Hmm, both of you are clearly smart and make good points, but if I had to declare a winner...I think I went in thinking heels were fine but Peter made me start to think twice. Guess I'd have to give him the slight nod. Overall, I don't think they are sexy or sexist.

pavia definitely won. also, that was hilarious.

Pavia and Pete both had some great points - but I still won't wear heels except on dire, fancy-dress occasions. They hurt my back too much. (Pavia, where do you get your actually comfortable heels? And can a working girl afford 'em?)

Uh, it's hard to take anyone seriously who'd attempt to argue with Pavia. You guys really need to add a couple of Tony Ward photos to this debate. You should let Pavia edit this site for a month or two.

i mean, okay. debates about heels, or any other fetishized, normalized prosthesis (i'm looking at you, elective cosmetic surgery!) are going to have the same result: the person in favor is going to insist on its empowerment and their right to exert power in their decisions and if you don't agree then you ARE ACTUALLY THE OPPRESSOR BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND OMG, and the anti considers the subject of the debate ludicrous from the get-go and yeah, at that point the debate's already over. i think the truth is, a lot of things are fucked up, and we still like them, and we still opt to do them every day. i don't think it helps any to relinquish intellectual complexity on the subject -broadly speaking, we don't just like things because we like them, we like them because we're told, implicitly or explicitly, that they have cultural value (i mean, the fashion industry pretty much thrives on that premise). that doesn't mean we can't or don't enjoy the things, but it doesn't hurt to be curious about why and how you make your choices, either.

I would read a debate about hair (pubic or otherwise) SO HARD. And then I would watch this and laugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6hVEP1QUU I mean seriously, you want to debate whether something is fucked up. . .

Ha, this is great! I love heels, but I don't wear them that often. They do make me feel incredibly sexy. Only the really expensive ones are comfortable. And you do have to develop the right muscles before they're truly comfy.

Heels cause eventual joint disease, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, hindered mobility, etc. Just because you feel "comfy" in a pair doesn't mean that they're not adversly affecting your body mechanics. Degenerative joint disease can take decades before it's symptomatic. Proponents of heels/make up/plastic surgery/etc always say that it's their decision, they want it, it makes them feel good, but they feel good because they're expecting to get the perks associated with increased attractiveness from society. The "it's just for me and me alone" argument is bunk. Just own up to being vain and playing into society's feedback based on silly, arbitrary requirements like an unnatural gait (think of footbinding in traditional china, those women were huge supporters of the practice when it was popular).

The heart of the debate should be to examine WHY heels make women feel sexy, not let someone in a debate argue that wearing them is ok because it makes them feel sexy.

As a man, just let me say this--heels are not sexy. Maybe you think they are, but personally (and I know a lot of my friends agree with me on this) I just think you look like a prostitute.

I think Pete wins the argument here in terms of logic/reason (heels are fucked up because society forces/strongly encourages women to do unhealthy things to their bodies in order to be attractive/successful women), and Pavia just wants to keep wearing heels, which is fine by me, but I don't think she made a very good case for it.

Props to NC and SA. I think that Pavia's argumental premise was fundamentally flawed. She was speaking primarily from a subjective personal viewpoint without using much factual information to support her statements. PP - And the problem with looking like a prostitute would be ... ?

I think we should try to make it socially acceptable for *any* man to be able to wear heels, like they did in France in like the 1600s.

Well, I'm going with heels are evil. And it's not true that thing about 'having a choice' to wear heels or not to work. Some offices think 'no heels' are not a good business look, so they MAKE you (me) wear them, even if they hurt my back, just because they make you look 'professional' (I don't see any men in my office wearing heels to make them look professional)

I love heels. I don't wear them very often because I work on my feet all day and they aren't practical at all. I wear them out on occasion when I want to feel a little fancy. I don't wear make up ever and I don't really DO my hair beyond blow drying. For me heels are a way to feel a little girly.

Damn this was good. And wow, do I want to sleep with Pete now.

As a woman who owns one pair of heels she never wears and never ever wears lipstick (for reasons outlined by Pavia), I agree 100% with Pete's argument. Although Pavia is very convincing, it doesn't change the facts that Pete outlines - women are socially conditioned to wear uncomfortable, unhealthy shoes because it makes them look (feel?) sexy.

