Study: 'Men Don't Notice When Women Wear Heels' | Essence (2024)

FAQs

Do men find women in heels attractive? ›

Studies have shown that men perceive a woman walking in heels to be more elegant and feminine than when she is walking in regular shoes.

Most men find women in high heels or stilettos more attractive and sexier than those wearing flats or shoes as they highlight women's curves, arouse sexual appeal in men as well, and boost women's confidence. Plus, wearing heels gives added height if you are height conscious.

Shoes became increasingly gendered throughout the 18th century: women's shoes became narrower, more ornamental, and the heels higher, whereas men's shoes became broader and sturdier. Consequently, men stopped wearing heels around 1730 as a reaction against their perceived feminization.

Participants judge the females in the heels condition as significantly more attractive than the females in the flat shoe condition.” In other words, heels exaggerate the “secondary sex traits” of a woman by shortening her gait, exaggerating the curve of her pelvis and pushing out her breasts and booty.

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.

High heels spread from equestrian origins with the 10th century Persian galesh to wider fashion use. In early 17th-century Europe, high heels were a sign of masculinity and high social status. Towards the end of the century, the trend began to spread to women's fashion.

Everything looks slim, firm, and downright sexy when a woman is in high heels. The curve of a heel elevates the buttocks to look a bit bigger. Meanwhile, they create a subtle flex of the legs to enhance the body's natural muscles. The combination of these two little tricks of the eye creates a major difference.

“[A] woman's walk [is perceived] as more attractive when she's wearing heels, due to the heels changing lumbar curvature, exaggerating the chest and hips, and increasing pelvic tilt,” explains an article on PsyPost.

Yes! Tall is beautiful—most people would be a little taller if they could choose—so don't worry about what other people think. If you wear heels, it's not necessarily about height, it's about using the angle to create a feminine silhouette.

Flats were abundant at Valentino's latest Fall-Winter 2023-2024 couture show in Paris. In the ever-shifting fashion sphere, where trends wax and wane with the changing seasons, one particular change has caught the eye of experts of late: a gradual decline in popularity of high heels.

Were heels meant for men? ›

Heels were first invented in Persia in the 10th century, and they were originally designed for men. “Wealthy men wore them to give them additional height, and when they rode on horseback, the heels clicked into the stirrups,” says Steele.

High heels have a few purposes. They make a woman taller, and make her legs look longer and more shapely. They make her look more elegant and graceful, as long as she can walk in them properly.

Dr. Ramona Brooks, one time spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), told Footwear News that you shold wait until kids are between 14 and 16 years old — if not longer—to try out that first pair of high heels.

Shoe Heels as Symbolic Empowerment

Throughout history, high heels have been associated with power, elegance, and femininity. They have been worn by influential figures such as royalty and celebrities, further accentuating their aura of empowerment.

Heels accentuate your legs and show them off in the best way. Embrace your long legs, don't feel like you need to try and make them blend in! Adding heels to an outfit instantly glams up your look and makes it more dressy. They're your go-to for weekend plans and occasion dressing.

The shoe was likely made for a courtier, allowing him to feel taller and more powerful, and to signal his social standing. And indeed, heels have always been a status symbol, Steele says, because they reflect that the wearer doesn't need to perform hard labor or walk where they need to go.

For many men, wearing high heels can feel like a challenge both mentally and physically. It can be hard to let go of the ideas you have about high heels being for women; but when you realise that high heels are just a style of shoe and can be worn by anyone, you'll find a whole new world has opened for you!

In fact, the Spine Health Institute reports that 72% of women will wear high heels in their lifetime, leaving us to wonder why women crave this three-inch shoe. Yes, a typical high heel adds 2-3 inches to a woman's height. But there is more to heels than just height.

The difference between pumps and stilettos is in their heel size. Pumps are usually closed-toe or peep-toe with a heel of 1 inch or less. Stilettos on the other hand can be with straps or covered but would definitely have a thin long heel of 1 inch or more.