Writer's Block: Out of fashion

[lizzybennet]

[Error: unknown template qotd]

High heels. In my opinion, they are just a modern day form of foot-binding. We are expected to wear them because they make our calves look good, make us taller, which makes us appear thinner. Pain for the sake of looking good, wearing shoes that actually injure our feet is very reminiscent of foot binding. Yes, it is not as extreme, I realize that. I realize women aren't breaking the feet of their daughters and forcing them to wear high heels. Yet, this pain is undergone for the pleasurable experience of men, isn't it? And so was foot binding--Chinese men loved the tiny feet, the way hobbled feet made the woman's hips sway. It's still feet-pain for the sake of appearing desirable.

Comments

[apperception.livejournal.com]

Yeah I don't really get it. Maybe 1 out of 10 women looks elegant in them, but the rest look really awkward, like they're walking with a role of nickels stuff up their ass or something.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Hey, when did you see me trying to walk in high heels?

I definitely fall into the 9 out of 10 category.

[liztunder.livejournal.com]

High heels, unlike foot binding, is a personal choice. I personally like them, though people tell me not to wear them, and they do not cause me undue pain; no more than my flat shoes do anyways. Plus, they're not modern (http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/036heels.html).
But really, the only thing I take issue with in your post, is that you say we are causing ourselves pain for the pleasure of men. This...just...makes me mad. I don't know how to put it. I wear high heels for myself, because I like to. Not for anyone else. If I wore my shoes for someone else I would, in fact, not wear high heels, because of my already grand height.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link, it is really interesting. You're quite right, I was mistaken to state that high heels are modern day.

I still feel, however, that many of the things women put themselves through in our society are painful and unnecessary because this is what we are taught by a male-driven society that we should do. We wax, we get implants, we wear crippling shoes.

Now, let me get down off my soap box. It's time for me to get my eyebrows waxed :)

[piratesorka.livejournal.com]

I so agree! Just what is wrong with womens feet or legs that they need these shoes that have nothing to do with the foot? We only think they make legs look better because thats what fashion dictates to us. Its all part of some sick male fantasy to have a woman wear "f*ck me stilettos" on while engaged in sex. Women sure don't have any fantasies about men wearing their loafers in bed.
We just end up injuring our feet and legs. Ask any podiatrist about high heels!

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

lol, loafers in bed! What an image that is :) But the analogy goes right along with the foot binding--there are records of Chinese men stating how much they loved it when women ran their tiny, crippled, and almost always infected feet along their well, you know. Gross.

[polgaramalfoy.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I've been of the theory that we do these things to ourselves for ourselves. I don't like body hair on me, so I keep myself shaved, waxed, whatever. I like the way my feet, legs, and even rear look when I wear heels. I wonder how much of what men like is these things for themselves, or because we feel better about ourselves when they're done - we feel sexier and they pick up on that.

[(Anonymous)]

ok so i can see your point of view, but i do have to point out that men were the first people wearing high heels.
yeah then they got smart and quit. i know, i know. ;p

however some of us women actually like wearing heels and feel sexy when we do. does that bring us back to your point of it's men's fault we were them, sure, but i still love wearing them.

anna