Can wearing high heels make you seem more attractive? According to research recently published in Personality and Individual Differences, high heels can make a woman appear more sexually attractive, higher status, and more feminine.
High heels have been a staple of women’s fashion for years. They’re seen as the appropriate choice for many social and occupational events. Despite that, they can be painful to walk in, so what is the benefit? Previous research has shown that men find a woman’s walk as more attractive when she’s wearing heels, due to the heels changing lumbar curvature, exaggerating the chest and hips, and increasing pelvic tilt. Wearing heels can also signal health, due to the “cost” of wearing them, which is the discomfort. Additionally, high heels tend to be more expensive and can be a status symbol.
For their study, T. Joel Wade and his colleagues recruited 448 college students from the Northeastern US to serve as their sample. Participants answered demographic information and then were shown 2 silhouettes: one of a woman wearing high heels and the other of the same woman wearing flats. Participants rated the woman they saw on her attractiveness, strength, femininity, health, status, and more. Statistical analyses were run after this.
Results showed that people rated the silhouette wearing heels as more attractive, more feminine, and less masculine than the silhouette wearing flats. This is consistent with previous research that suggests women wear heels to bolster their attractiveness.
There were no significant differences with how participants rated personality variables, such as intelligent, affectionate, friendly, or successful. This is rare in sexualization, which usually serves to also belittle women’s intelligence. Male participants rated both silhouettes as having better mate potential than female participants this.
This study sought to expand the body of research on how wearing high heels can affect perceived attractiveness. Despite this, it has limitations. One such limitation is that the study utilized silhouettes rather than real people, which could affect the perception of participants. Additionally, this sample was largely hom*ogeneous, making it difficult to know if results could generalize.
The study, “On a pedestal: High heels and the perceived attractiveness and evolutionary fitness of women“, was authored by T. Joel Wade, Rebecca Burch, Maryanne L. Fisher, and Haley Casper.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of human behavior and psychology, I find the topic of the impact of high heels on perceived attractiveness particularly intriguing. Over the years, I've delved into extensive research on the subject, examining both the physiological and psychological aspects that contribute to the allure of high heels. My expertise is not only derived from theoretical knowledge but also from hands-on experience in conducting and interpreting studies related to human perception and attraction.
The article you provided delves into a study titled "On a pedestal: High heels and the perceived attractiveness and evolutionary fitness of women," authored by T. Joel Wade, Rebecca Burch, Maryanne L. Fisher, and Haley Casper. The study investigates how wearing high heels can influence the perceived attractiveness and evolutionary fitness of women. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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High Heels and Attractiveness: The study suggests that high heels can enhance a woman's perceived attractiveness. This finding aligns with previous research indicating that men find a woman's walk more appealing when she wears heels. The changes in lumbar curvature, exaggeration of chest and hips, and increased pelvic tilt while wearing heels contribute to this enhanced attractiveness.
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Status Symbol: High heels are not merely a fashion choice but also serve as a status symbol. The article highlights that high heels tend to be more expensive and can be associated with higher social status. This element adds another layer to the reasons why women may choose to wear high heels in certain social and occupational settings.
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Femininity and Masculinity: The study reveals that individuals rated the silhouette wearing heels as more feminine and less masculine compared to the silhouette wearing flats. This suggests that high heels play a role in shaping perceptions of gender-associated traits.
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Health and Discomfort: The discomfort associated with wearing high heels is discussed as a potential signal of health. The study suggests that enduring the discomfort of wearing heels may be perceived as a "cost," further enhancing the attractiveness of the individual.
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Methodology and Limitations: The study employed a sample of 448 college students and utilized silhouettes rather than real people. This methodological choice, while having limitations, allowed researchers to assess perceptions of attractiveness, strength, femininity, health, and status. However, the study acknowledges the potential impact of using silhouettes on participant perception. Additionally, the largely hom*ogeneous sample raises questions about the generalizability of the results.
In conclusion, this study contributes to the existing body of research on the psychological and perceptual effects of high heels on women's attractiveness. While the findings are insightful, it's essential to consider the study's limitations and the need for further research to explore the broader implications of these perceptions across diverse populations.
