Ask Angie: The heel issue

Patience

When a heel is required to enhance the leg line, how much of a heel is required? I'm guessing that more heel is better, but is it possible to get away with a 1-2" heel?

For example, I would not wear the BR zipper skinny jeans with flats but I tried them with a 1 1/4" heel, unzipped and I liked the look. But I could be completely misguided on this one because I have a weakness for skinny ankle pants (I'm trying to break the habit I promise!).

P.S. I'm referring to skinny ankle pants that fall *below* the ankle bone. I completely agree that I cannot pull off ankle pants that bare the ankle bone no matter how high the heel.

16 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from casey

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(*sigh* Heels are so often an issue).

I-2 inch heels sounds perfect, Patience. For me, a 2-inch heel is a high heel :0).

Aaaahg. The fashion stylist who does not wear high heels or have a shoe fettish. Quite a rare occurrence. Unless you think my flat boot obsession makes up for it.

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Hee hee.

This is very interesting. When I was thinking about this question, I realized that when someone says, "You need a heel to lengthen the leg line of this particular look" there may be the conception heel translates to >3" or some such. You seem to be saying that for most purposes any heel will do.

I think I like 3" heels simply because my inseam is a small proportion of my total height. But my lifestyle is going to be changing and they just won't be practical any more. I've been trying to flesh out my collection of lower comfy heels so I don't have to give up on all of the styles that require a long leg line.

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm very impressed you are wearing a two inch heel at this stage in your pregnancy Patience. Do you think you will be wearing a heel at full term?

16 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

Being short, and having foot problems, I've thought about this a lot. I think that you can elongate your leg with the shape of the shoe as well as with the height of your heel. There are tailored "looks" in a shoe that work just as well with a lower heel as a higher one.

It's also a question of the relationship between your height and the "cant" of the shoe. A short woman in a 3" heel may look off balance; a tall one, just fine.

What looks good on you? And as your body changes and your weight shifts, what feels okay? It's a matter of trial and error.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This is really weird: I've been wondering lately why my eye doesn't like how I look when wearing super-skinny jeans with heels. I seem to like that look better with flats.

I'm talking SUPER skinny jeans here.... my UO's, which are hasically as tight as leggings. Not my Earnest Sewns, which are more traditionally skinny (and also have a lot more scrunch - the UOs actually have a ton of scrunch too, but the material isn't as bulky). I prefer the ES's with heels. But the UOs? Just doesn't look right for some reason. I fear it makes me look like I'm walking on toothpicks, because my ankles look *too* slender. And I'm talking a small heel -1-1/2, 2 inches.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Patience, aren't you borderline petite? Or am I wrong?

What size are your feet? Those variables are important IMO. If you're on the shorter side, high-high heels can look a little weird nad stilt-like. Even Stacey London, who generally tends to push the highest heel possible, acknowledges this.

Also, smaller feet = smaller heels. A size 10 foot can wear a 3" heel with greater ease because the angle is less dramatic. On a size 6 foot, 3" is 1/3 of the entire foot length, which pushes it at an awkward angle. You'll get the same look as a size 10 foot in a 3" heel with a 2" heel when your foot is smaller. I don't know if that makes sense.

As for leg lengthening, I know you mentioned in your other post that your inseam is 29". At 5'3 or 5'4, that seems like a pretty average length, so adding just an inch or two is still going to give you enough length.

Shiny, have you tried a chunkier heel with your skinnies?

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

To answer all of your comments: I completely agree that super high heels look ridiculous. That is why 3" is pretty ideal for me (considering that good looking 2" -ers are just hard to find). I prefer chunky heels and my foot is about average 7 1/2 - 8.

Julie, we'll see about heels and full term. I've got a good collection of alternatives, like my new super comfy loafers and flat boots to keep me going.

Maya, thanks for the vote of confidence in my inseam. Based on your inseam/height thread, I was thinking 29" was on the short side for 63" of height, *but* you're right about 1-2" doing the trick for leg lengthening for me.

Actually, this discussion has really gone a long way in helping me continue to adjust my eye. I really have been working on lower heels (all of you are such a good influence). It's just that we are always bombarded with images of stilt walking models, it takes some effort to shake it off.

16 years ago

casey

Active Member

Patience, where are you FINDING 1-2" heels? I am desperate for some versatile heels and cannot find anything below 3.5". At six feet tall I am wayyyyy too tall for the sky high heels on the market right now! It would be different if I was on the runway, but I'm talking about daily life here...

16 years ago

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