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Dangerous Elegance: A History of High-Heeled Shoes
Random History ^ | April 9, 2008 | Random History and Word origins for the Curious Mind

Posted on 09/21/2014 4:50:52 PM PDT by WhiskeyX

The high-heeled shoe, or a shoe whose heel is higher than the toe, is a matter of contentious and heated discussion. Shoes in general have typically served as markers of gender, class, race, and ethnicity--and both the foot and the shoe have been imbued with powerful phallic and fertility symbols as evidenced in the contemporary practice of tying shoes to a newlywed couple’s car. No other shoe, however, has gestured toward leisure, sexuality, and sophistication as much as the high-heeled shoe. Fraught with contradiction, heels paradoxically inhibit movement in order to increase it, at least in appearance. Standing in heels, a woman presents herself already half-walking while at the same time reducing the length of her step, fostering the illusion of speed while suggesting the promise of an imminent fall. The higher and more unstable the heel, the more clearly these contradictions are expressed (Kunzle 2004). Doctors and scholars alike have argued about the physical and cultural effect, both positive and negative, that heels have had not only on women, but on society as a whole.

(Excerpt) Read more at randomhistory.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; History; Society
KEYWORDS: fashion; shoes
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To: WhiskeyX

My dada was an orthopedic surgeon and forbid his girls from wearing any heel that was more than one half inch


21 posted on 09/21/2014 5:56:58 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: Chode

But even with feet like that, be happy that you do not suffer tarsal tunnel syndrome.

People have committed suicide because of the associated pain.


22 posted on 09/21/2014 6:02:04 PM PDT by 353FMG
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To: Chode

Gosh that looks painful


23 posted on 09/21/2014 6:05:05 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto!)
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To: WhiskeyX

We have a young lady in our congregation who is 6’ 2” tall. Her mom is almost that tall. I am 6’ 1” and she and I look eye to eye with me wearing “go to church” shoes and she wears flat bottom shoes. She could be a model for any beauty magazine.


24 posted on 09/21/2014 6:06:42 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.)
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To: combat_boots
don't it though
25 posted on 09/21/2014 6:19:45 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: 353FMG
i know where they are coming from, i get migraines
26 posted on 09/21/2014 6:23:10 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: Arrowhead1952

“We have a young lady in our congregation who is 6’ 2” tall....She could be a model for any beauty magazine.”

Shoe shopping must be an experience.


27 posted on 09/21/2014 6:25:30 PM PDT by WhiskeyX
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To: WhiskeyX

I teach. My kids are six, three, and one. I wore heals to school up to my deliveries. I even walked out of school in heals on my way to the hospital with blessing number three.


28 posted on 09/21/2014 6:34:39 PM PDT by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: Fai Mao

Inspiring story, I’m sure that as daunting as the challenge at first seemed, that you were fully committed to climbing that mountain.


29 posted on 09/21/2014 6:39:54 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: RushIsMyTeddyBear

I wore some boots the other day for the first time since winter.

They barely have a heel on them, and my feet were killing me. I have bunions, and they are getting worse. I’m afraid I’m dooomed to sneakers unless I have surgery.


30 posted on 09/21/2014 6:43:08 PM PDT by luckystarmom
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To: luckystarmom

Ugh! Bless your heart! Both my mom and sister have had bunion surgery, spurs, and joints removed. I’m trying to scare those genes off as long as I can.


31 posted on 09/21/2014 6:59:44 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear
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To: ansel12

I love high heels. I am tall......5’9”.......so have always been sensible about my heels. I have a pair of boots almost exactly like those. Lol. I have never worn anything over 3 inches and I absolutely hate the platform style. Too clunky and too heavy. I hate heavy shoes of any kind. As I have gotten older thoough I make sure the bottom of the heel is kind of wide, not teeny, and I wear a lot more wedges than I used to.
Oh, and I still have pretty feet. Lol


32 posted on 09/21/2014 7:02:31 PM PDT by sheana
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To: Bratch

She’s got it right. Those are actually a platform heel....so they are not as hard on the feet as, say, stilettos. Smart gal. natch!


33 posted on 09/21/2014 7:03:10 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear
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To: goodwithagun

“Time wounds all heels.”

;^)


34 posted on 09/21/2014 7:03:13 PM PDT by elcid1970 ("In the modern world, Muslims are living fossils.")
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To: WhiskeyX

I have worn a pair of Dr. Scholls shoes daily for around two years and they still have a little life left in them. I am not sure they are any better than the various high quality Puma, Asics, Adidas, Nike, etc. but they are comfortable.


35 posted on 09/21/2014 7:06:27 PM PDT by yarddog (G)
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To: WhiskeyX

I’m sure it’s as difficult for taller gals as petite ones like me. I’m 4’11 and wear a size 5 to 5 1/2. Not a lot of selection out there.


36 posted on 09/21/2014 7:07:30 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear
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To: Nifster
Your Dada was a smart man. Mine was a veterinarian and he told my mother and only sister what that type of footwear would do to a horse or cow.

Neither was very big on them. Dad used to say 'They say women are smarter than men, but did you ever see a man wear high heels or a shirt which buttoned or zipped in back?'

37 posted on 09/21/2014 7:19:48 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: WhiskeyX

Some more of the liberal attempt to de-feminize women and feminize men. I personally think women look more attractive and feminine in heels. Considering todays social re-engineering, that opinion may be sexist. /.02


38 posted on 09/21/2014 7:32:20 PM PDT by Texicanus (Texas, it's a whole 'nother country.)
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To: WhiskeyX
Shoe shopping must be an experience.

Not for her. If they aren't flat bottomed, she won't buy them. She was the monster on the HS volleyball team and had a great vertical leap as well. Spiked any serve hit in her direction.

39 posted on 09/21/2014 7:35:47 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.)
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To: Arrowhead1952
She was the monster on the HS volleyball team and had a great vertical leap as well. Spiked any serve hit in her direction.

Spiking a served ball has been illegal for at least 20 years.

40 posted on 09/21/2014 7:41:52 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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