Fashion: Stilettos?


According to an article in the Guardian (LINK)

British women totter about in some of the highest heels in Europe, research reveals. With home-grown celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole leading the trend, the penchant for sometimes painful stilettos sees an average heel height of 3.3 inches (8.4cm). This compares to an average of 2.4 inches (6 cm) among French women and 2.7 inches (6.9cm) among German women. The Spanish were closer to the British in their love of height, wearing an average heel of 3.2 inches (8.1cm), the survey by foot care brand Compeed found.

The Duchess of Cambridge is known for her “nude” 4.3 inch (11 cm) heels which has increased the wearing of stilettos by younger women. I have no idea how the Duchess does it considering the amount of walking she does. They must be super comfortable and soft. 

Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of British women cited blisters as a significant source of pain resulting from wearing high heels. Psychologist Emma Kenny said: "Research has suggested that a tall woman is considered more assertive, confident, richer, capable, successful, independent and even more intelligent than her shorter peers.


What do you think of stilettos?

I don't wear them because I can't, I would fall over and walk with a silly walk — it is much safer to stay away from stilettos! I do wear heels but not at these grand heights. 

* Should Christian women wear stilettos? If the aim is to look sexy, show off long legs, to be seductive and attract men, then the answer is no because we should not be deliberately make men stumble and lust as it is well know that men do look at women wearing stilettos and do notice the long legs and sexy walk. — It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak (Romans 14:21)

"Research shows that men are more likely to help a woman wearing heels than one in flats. French researcher Nicholas Guéguen said: ‘Women’s shoe heel size exerts a powerful influence on men’s behaviour.’ Professor Guéguen first showed that men were much more likely to agree to fill in a questionnaire when stopped in the street by a woman in heels. And the higher the heels, the more willing they were." (LINK)


* Should Christian women wear stilettos? If it is to keep up with modern fashions — we should think twice as we shouldn't be spending large amounts of money keeping up with the latest trends or trying to be a fashion statement.  Remember, we are not part of this world. We need to dress in moderation with a focus more about what is in our hearts that our clothes. This doesn't mean we always need to wear sensible "nanna" shoes, but we need to think about the message we are sending when we select our clothing (especially to younger women to who we should be a role model) — in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9)


* Should Christian women wear stilettos?  It is a well know fact that stilettos are not good for womens feet and can be very harmful for ankles, legs, hips and spine.  A study earlier this year in the Journal of Applied Physiology revealed that women who habitually wear high heels are at a heightened risk of permanent damage to their knees, hips, back and tendons, because the shoe shape forces the wearer to place all of her body weight on the ball of the foot, compromising stability. This, in turn, makes her compensate for the instability by pushing her knees and hips forward and arching her back. (Guardian article)

We need to take care of our bodies, if we injure ourselves out of vanity who looks after our homes, our husbands, our children and what message are we sending to non-Christians. Our bodies are to serve God and for His glory — wearing shoes that are aimed to sexualise doesn't really give that message "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)


* Should Christian women wear stilettos? What message are we sending to non-Christians if we walk about in very high heels (or as my husband says, strutting or mincing about)? Does it look godly, if the answer is no, then we should avoid these sorts of clothes. We are to look feminine, graceful, elegant, meek, virtuous and the perspection of stilettos are anything but. Whilst not every woman wearing stilettos is trying to be sexy or gain attention — it is difficult to walk in them without a certain swing of the hips and whilst you may not be seeking out attention, as mentioned above, men still find stilettos attractive and therefore, we are sending the wrong message. 


And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. (Proverbs 7:10)

The clothing industry does not aim to cover up women, but rather to enhance, reveal and uncover. Stilettos are aimed at showing off legs and to make women look sexy (and in turn strong). These shoes were not invented for comfort, but for looks and as Christians, we should not be seeking attention by the clothes we wear. 


