I think this is a statement almost every woman in the world could make. And I am one of them. My name is Lilly Lia and I just reached the age of international majority. I live in Hamburg, Germany, which is one of the most beautiful cities of the world with a lot of fashionable woman wearing gorgeous heels. I have run my little personal-style-and-fashion-diary-like blog for almost one year now but, really concentrated on it just since recently. And I love it. Sharing thoughts, ideas, trends, photos and just what comes through my mind is as fascinating as the effect high heels can have on a woman.
And there we are at the main topic of this post, high heels. I bought my very first heels at the age of 14. They were plain black without any specials details. I only wore them two times, because, my mum was like fainting when she saw her cute little 14-year-old daughter was in heels. Second thing, after not being allowed to wear them, I was not able to walk in those heels longer than two minutes. So, I went back to flats and lower heels. But now that I am grown up and living on my own, I own a shoe cabinet full of heels in different colours, patterns, materials and heights. I love all of them. But it ain’t easy to wear them out as often as they deserve. You might think I’m kidding. What is the problem of wearing lovely heels that make your legs look endless and make you walk in a delicate way?
The first problem, isn’t a real problem, it has just something to do with self-esteem and with feeling comfortable with your personal style. I am hinting at the reaction and response of other people, especially, other women (mostly in flats) who look at you when you wear heels during the daytime. I am not innocent myself; I too eye women wearing high heels when walking through the city. But most of the time it is a look of jealousy an “I-want-to-be-able-to-wear-my-heels-24/7-too” look. But when I wear heels during the daytime (and I know which heels can be worn at daytime and which not and how to pair them) I always feel checked out by others. And I also think that they look at me in disgust. Do you have similar feelings?
Then I wish I was in New York or Paris because I think that it is pretty normal to wear heels in those lovely cities. It’s not like Hamburg isn’t a metropolis or not into fashion, I just am saying that this is how I feel. Maybe I am interpreting the looks in the wrong way. Maybe other women are only throwing the same looks at me, I did at them.
When I now read what I wrote I feel better. Why shouldn’t I take my loves out for a walk in the daytime? As long as I feel comfortable nothing else matters.
So, now that I have rejected problem number one there still remains problem number two. My feet. As the heading says, in spite, of my deep love for high heels my feet feel different. Basically they don’t like heels and prefer flats especially, warm winter boots or soft ballerinas. I am in love with ballerinas, sandals, flat boots and Minnetonkas, but, nothing makes my heart jump up and down more than heels (well, maybe my boyfriend is listed above the heels, at least, sometimes). However, my feet tend to tell me that they don’t like heels in cruel ways. What they always do is begin to hurt. It begins first at the ball, sometimes at the heel, sometimes anywhere in the middle. When I don’t give up the heels, they start to use more dramatic ways of demonstrating their dislike. Blisters, ripped and horny skin (yes, I know, this sounds disgusting) and things like that. I tried insoles, I tried gel pads and I only wear high heels with plateau (because they are so much more comfy and higher at the same time). But my feet won’t stop telling me that I treat them badly. So why do we all lay hands upon ourselves?
Because heels make us feel beautiful, pretty and feminine. Heels make us look fashionable and the same attributes that they make us feel. They let our legs look endlessly long. They just fit perfectly to our new dress/skinny jeans/chinos. They look stunning themselves. We just want to own them when we see a new pair. They look so pretty in our hallway. They give us the same pleasure as chocolate does. And of course, they make us feel and look attractive and taller. I am not very tall myself and my boyfriend is like giant. With heels on I think we have the perfect gap between us and my neck doesn’t feel like breaking through while kissing.
So I have to say ‘Sorry my dear feet, but the high heels won. I like you, I need you, but you have to live with my passion for heels. I will try my best to easy your suffering by wearing gel pads and having lovely treatments after a day or night in heels. I will give you a warm footbath and put some incredibly soft lotion on you.
And if my boyfriend wants me to wear heels, I will make sure that he will give you both a long and relaxing massage afterwards. (And woe, if not!)’
XO Lilly Lia
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When Lilly first sent this guest post, I almost mistook it for a Dear Stiletto letter. haha.
As far as women or anybody for that matter staring, glaring, or eyeing a woman wearing heels, I have had my share. Have you ever seen a woman running through the airport in 5 inch heels with carry on luggage? It was probably me. I know people stare and think “why is she in those heels?” but, I don’t care. I will look good getting off the plane to my destination. Yes, I once had one of those landings and one of those boardings where you walk to the plane and up the steps. Doesn’t bother me.
I do try to wear my wedges more to the airport than my heels.
As far as foot care. . . it is a must. I bet if I took a picture of my feet you be surprise how pretty they are. Now you are thinking, “who has pretty feet?” I do. haha
Oh believe my I have suffered wearing heels. like that night I run all over South Miami in my stilettos. The blisters that night. Soak, medicate, and elevate. Then, repeat the torture.
Anyway, thank you Lilly for your post. I did enjoy it.
Lilly: I admire your love for heels, but I cannot do them too often. I don’t like for my feet to hurt and just don’t believe in it. Love your pic! @queen I do look at women in airports/other places w/ high heels, but I don’t stare b/c I think it’s their business. Now, if the shoes are hot I may do a double take. Can’t knock a cute shoe!
Tamika D. recently posted..Taste of Atlanta 10th Anniversary
Los Angeles is high heel territory. No one looks twice at a woman in 5″ platforms because most women are wearing them. This is because we only walk for exercise or from our cars to whatever our destination might be. However, if you live in an area where people walk to get around, heels get very low or disappear altogether.
Personally I don’t care if people stare, but I do find high heels somewhat uncomfortable and I only wear them when I don’t have to walk, or stand, much.
Heather Fonseca recently posted..Ravishing Red
I wear heels almost everyday to work and I work in a library. Yes, I do get the stares and the “how do you walk in them” questions. But mostly I get the “I would kill for those shoes” and “you are my hero” comments. I think the real problem is that you need time to build up a tolerance to wearing heels. It’s not going to happen over night and it will take some time. Start with lower heels 3 to 3.5 inches and work your way to 6 inches. Also, I like to wear my heels (especially the new ones) around the house to “break” them in a little. Have to vacuum, wear heels, it helps a lot.
I think that most women are staring at you in awe because they wish that they could be just like you. Walking in heels and looking fabulous.