FRACTURED FAIRY TALES (& ANKLES)
What is it with women and high heels?
They hold us captive. We suffer decades of torture. It’s a form of traumatic bonding. Yet despite our bad backs, twisted ankles and painful bunions, we’re wedded to them. (In an Anglican, submissive kind of way.)
They’re modern-day foot binding, rendering us lame.
The feminists of the 60s who cried, “Liberate the captive foot of womanhood”, have been replaced by the Gen Ys who equate elevation with “girl power”.
Another Cinderella moment for Julia Gillard. Photograph via news.com.au.
The issue was brought into stilettoed focus yesterday by two seemingly unrelated events: A speech by the Prime Minister and a visit to the physiotherapist.
Julia Gillard was walking onto the stage at Customs House to launch a cyber safety initiative, when one of her shoes slipped off.
As a male guest helped her put it back on, she said it was another “Cinderella moment” after she shed a shoe being bundled out of a Canberra restaurant during an Australia Day protest in Canberra early this year.
This is where the fairy tale is fractured.
Yesterday’s Nielsen poll is somewhat of a Cinderella story, showing a swing back to Labor. Then Prince Charming – in the unlikely guise of John Howard – gave the PM a gift: a phoenix, riding from the ashes of WorkChoices.
Normally, journalists would doorstop the Prime Minister to ask about stories like these.
But there was no Fairy Godmother. Instead, News Ltd and Fairfax ran Australian Associated Press pieces on their websites featuring the Cinderella moment, complete with a titillating glimpse of toe cleavage.
It’s a “sexy story”, as we say in the media.
But a Tony Abbott speech would never be overshadowed by comparisons with Popeye. Nor would the clothing of a male Education Minister be subject to debate as it was for South Australia’s Grace Portolesi during the leather skirt affair.
Who’s the real villain of this Disney tale?
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31 Responses to this article
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sydneystumble August 28, 2012
I think it’s sometimes hard to figure out where the line is; it should be okay to be complimented on our shoes. But footwear fashion (or missteps) shouldn’t be seen as more “newsworthy” than actual News!
I wrote about something similar just a couple of days ago, when I realised I have a tendency to purchase Killer Heels, which genuinely make me fear for my life – http://sydneystumble.tumblr.com/post/30106449661/killer-heels
Nobody who I’ve shown those shoes to has been concerned for my safety/well being, instead they’ve all complimented me. But if I could go back in time I’d give myself a good shake, grab my hand & race out of the shoe store
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nellea August 28, 2012
Great article…but why was the word “bloody” bleeped out?
Arn’t we grown ups who can handle the word in print? -
Harriet August 28, 2012
I see Young Things and Not So Young Things teetering about on skyscraper heels all the time – they don’t look comfortable, and they seem as though they can barely walk in them. And they all couple the killer heels with the gigantic bag that has to be carried over one arm – so effectively rendering themselves incapable of moving swiftly and removing one arm at the same time. I don’t understand!?!?! Add in the huge sunglasses as well, and the really short dresses/skirts, and it just makes me feel as though young women are trying to make themselves appear as helpless as possible – a kind of sanctified bondage. No wonder 50 shades is so popular!
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Tracey August 28, 2012
Yes – sorry for self censoring “bloody”. I’m trying to stop sweaing on front of the kids and it seems it’s extended to my writing? Eek! Am about to add to this piece the comments made by Ms Greer last night. Crikey.
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foolio August 28, 2012
I hate heels and therefore I hate shoe shopping – seems my only choice is ballet flats, which is no choice at all. By the way, it suddenly dawned on me recently why there was this trend to big bags. They NEED the big bags to put the killer heels in when they actually have to walk somewhere (like to the bus stop) … whereupon they swap their shoes for thongs in summer (what a dreadful look with work gear!), runners (fair enough if you are walking to work) or cheap, fold-up flats that are equally bad for your feet but at least walkable… I have to smile when I see the “princesses” (AJC’s term, not mine) coming OUT of Randwick Racecourse at the end of the day, killer heels in hands, feet bare, their gorgeous outfits now slightly askew…
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foolio August 28, 2012
PS To be fair, Howard got a fair bit of news coverage when he stumbled going up (or down?) some stairs at some point… not necessarily just a female PM thing (though in his case without the shoe angle)…
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nellea August 28, 2012
Ha Ha… the kids will always catch you out Tracey!
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Sam W August 28, 2012
Give me a pair of coloured Doc Martens anyday. Comfy, cool and no snappin’ ankles
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Carz August 28, 2012
Yeah but how do I soften my purple Docs up enough that I don’t walk like I’m wearing ski boots? To say they’re stiff is an understatement.
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leonie archer August 28, 2012
I wore the high heels at stages in my life..I also wore hippie shoes with car tyre soles..I;m 67 now and own one pair of medium heels I qould wear it the occasion demanded it but prefer the good quality flat shoes or sandals. As to the big bags..they really are just useful to fit things in..especially as shops are phasing out plastic bags.
