High-heeled shoes and evolution theory.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evolutionary and social implications of women wearing high-heeled shoes, particularly focusing on the perceived attractiveness to taller males and the influence of fashion. Participants argue that high heels may not solely be about height but also about signaling femininity and social status. Observations reveal that tall women often wear high heels, challenging the notion that they are primarily used to attract taller partners. The conversation also touches on themes of subservience and societal expectations, suggesting that high heels may symbolize a desire to conform to cultural norms rather than purely aesthetic choices.

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  • Understanding of evolutionary psychology and mate selection
  • Familiarity with social signaling and cultural norms
  • Knowledge of fashion trends and their societal implications
  • Awareness of gender dynamics in professional and social contexts
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  • Research the impact of fashion on gender perception in society
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This discussion is beneficial for sociologists, psychologists, fashion designers, and anyone interested in the intersection of gender studies and cultural practices.

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I always speculated that the reason why women wear high-heeled shoes (such as pumps and the like) is they give them an advantage (albeit a deceptive one) in attracting the taller male.

There is enormous selection pressure being imposed on the height of our species, with our species getting taller with each millenia; nay, with each generation. Women just want a mate that's as tall or taller than her father, hence the selection pressure. To this end, I hypothesize, women will wear the high-heeled shoe, because the added increase in her height will make her more attractive to the taller male. The deception no doubt works in both the workplace and the nightclub.

But after further and somewhat tedious observation, I noticed it's the tall women--not the short women--who are likely wearing the high-heeled shoe. Why is this? Three out of every four women I see wearing high-heeled shoes are tall women! I can't figure this one out! Why would an already robust woman want to accentuate a physiological quality that's already somewhat abnormal in appearance?

This thread is directed mostly at the ladies. Ladies, is there something about the high-heeled shoe that your taller friends just don't see? Or are they trying to go from Linebacker to Quarterback deliberately? And what of the shorter-statured womanfolk? Why do they not exploit the advantage of the high-heeled shoe to acquire the taller male?

I am utterly confounded by high-heeled shoes! They must represent something, but what?
 
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They make the calf look better.
 
I don't think it has anything to do with height. I think they're supposed to imply increased intelligence.

Or at least the ability to solve triple integrals for torque in their head while walking across a parking lot on a windy day. They must be solving these to at least 6 significant digits when you consider they're able to maintain their balance over such a small surface area, even while their center of gravity is constantly shifting as they sashay across the parking lot.
 
I think it has to do with how the way the heels make their leg muscles look. I like short women, personally.
 
BobG said:
I don't think it has anything to do with height. I think they're supposed to imply increased intelligence.

Or at least the ability to solve triple integrals for torque in their head while walking across a parking lot on a windy day. They must be solving these to at least 6 significant digits when you consider they're able to maintain their balance over such a small surface area, even while their center of gravity is constantly shifting as they sashay across the parking lot.
:smile::smile::smile: please someone put this in the classics! pleeeez this is the best!
 
HeLiXe said:
please someone put this in the classics! pleeeez this is the best!

I like it when a woman figuring bolometric magnitudes sashays across the parking lot. :!)
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
They make the calf look better.

:smile: I read... Moooo... a calf. You now owe me one Dell Enhanced Keyboard. This one's full of beer and spit.
 
I wear high - heels and I'm a guy. I can tell you that it's not to attract tall men.
 
Most women wear ridiculous high heels because that's what the fashion magazines say they have to wear. Which explains why they wear them with pants and wear high heeled boots. I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?
 
  • #10
dlgoff said:
:smile: I read... Moooo... a calf. You now owe me one Dell Enhanced Keyboard. This one's full of beer and spit.

Oh Don...:smile:
 
  • #11
Evo said:
Most women wear ridiculous high heels because that's what the fashion magazines say they have to wear. Which explains why they wear them with pants and wear high heeled boots. I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?

I agree, it's not a height thing. I think that "I'm helpless" mode extends to a lot of things.

Why else do women tend to go into what they know are poor-paying jobs? I can't imagine having a job where I know I could *never* pay my own way in life, should the need arise.

Yeah I'll probably make some people mad - not my intention. Just trying to get a 'big picture' view of gender-based behavior.
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Most women wear ridiculous high heels because that's what the fashion magazines say they have to wear. Which explains why they wear them with pants and wear high heeled boots. I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?

Can't talk...staring at legs...
 
  • #13
Yeah, but what evolutionary reason would it be for some women to wear high heels and socks??!

Zz.
 
  • #14
ZapperZ said:
Yeah, but what evolutionary reason would it be for some women to wear high heels and socks??!

Zz.

The common tube sock likely evolved in a symbiotic state with humans, first appearing over 50,000 years ago according to DNA sequencing. It is thought to have broken off from the hosiery family and now has over three dozen separate species spread all over the world thanks to it hijacking human migration to spread itself to every continent on the planet. Natural predators include gnomes, dryers, and the dreaded "left sock wormhole".
 
  • #15
Evo said:
I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?
It's conceivable they have this effect just below conscious level, but to me the message is more obviously, "I'm dressed up! I'm out to look attractive!" The intention to be attractive is, itself, attractive.
 