I've never read so much horsesh*t from an obviously false modest pussy. Peter Smith, grow a pair.

pavia is basically argue that she waaaants to wear heels, which is fine, let her. but, it is plain ignorance or willfull blindness to deny the history of fashion used for subjugation and the forcing of uncomfortable and unrealistic standards and norms (including high heels) by the fashion industry on females. hopefully, yes, as informed female adults we can make our own decisions but as a young girl i was told through television and advertising and the womens magazines my mother read that attractive women wore heels (and face paint and expensive lingerie with matching expensive handbags) and it took a lot of years to figure out there were alternative ways to be attractive; most importantly by being comfortable with myself. also, i want to sleep with pete.

I wear a kilt and the rest of evening dress for a ball because its the uniform for that group/cult of Scottish Country dances not because it is comfortable but to conform and look 'good'in tha group. Heels are the same

I love wearing heels because they're just pretty! I don't wear them too often only because I'm a librarian and have to gdig around on the shelves all day (which is also why I don't dress up at all for work). However, I love to dress up and wear heels when I can. I don't care as much how other people see me as I do how I see myself. Then again, I also like wearing corsets. I see it all as not so much us doing what men want, but us (or me) wearing what I know will make every man do whatever the hell I want.

What's next? The Little Black Dress?

Who is the man, and who is the Woman in this blah?

Pavia made no point at all beyond "let me wear my heels!" Note to Pavia: no one is stopping you. Negating the historical subjugation of woman through fashion is just myopic. Peter was arguing for this fact, Pavia just ignored it. I've never worn a comfortable pair of heels in my life- and yes, it makes it impossible to run (guess why some men like them so much. . . ) and impossible to stand for too long. It's not surprising to me that the editor of Daily Candy is making such classist remarks that comfortable heels are ubiquitous. I doubt she has to stand all day at her job.

Are you serious?!?!? Hooksexup has gotten so shitty in the past couple years. What happened to all the good shit about fucking, naked pics, and the funny shit in life? I give you guys another year until you're outta business or you lose more than 50% of your fans. I hope management proves me wrong...

The problem that I have with Pavia's participation in this discussion is that I don't think that she took it seriously. She was more about being 'cute', flippant, and sarcastic rather than addressing the issue at hand. Also, her AMAZING apparent ability to not feel uncomfortable in her heels is just ridiculous and undoubtedly not true. I have heard throughout my entire life from women about how much their heels are torturing them. To pretend otherwise is just argumentative and shows that Pavia is more interested in being a smartass than in discussing the matter as a mature adult. How many calouses do women have on their feet (and in how many strange places on their feet)? How many would they really have if they didn't constantly have to have them shaved off at their local mani/pedi? Now compare that to guys feet. There is no comparison. Why? Because women's shows really f!ck up their feet. Anyone who is clueless to the fact that heels are an outmoded, sexist 'trap' that men have ensnarled women in for decades is just fooling him/herself. Pavia, you should be ashamed of yourself for your failure to face the truth because you are yourself apparently so brainwashed by men's image of what women should be. Way to buy into it. Now why don't you just go barefoot and get your ass in the kitchen already. That seems to be the world that you believe in.

This is one stupid debate. I'll be damned if I allowed an idiot tell me that my choice in footwear is a sexist holdover repressing the advancement of my gender.If you like heels wear them, if you like flats wear them if you are so concerned about the speculative future health of your feet go damn bare foot. damn great grandma shoes. Cheap shoes of any heel height can cause foot problems. Shoes without backs to hold your foot in place probably cause more problems than a pair of well made heels.Peter completely disregards a females right to embrace her heritage. I assume he is not from the south. Just because women wore heals prior to the constitutional right to vote, does not mean that because I wear heals I appose equal rights under the law for all women. My culture is one of grace. When women acted like women. Being feminine is is a good thing. I will wear my favorite prada pumps to court tomorrow and feel good that I am a women. I am confident. I do not feel the need to act like a man to be equal to a man. I hope his birkenstock wearing wife or girlfriend leaves pete for the ladies softball coach.

