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Pay-rise or Pick-up, UK women keep a step ahead in high heels.
New survey suggests confidence and glamour come from the sole
High heels raise British women’s self-esteem, according to a recent survey conducted by COMPEED. Almost half of British women (48%) state they feel more confident when wearing high heels at work and nearly a quarter (24%) feel more assertive and acknowledged by others. High heels are the standard uniform for many working women in Britain, leaving those who do not adhere to this fashion feeling out of place in the workplace. Almost a fifth of women (18%) believe that wearing high heels can have a positive effect on their work life giving them a greater chance of promotion.
The study, carried out amongst more than 1000 women across the UK, reveals that the psychological effect is strongest in the age groups ranging between 18 and 44. Power dressing is still widespread today with over half of British women under 45 drawing confidence from the extra height afforded by their stilettos.
Percentage of women who feel more confident when wearing high heels at work
Age Group Percentage
18 – 24 56%
25 – 34 55%
35 – 44 54%
45 – 54 40%
55 + 37%
Average 48%
Regionally, London has the highest percentage of women whose feeling of self-worth is in direct proportion to the height of their heels (55%) whereas Welsh women are donning theirs to feel more glamorous on wild nights out (79%).
Ironically, the working woman’s shoe is anything but practical. High-heeled shoes, when worn for a lengthy period of time, commonly cause discomfort, pain and fatigue and 47% of women surveyed state that painful high-heel shoes distract them from their work, suggesting the shoes women wear in order to appear more professional could be compromising their efficiency and subsequent career progression.
Leading podiatrist Samantha Sheril says: “High heel shoes cause blisters, corns and hard skin, which, in turn, commonly lead to feelings of fatigue, irritability and stress among women – not an ideal situation for women wanting to focus on getting ahead with their careers.”
Murder on the dance floor
The survey also found that high heels boost women’s confidence outside of the workplace with almost two thirds of women (63%) confessing to feeling more sexy and glamorous on a date or a night out. However, without effective precautions, high heels can turn fun and relaxing activities, such as dancing and bar hopping into strenuous tasks, spoiling a good night out.
This link between upholding a perceived image of beauty and actually enduring pain, something which has troubled women since long before the invention of the corset, is still very much prevalent today. Despite the agonies caused by heels, over 78% of British women admit to wearing them, implying they are not willing to trade style for comfort. The high-heels worn by models on the catwalks at the recent London Fashion Week also stand testimony to this.
Simple steps for comfort in heels
Catwalk expert and star of America’s Next Top Model, J Alexander believes that women do not have to suffer in keeping up with the latest fashion. He advises women on wearing their heels comfortably: “In fashion you make a choice – a good one, a bad one, a right one, a wrong one. Whatever it is, the most important choice you can make is to be comfortable. If you feel comfortable in what you are wearing, then you will feel good – and will look even more fabulous,” he says.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,095 adults (WOMEN ONLY). Fieldwork was undertaken between the 20th and 22nd February 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB women (aged 18+).
News article originated from The Ogilvy Group.
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 2-Jul-2007
Categories: Fitting Advice, Heel pain , Work Wear, Footwear, Keeping Feet Healthy, Footnote
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