Do ‘high’ heels have a place in your closet? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do ‘high’ heels have a place in your closet?

Runcarla

Veteran

A footwear refresh is one wardrobe project for me going into 2022. The max heel height currently in my closet is 1 inch - and those are boots that have thick platform-like soles. One pair of dressy patent pumps have a 3/4 heel. (I will hold on to them for the rest of my life, since they are perfect for the dressiest of occasions and not high heels!) Everything else is 1/2 inch or lower. 1/2 inch is more comfortable than a completely flat shoe - though inserts help, because mine do elevate the heel a bit.

I’ve played at trying on some very high platforms and high heels that look so-so pretty on the foot, and do nice things to the leg line, but I just didn’t feel stable, and they certainly weren’t walking anywhere shoes! I really am fearful of a fall or turning an ankle! (60+ problems )

So, do you have any ‘high’ heels lurking in your closet? Can/do you still buy/wear them? What is your max heel height tolerance? What is your favourite/most comfortable heel height? Any pretty low heeled footwear?

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54 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m the only person I know who’s adding higher heels as I get older. My maximum heel height physically is a lot higher than my political/social/philosophical tolerance level. I don’t think anyone should wear high heels—we need to be able to take care of business, whether that means running for the bus, defending ourselves, or just not taking mincing little steps & looking fragile. But then I look at my closet. My pointy-toed oxfords and tall brown boots have 3” heels, so are my highest. My combat boots—black and red—have 2” heels. I think my clog sandals are probably that high as well, and my black & tweed pumps.

Am I hypocrite? My deciding factor for shoes is whether I can move in them, not just across the room to go potty, but out in the world. After my son’s graduation, we walked a mile—me in my clog sandals. I have happy memories after one of his basketball games where a bunch of the guys stayed in the gym to shoot around, and I was rebounding for my son in those oxfords. I wore the black combat boots to go dancing many times in the 90s, walked about 5 km in them the other day, and could regale you with recent stories about the others as well.

So no, I don’t think women should wear heels any higher than men wear, because I don’t think our physical abilities should be restrained in that way, but yes, I wear ‘em tall and yes, I move in them.

I’m surprised that you aren’t comfortable in heels, with your athleticism. But there is no reason you need to wear them, nor does anyone else.

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by Stagiaire Fash

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Pretty low heeledfootwear? I’d count my white flat sandals, my floral metallic boots, and probably my “school kid” shoes. But “pretty” is a taste question; none of my shoes look, or make me look, breakable.

by Stagiaire Fash

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Seychelles Offstage Boot

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CarolS

Veteran

No "high" heels here.

In the right shoe, I can possibly get away with an inch or a hair more but I mostly stick to flat to half-inch or so of heel.

The Clarks patent loafers I got for my nephew's wedding last fall claim to have a 1.75 cm heel, but once you factor in the platform, I would call it closer to 1.5 inch or a bit less, and because it's a wedge, not terribly noticeable. Danced in them all night without any issues.

Most heels come with other features that render them misery-making for my fussy feet -- narrow, pointed toes and shallow toe boxes -- making them a triple-threat of unwearability.

Clarks Sharon Dolly Wedge Loafers

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I have one pair--ankle-strap pumps so old I don't have a Find for them--and I haven't worn them in years. I used to wear them for events like going to the theatre or to corporate Christmas parties, but theatre norms have gotten much more casual and my husband's current company doesn't really hold fancy holiday events (not even pre-COVID). Given all that, I'm not sure when I'd use them now, but I can't seem to let them go. True story: the last time anyone wore these shoes was when my son borrowed them to play Dr. Frank N. Furter in a Rocky Horry Picture Show lip sync.

ETA Photo: These aren't exactly the same as mine (the heel cutouts are different) but they're similar enough.

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Style Fan

Veteran

High heels are not my friend. I struggle to find footwear that I can wear, and heels do not enter the picture. But I do have some leftovers from years ago. I have no idea when I will wear them.

Black Velvet Pumps from my wedding day (sentimental)
Cream Lace Booties from my first wedding (sentimental)
Cognac Booties
Beaded Sandals from Spain (sentimental)
A few pairs of wedges

The Cat

Veteran

My max heel height tolerance is now around 2 inches. The vast majority of my shoes is lower.

This week, I donated my last pair of high heels--silver party pumps with a heel height of +3 inches. They were purchased 4 years ago and worn only a few times.

Irina

Veteran

I have a few pairs with 2” heels: boots, pumps and a pair of mules. They are comfortable and sturdy block heels. My only pair of almost 4” is a pair of classic pumps I wore for my son’s wedding. And not once since.
I would not mind to add light color boots or oxfords with some heels as long as heels are not thin.
I’m not against high heels, we all should wear whatever we want. I have some friends who wear high heels often and feel comfortable in it.
As for low heels, I find plenty of pretty flats. It depends on the individual taste.