  • #16
zoobyshoe said:
It's conceivable they have this effect just below conscious level, but to me the message is more obviously, "I'm dressed up! I'm out to look attractive!" The intention to be attractive is, itself, attractive.

Ah, true. But it also signals subservience: "I'm doing this to be attractive to you, because your judgement matters to me." Implicitly it signals, I am lower than you on the hierarchy.
 
  • #17
I think it's a con promulgated on women by men. It emphasizes shapely calves and causes the hips to thrust forward more so looks sexy. I think women should use high heels only to whack men over the head with.

EDIT: and I agree about the subservient thing as well. High heels are the Western world's version of bound feet.
 
  • #18
I like Serena said:
I like it when a woman figuring bolometric magnitudes sashays across the parking lot. :!)

Bolo-metric...oooh babyyyy. :!)
 
  • #20
I like Serena said:
I like it when a woman figuring bolometric magnitudes sashays across the parking lot. :!)

:smile: and also doing triple integrals :smile: I once fell on a piece of fertilizer while wearing heels and sashaying across the parking lot LOL
 
  • #21
lisab said:
Ah, true. But it also signals subservience: "I'm doing this to be attractive to you, because your judgement matters to me." Implicitly it signals, I am lower than you on the hierarchy.
Eh? Guys dress up too.
 
  • #22
lisab said:
Ah, true. But it also signals subservience: "I'm doing this to be attractive to you, because your judgement matters to me." Implicitly it signals, I am lower than you on the hierarchy.
Ah, you mean much in the same way that nobility or very senior officers dress up, especially for occasions? Signalling their subservience to those under them ... um. I think I might see a slight flaw in this argument. Somehow the concept of a 6' 3" woman wearing 4" heels to signify her subservience doesn't quite seem right. In fact, I could make a strong argument for extending your quoted speech thus: "It confirms in your own mind how superior I am - only the best need apply and you, worm, aren't one of them.".

I had a similar 'subservience'/'capability' interpretation given to my helping a female officer into the back of a 4-tonner. I asked if the general, or anybody else, would regard his driver opening the door for him in the same light? I also pointed out that if I hadn't made the offer, my mother, grandmother and aunts would have, quote, had my guts for garters.
 
  • #23
HeLiXe said:
:smile: and also doing triple integrals :smile: I once fell on a piece of fertilizer while wearing heels and sashaying across the parking lot LOL

Lollolz
 
  • #24
Evo said:
I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?
I was in the middle of watching women making smaller, more careful steps, appearing frail and seeing which ones appeal to me when my wife caught me at it. Then it hit me, women wear high heels the better to bonk you on the head.
 
  • #25
Evo said:
Most women wear ridiculous high heels because that's what the fashion magazines say they have to wear. Which explains why they wear them with pants and wear high heeled boots. I read that women wearing high heels seem more helpless due to the smaller, more careful steps they need to make and the appearance of being frail appeals to men. Men?
Some men.
 
  • #26
There's nothing more attractive than a graceful woman skillfully prancing down the sidewalk in high heels, skinny jeans and a nice blouse.
 
  • #27
I always thought that one of the main reasons is the sound they make when walking. I speak for myself, it works, I always look when I hear the sound of high heels.
 
  • #28
lisab said:
Ah, true. But it also signals subservience: "I'm doing this to be attractive to you, because your judgement matters to me." Implicitly it signals, I am lower than you on the hierarchy.

I disagree with this statement. I don't have much of a subservient bone in my body (much to my own detriment sometimes)... but there's plenty of dumb sh*t I've done/worn to attract a girl because "[her] judgement matters to me."

My personal opinion regarding a girl wearing high heels is about the same as a man who wears expensive but tasteful clothing. It's nothing to do with the specifics of the clothing and way more about the fact that this is what our current culture deems as "put together." It's a social differentiator; its ends are its own means; it's a confidence booster in its own right.

When I'm about to meet someone I value (romantically or professionally), I wear my $500 watch instead of my $100 watch... and that has NOTHING to do with telling time more accurately or even hoping that the other person notices how expensive it is. In fact, I might even be a little embarrassed if someone called me on it.

Why do I find women in high heels "more attractive"? For the same reason that some women find a man in a suit "more attractive".

phion said:
There's nothing more attractive than a graceful woman skillfully prancing down the sidewalk in high heels, skinny jeans and a nice blouse.

Replace "skinny jeans" with "skirt" and we're talking!
 
  • #29
kevinferreira said:
I always thought that one of the main reasons is the sound they make when walking. I speak for myself, it works, I always look when I hear the sound of high heels.

That is because we've been trained to the point of a Pavlov reflex, that looking will feel like a reward. ;)
 
  • #30
According to this article by memory (do not have subscription)

The Antiquity of Human Walking. Authors: Napier, John. Publication: Scientific American, vol. 216, issue 4, pp. 56-66. Publication Date: 04/1967.

the different female pelvic proportions, clearly reated to child delivery, causes the distinct gait which in turn is one of the signals of femininity. As I remember the interpretation of these and other authors is that high heels accentuate this.

You can fit the various cultural superstructure ideas mentioned around thes biological facts.