Why do women wear high heels?

Why do women wear high heels? Research by foot care experts Compeed explored this question, surveying 3,792 women across five countries. While style and confidence may play a part, the survey highlighted a desire for extra height as a key reason. With British women wearing the highest heels of the countries surveyed, it makes interesting reading. However, just how much comfort are we willing to trade for those extra inches? Read on to discover.

Why do women wear high heel shoes?

Why indeed, well here is a flash quiz for you. When it comes to shoes for women lets think high heels for a moment.

Question: Why do we wear high heels? Is it:

• A.) Because we want to look and feel like a million dollars.
• B.) Because flats just won't do with that knock-out dress.
• C.) Because we want to be taller.

The answer?

Well of course it could quite easily be all three but according to recent research by tootsie care experts Compeed it's 'C'. Following a survey of 3,792 women in 5 countries, Compeeds research reveals that British women are the champs when it comes to wearing sky-scraper heels all because we want to compensate for our height.

Apparently British women are among the shortest in Europe with the average height of an 18 to 29 year old standing at 163cm. We tower and consequently totter over our European cousins by wearing the highest heels in Europe, with an average heel height of 3.3 inches! In stark contrast French women wear 2.4 inched heels closely followed by Germany (2.7 inches), Denmark (3 inches) and Spain (3.2 inches).

In some cases, British women are prepared to wear what we like to refer to as a killer heel, 25% of women surveyed wear heels that are 4 to 6 inches high, and put up with a dull ache of a pain that is on par with toothache and earache. Ouch!

The very thought is enough to make us reach for our Cocorose's...

Take a look at this info graphic showing the average hight of the heel on our high heels here in the UK, split by Region.

But all this pain begs the question, why are we willing to sacrifice comfort for height? Psychologist, Emma Kenny states that it's all to do with the power of perception, 'tall women are considered more assertive, confident, richer, capable, successful, independent and even more intelligent than their shorter peers.' And if this is the case then it clearly explain why so many women opt for those killer heels.

At Cocorose London we embrace all heights and are opting to stay just as stylish (without the pain) with our Cocorose London foldable ballet pumps. And in case we would like to wear heels (and sometimes of course we do), we'll always be armed with our Cocoroses, as we can kick off our heels at any time and easily carry them in the handy shoulder bag. With thanks to Compeed    

Please read more on why Cocorose London designs are stylish and comfortable alternative to high heels in this article we have recently written.

High heels may give us extra height, but great style doesn’t have to come with sore feet. Whether you’re a devoted heel wearer or happiest in flats, explore our collection of ballet flats for a sort after alternative. Because the best finishing touch to any outfit is feeling comfortable and confident in your own shoes.