Fashion, technology and the 4-inch heel

Form follows function…again

While out shopping with my daughter one weekend we stumbled upon the cutest gladiator sandals. They were trendy, well constructed, and had 4-inch heels.

Some women would have darted in the opposite direction looking for the flattest heel possible to calm their rattled nerves. Instead, my daughter bought a black pair, and I bought a brown pair (after we pranced around the shoe department for nearly a half hour going from mirror to mirror).

As we were showing them off again to family and friends after Sunday dinner, we couldn’t help but point out how comfortable they were to walk in. “They’re like wearing sneakers. “ At that point, my childhood friend lost his cool.  “I don’t believe that. There’s absolutely no way those shoes can feel like a sneaker.”

Ok, maybe I was exaggerating somewhat. But with the platform design – where the sole of the shoe has a 1.5-inch thick platform – I honestly could last a good part of the day or evening walking, even scooting, around in these insanely high heels. I like wearing heels because they make me look taller (I’m a shorty at 5’2”), and it improves my posture by straightening the back. The platform gives me more balance. I admit, I feel more confident in a nice pair of heels, but I like comfort as well, so now I look specifically for the platform style.

Platforms date back to the early Greeks, and this age-old, early shoe technology has had many functions over the years from ancient Chinese theater costumes to trudging through the muddy streets of London. Today it allows designers like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo to stretch the limits of their designs and make six-inch and even seven-inch stilettos a reality – and not just in a museum.

As the big trend on the runway and in all the fashion magazines is the highest of heels, what better way to stretch the design concept to the hilt by cheating, just a little, in front underneath the shoebox, where most of the pain of wearing high heels resides. Hence, women like myself who wouldn’t fathom wearing a heel higher than 2 inches for fear of too much pressure on the ball of the foot can be 4 inches taller than they were yesterday.

Applying technology to shoe design is no new concept. The footwear industry is constantly looking for ways to increase comfort, performance, balance, stability and more. Now they have a way to firm up your butt and legs and alleviate back pain. With Reebok, Sketchers and MBT brands leading the pack, the big shoemakers now have the curved sole athletic shoe, which gives you an added workout as you walk. They range from $80 to $200, but they’re not all built the same. In some cases, the design is so unorthodox that one manufacturer has a DVD that shows you how to walk in these new shoes. Some can’t be worn for more than 30 minutes or to drive a car.

The MBT or Masai Barefoot Technology “curved” shoe was designed by engineer Karl Muller who after hanging out with the Masai tribes in Africa learned that with all their cross country running over rough, rocky, uneven terrain, in their bare feet or minimalist sandals, the tribesmen never complained about soreness. So he designed a bowl-shaped shoe to simulate walking barefoot and the tribesmen’s continuous, long strides. At $200 a pair, these shoes are called the “world’s smallest gym,” because they work all the desired muscles.

It’s amazing how shoe technology can actually improve your quality of life. I like the idea of a little added benefit every time I take a step, but I especially love being able to wear four-inch heels long after the first five steps.