Flats or Heels?

While at church this weekend, I observed a young girl who was wearing a pair of heels for what must have been the first time. She was in the 10-13 year old range, I think - I'm not the greatest at gauging ages, but she was young. It was clear that she had no experience in walking in heels, and while descending the steps of the altar, she fell. She wasn't hurt, just embarrassed.

I remember my first pair of heels. I used my babysitting money and bought a pair of Candie's. I can't even find them now on Zappos, but they were big in the 70's and 80's. I bought 3 or 4 inch backless stilettos - maybe not the most appropriate shoes for a 12 year old - and my mom didn't like them. She's not a wearer of heels.

I LOVE heels. Love how they make my legs look a teeny bit better, how they make me feel, how cute they are - when I wear flats, I have a tendency to shuffle and feel like I'm wearing bedroom slippers.

I remember wearing that first pair of heels to church, and being SO proud of myself. Everyone's looking at me, I marveled. They must think I look so, so grown up. In retrospect, they were probably wondering at this preteen girl wearing what were clearly completely inappropriate hooker shoes.

But I felt good, and that's all that matters.

I wear heels often now. I like to think that I know how to walk in them. They feel like they are part of me.

Are you a heels or flats kind of gal?

Comments

[Elizabeth]

a little bit of both but mainly flats due to my total clutzy-ness (spelling??). I used to wear heels all the time but rarely do now. I've fallen and twisted my ankles too many times over the years. :(

[Amy]

I was a heels girl until continued use of them caused me to break my foot. I wasn't wearing heels at the time, but wearing them day after day did cause stress fractures which led to actually breaking my foot one day. I would wear heels now, but I can't find a pair that is comfortable anymore so I stick with flats more often. It sucks, because I'm a complete pro at wearing heels.

[elz]

Heels all the way. Not too high, but just high enough for a little oomph. In fact, flats hurt my feet. Weird huh?

[Pam]

Since I have been 5'10" tall since I was probably about 14, I never wore heels. Then about three years ago (I'm now 38), I started watching What Not to Wear and they always recommended heels...and I thought every outfit did look better and more dressy with heels. And I realized they recommended them no matter how tall the lady was. So I branched out and bought a few pairs of heels...and I love them. They do make your legs look longer and every outfit more dressy. It is still hard to find pants long enough to wear with heels but I do have a couple of pairs.

And now I look at shoes some people wear and I wonder- why would you do that to your pretty outfit? Those big, clunky soled sandals and shoes just do nothing for feminity! :) Looking around just makes me more conscience of what I choose to wear- even on my feet!

[J from Ireland]

I LOVE heels and how they make my legs look too. I spend a fortune on fabulous shoes and have some beauties. As I have become older, the problem is heels aren't very kind to my poor feet, they suffer for days after a good night out, therefore I am mainly in flats.

[Nicki]

I love heels. The end. :) To be fair, I am only 4'11" so heels make me feel tall, even though I am still in the petite range with them on.

I can't wear actual flats. I have wide reverse bunion feet (or at least that's what I think it looks like) with narrow heels, so I walk right out of flats.

Also, heels make my plantar fasciitis hurt less. So therefore it's a medical necessity, right? *snort*

[Beth]

Oh I love my heels - the 2-3 inches make all the difference in how I think of myself. Actually, I love shoes, purses and jewelry. They never have a "fat day" and always perk up my mood.

[Wendy]

Heels are wonderful! I love the way they make me feel, put together, sexy, professional....with that said I love my tennies too for chasing around my 3 kids, especially my 1 year old. I love shoes in general though. If I were rich I would have so many shoes....

[Jenn E]

I"m 5 foot 10 with many pairs of 3 inch or higher heels. LOVE THEM. Worked in a male dominated industry for years and used them to my full advantage. :-)

[amie]

Heels! Especially wedges or thick, chunky heels.

[Shelly]

I am short and should wear a heel and used to BUT I broke my left foot on the way to church a few years back. I just cannot wear them anymore as it hurts my foot and I am afraid to fall as it was a bad fall.

[Karen]

I spent years shoving my feet into heels for work. Now I mainly stick to flats. Since I'm naturally tall, I can get away with wearing flats where a lot of women would wear heels.

[Patty M.]

When I was a kid, for a long time, I was the tallest person in my class. My mother wanted me to wear heels, but they just made me feel conspicuous and I would not do it. I also would not wear nylons. Tights yes, nylons no. My father kept telling me that boys would like me better with heels (too bad he did not say that girls would like me better...maybe then I would have worn them!)
So flats, it was...even now, when at 5'5", I am definately not the tallest person around, I think that I would still feel too conspicuous in heels. I love my flat shoes!

[Joelle]

i used to love wearing heels. then i had three babies in four years and my feet spread wider each time and the budget got tighter and i just don't wear them often enough to make the cost of many pairs of heels worth it ... tho i have one or two pair that i wear occassionally!

@Nicki, you should totally try to get a precription for that "medical necessity"!

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

Candies...now that's a blast from the past. You only need to look at my feet to know I have made the "better to look good than feel good" choice in footwear once too many times in my life. For my 44th birthday, my husband bought me a pair of red pointy heel pumps. They are the most uncomfortbale pair of shoes I own, but I love them. I wore them to church and my girlfriend dubbed them my "Pentacost" shoes.

[kyooty]

I have no idea what Candies are? I had my first heals at 12 and they were a only 1/2 inch. The highest heal I've ever worn was a 2inch heal but since my hubbie is the same (cough shorter) height as I am? I haven't worn anything higher then an inch in 18yrs. i'll be changing my profile pic wednesday on FB you'll get the idea. Those were 1inch heals that day.

[Glenda]

I am 4'10" so heels are a must for me. I wear them any chance I get!!! I go for the 4" heels usually, even at my wedding. I feel like I am old pro at wearing heels. They make me feel so ladylike and sexy, all in one package :-)

[12ontheinside]

I hate high heels! I would wear thongs (you might know them as flip-flops) all day if I could get away with it!

[jp]

I am short, but I am the one those people Stacey and Clinton from What Not to Wear hate - I like comfort! I wear walking sneakers pretty much all the time.

[~ifer @ The Mind of ~Ifer]

I love heels, but only if they are the kind with chunky heels... no stilettos for me!

[Therese]

Usually heels, but I am in a flat gladiator sandal kick this summer. I will go back to my many heeled boots and jeans once the weather changes.

[Beth A.]

In order to preserve my ankles, I am a TOTAL flats wearer. Heels only on SPECIAL occasions.

[Pat]

In my 20s and 30s, I was very much a heels person, although I did stick to 2 inchers as opposed to stilettos. But said habit having destroyed my feet, resulting in multiple surgeries, I am now restricted to the dreaded "orthopedic" shoes. I just gaze on heels with envy.

[karen]

I'm only 5'3', but I HATE HEELS! In my 40's, used to wear them in the eighties, I loved my Candies too!
Just have to have comfort now, I dress for comfort but still manage to look hip
COMFY SHOES ROCK!

[Brandy]

I'm a flats gal. I've never been good at walking in heels. It messes with my balance and I feel silly in them, though I am about 5'4.5. My fifteen year old on the other hand? Doesn't own any heels, but likes to try them on and can sashay around in them well. *G*