Empowering or debilitating?Today’s ‘attention-getting’footwear fashion is just as ridiculous as 17th century corsetsJust when I thought women’s fashions were finally becoming more reasonable, this year has seen an unmistakable turn for the worse.With the ’70s fashion resurgence at the turn of the millennium, we ended up with a nice combination of old and new designs.For example, the popularity of low-rise bell-bottom pants left us with low-rise waistlines on both jeans and dress slacks, with or without the wide-legs.This is especially nice during the holidays because we can eat more comfortably as our tummy bulge expands over the belt buckle. Kinda makes me feel like a man.In recent years we were also seeing women’s professional and even party footwear finally designed with practical, yet attractive styles.When the novelty of heavy lug soles wore off, we were left with a slightly more feminine shoe that still had a safe, solid base to stand on.That was, until the dreaded return of skinny, teetery four-inch, strappy shoes, if you can call them shoes. They’re more like foot decorations.I was shocked and dismayed this summer to watch TV journalist Katie Couric sporting her new stilettos on the Today Show. In disbelief, I listened to this presumably intelligent woman say something not-so-intelligent like, "They make me feel so smart."I watched, agape, as she dangled a spiky thing from her bare toe, looking anything but "smart."Couric is a capable, respected figure in the news world, but had become a spokesperson for a fashion trend that sets women back centuries.I’m not saying that shoes can ruin a woman’s chance for equality in the professional world, but what Couric doesn’t tell her viewers is that she can’t possibly do her job wearing stilettos. She can’t gather news in them, much less get on and off the set with them.Not long after Couric dropped off my list of respected female professionals, I happened to watch a TV news feature about women’s footwear.The segment highlighted a new trend in cosmetic surgery – the removal of toe joints to make them fit better in the latest $1,500 designer heels.The women interviewed — including the surgeon — admitted they can’t walk in them, but said wearing them makes them feel "powerful," and makes their legs look "sexy."One woman was more specific. "When you enter the room wearing shoes like this, you get noticed. … It’s empowering," she said. "There’s something about them that makes you hold yourself in a way that commands attention."I couldn’t help but think, "Yes, much in the same way a date for hire commands attention in a crowded casino."The sharp angle of feet in stilettos forces a person to walk with her back arched, which, in turn, forces attention-getting qualities (like her butt and her chest) outward.Yes, girls, these shoes will get you noticed, but wouldn’t you rather be noticed for a striking personality, a genuine smile or even professional accomplishments?Paleeeaze!Today’s stilettos are no different than the 1800s corsets that cinched women’s waists to ridiculously small widths. Much like these shoes today physically prevent women from doing anything worthwhile, our 17th century sisters were hardly able to breathe, much less function normally. With plunging necklines and tiny waists, they were definitely noticed in their world … much in the same way frilly decorations are noticed in an otherwise functional room.
