What age to start wearing high heels/stilettos?

[chody47]

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)

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

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!

[AnyDream]

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 . 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.

[Cassius2]

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.