Positive and Negative Influences of Wearing High Heels in Argentine Tango
The prevalence of high heels in fashion, as well as in intimate dances like the Argentine tango, has often been associated with female sexuality.
This popular notion is largely based on the theory that this specific type of footwear holds a measure of transformative power that could affect a woman’s level of attractiveness, much in the same way dancing the Argentine tango could evoke feelings of being desirable.
Various studies suggest that this may be due to the increased femininity of a woman’s gait when wearing heels, while others have taken a more psychological approach, wherein desire and the instinct to mate work in conjunction with the donning of high heels.
But whether this increased level of attractiveness is a result of mere perception or an offshoot of evolution, it cannot be denied that high heels have, over the years, held value and importance as a commodity. In fact, according to Top 10 Most Expensive High Heels in the World, the most expensive pair of stiletto heels in the whole world as of this writing is worth a staggering $17 million.
For red shoe lovers, the Ruby Stilettos retailing at $1.6 million may make it to the dream list. The pure platinum heels are coated using a red stain finish for a luxurious look. Moreover, the appearance is completed with 123-carat 642 rubies. If you forget them in the Milonga, good luck calling back to pick them up. ;-)
One would wonder how such an item, sometimes decorative at best, could incur such a hefty price tag. But a peek into how much people actually spend on shoes may provide a good explanation: according to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, over $8 billion is spent annually on high-fashion footwear in the United States alone. Viewed from this perspective, $17 million seems like a drop in the bucket.
Based on these figures, it’s safe to assume that women are willing to spend a considerable amount on high heels despite the discomfort induced by this type of footwear and the physical harm they may potentially cause.
But why is that?
“A woman’s beauty lies, not in any exaggeration of the specialized zones, nor in any general harmony that could be worked out by means of the sectio aurea or a similar aesthetic superstition; but in the arabesque of the spine.”
– John Updike, Pigeon Feathers and Other Stories
The Conquest of High Heels: A Brief History
To fully understand the appeal that high heels have among women, it is necessary to trace their origins.
That being said, it is interesting to note that, ironically, high heels began neither as a fashion statement nor even as an accessory for women. It was, in fact, invented for men, particularly those in the military.
A short video from BBC explains that high heels were actually invented as military footwear, particularly for Persian soldiers during the 15th century. When fighting using a bow and arrow, Persian soldiers would stand on the stirrups of their horses to get a better aim of their target, thereby necessitating the use of heels so they can gain steady footing on the stirrups while riding.
High-heeled shoes weren’t always worn by women – the very first heels were actually designed as military footwear.
It was when Abass the First, the Shah of Persia, sent emissaries to Europe that the European court was able to first marvel at the sight of high heels. As Persia’s formidable military power was demonstrated by wave after wave of conquest, it was easy for European men to want to, as the video notes, “emulate the strength of the Persians” by wearing heels. This type of footwear had become such a symbol of power that even Queen Elizabeth I wore heels in order to appear more manly and with an elevated stature.
Around the 1600s, heels began to gain traction as a fashion trend in Europe as a lot of men wished to appear taller and more stately. Louis XIV of France, a small man himself, was quick to jump on the bandwagon.
According to Ariana Marsh's article in teenvogue.com, in 1673, Louis XIV introduced shoes with red heels and red soles to the court of nobles. This particular color, indicative of status and privilege, was an element from which modern high-fashion footwear brand Christian Louboutin took inspiration for its designs.
It wasn’t long before women began to catch on and they themselves started wearing heels. The same article from teenvogue.com notes that during the late 15th century to the early 17th century, high heels had become such a trend among upper-class European women, particularly in Venice, that they would wear heels that were as high as 54 cm (21 inches or thereabouts), and needed the assistance of maids to act as crutches.
But what began as a means to look more manly eventually evolved into something quite the opposite. Going back to BBC’s short video, it was in the 1860s that women’s heels were considered erotic, thanks in large part to the invention of photography and the proliferation of adult magazines depicting women still wearing their heels while in seductive poses. Less than a hundred years later, as World War II unfolded, women’s high heels were viewed even more as a symbol of sensuality following the popularity of pin-up girls. At around the same time, stiletto heels were also invented.