SarahD8

Veteran

For me heel design is as much of a factor as heel height. I absolutely cannot wear kitten heels, even if they are like 0.5 inch or so. (By kitten heels I mean narrow heels that are centered under the heel pad, if that makes sense.) I will absolutely fall right off them and wrench my ankle.

But give me a good solid block heel or clog with more support at the back edge of my heel, and I can go 2 inches easy, though I don’t see myself wanting to go any higher than 3.

For pretty low-heeled footwear, what about focusing on metallic or printed options?

always trying

Veteran

My ideal to feel dressed up is at least 2 " , but I am more stable and comfortable if they are block heels. I have a pair of black booties, my fav and only dressier footwear for winter. that are not block heels.

slim cat

Veteran

No high heels at all, no formal shoes currently. No social events since a few years back. I may look for something special next year but with 1 1/2 inch max .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No high heels at all. My highest is 1.5 inches. My favourites are around an inch.

Sal

Veteran

I guess my highest are around 2.5- 3 inches, the three finds attached.

I have a couple of boots and chunkier heels at about 1.5- 2 inches.

I find the ones below comfortable enough, but I am not planning to add any more as I don't wear them enough right now, and I doubt I will. There are so many options now from platforms to wonderful flats etc

I do love the look of a classic heel, or heeled sandal.

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rachylou

Veteran

I have high heels - as high as 4 inches - but will I ever wear them again? Probably not. I’d need valet parking

ETA: Where is there to go in high heels these days? Even before the bakery took my life over… my last office contract… the corporate campus was so big, you needed joggers to make it to the next meeting…

rebekahphoto

Veteran

I have 3 pairs of heels left: A black leather bow peep toe pump from Naturalizer, Red Sling backs from Cole Haan and Black Patent Anyi Lu. All are comfortable for special events if I want fancy heels.

Usually I prefer a cool boot instead. My most comfortable heel is around 1-1.5" now.

I do have a gorgeous tall Italian leather classic pair of knee boots from Nordstroms with 4" heels purchased years ago. Barely worn, but oh so lovely....

by rebekahphoto

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Anyi Lu 'Tulip' Slingback

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Anonymous

I have one pair of pointy toe boots with a bit of a heel that I can function in . I keep them only on the remote chance I need to dress for an occasion with no warning …..which will be never so why do I bother ? I’m fine in platform / flat form / wedge heels in the 2 inch range but that’s about it . I too believe women can wear whatever they want and “ should” should be removed from the vernacular . Pretty flats ? I put Irina’s CM suede flats in that category. I don’t really own any that I consider pretty myself , but that could change in spring .

Any other true heels / pumps / stilettos sandals have long been removed from my collection . Doesn’t fit my aesthetic and my personal foot comfort situation

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The finds below are some of my higher heels still in my closet. They tend to be more occasion shoes, but I have to say that some of these are more comfortable than some of my lower heels.

Anyone who judges a shoe on heel height alone is missing part of the equation — the lasts on some of these are so well suited to my foot that I can walk miles in them, while some flatter shoes make my feet hurt. Those silver sandals? Danced the night away in them (at a wedding!) happily, after walking a mile from the hotel to the venue. The Rockstuds are ridiculously (and surprisingly) comfy. In fact, the only shoes in this set that I could not walk a couple miles in are the dark green boots and the crazy patterned boots. Trust me, I can stride perfectly well in any of these and don’t mince, and I sure don’t look fragile.

My sweet spot is probably 1-2” but platforms make a lot of heights more workable. So do block heels and wedges. I don’t really wear totally flat shoes except for some sandals, and those are fine too. I don’t seem to require a lot of support in shoes unless I’m truly hiking or running.

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Zippered Heeled Ankle Boots

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Seychelles | Anthropologie Seychelles Floodplain Booties

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Hispanitas Portia Floral Stretch Velvet Bootie

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SOREL Addington Lace

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Topshop 'Mustard' Block Heel Boot (Women)

Sale

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'Rockstud' Pointy Toe Pump (Women)

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Nine West Women's Dollface Suede Boot

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Saks Fifth Avenue

LD Tuttle Freeze Knotted Leather Sandals

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Anonymous

Most of my shoes are about 2 inch, and those are the most comfortable for me, but I wear everything from flats to about 4 inch. I used to only wear heels, at least to work, but have been wearing my loafers the last few days.

Sloper

Veteran

Unfortunately, can't do heels anymore for various physical reasons. Comfort and stability going forward.

I did love my Rick Owens boots though - just magic.

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Runcarla

Veteran

@ Janet - agree that heels do work for some folks (and there was a time when I could run in 3 inch heels!) There are a few YLF folks who have a sweet spot for 2 inch heels, since it simply works for their feet!

