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In Depth Tutorials and Information
figure 4.7
Chinese footwear for bound feet
these roles. Even in modern society there is pressure to wear footwear
that defines roles, gender and sexuality.
Body image and footwear
“Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads
- at the extreme opposite end of our bodies.”
Levende Waters (2009)
This statement by Levende Waters highlights that different styles of
footwear can make us feel different about ourselves. In reference to the
'nice' shoes in this statement, the perception that certain styles of foot-
wear are feminine or sexy appears to be inherent in many women.
Perhaps this is the result of centuries of the focus on footwear as a reflec-
tion of social status and sexuality. Footwear is very much part of the image
that we present to others. Footwear designs with high heels not only look
different in themselves but they have an effect on the visual appearance
of the body. They elongate the legs, plump up the calves, shorten the
stride, and cause the back to arch, which in turn accentuates the bottom
and overall creates what is perceived as a dainty walk that encourages a
sexy 'wiggle'.
Conversely, with the emancipation of women and changing roles par-
ticularly during the World Wars, more manly or utilitarian shoes were
