High heels can be downright torturous, yet there are still places where women are legally required to wear them at work. In the U.K., it’s still permissible for employers to mandate that women wear heels, simply because they believe it presents a more polished appearance than flats. This absurdity was recently highlighted when a group of men was asked to wear high heels for a day in their office—spoiler alert: it didn’t go well!
Let’s be clear: having a different anatomy doesn’t magically make walking in heels any easier. It’s baffling how this expectation has become so entrenched in society, particularly when the trend actually originated with men. According to Mental Floss, “In 1599, the Persian shah sent a diplomatic mission to Europe, and an interest in Persian culture and fashion swept Western Europe. Aristocrats took a liking to Persian high-heeled shoes—they were bold, masculine, and perfect for asserting status.” The height of one’s heels was a symbol of social rank; the higher they were, the less the wearer needed to walk.
In the UK, employers can dismiss staff who don’t adhere to “reasonable” dress codes, as long as they provide enough notice to acquire the appropriate footwear, as stated by employment law firm Thompsons and reported by the BBC. They can even establish different dress codes for men and women, provided there’s a similar level of sophistication. But what about a comparable level of comfort?
High heels are said to enhance the legs and add height, with some people asserting they look better than flats—whatever that means. Anyone who has endured a full day in pointy-toed heels will tell you it’s sheer agony. While the body can adapt to such discomfort, that doesn’t lessen the potential harm. Research shows that high heels can shorten muscle fibers, stiffen the Achilles tendon, increase pressure on the knees, and limit ankle movement. The higher the heel, the greater the pressure on the balls of the feet: a one-inch heel adds 22% more pressure, a two-inch heel 57%, and a three-inch heel 76%.
Many women enjoy wearing heels by choice, and if someone wants to endure discomfort for the sake of fashion, that’s their prerogative. However, it’s entirely unacceptable for such expectations to be placed specifically on women. If the pain from heels lingers in your mind throughout the workday, it’s bound to affect your performance—it’s not rocket science. Why should women be compelled to suffer for superficial standards? Recently, a viral image showed a waitress with bloodied feet after being forced to wear heels for her job. It took a social media uproar for her employer to reevaluate its outdated policies.
It might be amusing to watch men struggle in heels for a day, but the reality for many women who face this requirement is anything but funny.
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In summary, high heels have long been a controversial topic in the workplace, especially when it comes to enforcing dress codes that disproportionately affect women. While some women choose to wear them, it shouldn’t be a requirement, as the pain and discomfort can hinder work performance. As society progresses, it’s crucial to challenge these outdated expectations for the sake of comfort and well-being.