“What if they think I’m trying too hard?”: I tried wearing heels every day for one week
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLA MAXIMILLION
WORDS BY Adelaide Umali
Swapping my flats for something a little closer to the sky.
This all started with my current Sex and the City obsession. Carrie’s iconic relationship with her Manolo Blahniks and her fabulous struts across New York City revived my love for a good old-fashioned pair of high heels. Although I knew running around in stilettos wasn’t a totally accurate representation of the everyday working woman, the pure femininity of the act was simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing.
My relationship with heels goes back to 2011 and my well-loved pair of floral canvas wedges, which I eventually switched out for Dr Martens towards the end of high school. These days, I commute to work and always wear flat shoes for comfort. My stamina for heels had weakened – or so I thought.
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Inspired by Miss Bradshaw, I decided to swap my flat shoes for something a little closer to the sky. And because I’m an all-or-nothing person, this wasn’t a night-out experiment – I wanted to wear heels every day for a whole week. Was I terrified to trip and break an ankle? A little.
Call me dramatic but in a world where flats have taken the streets by storm, I did feel a bit nervous about my heels clicking loudly in a sea of Vejas and New Balance sneakers. My insecurity bubbled with thoughts like, ‘What if they think I’m trying too hard?’. I’m only human – doing new things is scary.
But I felt ready for a wardrobe change. My last two purchases were sneakers and if my acid green pair of Alohas weren’t the shoe of choice, I always opted for my classic loafers or my French-girl flats. In terms of my outfits, I like to play with colours and prints but stick with minimalistic silhouettes. Read on to hear more about my week in high heels.
Sunday
Starting the experiment on a high, I decided a shopping marathon in my highest heels would be the start. Thankfully I’m also a realist, so while I donned my classic black pumps, I also popped a pair of ballet flats in a bag just in case my feet got tired or my social anxiety kicked in (whichever came first). I successfully trotted in my heels as we browsed from store to store, and only switched to my flats on the train back.
Monday
I decided on the same black pumps for the office but still brought my emergency ballet flats. As I shuffled along the walk path, I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious as people zoomed passed me in their practical leather loafers and runners. It was like a self-imagined race, and I was coming in last. I also realised wearing heels indoors is vastly different from outdoor settings, and requires greater experience than my current resume. Although I wore my heels fine in a crowd of strangers, my social anxiety started to kick in once I knew I was going to be around my coworkers whose opinions, to some extent, I cared about. I swiftly switched into my flats until I clocked out.
Tuesday
On brand with Melbourne’s unpredictable weather conditions, Tuesday was not a day for any kind of open-toed shoe, so I opted for my well-loved knee-high boots. For some reason wearing boots is just comfier, even if the heel is the same height or higher. I ran across the station for my train without any hesitation – safe to say that this day of the challenge was an easier one.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, I left the house in my black heels (clearly a favourite) but sans ballet flats. As I walked along the same path of my morning commute, I felt more confident in my strides, even if they were slightly shorter. I also found the confidence to wear them in the office. When someone asked me why I was so dressed up, I replied that I wasn’t. The part of me that loves to be efficient was pleased that a lazy outfit paired with some heels meant I looked ‘put together’.
Thursday
I was on a mission on Thursday, so I decided to pair my light-wash jeans with a pop of colour in my burgundy kitten heels. My mission was to acquire a free Uniqlo Heattech, so I knew I would be standing for a while. To my surprise, a very chic lady with her shopping trolley greeted me saying, “Nice to see a pair of heels these days.” Receiving approval from the older generation was not on the bingo card of my fashion social experiment, but I did feel a tingle of pride.
Friday
Once again, I found myself reaching for my trusty pair of black heels. Coming to the end of my challenge, the heels that once made me feel self-conscious were now my confidence boost (literally). With my head naturally lifted higher and my posture a bit straighter, I walked into my class reunion. That evening, I was catching up with a friend when she gestured approvingly to my shoes saying, “Love your shoes! Something about heels with jeans is so sexy.”
Saturday
I had church on Saturday. This comes full circle because up until this challenge, the church was the only social setting where I felt like it was normal to wear heels. But while my other friends were sporting their gorgeous stilettos, for my final day, I decided on a lower heel. It just goes to show that you don’t have to wear the highest heels to feel the same elegance.
Final thoughts
Now when it comes to the age-old saying that ‘beauty is pain’, for me it’s a yes and no (at least in the shoe department). We’re all aware of the physiological effects heels can have when worn incorrectly – but if you’re not deterred, just don’t wear them every day and invest in a high-quality pair with the correct features for your feet (eg. square toe, lower heel, ankle straps, etc).
Your back arches, your chest lifts, your core tightens and of course, you literally stand taller. Height is psychologically associated with power and assertiveness, which is why we hear women say they feel sexy and confident when they wear heels. On days you need to feel a bit of oomph, it might just be about picking the right pair of shoes.
For a tested selection of the most comfortable heels, head here.