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Liz August 28, 2012
We are our own worst enemies. Shouldn’t matter what we wear as long as we do our jobs properly. Having said that I s=did watch Q and A last night and hasn’t Germaine Greer turned into a whiny old windbag
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Tracey August 28, 2012
Ah – I used to love wearing Doc Martens. Might have to go back to them. Midlife crisis, be damned!
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Kathryn August 28, 2012
I was at this event yesterday. The launch of an important cyber safety/cyber literacy initiative for public libraries. I must say it doesn’t surprise me that the only media coverage of the event today is the “Cinderella” incident. Disappointing……
I did note that reporter from 2UE promptly pack up her gear and leave as soon as the Prime Minister finished speaking and the ALIA President began her address. -
RetroPastiche August 28, 2012
I haven’t worn heels in about 15 years. All my shoes are ‘sensible’ which no longer includes ballet flats. I have arthritis and need to wear orthotics every day. Thank the FSM for Doc Martens and mary-jane style shoes!
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Rose August 28, 2012
Have to say I was also very disappointed at greer’s response to what was a serious question by a young woman. my 17yo niece and her international politics class were in the audience last night and I can only imagine how they would have felt about the quality of discourse. Very fluffy and pretty boring.
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The Huntress August 28, 2012
I love my high heels and only own one pair of emergency flats for when I’ve injured myself or something. I hope that I will never have to give them up, I love shoes so much and flat shoes just don’t excite me.
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sue bell August 28, 2012
Gave up heels in 1966.
Betty Friedan’s book and George Orwell’s book “Inside the whale and other essays”, were the books that changed my life.
I only dress to please myself (my mother hates my clothes), I don’t remove body hair (it’s there for a reason), I don’t wear make up, last went to a hairdresser five years ago, I spend my money on books and my brain not trying to please social conventions and fashion -
Annie Also August 28, 2012
Hardly ever watch Q and A as it is too upsetting when it is political..but did watch it last night because of Simon and Germaine…Very entertaining…which is what they do best…and some food for thought thrown in…have been reading and listening to GG since 1973 and she still surprises, shocks and entertains and shows what real confidence in a 70′s something woman looks like …and I don’t always agree but glad she has been in the world of equality and women’s rights.
(Don’t wear High heels as I am tall enough already and like to feel comfy…now I am in my late 50′s have arthritis in my knees so know my man loves me no matter my footwear.) -
Deb August 28, 2012
Enjoying your writing Tracey. A great article, serious topic with a dash of humour. Don’t think you should blame yourself for the shoes, we try and use logic and common sense but sometimes the colourful and sexy messages we get from the media etc are hard to combat and we crumple. The PM and her posterior – very poor taste, sad that Germaine has continued with it. Love to see some comments describing male politicians posteriors, funny haven’t ever seen one.
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Flip August 28, 2012
Today I wore new shoes (by ‘new’ I mean ‘I’ve had them over a year now, but they still look nice’). Barely a heel to them, very pointy toes, theoretically the correct size for me, actually fits in width (this never happens)…
And they hurt like a hurty thing that really hurt. They also made walking a total pain all day, and I slipped over in them at the mall after work.
I would HATE to be wearing anything taller (unless the toes were also platformed).I’m wearing my slippers now.
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Cath August 28, 2012
I love love love high heels. I have fat ankles and high heels remove that icky crease at the ankle. I don’t understand the big hooha over the PM losing a shoe but them again I also don’t get the obsession with Tony in his swimming gear either. Remember watching Mr Howard in his yellow and green track suit whilst out on his morning walks. As for Ms Greer, she is very whiny but fabulous in that BBc series Grumpy Old Women.
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hoolee August 29, 2012
I stopped wearing highheels after a knee op when I was 25. Amazingly, I have still managed to have a fulfilling and varied life! Also, i think I have a pretty awesome shoe collection.
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Jo Johnstone August 29, 2012
once you break them in doc martens are the most comfortable and long wearing shoes – have flat shoes and boots and wouldn’t buy anything else
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Rhoda August 29, 2012
Can’t remember when I last wore heels. I think when I first saw Diana in them. My mother suffers bunions from wearing them so the writing was on the wall for me.
Those that can walk properly in heels look great I must admit but most don’t. Not that I’m judging. Wear what you like and what makes you feel good about yourself.
But I’ll stick to flats thanks.
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ellenni August 29, 2012
i am sooooo sick of polio shoes. yes thats what they look like to me – those built up shoes kids with polio had to wear. i too will stick to flats.
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Amanda August 30, 2012
I’ve never been able to wear high heels. I’ve often wondered if women actually find them comfortable or have just learned to live with the pain. When I have tried to wear heels out I have regretted every moment that my mind is focused on the pain in my feet instead of enjoying the night or day out. They look pretty and Ive always wanted to wear them but cant bring myself to waste a perfect outing. Is there a trick to it or are all heel wearers just able to block out the pain?
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Joy Gordon September 11, 2012
Hey Tracey,
I’ll be on message, lol, yes I agree completely.
