As high heels continue to infiltrate the few spaces left where society doesn’t deem them necessary, such as running, there is one place I never considered high heels going–on babies’ feet. However, someone not only did imagine high heels on babies, but created a company that makes them: Heelarious. The heels are called “crib shoes” and, before you freak out, are all soft with fabric pillow-like heel (from what I can tell). The name, Heelarious, does suggest these are something of a joke, but I am not so very sure how much of it is a joke. Certainly, legitimately selling heels for babies would (I hope) cause public outcry. So, perhaps the name is their counter—“we see these soft crib shoes as a joke”–maybe even a social commentary for you feminists out there. Okay, even I doubt the later, but a feminist can hope, can’t she?
Photo: Copyright of Heelarious
Unfortunately the ironic commentary is overruled by the fact they are actually selling these pink and animal print heals, along with the occasional cowboy boot with soft spurs, and for regular price of $35-39.95. So, they are very commercial, of course. Yet another thing women have to buy to be “feminine”? But these women are 0-6 months old.
While they are not “real” heels, I do wonder how the pillow heel may impact babies as they become mobile. Certainly stepping on a pillow heel doesn’t help balance anymore (and likely less) than the wooden stack heels I own. At least these do not appear to hurt feel and the body in the ways regular heels can. They do say “Not intended for walking (heel will collapse with weight). Not intended to harm children in any way.” However, I think the harm is caused by suggesting babies should wear heels. I won’t even get into arguments about how the heel is something of a sex object and this is, arguably, sexualizing our babies.
The Daily Show’s Kristen Schaal has an interesting discussion of women’s right, heels in general, and these heels