Comments on: Yet More High Heel Racing

By: 2$$G

2$$G — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:44:48 +0000

Twinkles–There are many, many residential and commercial developments in the U.S. that have no sidewalks. Not only that, but many major roadways and traffic patterns make walking difficult if not outright dangerous. It’s truly unfortunate. Neighborhood shops are all but extinct. Everyone hops into his or her SUV and drives the mile or so to the ubiquitous sprawling strip mall to buy from multi-national chain stores.

By: Wickwire

Wickwire — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:52:21 +0000

What’ll they think of next?

By: Twinkles

Twinkles — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:29:09 +0000

No sidewalks (or pavements as we call them over here) you serious? Aside from a motorway that just doesn’t happen in the uk where I live.

By: toad

toad — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:47:40 +0000

In Eastern Europe they get into high heels at an earlier age and wear them more than they do in the US.

A German physician came to the US to do a study on the obesity problem the US has. His conclusion was that it was not so much the diet but that the majority of American urban and suburban areas are built for atomotive use not walking. In the majority of European cities it is more practical to walk and often due to street designs dating from the Middle Ages it is a necessity. In the US it is not unusal to see neighborhoods and industrial areas with no sidelwalks. You have to ride a car to do anything.

By: Twinkles

Twinkles — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:40:52 +0000

I can see how these girls manage it in say a pair kitten heels (not that I’d ever wear a pair because well, they make my ankles look dumpy) but can you imagine the carnage if they brought this over to the States? Can we please have a celebrity version? I’d pay good money to watch Mary-Kate Olsen in some Balenciaga creations (which frankly always looked to me like they could snap an ankle just by walking in them) or Victoria Beckham in a pair of 12cm Miss Dior Pumps. They need to make a US gameshow of this sport!

By: faye

faye — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 05:45:53 +0000

First, my bra is the right size, I know because yes, I admit I had been wearing the wrong size for a while, but nothing is worse when you are standing outside in the hot sun waiting to cross the street and your clothes are starting to adhere to your skin because you are sweating. That is when you realize that the bra with the many technical advancements and underwires becomes a little uncomfortable.

Secondly, I have been to Japan countless times and the footwear there is insane. From 5in flat platforms (think trainers with 5 inches added beneath both the heel and the ball) to impossible slides that do not stay on your feet. Just because many of the women could not run in the heels does define that they should not be used for that purpose. The design of the heels needs to be taken into consideration, too. I rarely buy shoes from japan from the , well, impossible creations that weren’t designed for walking, less for running. I have stated countless times that they have taken fashion to an unthinkable level there.

By: Oh Mandy

Oh Mandy — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:08:10 +0000

I’d love to try high heel racing - but I think I’d go with a nice, sturdy cone heel instead of a stiletto. As for breaking an ankle - eh, I think a woman practiced in the art of heel-wearing could make it just fine over a short distance. But I do I fear Russian girls would kick our North American bums in a race like this. :)

I agree that the fun of wearing heels outweighs their impractical aspects. But Faye, you can keep the corsets.

By: Ninjarina

Ninjarina — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:03:17 +0000

Faye,

My closet is full of dance shoes, mostly pointe shoes. I know better than most women what it means to endure pain for beauty and grace. However, as Poochie mentioned, this is indeed a cost/benefit analysis - it’s not worth it to risk a broken ankle and all the time, money, and effort to nurse it back to health.

Did you know that in the sarin gas attacks of the Tokyo (?) subway station, most of the injuries were due to women running and tripping from their tall shoes?

Also, if your bra is constricting, you might be one of the many women (70% in the US) that are wearing the wrong bra size.

By: Poochie

Poochie — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:35:44 +0000

Faye

I think Ninjarina was just saying that $4k was not worth it to RUN in heels. I don’t think she meant it about wearing heels.

I would also worry about breaking an ankle running in heels on cobblestones.

Poochie

By: faye

faye — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:39:47 +0000

oh how I would love to participate! I wonder if they will ever host one in the United States, though I doubt many girls like the European races because they take fashion to a whole ‘nother level there. I bet in Japan, 70% of the population of girls would be delighted to race. Ninjarina, I’d hate to see your shoe collection. It must be loaded with chunky kitten heels and ultra high 80s vamps. *shudders* I am a stiletto addict myself, I am possitive I could beat the 12 second mark. I used to be in track throughout college and I still sprint for fun. The only thing that may throw me off is the cobblestone floors. Thin stilettos may not be the best heels for that terrain. Ninjarina, I just dont think you understand the aesthetic of alluring footwear. Beauty and practicallity have never gone hand in hand and I suppose never will. Think of the corsets that women used to wear and the wigs. Isn’t pierced ears also a form of torture and self mutilation? But I bet about 90 percent of the women on earth have them pierced soley for the reason of looking fabulous. What about hosiery? Tight and uncomfortable. Long hair? hot and tough to keep styled at times. jewelry? talk about the most vexing thing on a summer’s day. manicured nails? hassle to keep in good condition and to redo. make up? like there is any form of comfortable make up that exists. bras? constricting. shaved legs? hassle to maintain. primped eyebrows? tweezing is painful. demure walk? talk about skill. And with both men and women, keeping a toned physique? with the list preceding it, I don’t know how I find time for it along with work. To live fashionably means discovering new, unpractical, uncomfortable ways of living. It makes me wonder why I even do it! but sometimes when I slip into that constraining pencil dress, step into my louboutins, pull back my hair, paint my face, adjorn with jewels *however cheap) and step out that door, regardless of people watching or not, I can’t help but feel beautiful, alluring, sexy, and illuminous. I feel as if Im drifting down the streets and all the inconveniences just melt away.