I agree, neutrality is probably the best course for this job.
Keep in mind, they were smirking/sniggering/mocking on the outside, but am guessing many of them were intrigued on the inside...
During my time at AA, the female FAs were indeed required to have two pairs of shoes: "inflight and higher heels for the terminal". Ridiculous, very few conformed with these rules. I was there from the late 90s thru last December. I also remember initial training, and the ridiculous requirements for females. In my class, there was a male instructor who was in charge of "female image requirements". This was really awful and unfair. I still remember women coming out of image sessions crying.
You are sooo right, actual heel height varies so much from the advertised heel height. I wish there was some sort of standard for measuing "actual heel height"
Well, I think you look great in them, legs do not appear too short. Great outfit indeed, I am envious. I would think these heels must be tricky to walk in because of a lack of side support. Admittedly, I have never tried a style like this, so have no basis to "guess"