HIGH heels mean different things to different women. To some, it connotes elegance. To some, it can be used to make sensual statement while to others, the added height is a confidence booster. It is therefore not surprising that high heels are one fashion item that many women cannot do without.
The fact that wearing of high heels has been linked with medical challenges like joint pain, shortened Achilles tendon, lower back pain, falling and sprained ankle, ingrown toenails, among others has not served as deterrence to most women. This week, Style asked some celebrities if they would give up high heels for health reasons. Below are their responses.
Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu, PR/Media Entrepreneur and Creative Director of Orange Insider Media: There is this popular saying that one thing must kill a man. The only reason I would give up high heels is if it can cause life threatening disease. Heels are life for most ladies. An extra inch instantly makes me taller and leaner – and slightly less self conscious, slightly happier. Heels are always the right fit. That extra inch on my shoe now feels as much a part of my identity. I could never imagine returning to flats. The only way is up, so why would I want to give that up for a few minutes of pain, after all no pain, no gain. Yes, tottering in high heels for long periods can probably make my back sore, but I read somewhere that too much time in the wrong flats can do just as much damage. So, why give up my precious heel? I don’t care what anyone says about high heels causing women aching feet and immobility, Lance Armstrong once said “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” So you see that temporary aching feet is only temporary. Flat shoes just don’t add the swag that high heels do. High heels are beautifully crafted works of art; and who doesn’t love a little piece of art. Some outfits demand to be matched with high heels. The heels don´t need to be skyscrapers, but high enough to add that elegant touch. High heels can really enhance your outfit.
On a serious note though, wearing high heels too much may hurt and cause health problems later, however wearing high heels sometimes makes me feel great, as long as I balance it out by wearing flat shoes part of the time. There are so many options today as per style, fit and comfort level, I always go for stylish, balanced and comfortable heels after all, there are so many designers and options to choose from.
Meg Alabi, fashion designer: I came from the background of modelling where we wear heels a lot. Over time, it affects the legs, heels and also gives us lower back pain. Sometimes it gets really uncomfortable because you need to have a certain posture.
Adaora Ukoh, actress: I can give up stiletto heels or 6 inches heels for health reasons but one good thing is that some shoes come in 3 inches. So, I can go for that if I really need to be on heels to beautify a particular dress. The truth is I have actually given up heels as we speak for flats and moderate heels because a lot changed after childbirth. So, I keep my heels moderate and of course comfortable because nothing is as uncomfortable as being on heels and having to go through pains in the name of fashion. Imagine a situation where one has to be uncomfortable in heels on a red carpet for two hours.
Peju Wahab, actress: Beauty is about comfort, the strength you have at age 20, won’t be there at age 40. Rock what makes you comfortable. Wearing high heels raise the balance point in your body, the higher the heel, the more unstable you become. Just few ladies have mastered the art of balancing their body with high heels. No matter how high the heel is, they will still rock it elegantly. But all the same, it is advisable for women to avoid wearing heels for a very long time; they should endeavour to stretch the leg muscles before and after wearing high heels. When you appear with high heels and in a state of discomfort, it reflects on your face and consequently leads to psychological unrest. Most times, appearing simple makes more sense than one would ever imagine.
Olabisi Taiwo, Chief Executive Officer, Purple Pots: As a matter of fact, I gave up high heels about three years ago because I am tall and I find it rather uncomfortable to walk with as my joints ache due to the stress they put on my legs. I now settle for medium or low heels, depending on which complements my outfit best.
Angela Nnamezie, Beautician: I can give up high heels because the harm it does outweigh the benefits. Wearing high heel shoes exposes one to certain health risks such as lower back pain, nerve pain or damaged knee pain and weakens the leg muscles. As a matter of fact, I hardly wear heels and whenever I do, I make sure I wear a moderate one or heels that are balanced and do not put too much pressure on my lower back.
Honourable Adijat Adeleye Oladapo: Personally, I am not a high heel person except it is wedge or platform. I feel more comfortable in mid heels that are three inches high. Anything higher is not really for me since I know it can cause health hazard.
Bimbo Okutiyang, CEO, Bims Living Gardens: I have reduced wearing high heels when I realised my knees were protesting. It’s like buying now and paying later. Thank you.
Tosin Imosemi, CEO, Tosanne Vogue International: I cannot give it up. I do not believe it will give me health issues. I wear well made, comfortable, balanced heels, so I am not afraid of future implications.
Tamilore Martins, actress: I can give up wearing heels because of its future implications; in my opinion, high heels make the lower back ache more than usual. In fact, the height of the heel is directly proportional to the degree of the arch in your back. The awkward arch can cause nasty pains in the upper and lower back regions and women who wear high heels for years develop chronically short muscles and tendons. It makes the calf muscles much thicker and stiff. And when they try to wear flat shoes again, their calves hurt because the tendons cannot stretch sufficiently and also the awkward curvature of the leg while wearing high heels puts too much pressure on the knee joint. It often leads to cases of osteoarthritis in people. I would love to advise women to stick with wedge when they attain the age of 45 because of the future implications.
Chichi Maduka, Befenchy: I can’t give it up, but if for any reasons my doctor tells me I should stay off them or I have leg injury, I will. However, I try not to wear them too often to avoid leg pains or developing muscular calves popularly known as ‘’yam leg’’
Temitope Lawal popularly known as Monique, musician: I am giving up high heels already. I wear it occasionally, not because of the health implications but for comfort. I do a lot of trainers recently. I wear high heels for formal outings while I wear flats and trainers for comfort but my best is wedge.
Chelsea Eze, actress: I love my heels but if the doctor says they are causing me health issues then you better believe I will drop them like a bad habit. I love myself and that makes me extremely conscious of my health. Can’t have serious health issues all in the name of fashion or trying to be chic. Besides I am also a sneakers girl so makes it easy for the switch.
Sade Olona, actress: I can give up heels anytime, any day because I once had a minor accident while wearing high heel. Since then, I only wear it occasionally or when necessary. Although heels are sexy, they are not something one should wear every day. This is because women have approximately four times more issue than men. Asides the health problems, high heels can throw your body alignment out of whack and since the feet are the foundation of our entire body when you walk on heels, it affects your balance. So, it is not advisable to wear it every day.
Tinu Smith, fashion designer: I read somewhere that wearing heels constantly can weaken the bones in the legs and can cause them to bend. I don’t wear heels every day of the week. Just occasionally and I also have a pair of flat slipper to accompany it. If it would cause health issues I would reduce the inches but I can’t give it up completely. Of course, as we get older, we need to avoid wearing high heels to avoid arthritis.
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