A vertically-gifted pastor writes me thusly,
Hmm. I’ve been thinking for a few days on how to pose my question. My question is, what are the thoughts about heels.
Now, this might be an easy question if the minister is 5’3″. But the question gets a little tougher for a pastor like me who is 6’0″. Not that I’m not proud of my height, but as a young minister, when I put on my favorite 2.5 inch heels, I tower over my congregation, and most times over my senior pastor. Which works great when I need to preach–it makes me feel powerful and confident. But, when I’m visiting hospitals or at family fellowship night, it isn’t as much fun. So, I find myself changing shoes between worship and “everything else”.
What are your thoughts on heels generally, and then for “tall girls” like me?
Dearest Tall Girl,
For heaven’s sake, wear your favorite heels whenever you like! Switch them up for a flatter shoe when you feel that you’d be less comfortable “towering over” anyone, and enjoy!
I imagine that many of us change shoes pretty frequently — I know I certainly do — so I don’t think you’re any less inconvenienced there. We have to switch gears so frequently between various activities in any given day, most pastors I know have at least two pairs of shoes in their office and/or car that they forgot were in there.
I have taken to wearing heels a lot more often because of the need to walk the dog immediately upon returning home, but Lord knows I’ve got a stash of boots, heels and various athletic shoes by the door anyway!
Enjoy your “high personage!” And remember that “towering over” someone is all in your attitude. I’ve known tiny people who could tower over others who had at least a foot of actual height on them.
Kiss of peace,
PB
Being a tall girl myself (1.78m) I´ve decided to wear heels. Even for church.
I must admit that I don´t wear very high heels (ca 4 the max), but this has rather to do with the fact my knees hurt after a while in high heels than with my hight.
I´ve never had any negative comments on this.
Go for it- tall sister!
Heavens to Betsy, Rev. Chavale, are you saying that 4 inches is not a high heel?
I’m all for whatever people want to wear, but anything above 2 inches is high. 4 is VERY high!
I’ve never seen anything higher than 4 inches on anyone but really fabulous drag queens — for whom I acquired new and deeper respect when I got myself a pair of 4 inch boots on which I could barely walk for more than 200 feet before keeling over in pain. They *looked* wonderful, but they did a job on my feet and on my back. (No knee problem for this divine.) Note: I was wearing the high-heeled boots to an art gallery, not in the pulpit or on a pastoral visit, and I wasn’t running anywhere, and they were still killing me. Are there really and truly people (of any gender identity) who are comfortable in very high heels?
And whose feet do not develop bunions or other excrescences due to the shape of women’s shoes?
Caroline, you´ve got me wrong.
I´m thinking in cms. 4 inches would be very high indeed. Sorry for the confusion!
(Not used to inches and feet in Germany…)
At 6’3″ (1.91m) tall I definitely know where you’re coming from. I love wearing heals on occasion, but if I find myself stooping akwardly to hear conversations at fellowship type events. (When someone is speaking at my chest level in a room with a lot of ambiant noise I find myself missing most of what they’re saying.)
I’ve definitely had some men comment that they are intimidated when I wear heals, but I was taller than them without the heals, so I’m not sure if it makes much of a difference.
I’d say keep switching shoes. Heels for preaching and when you want to own a room, flats for when you want to mingle.