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[--- aliases: - "High heels" title: Heels wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-heeled_shoe
Heels — descriptive notes for writers
High heels (commonly shortened to "heels") are footwear with the heel of the shoe raised above the ball of the foot. They alter posture, silhouette and gait, and are a powerful visual and sonic prop in fiction: they make the wearer appear taller, accentuate the calf, and can add an audible cadence to a scene.
This file summarises what writers need to know and points to more detailed subpages on history, types, health effects, styling and dance technique.
At a glance
- Common types: stilettos, block heels, wedges, kitten heels, platforms. See Types.
- Writing uses: height, authority, sensual signalling, costume detail, soundscape (heel click).
- Practical notes: heels change balance and centre of gravity; very high heels limit mobility and increase injury risk. See Health.
Writing cues
- Posture & gait: describe the forward shift of weight, shortened stride, lifted calf and altered hip tilt. Use verbs that show control or fragility (e.g. "tipped", "glided", "wavered").
- Sound: clicks, taps or a drawn-out scrape on stone or tile create rhythm and tension.
- Interaction with garments: note how hems, stockings or trousers sit against the shoe; heels can lengthen legs or change how a skirt hangs.
- Access & removal: the ritual of slipping heels off can be an intimate or comic moment—use sensory detail (snap of strap, sigh of relief).
Safety & realism
- Be careful with long-distance walking in very high stilettos—realistically a character switches shoes, limps, or uses taxis.
- Mention ankle stability, cushioning, and the risk of slipping on wet surfaces when it matters to scene credibility.