from a height
Photographer: unknown
I get a lot of, "How come you don't wear heels? Is it because you're so tall?" This is usually followed by, "You're so lucky, you don't need to."
I'm 1.79m tall, which makes me 5'10 or so? This is tall by Asian standards (though perhaps not in parts of China), and for the most part I am immune to tall people jokes, comments, questions, and all sorts of things people assume or want to know about tall people. People can't help being people, and there are worse things people can say to your face.
This one about shoes annoyed me though, because it assumes that I have something to be embarrassed about. I do not. It assumes that I'm trying to fit in. I am not. It also assumes that heels are the more desirable shoe style, and I am somehow having to "settle" because of my "defect". It is not. It's just wrong on so many levels.
I only wear flats because:
a) I like them. Something in me melts a little when I see a pair of beautifully-made, exquisitely-designed flats; heels never have the same effect on me, even though I enjoy looking at them.
b) Flats are practical. I like practical. I don't like fussy things. I like running up stairs and chasing a bus. Some people can do this in heels but it looks silly, don't it? Flats are sensible and elegant and they suggest confidence because they're not about standing out, they are happy with what they are.
Choosing to wear flats is a matter of taste and preference, and not some silly notion stuffed into my head because of magazine articles written to make people feel bad about themselves. Short people don't need to wear heels and tall people don't need to wear flats. Whatever we choose to wear should be free will. End of story.
Picture from popbee
Comments
Nevertheless I'm sort of bothered by it too - why is it expected to wear heels just because you're small? I acutally quite like my height and I don't see the need to wear heels. Like you, I adore beautiful flats. I admire heels too and yes they lengthens my legs; but again, just like you I don't like fussy things. I cannot walk long distances or "run" with heels; and I do walk whenever I can or at least like to have the feeling of being able to do so if I wanted to. Therfore, even from a "small" persons perspective I can only wholeheartedly agree with your conclusions.
I wholeheartedly agree with you that choosing what to wear is our own matter of choice! Beautiful things should be fuss-free too.
x
http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.com/
oh i do wear flats and heels and i believe this is the freedom all should have! my friend who is 1.75m wears heels with the aplomb of a model...;))
Sog19b: Exactly! I have a tiny friend, about 1.49m, and she gets people asking her why she doesn't wear heels more either, although she does on occasion.
Pret a Porter P: Agree with your pt about having sartorial choices questioned; no matter what one might think of it, it's always rude to grill someone you don't know very well about these things.If someone asks you ant the trench, you could just say, "Yes I am, aren't you?"
These flats aren't my favourite either, I don't like the logo or even the way the flat is made. Logo, plus bow plus toe-cap is over kill; it should be just two of the three. But great picture of someone in flats, haha.
0000: Someone must have said something really cutting to your friend to make her feel so insecure; that's so sad. Shopping should be fun.
K: Yes, I know flats and wearing flats all the time isn't great for me feet..esp ballet flats. I don't really mix it up much except with sneakers, and sometimes my brogues and loafers. I actually would like something with a low blocky heel but I've yet to see a pair I like.
Alexandra: My sentiments exactly!
If Jane: 1.70m is nothing to sneeze at :) MY sisters are tall and they wear heels too. If we're going to tower over everyone already what's a few more inches, I say.
Nanashi: I agree, and having a mix is probably the healthiest. I love the look of some heels too, just not on me. But I also think some women are in denial when they say how comfortable heels are, hahaha. That said, some people just have foot shapes and arches that fit heels better. But as you said, it shouldn't be about body proportions.
The divinitus: I think all heights are perfect in their way, but thank you !
I'm 5'9, and never ever wear heels. Don't like them, they don't suit me. I have the added delicious excuse of a boyfriend a good 5" shorter than me too.
You've given me more conviction to come back when people say to me - "why don't you wear heels" - with a resounding it's a matter of personal taste, this is mine, and that is that.. thank you!
X
Hannah-rose: You're very welcome - I'm sure there are many of us out there; we've just been drowned out by the flashier high heels brigade.
S: Like I said, I think there are lots of people like us out there who don't care about height when it comes to shoes...and it's good to know they exist! Sometimes I feel like we live in a scary, Cosmo/Glamour-dictated world. Every time I see one of those titles I make a mental list of things I want to teach my hypothetical daughter/god-daughter/niece/grandchild to avoid.
Anyways, really glad to have discovered your blog and look forward to future posts.
Till now, more than 20 years later, I remember that little girl telling me that I should only wear brown because of the colors of my eyes... And I still remember thinking a) how stupid her sartorial concept was and b) I wear what I want... why do you care?
Aissa: That little girl is weird...I've never heard of that one, haha. And it's absolutely rude. When I point this out to people, some of them don't get why it's rude, and it's so depressing.
Fashion Tidbits: I often think I'm used to it, and then every so often a comment will set me off, haha.
miss sophie: You should! And you always look great doing it :)
http://mode-ulation.blogspot.com