Temp worker Nicola Thorp, 27, from Hackney, arrived at finance company PwC to be told she had to wear shoes with a "2in to 4in heel".When she refused and complained male colleagues were not asked to do the same, she was sent home without pay.  As the law stands, employers can dismiss staff who fail to live up to "reasonable" dress code demands, as long as they've been given enough time to buy the right shoes and clothes (source: BBC News, 13th May 2016)

Scriptures don't ask women to look frumpy, ugly or neglectful of their appearance.  We do need to take care of how we dress, but in doing so we need to please and honour the Lord and our husbands. 

A woman must emphasise a godly and gracious spirit over her physical looks or clothing selection. 



Comments

  1. I found your wonderful blog and am catching up in reading your posts.
    It's awful that company demanded women wear high heels.Reasonable dress should not include walking on stilts!
    Enjoying your posts.

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    1. It is terrible that a company is more concerned about the shoes on someones feet then their work :( I thought we were past all this sort of stuff in the workplace.

      Thankyou for stopping by.

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  2. My feet hurt just looking at the stiletto shoes.

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    1. When I walk behind ladies wearing stilettos they often look so funny with bent legs and feet tipping over to the side - they seems to be ok with destroying the feet, ankles and legs and spines :(

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  3. Vanity.
    Never worn them, hubby wouldn't allow it anyway - as they are so damaging.

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    1. My hubby doesn't mind what I wear, he leaves that up to me - but thinks they are silly and would probably laugh if I tempted to wear them these day@

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  4. I've only ever worn smaller heels as a way to class up an outfit. And stilettos... well haha. I can only walk in them short distances and even then it is at a very hilarious gait. So I don't really wear them. You do make very good points about the damage heels do to our bodies.
    Thank you for providing the other perspectives as well!
    ~Haley

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    1. I think that the lower heel looks far more classy and elegant compared to a very high heel which I think can look rather trashy (personal opinion) - of course not everyone would agree :)

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  5. Excellent post! I think these heels are ridiculous, not only because they are difficult to walk in and possibly harmful to one's future health (feet, spine, etc.) but criminals looking for a victim often choose women dressed in high heels because they can't run away! Blessings, Janet

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    1. Thankyou :) It would be interesting to know how many injuries occur from high heels and how many of those are long term. I agree, not easy to run in!!

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  6. I went looking at heels today to wear to a wedding I'll be attending and i felt ridiculous and uncomfortable in everything I tried on. i just want a nice summery dress and a reasonable heel I can wear without passing out. Is that too much to ask?

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    1. And I am sure there are lots of women like you (and me) that want something nice, pretty and summery but not really really high!!! I do hope you find what you are looking for.

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  7. I think high heels are silly. I don't mind a mild heel, but I think the stiletto is ridiculous and nothing but vanity. The reasons you have given are much the same as mine, I think. They are dangerous and silly to wear... and not godly.

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    1. :)) So I won't see you wobbling about anytime soon!!!

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  8. It seems many here are for Satan's plan to make sure everyone returns to God, instead of the loving choice that Jesus offered to give people the freedom to choose. As far as what we wear, it is suppose to be each individual's decision according to their taste and means. Society has a lot of rules and standards taking this agency away and then dictating how it wants people to dress. Many of the items women wear now were taken from the attire men use to wear, high heels included. So the scripture verses as to who has the right to wear what doesn't have much validity. Many men and women have chosen to wear high heels, and many have decided to not wear them. Using derogatory spins on this to fit other's leanings are the cold and heartless acts we have been taught to do by how society treats us. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, seems to have been misunderstood or ignored. Everything, especially appareling items, have been used in and for less than virtuous activities. Photography and scantily clad people will be forever linked together because of some trying to make a buck using nature's drives for mating. However, we rejoice at seeing pictures of our children as they grew up and some were probably taken at swimming activities. The repeated references to the pornographic use of high heels as to what kind of people wear them is unfairly misleading and manipulating. Shouldn't hair styles and make-up also receive the same scrutiny for being pictured in this category?

    Asking should Christians wear stilettos shows a personal bias and has no jurisdiction in the personal decisions of other individuals, even if others choose to agree. Each person's feet have their own peculiarities that determine what a person can wear comfortably, with some discomfort, or not at all. The styling of the footwear may also limit its use.

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