The Power of a Stiletto
For some reason I feel so powerful and in control when I wear stilettos. The higher the heel, the more powerful I feel. I noticed that when I walk into Dunkin Donuts in the morning, no one looks at me if I have my sneakers or flip flops on. I do notice that when I wear my heels, and they make that powerful clank on the floor as I enter, everyone turns around to see who it is.
I know they hear my flip flops, but I think that maybe they don’t expect the flip flop person to be hot or someone important. The heels project a certain hotness or importance. I’m not sure which it is, or maybe it’s a combination of both. Personally, I’ll take either explanation. You’ll never see a controlling dominatrix or a Playboy bunny in flats. It’s an empowering feeling, and I guess other women feel the same way since those heels are flying off the shelves and many of Sex in the City’s episodes were based around the love of shoes. Why does it make us feel more powerful and in control? It’s just not a feeling I’ll ever get from wearing Birkenstocks! There is no power in a Birkenstock! Could you imagine Oprah or even Martha Stewart, with all her domesticated attributes wearing those shoes? Yes they’re sexy, but I don’t know if it’s about sex. I wear heels with a business suit and I feel like I am in control, more successful and down-right “trumpesque”. I feel so comfortable in my favorite Guess sweatpants and Diesel sneakers, just not powerful!
Tory Johnson
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Comments (4)
I agree, stilettos make me feel so powerful and in command of the situation. But they also make me feel so ladylike and delicate. I'm 5'3" and my favorite heels are around 4 1/2" so I'm close to 5'8" in my heels, so I get a lot of attention from the tall, cute boys! Guys open doors for me and generally trat me like a lady, but alao with more respect!
— Posted by Lisa Sato Bryant | August 14, 2008 5:35 PM | Comment Permalink
I agree about the confidence and the feeling of power when wearing stilettos. Partly its because I stand at 5'0 flat and have to look up to most of my counterparts. Its hard to be "powerful" if you have to exert a lot of effort to get noticed. :)
— Posted by ApplesH | January 5, 2008 9:47 AM | Comment Permalink
I agree with the comments about stilettos. But it's more about a sense of confidence that we're trying to convey. For some people, the stilettos give them that confidence; perhaps not for others.
Women often walk into a board room, restaurant, or other public place with a sense of dread. They feel as if all eyes are on them and in a critical manner. Where did that come from? When we hold our heads high, our shoulders back and take in our surroundings, knowing we belong, it really doesn't matter whether we are wearing stilettos or tennis shoes.
— Posted by Joan Curtis | September 4, 2007 2:02 PM | Comment Permalink
This is so true no matter how uncomfortable those stilettos are you feel so much more confident in them. Image is everything and you are certainly treated differently when your appearance looks the part of a woman who takes pride in her appeal. This reminds me of the Devil Wears Prada when Andrea decided to conform by changing the way she dressed her whole attitude and outlook transformed. I must admit those stilettos make me walk differently and my aura may preclude borderline arrogance. Wow those 3 to 6 inches in height make a world of difference.
Look out world women in stilettos are forces to be reckoned with.
— Posted by Alicia Morgan | August 31, 2007 10:12 AM | Comment Permalink