I’ve got the wantsies for the boots below and am trying to source a similar feel in a lower heel boot that might work for me. At 3 and 1/4 inches I’m afraid my feet would protest!

My ‘pretty’ shoes below in Finds…

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have never been comfortable in much of a heel but do sometimes really want to wear a big platform. I have realized it is mostly a ball of foot problem for me. I can tolerate slightly higher heels in boots (1.5 inches as opposed to flat), but not every day. I remember many years ago wearing an Angie recommended pair of grey wedge open toe sandals to the ground. They were expensive for me, but so worth it because they were as comfortable as sneakers are supposed to be. Anyway, I have many beautiful flats (imho). I do like and tolerate a pointy toe well.

I predict that rather than going away heels are going to become more popular for men (heels started out as men's wear anyway).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Jaime, I know a couple of men who wear heels and look fab in them!

Carla, those boots are gorgeous. If I see something similar with a lower heel, I’ll let you know. The texture reminds me a little of these Dolce Vita’s, which I bought right as the pandemic started up. It took me forever to get an opportunity to wear them, but I’m enjoying them now. I wouldn’t say they are 10k step shoes, but they go the distance for a half day or an evening out.

Dolce Vita Bel Bootie

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

2" sweet spot checking in!

To be completely accurate, it's more of a NOT completely flat thing -- anything from 3/4" to 2.5" is good. I used to wear up to 3 inches, but no more. The meniscus tear has made me more cautious (even though I got that while running, not while wearing heels!)

Having said that, I think my EF pumps are 3 inches. But a solid wedge. And they have straps to hold them on -- a huge help for me.

To wear flats, I really need an insole of some kind. So I wear Superfeet in my sneakers and flat boots.

My "pretty" flats are Ecco. They make them in a lot of colours. Most open vamp or unlaced flats don't stay on my feet (I walk right out of them -- even loafers, with a higher vamp). These sort of stay on, but not super well, and only with bare feet.

Ecco Women's Anine Ballerina Ballet Flat

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Eileen Fisher Eileen Fisher Tilda Stacked Heel Pump (Women) | Nordstrom

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Bijou

Veteran

I'm on team heels to wear with dressy clothing. 1 - 2 inches is my heel sweet spot and I now keep my purchases within that range. Whilst I won't buy any more high heels, I happily wear and enjoy the ones I own, which are in Finds. My heeled ankle boots are very comfy and can be worn all day and may be replaced because of that. The others are occasion shoes and will not be replaced.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. The EFs are NOT a solid wedge, I see, but they are a very clever design. I've walked miles in them without problem.

Greyscale

Veteran

I have a few pairs of cowboy-style boots with heels that are maybe 1.5". I realized recently that I have no "dressy" shoes aside from flats, but then again, I have no reason to wear dressy shoes, and my flats do the trick when needed. Like Shevia, I do well with pointy flats, which I think can elevate them style-wise if not height-wise!

In principle I'd be happy to wear heels. I like the look, and my legs sure could use a few more inches! I swore off heels for a while after a dance injury 10 years ago, but no lingering problems by now, and I'm used to standing high on my feet in Irish dance. Oh, to have somewhere to go in heels!

Synne

Veteran

I could list a bunch of reasons for why flat sneakers and rain boots are superior to heels, but it would honestly, in my case, be mostly sour grapes.

As I am "vertically challenged" NOT wearing heels is mainly a vertical issue. I really don't need any more height. It's funny, I feel rather comfortable in my body, but add any more than an inch heel and I feel like a (baby) giraffe on ice.

To me, high heels are alluring, magical, beautiful. I have bought soooooo many pairs that I've never worn, it's sad really!

lozz_oz

Veteran

The only ‘high’ heel I have is a black Hogl slingback wedge with a 1” platform at the front and 2” platform at the back.
Other than that is 1” -1.5” maximum for me.
A slingback in neutral mixed metallics with a 1” heel by Peter Kaiser are my pretty dressy shoes. I’ll try to add a photo.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So many people with no internal contradictions on this issue! It must be a very nice feeling to have everything all aligned like that instead of the argument with yourself I described earlier. Meanwhile, I want a gas stove even though I’ve been against fossil fuels for ages. Lots of things are complicated for me like that.

Staysfit

Veteran

Last year I eliminated all heels greater than 2.5 inches. I do not mind wearing heels, however, I have started to do be mindful towards maintaining my balance, flexibility and mobility in as pain free a manner as possible. Heels are implicated in causing problems with these so they are on my do not buy list.

Some here may recall that I had a lisfranc injury after missing a shallow sidewalk step in the dark a few years ago. I was wearing winter boots..so low heels. My point being that even low heels can be a problem in some situations. (I was distracted and watching an impressive teenage skateboarder instead of paying attention to where I was walking).

Any type of foot pain causes the rest of one’s posture to deviate and sets off a cascade of trouble.

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