I’ve run this poll twice over the last twelve years, and both times the results were interesting. The first time, about ten years ago, it was a slam dunk victory for Team Heels. My word, we were a pitiful Team Flats. People batted for Team Heels even when they could barely wear them, because they preferred the way they looked. Back then, the fashion world encouraged higher heels because they elevated your style and accentuated your calf muscles. High heels make you look and feel taller, elongated the vertical integrity of your outfit by straightening curves, and make your legs look as long as can be. High heels were also thought to give you a powerful edge.
I posted the poll again five years later and fewer people batted for Team Heels, making the race an even tie. I wonder what will happen this third time now that flats and low heels rule our fashion world. Sneakers are the shoe of the decade, and dressy flats are acceptable attire in a corporate environment or fancy event. Outfits tend to look trendier and more creative with some type of flat shoe, making heels the more classic option. And above all, fashion and style is a lot more practical than it used to be, encouraging us to go with the footwear option that best suits our busy modern lives.
We’ll define flats as any shoe with a heel of up to an inch in height. Anything higher than an inch is a low heel or high heel.
For the third time, I bat for Team Flats. Ten years ago, I could wear a three inch heel to an event or out to dinner. Up to eighteen months ago, I could wear some two inch heels out to shop all day with clients. But I voted for flats because both dressy and casual styles make my feet the most happy. Last year, I had to overhaul most of my footwear collection because I can no longer wear a heel higher than an inch and a half. I wear flats with heels up to an inch in height 99% of the time, and my feet thank me every day.
Here’s my entire current footwear collection, of which most are flat. Some of the heels are one and half inches high, and two pairs are two inches. I optimistically keep the two inch heels to wear out to dinner at night with my denim bell bottoms.
Over to you. Now that fashion has changed and/or your shoe comfort needs have changed, do you bat for Team Flats or Team Heels? Tell us why. No batting for both teams. If you can’t commit to a team, head over to the bench for fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries, watercress salad, and Philadelphia cheesecake.
