High on heels!

Brought into recent spotlight by the French President Nicholas Sarkozy,and now blazing many international fashion ramps,high heels for men are no longer being perceived to be a metrosexual fetish. Historically too,heels were an integral part of the eccentric wardrobe of men. Even cowboy shoes,the symbols of rustic masculinity,have ample heels. Many rock-n-roll superstars have pranced around on stage with heeled shoes. The discreet status shoes,(with visible heels of 1 1/4 inch and a hidden 1 ½-inch lift inside the shoe),are much in vogue now. Such innovation helps keep the skeptical,uppity males in the zone.

Men wear heels for the same reason as women. Taller is perceived to be a smarter and stronger personality. Even the mighty Napoleon bared his insecurities by favouring heels. Such shoes are reaching the market in abundance and are selling well. Many Pune shoe-retailers confirmed that its a rising trend among the youth of the city. Prabhakar Ohal,manager of the Shoe Park store on M.G road says,“It is a foreign trend and will take some time catch up,but we definitely see the trend picking up.”

Youngsters are scooping up branded heeled shoes with gusto,especially the long,pointed shoes which have small,visible heels. Formal shoes have retained their mostly brown and black complexion,but they are now available with bigger square heels too. Dipti Chandan of Shoe Stopper had an interesting point about the story,saying,”Nowadays,with girls being taller and being biased towards stilettos,it is but natural that men are warming up to the idea. Our young customers prefer long,pointed shoes over the flat casual ones.”

Realistically looking,heels needn’t always have androgynous connotations. Winston Egipsy,an interior designer,says,”Flat-out shoes have become boring,so heels are a welcome,fashionable change.”

After all,fashion is about personal choice.