRACES being short. I don’t feel the need to jack up my height, I guess. So no, I wouldn’t wear these. But more power to those of you who do.
Catherine
Emily, I totally get you! I’m 5′2 also, and I LOVE being petite. I feel like its cute and feminine, and guys seem to like feeling big and strong around small girls, haha. That being said however, I also LOVE the way high heels make my legs look, and the way they pull an outfit together and instantly make it dressier. I <3 my 5in Aldo heels to death!
Paula
I agree with you Emily. I love being short :)
annie
I’m also 5′2 and very petite. While I almost always wear heels for a night out or a special occassion, I don’t think I’d ever wear heels around campus! I like being comfortable, and I think that no matter if they’re 5 inch, 3 inch, or even 2 inch heels, it’s just not the same as walking around in a pair of flats, or shoes that don’t have a heel.
Linda
Like Emily, I don’t have a problem being short…(5′3).
However, I LOVE heels.. don’t wear them for the height…strangely enough, I never really considered that lol. But I love everything about them, from the sound of the heels clicking on concrete to how amazingly sexy they make my (short)legs look and feel, lol.
Sadly, I’m awfully clumsy and wouldn’t dare go ultra-high. It’s nice to imagine though. So far, pair of 4 1/2″ chunky gladiator type heels are the highest I’ve dared to wear.
Maybe one day, though. I bought the 4-1/2″s because they were darling & I got them for a SUPER steal ..like $6 or something, and I figured one day I’d figure out how to walk in them. I did eventually, after walking around the house (I swear by doing minor chores around the house, in my heels now[I know...*crazy*], I got it as a tip on how to break them in, but it helps you learn how to walk in them too!) ..
Back to the subject at hand, if I could rock some 7″ heels, I’d do it in a heartbeat!
avory
love thiss
but how are those alexandedr mcqueen heels even wearable?
i’d proably fall on my face! haha
Suburban Sweetheart
I like the way heels make me look but have given them up entirely. To me, definitely not worth the pain or looking like an occasional hooker.
Grace
At a height of 6′, I am GLAD that this is one fashion trend that everyone will totally overlook me passing up on. Its not just about feeling awkwardly tall-I’m beginning to embrace my height, but its more about the foot and back pain.
I wore dressy flats to my prom, and was very happy being comfortable and able to walk around the beautiful garden all night.
Meg
I just can’t take my eyes off those armadillo things….what freaky shoes! They are so hideous but intriguing! Do people honestly wear these??? (I’m not counting Lady Gaga on this one hah)
aish
if it looks good and is COMFY!!!!!
i will not torture myself with shoes
already did that
4 inches is as high as i will go….
although i do love the heel frm the 1st outfit!!!!
Breanna
I’m 5′3 and I agree with annie, Catherine and Emily. I even feel sometimes that I’d like to be even shorter, but that’s probably my primary school trauma – I started to grow quickly and stopped early, so most people are taller than me, but i still feel like I’m huge ;) I wear heels on special occasions only. I like how they make my legs look longer, but I prefer to be comfortable on a daily basis. Plus
Breanna
*…if I wore them every day, no one would notice that I look amazing on a special day, haha.
I found one thing in the article linked above very creepy: “The latest cosmetic treatment involves collagen being injected into the balls of the feet, making wearing heels more comfortable. ”
Seriously, this, just for the looks? What’s wrong with people nowadays?
I’m sorry for the splitted comment, but I clicked “enter” to early by accident.
Tamara
Heels are super bad for your posture, back and feet. However, they look great. So I wear them when I wanna look really great; but no more than once a month.
And definitely nothing as high as what you showed.
Amy
I have lower back problems, so I don’t think I could wear them even if I wanted to. They don’t exactly fit my personal style. My Frye harness boots are as high as I get, and they’re only about 1.5 to 2 inches high! I’m 5′8 so I’m not exactly vertically challenged to begin with.
Madeleine
I wouldn’t wear this trend because I think it would end up looking too trashy with the clothes that I have plus I’m terrible at walking in heels so this trend is just an accident waiting to happen for me. I haven’t tried on any expensive ultra-high heels, in fact I really haven’t seen any in stores. Ultra-high heels to me seem a little impractical for a regular person’s life so my opinion is that unless you’re Lady Gaga, don’t try to rock them.
Kath
I’m almost 5′10, so I really don’t need the extra height. The highest heel I have is 4 1/2 inch, and that is pushing it for me. I’m used to being taller than most of me female friends, but when I start passing up the guys it’s just a bit silly. Besides, my mom has a ton of foot problems now (orthopedic inserts, back surgery, etc) and I’m doing my best to keep my feet in good shape.
Katie
I’m 5′9 and I LOVE heels! People see me practically running in 4in stillettos and ask me how I do it. That said, I think the McQueens look a little redic and I’m wondering how the model made it down the runway…love the ones you picked though haha
Yamile
i’m 4′11″, yes, that’s really short!! so i totally love this trend!! i usually wear heels over 3.5″ daily, but i have up to 6″, just make sure they have platforms