You left out the inherent sexism of the fact that only women are expected to wear them. Also: read Mary Daly's Gyn/Ecology for a nice deconstruction of heels. Fun debate, though!

anything that is unhealthy--for anyone--i am against. heels fall into that category, pure and simple...it's all to make a woman look like an object...brought to you by western patriarchal culture. make-up's the same: who would want to wear lipstick everyday? it's got plenty of toxins in it--yuchh, i say! if i were a guy, i sure 'nuf wouldn't want to kiss lipstick-laden lips for the same reason! i try to just look good, and sexy, in a more wholesome way. and the men i want to attract will probably respond. also, just listen to john lennon and yoko ono's "Woman is the Nigger of the World"...they had it right even back in the 70's. the title was coined by yoko, by the way...

i don't understand how not only pavia and pete but all of the commenters have missed the most basic fact, which is that high heels make women "sexy" because they alter your posture. it makes you stick out your bum, and to counteract that you stick out your chest. it all comes down to t&a, not men liking high heels because they have a "can't run away" fetish. you can still argue whether or not it is exist, but the point is how they make a woman's body look--i don't think anyone really expects men to drool over footwear, aside from the fringe few.

Everyone saying how "if you like heels wear them, if you don't don't" is conveniently ignoring the fact that dress shoes for women - i.e. what I am supposed to wear with a suit at a business meeting - are almost 100% uncomfortable and not supportive of the foot - whether heels or flats. I HATE THIS. Why am I obliged to damage my body in order to be appropriately dressed for my job? Pavia's flippant "Heels are for parties" attitude completely overlooks the work dress code.

High Heels are for dancing and dinner parties... not every day use. I'm sick and tired of women who have horrible walks wearing them they aren't for everyone. If you already have a big ass heels may not be for you because it just makes it bigger. I have read that heels increase the pleasure of sex... so they can't be all bad! I am sick of tight pointy shoes and bunions open toes are so much more sexier. I hate hearing tap tap tap of heels going down the hallway. Think comfortable and quiet... not broken ankle (get some arch support and padding) Be happy with how tall you are and stop trying to add six inches - Humbug

Women in flat shoes walk like human beings. Women are female human beings. I fancy female human beings...particularly the ones who walk like human beings. Walking through the City Of London I see a lot of women in high heels and they all look daft. Not just daft, but if I'm walking behind them I can see their akles wobbling through every step because of that tiny surface area at what there is of the sole of the heel. God knows what damage this is building up for future torture. Women in flats, particularly ballet flats, look SO much nicer because, yes, they walk like human beings and they just look comfortable. There is nothing sexy about an uncomfortable looking woman. And there is nothing inherently feminine about high heels and yet, in a photo shoot, or at a party, the women will almost invariably be in high heels. Don't tell me that none of those women feel some kind of peer pressure to wear heels for fear of looking and then feeling out of place. My wife came to our office christmas party a couple of years ago and accidentally left her party heels on the train. She felt embarrased and slightly out of place all evening because she didn't have her strappy heels on and yet she doesn't actually enjoy wearing them! This is absurd! Women in high heels just look so uncomfortable. Their feet look squashed. You can see some of the skin folded as the foot gets pushed down in to too small a space. The toees are bunched together. No wonder older women's feet look so mishapen. Heels make a woman's bum push out and so their breasts also push out to counter-balance? Perhaps, but I don't want to have sex with a systems of counter-weights. Nor do I want sex with someone who walks like a lame horse. Pavia's patronising head-in-the-sand attitude was just annoying. She repeatedly ignored, other than by her childish derision, Pete's main point about why women feel obliged to wear heels in certain situations. Yes women have a choice, but I bet most women would feel frumpy if they were in a social situation where the majority of the other women there were wearing heels if they'd attended in flats. That, I think, was Pete's main point. Flats rule. Heels just make the wearer look like they're trying to be something they're not. But, if a woman really WANTS to wear them, she should just go ahead and wear the stupid things...just so long as she really does just WANT to.

all I have to say is John Fluevog. The most comfortable shoe in the universe!!!