Printable View
Just wondering what other parents think/feel about shoe choices for teenage girls. At what age is it appropriate to start wearing high heels? How high? What about thin, stiletto style heels? At what age/stage do you think girls should be starting to wear these?
I remember getting my first pair of high heels at 13 but my DD hasn't asked for and hasn't needed a pair yet. I wouldn't have a problem with her wearing a pair to a formal event at 15 or 16 but not for every day wear until she's over 18.
I think about 15 or so for some modest heels for an even like a wedding or party or something, and probably not until about 17 or 18 for actual stilettos.
Forgot to add, stilettos after 18yo.
I got my first pair of heels at 14 for a family wedding. they were relatively low (maybe 6cm or so). i wore stiletto type heels when i started working in a corporate office just before i turned 18.
I was a bit of a shortie, and so I begged for high heels from a very early age ... probably from about 7 or 8 years old. I also begged for make up, to be allowed to shave my legs, and other things like that ... my parents weren't keen!
My grandma gave me some old lipsticks and dresses and one pair of high heels when I was about 9. They weren't very high, they weren't very provocative - just some white strappy sandals, maybe a 4cm heel? They were too big, as were the dresses, but I loved them.
She gave me more every now and then (maybe a pair a year - the best ones were some honest to goodness knee high patterned black leather cowgirl boots with 10cm wooden heels when I was about 14) and mum and dad let me buy some heels when I was about 14. I had stilletos by then.
Dad was always worried I'd snap an ankle (interesting concept, considering I lived in my rollerblades, did netball gymnastics springboard diving and a bunch of other things I actually could have snapped an ankle doing!) and mum was just constantly worried I'd "look like a sl*t".
I would be happy for my hypothetical daughter to wear heels from a reasonably young age - but in the same vein as I'd be happy with her wearing jeans, skirts, and other things, I'd keep an eye on the actual outfit itself in terms of whether it's weather and age and ability (balance!) appropriate.
i still don't have my first pair so i don't think there is any age where one 'should' wear them. And they are pretty bad for your feet, no matter how pretty they are. :lol:
I remember when I was about 15 I wanted a pair of school shoes that had a bit of a heel (like everyone else) but quickly regretted it. When I was next allowed to buy school shoes I got a small 2-3cm heel. As for special heels, I got my first low pair for my formal in year 12. I honestly wasn't a girly girl or anything (still not) so even for my formal I didn't really want them - Mum said I had to wear them cause I was wearing a formal dress lol (something else I wasn't keen on)
I live in heels and wear 4" ones regularly - I find it hard to walk in flats unless I'm on hills (which is sort of like wearing heels anyway). I am practicing and getting better at flats, although it was very uncomfortable, even painful, at first. I started with stilettoes (only 2-3") age about 8 I think - I had "adult-sized feet" by age 7 and in the 1980s there wasn't much choice when it came to shoes. Granny shoes for school, heels at all other times. Or men's shoes. I hated the assistants who thought (and still think) it's OK to tell women to look in the men's department when they want strappy stiletto sandals. I now tell them I didn't realise they had an equal ops footwear policy and how great for the men who are after strappy stiletto sandals to have a place where they are catered for on the high street.
I did need a foot operation when I was 14 as my feet had developed really badly due to the heels, but as my feet were still growing I couldn't have it done until I was 20. I have large scars down the outside of my feet now and my little toes curl around so the toenail is at the side of the foot rather than the top. So I do not support young children in heels and hate seeing pre-schoolers wearing high-heeled shoes, as is the fashion these days. I would prefer flat shoes forever for both genders, and pretty flat shoes, due to foot development. But there is little choice for teenagers these days: ballerina pumps or heels. There should be more choice!
Thanks everyone for your comments. DD15 wanted to buy herself some shoes today... tried telling me they were a small heel but when she texted the photo they had nearly 3 inches on them and narrowed to less than a cm at the base :o. This is a kid who is a) clumsy & uncoordinated b) has never worn heels c) doesn't have anything to wear heels like that with and d) is tall enough to never need any additional height. But she was shopping with a shortie friend who was egging her on.
I felt like such a fuddy duddy saying no. :(
ahhh the right of passage for wearing heels MD! i think you did well for saying no in that instance. it probably wasnt a purchase that she totally felt awesomely comfy with in the first place if there was egging on.
that said, it will be just around the corner that she will want to have a pair. maybe discuss with her what is an ok parameter of 'heels'. stilettos are alot of hard work and there are so many pretty non-stiletto heels out there. i reckon a first pair for semi-formal or some school dance is ok from this age ITMS. i think my mum took me to myer one day for my semi formal in grade 10 and we bought my first pair there. i think they were kitten heels lol.
I think there's a lot to consider to be honest. I never wear heals due to my height. In high school I would have been teased for being too tall ( more than I already was). My 6 year old constantly asks for them and is told no (mostly due to her behavior) but we also need to consider her weak ankles. She is clumsy at the best of times and a simple twist could be enough to give her a severe sprain.
If her behavior and body (strength, height etc) where 97%, I still wouldn't let her until she was going to her formal...and even then they would be thick based to give maximum stability ;)