Journalism of Courage
Heeled shoes for men is the new ‘in’ thing and men in Pune are digging into the pie
Skinny jeans,long hair,manicured fingers,the latest brand of accessories,bleached face,earring studs. These terms no longer refer exclusively to the fashion-conscious ‘fairer sex’. Men are staking their claim in this vanity universe with increasing aplomb. And the latest accessory to hit the shelves is high-heeled shoes. Once considered the abode of cross-dressers,drag queens,transgenders and others on the fringes of the fashion blur,heeled shoes for men are quickly climbing the popularity charts. Evidence is readily available on the internet in the form of numerous blogs,discussion groups and shopping sites with enviable collections of shoes for men.
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.
