In a recent editorial page (May 5th) of the Boston Globe, many ladies had much to say in response to previous articles related to women and style choices…one in particular caught my attention, criticizing the French prime minister’s wife and Melania Trump for wearing “spike heels” during a US visit that involved walking on lawns and standing for long ceremonies.

“Is it to please their husbands or is it for their public image?” – How about they wear the high heels to please themselves???  They are women who want to look their best and they know how elegant and beautiful (yes, sexy too) a high heeled pump looks with a dress/skirt.

“It seems the two first ladies think the only way to look fashionable and sexy is to wear 4-6inch heels.” – Wearing a high heeled pump is certainly not the only way to look fashionable and sexy – but – in a formal setting, when men are all wearing suits, it is definitely one of the best options.

“Spike heels have their place with certain outfits, and in certain locations, such as a photo shoot or sitting in a chair.” –  Nonsense!  If your high heel is that uncomfortable you bought the wrong shoe! No shoe should be so uncomfortable that you cannot walk and/or stand a reasonable amount of time.

“…hope the first ladies, as role models, don’t make young women here and in Europe think they have to torture themselves to be attractive.” – OMG. Really??? Why not instead respect these ladies for being a positive role model of how to dress appropriately and elegantly for a formal, serious occasion?

A few more points…

• Just because an event calls for some time walking on lawn, that doesn’t mean it’s a lawn party! You dress for the occasion, and learn how to walk carefully for the moments on the grass.  Wedge heels would be fine if it were a casual, outdoor wedding, but not the best look with formal attire.
• You might be thinking, “Why do they need to look sexy?”  This is a gray area where many ladies get wrong.  There is ‘classy understated sexy’, and there is ‘blatant sexy’ (platforms, ankle straps, etc).   The latter would not be ok at a serious/formal event, but the former, if it is part of an elegant ensemble, is perfectly appropriate and a personal choice.
• Just like there are two kinds of sexy, there are two kinds of comfortable.  When I say in some of my posts that my 4inch pumps are “comfy”, I don’t mean that I wear them to go grocery shopping!  I mean that considering the height, they fit my foot well and don’t pinch in any spots – I can wear them to work, and I could wear them to an event and last all night.
• It is true, MANY gorgeous high heels are brutally uncomfortable – don’t ever buy them!  Take the time to try different brands until you find the ones that are best for your specific foot shape/size.  It is not about spending hundreds of dollars, either – you can find comfortable heels in various price points.
• Other options?  Some women may prefer to wear flats. If you do, to avoid looking frumpy I suggest skipping the skirt/dress and going for an elegant pantsuit – a Katherine Hepburn look!

  

A high block heel is another great option to avoid the heels digging in the grass. This sandal is a flattering, versatile style for a more casual event; you can also find block heels in dressier, closed toe options.

A mid-heel option:  These classic two-toned slingbacks are one of my ‘go-to’ shoes for a serious business occasion where I will need to do a significant amount of walking…they were a  splurge, but there are many similar looks in a wide range of prices.

And finally, my ‘comfy’ red suede Manolos as seen in previous posts.  Work equally well for parties or serious occasions.

C’mon ladies!   Can we talk???  Which shoes would YOU want to wear?