Heel-Less Shoes: A New Kind of Style

February 29, 2008 | Filed Under Designer Fashion, Latest Fashion, Fashion Designers

Stylish, quiet and uncomfortable, these shoes are everything lovers and haters of high-heeled shoes have something to unite over: 5 1/2 inches an no heel in sight. Created by designer Antonio Berardi, the shoes are about $3,600. Unfortunately, Berardi himself admitted they can’t be worn long.

To a certain degree, I can see the appeal. No one likes to have their heel jarring against pavement in a stiletto heel - the key is learning to walk so it doesn’t happen. And although the heel-less shoes have a wider base, I still don’t think they would offer enough balance.

Doctors don’t like it, explaining that the elevation of the foot forces you to lean forward, making them bad for the back and the foot. And although that part is like regular heels, the heel-less shoes, one doctor explained, “The front of the foot ends up taking the weight of the bulk of your body, which can in turn do damage to the tendons in your legs by shortening them.”

Here’s the thing: Unlike jelly shoes, which have more or less bombed the way they should have the first time, these are on back order for five weeks in England, and they’re catching on in the United States fast! Victoria Beckham already has a pair in snakeskin. (No surprise there.)

Making it even worse: I think these shoes are ugly, but these are still the cutest shoes I’ve seen all season.