Violet

From which height is a heel really too high to even stand on anymore even for a well-trained ultraheel-wearer?

Roberto

If you mean without platforms, this necessarily depends somewhat on the size of a person's foot. A longer foot will accommodate a higher heel. I have very small feet, about 8 1/2 inches long--size 5 US, which is 35 in European sizes or 3 UK.

(As an aside, it's interesting to me that in US sized shoes, I almost always have to go up a half size for width, but with the shoes I have in European sizes, I never have, the 35's are always fine. It's kind of nice to have shoes that fit in both length and width, not that 35s are easy to find.)

Anyway, I've pulled out my measuring tape. If I point my toes, and put them perpendicular to the floor, the measurement from under the back of my heel to the floor is just shy of 6". So, for me, 6" heels would have to be those ballet heels, unless there is a really significant platform, and anything higher than that would just be physically impossible. (I don't know how much height would be added by whatever is in the toe box of the ballet heels, but I'm considering that as "platform," not to be counted in what we're considering here.)

And for pumps: If I change the position of my foot so that the toes are flat on the ground, and arch my foot as much as possible while keeping the knee centered above the foot in a way that could bear weight, the distance from my heel to the ground is about 4 3/4". I suppose that with extreme heel training, the kind that alters the structure of your foot, someone with feet like mine might be able to push it to 5" or 5 1/4'". But this would involve pushing the ankle out so far over the toes that the heel would not really be able to provide support to the foot.

The highest I have ever done is 4" (actually 5" with a 1" platform). On my foot, that looks pretty dramatic. Just about every girl I know looked at those and said, "OMG, I would never wear heels that high!" But I'm pretty sure some of the HAVE worn heels that high, only their feet are bigger than mine, so it doesn't put their foot in the same position. That pair hurts a lot, but I think it's partly because the toe box is too narrow for me. They really shorten my stride, though, and I'm already short and a slow walker; so, I don't wear them very often because when I do, everyone has to slow down and wait for me all the time.

But someone with longer feet would be able to wear higher heels.

They're really kind of homely. I mean, it isn't just that there are three heels, it's that the heels are just plain sticks. I wonder if they are easier or more difficult to walk in than standard stilettos. It would definitely be different. When just standing, the heel in back doesn't touch the ground; it's shorter than the other ones. Maybe it's been designed to allow for more of a natural rocking motion of the foot while walking, without sacrificing height. Whatever, they could still be prettier.

4 inches. My feet are small, though, size 5 (US) in length (I usually end up in size 5.5 or 6 --my feet are wide, and stores almost never carry size 5 anyway). I think the short length of my foot, and the fact that the shoes pretty much never fit exactly like they should, both make a difference in the height of the heels I can wear.

How tall are you?

5 ft even.

Are you happy with your height?

I am often frustrated at not being able to reach things, and I think my arms and legs should be a couple inches longer proportionally.

Does your height have any bearing on why you wear heels?

Not really, although it's nice to be able to look people in the eye more often. Mostly, they just make me feel more attractive and confident.

What would be your perfect height?

I suppose anywhere between 5'4 and 5'8. Just more average height. I would especially like my feet to reach the ground while sitting normally in chairs and on public transportation.

How does your height compare to your partner?

I don't have a partner. I somewhat prefer that she be at least a little taller than me, but that is not at all difficult, and not that important.

Hello everyone! I'm 32, and I fairly recently (over the last couple years or so) came out as a lesbian, first to myself and then to other people. This has led directly to a sudden, passionate interest in clothing and shoes. And make up. Making yourself attractive just makes more sense when you know who you want to attract. Involvement in the lesbian community makes you more aware and conscious of gender identity and expression, and I think from this perspective I will be able to make relevant contributions to many discussions here. Heeled shoes are very strongly coded as both feminine and sexual in our culture. I may also have some pertinent things to say regarding the persecution experienced by men who wear heels, and how this relates to the persecution of other groups who are perceived as violating gender norms. And, having been through my own coming out experience, I'll be able to contribute to discussions about how and when to disclose your interest in heeling to loved ones and others. I look forward to getting to know you all!