Sensuality and Self-Empowerment: High Heels in Argentine Tango
From hereon, high heels have become a staple in women’s fashion, outliving various other trends. It is, therefore, no surprise that heels are also the footwear of choice for dancers of the Argentine tango or tango in general.
This is because the nature of Argentine tango in particular and the perceived transformative power of high heels share a lot of common features. Aside from exuding sensuality, self-empowerment is an aspect present in both the donning of high heels and the dancing of the Argentine tango, the latter being a means to oppose the restrictive status quo, while the former is used to elevate one’s attractiveness or formidability by way of a more imposing stature.
In fact, a study published by Paul H. Morris in Science with the indicative title “High heels as supernormal stimuli”: states that “high heels exaggerate sex-specific aspects of female gait and women walking in high heels could be regarded as a supernormal stimulus.”
From a historical standpoint, high heels had already been around for more than 200 years by the time Argentine tango spread across the upper echelons of Europe in the 1800s. Since heels had become a part of women’s customary attire by then, it was easy to associate high heels with Argentine tango as this type of footwear became even more visible when women began to wear shorter skirts or skirts with slits when performing the dance. Adult magazines depicting women in heels only served to strengthen this link to sensuality, and the authorities decrying tango as an immoral dance only seemed to further this association between the two.
Research involving high heels may also shed some light on how they affect tango and posture. A study from Frontiers in Psychology cites that lumbar curvature in women may be an attractiveness cue for men and that since women “possess psychological mechanisms to enhance their physical appearance (see Singh and Bronstad, 1997), then we might expect women to attempt to manipulate their lumbar curvature in ways that increase perceptions of their attractiveness.” It was then hypothesized that high heels can enhance a woman’s level of attractiveness by manipulating her lumbar curvature to be “closer to an evolutionarily optimal angle.”
“Despite the widespread use of high-heeled footwear in both developing and modernized societies, we lack an understanding of this behavioral phenomenon at both proximate and distal levels of explanation. The current manuscript advances and tests a novel, evolutionarily anchored hypothesis for why women wear high heels, and provides convergent support for this hypothesis across multiple methods. Using a recently discovered evolved mate preference, we hypothesized that high heels influence women’s attractiveness via effects on their lumbar curvature.”
Why Women Wear High Heels: Evolution, Lumbar Curvature, and Attractiveness by David M. G. Lewis, Eric M. Russell, Laith Al-Shawaf, Vivian Ta, Zeynep Senveli, William Ickes, and David M. Buss
Volcada and apilado - are not the same thing! Volcada is a temporary agreement tp share the axis - one of the tango elements. Apilado is a choice to resign from your own axis throughs entire dance.
When viewed alongside the fundamental movements of Argentine tango, the slight inclination to lean forward induced by wearing high heels fosters a higher degree of connection among the dancers, which is primarily what Argentine tango is known for.
Neil J.Cronin in a study “The effects of high heeled shoes on female gait” suggests that high-heeled shoes alter the natural position of the foot-ankle complex, thereby making walking even more difficult. It is important to note though, that Argentine tango is not solely composed of passive walk cycles, but is a combination of smooth glides, energetic steps, stretches, and pivots that require balance, stability, and propulsion.
It may seem counterintuitive to wear high heels in terms of balance and stability, but as an article "Does heel height matter for tango? notes, and your one experience confirms, “higher heel puts our weight forward and makes all those pivots and turns easier.” With enough practice, one would be able to successfully dance wearing tango shoes that have heels as high as 4 inches. Though comfort level that provides just enough support without all the pains is somewhere between 2.5-3.5 inches.
Heels or Healing: The Effects of High Heels on Health
Of course, it’s no secret that wearing high heels for a prolonged period may have adverse health effects, which can affect not just the feet, ankle, and legs, but also the spine. According to The Bruce Carter Orthopaedic and Spine Center, the body is forced to adjust its center of gravity by shifting its weight when wearing high heels. This leads to increased pressure on the feet, calf muscles, tendons, knees, and even other parts of your body as it attempts to compensate for the heel of the shoe.
The Spine Health Institute further explains that the s-curve shape of the spine lessens the impact on the vertebrae by acting as a shock absorber for pressure on the feet.
Wearing high heels, consequently, makes the body lean forward, causing a displacement and flattening in the spine area in order for the body to maintain a steady alignment. When experienced for prolonged periods, this can cause muscle overuse and back pain.
