The Heel vs The Flat – What do you think???

Throughout fashion history, it has always been the norm that women should have various looks for the different venues in their life. Although the outfit and jewelry make up the better part of the ensemble, the shoes are always the last piece to the puzzle.

Here is a brief history that I found on the shoe.

See Ref 1 below:

The History of the Shoe:

It’s hard to imagine a time before the invention of shoes. Yet what started as a practical venture has grown into a varied, booming industry just as concerned with art as it is with functionality. Though all shoes share basic characteristics, their coloring, materials, and designs have transformed drastically over thousands of years in the fascinating history of footwear.

History of footwear Pile Of Shoes
Source: US Storage Research

From archeological and paleoarcheological evidence, experts hypothesize that shoes were invented around in the Middle Paleolithic period approximately 40,000 years ago. However, it wasn’t until the Upper Paleolithic period that footwear was consistently worn by populations. The earliest shoe prototypes were soft, made from wraparound leather, and resembled either sandals or moccasins.

Fascinating History Of Footwear

Jump ahead a few thousand years to the beginning of modern footwear. In Europe’s early Baroque period, women’s and men’s shoes were very similar, though fashions and materials differed among social classes. For common folk, heavy black leather heels were the norm, and for aristocrats, the same shape was crafted out of wood.

In the 18th century, fabric shoes like the silk pair below were very much a la mode.

Source: Two Nerdy History Girls

In the early 1800’s, women’s and men’s shoes finally began to differ from one another in style, color, heel, and toe shape. Cloth-topped shoes made an appearance during this era, and boots grew exceedingly popular. After much fluctuation, the standard for a man’s heel finally settled at 1 inch.

Up until 1850, shoes were made straight, meaning that there was no differentiation from left and right shoes. As the twentieth century approached, shoemakers improved comfort by making foot-specific shoes.

In the 20th century, the face of footwear changed drastically from decade to decade. This was due in part to a variety of technological advances that made the shoemaking process simpler.

During the Great Depression, black and brown shoes dominated the American market. Shortly after, Oxfords became a popular male choice and cork-soled, platform shoes grew popular among women.

Though men’s shoe styles remained relatively unchanged following World War II, women’s shoes made another dramatic alteration in their appearance. Women’s shoes were now arched, sophisticated and made to highlight the foot. Delicate heels grew narrower as the decade progressed.

Source: Edelweiss Patterns

As the female presence in the workplace grew in the last few decades of the 20th century, so too did their heels. In the early seventies, platform shoes and wedges were popular among women, though they became less-so in the eighties and nineties. Men’s shoe trends, however, were markedly static, as oxfords and loafers remained the dominant style. In 1986, Doc Martens, once heralded as an anti-fashion statement, were considered socially acceptable.

These days, there are shoes for every occasion, mood, and preference. There has also been a movement away from styles that focus primarily on comfort and function, as many designers are shifting interest from a matter of practicality to that of aesthetics. Celebrities like Lady Gaga have introduced the world to footwear that’s more art and armadillo than it is clothing. If footwear trends continue in this fashion, we can expect the shoes of the future to be even more out-of-this-world.

So I ask you, if this is fashion etiquette, why has the status quo changed?  Why are some in the fashion world reverting back to wearing flats instead of the heel?  Is there a medical aspect to this argument?

I started looking to see what I could find and discover what opinions where out there on this subject. Believe me when I tell you there are quite a few because as the saying goes – “opinions – everybody has one”. Trying to find the most credible ones is the task.

In my quest for an answer, I found this study.

See Ref 2 below:

Heels or Flats? Your Health May Depend On It

Culprit: Ballet Flats

Brenner compares these dainty shoes to walking on cardboard. “There’s no arch support whatsoever,” she tells WebMD. That keeps the feet from functioning optimally and can lead to knee, hip, and back problems. Poor arch support is also associated with a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis.

Solution: Orthotic Inserts

If you love the look of ballet flats, over-the-counter inserts (shown here) may help prevent mild foot pain. Heel pads can provide extra cushioning for achy heels. And custom orthotics can ease a whole range of foot pains and problems. Podiatrists prescribe these inserts to provide arch support and reduce pressure on sensitive areas. Prescription orthotics can be pricey, but are sometimes covered by insurance.

And:

Ref 1: http://allthatsinteresting.com/fascinating-history-footwear

Ref 2: http://uahs.arizona.edu/blog/2015-05-29/heels-or-flats-your-health-may-depend-it

Ref 3: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-worst-shoes-for-your-feet