Other negative health effects associated with wearing high heels may include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Anatomical changes affecting the calves and tendons
● Spondylolisthesis or the forward slippage of one vertebra over another
● Osteoarthritis in the knees
● Foraminal stenosis or a spinal nerve condition involving the lower back
● The development of corns and bunions on the feet
Preventing or Minimizing Pain When Wearing High Heels
Despite these medical conditions, it is entirely possible for one to reduce the pain or adverse health effects that wearing high heels can cause.
Following these tips can apply to both tango and health, allowing one to enjoy dancing in high heels without feeling severe discomfort:
● When attending a milonga, don’t forget to do stretches and lunges before and after wearing high heels to avoid stiff muscles. Regularly practicing foot and heel exercises will also help loosen up muscles, thus reducing pain.
● Low-impact exercises will keep one active while lessening the stress on one’s knees, hips, and lower back — all of which are parts of the body most utilized during a tango routine.
● Bring an extra pair of shoes when going to a milonga. Have one pair that’s for dancing, and have another that’s for walking or standing.
● When buying tango shoes, do this in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest.
● Aside from style, also take comfort into consideration when buying tango shoes. Choosing ones with leather insoles may lessen slipping.
● While it’s good to practice wearing high heels for tango, avoid wearing extreme heights high heels every day or for a prolonged period. Instead, wear heels that are 2-3 inches to slowly get used to this type of footwear.
Taking the First Step: How To Get That Confident Stride When Wearing High Heels
While the physical effects of wearing high heels are very much real, women persist in wearing them, readily enduring varying levels of discomfort and pain. However, despite all this, it is likely that the feeling of empowerment and sensuality women derive from wearing high heels can simply be summed up by one’s heightened awareness of the body, gait, and posture. As a person becomes more attuned to how the body moves, they discover how much more they can be in control.
This heightened level of control allows Followers to feel a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and confidence — which is why we continue to wear high heels, especially in a dance like the Argentine tango that evokes strong feelings.
How to walk in high heels?
It is often the case that adverse consequences happen when wearing high heels without proper knowledge and technique. Learning how to wear and walk in high heels the proper way takes years of practice, as well as a conscious effort to keep the body aligned to reduce pain and maintain balance.
First-time wearers of high heels can take comfort in the fact that there are ways to learn proper technique. An article from Good Morning America interviews six confident women for tips on how to wear high heels the right way. Their answers share many similarities with the tips cited by a post from WHO-WHAT-WEAR:
● A common mistake among women wearing heels is that they put undue pressure on their feet by improperly distributing their weight. For a smoother, less painful walk, it is recommended to put the heel down first but lead with the ball of the foot.
>>>> TRUE! BUT NOT ALWAYS. THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS NOT RELATED TO WALKING PER SE, BUT TO WALKING WHILE DANCING.
● Anecdotal evidence shows that taping together the third and fourth toes may help in terms of weight distribution. Podiatrist Dr. Megan Leahy, in an interview with today.com, notes that while this is not a treatment that’s typically employed in podiatry, she has encountered many impressive anecdotes pointing to the credibility of this tip. She explains that taping the third and fourth toes together may cause a shift in how women walk and how they distribute the weight on their feet, helping relieve pressure.
>>>> HAVEN’T TRIED IT MYSELF, BUT I DO HAVE A FRIEND WHO SWEARS BY TAPING!
● When new to wearing high heels, taking slow, smaller strides at first is also recommended. As one gradually gets used to wearing heels, longer strides may then be possible without looking awkward. Slower movements, aside from preventing accidents and injuries for the uninitiated, also exude an air of confidence. Taking one’s time while walking in heels is, thus, ideal.
>>>> SO NOT TRUE! LONG STRIDES ARE POSSIBLE - YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW-HOW AND BECOME MASTER AT IT!
● Being fully aware of one’s posture while wearing heels won’t just minimize pain and anatomical disfigurement — it also enhances one’s feelings of confidence. To offset one’s inclination to lean forward when wearing heels, one must lean back slightly. With the chin up and chest out, one is not only exercising proper posture, but it also makes one look confident, thus more attractive.
>>>> SO NOT TRUE! YOU WANT THE INCLINATION FORWARD - THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT! OTHERWISE, YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR FEET ARE WALKING YOU.
● Walking in heels is all about balance, and this is more difficult to do if one is constantly minding one’s feet. Instead of looking down, attention must be focused forward while imagining walking in a straight line. This way, one will look more graceful and poised.
>>>> KIND OF TRUE. THE HEELS ARE THE TOOL. AND ONE NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE, OTHERWISE, THE TOOL BECOMES THE OBSTACLE. TRY CLASSY HEELS - THE CLASS THAT WAS INTRODUCED TO HELP YOU MAKE A SWITCH.
Choosing the Best Tango Shoes
While it may be true that the shoes don’t make the dancer, selecting the appropriate tango footwear can still affect one’s performance.
It goes without saying that tango shoes for women must have heels. As evidenced by the discussions above, high heels can enhance a woman’s perceived level of attractiveness, as well as invoke feelings of self-confidence — two very important sentiments that must come into play when dancing the Argentine tango and embodying its fundamental principles of sensuality and power. High heels further accentuate overall tango fashion and movement, both of which place emphasis on the legs.
Thus, when choosing the best tango shoes, one ought to consider the following features:
● Snug fit: Since balance, stability, and mobility are necessary for tango, it cannot be stated enough that one’s tango’s shoes should have a good, secure fit. Not only will this prevent one’s feet from slipping inside the shoe, but it will also prevent accidents and injuries.
● Flexible soles: Leather or suede soles are often recommended for tango shoes as these can allow for smooth gliding or pivoting motions. Additionally, these soles should be flexible enough to follow the foot’s natural contours and rhythm.
● Comfortable lining: Comfort is essential for tango shoes since the dance itself involves a lot of vigorous foot and leg movements. At the same time, the lining should allow one to still have sensitivity to floor contact for better maneuverability.
● Avoid narrow shoes: Shoes that squeeze one’s toes will easily induce pain. According to osteopathic.org, when choosing heels that have pointed tips, the shoe should narrow after the toe box to provide comfort and ample space while giving the impression of greater length. That type of shoes is a no-no for Tango! Your partner and you, need to clearly know where your foot ends.
● Straps and heel cage: Sturdy straps are important to keep one’s shoe from flying off across the dance floor. With resilient straps, one can choose between open or closed heel cages and still feel safe wearing either one.
Tango Shoes Brands to start with
Recommending shoe brands proves extremely difficult. The truth is this - once you find the brand you love - you stick with it for years. There are various brands and my impression is, that they are making shoes that fit the owner (or owner’s partner). So once you find the brand that fits - it always fits! The following brands may be good choices:
● LiberTango
These are the shoes we carry at the studio - you can make the appointment and try them out. It is probably the best brand for the first shoes and for those who like comfort. Those shoes have everything to help you out: closed back - for more stability, t-straps, and other secure straps variations - again to keep you stable. Extra cushioning under the ball of the foot. Just enough flexibility in soles to allow you to point, but with some effort, which again - helps with overall stability.
● Burju - online
These are my new favorites. Sold online only. They offer a variety of choices from typical ballroom shoes to all kinds of crazy. The website is… not very tango, so do not get scared! But once you find the shoes you like - you can custom order them with low heels, the style, and color you like. Most of them have zippers for easy and fast fitting. I’m in love with the high ankle ones. Check them out - again do not get scared by the overt sexiness of the website.
● Sur (Italian), Comme Il Faut, Tangoleva - online
Available through Julia Bella. If they fit you - you are in luck! Those are one of the best shoes ever!
● Alagalomi, Cardou, Comme il Faut, DNI, Fulana, Idilia, Katrinski, Madame Pivot, Mosh Mosh, Paso de Fuego & Galupi, Tangolera, Yuyo Brujo - online
Great selection available Tango Axis. Plus they often offer discounts! 10% off with code ULTIMATETANGO
● Also, try:
● Mythique
● Mme Pivot
● Nueva Epoca
● Bandolera
Tango and High Heels: On Equal Footing
High heels and Argentine tango are more than just passing fads. And while there may be some negative health effects from wearing high heels, there are many ways in which these can be minimized with the right knowledge about proper body alignment and shoe choice. On the whole, it can be said that Argentine tango and high heels are on equal footing — one cannot exist without the other.