by Culley Schultz

For many women, shoes are an integral part of the wardrobe.  They can make or break an outfit, show your personality, and add a little pizzazz to your step.  Recently, when visiting Toronto, Ontario, I had the opportunity to visit the Bata Shoe Museum.  This museum “for the curious” (as their slogan states) is a unique look at shoes throughout history and throughout the world.

My visit to the museum started out with the shoes of the Otzi Iceman, which are 5,300 years old.  The exhibit progressed through religious shoes, shoes of the various eras, and finally ended with dolls’ shoes.  While perusing the part of the museum that focused on shoes included in fairytales and toys, such as Cinderella’s famous glass slipper and those of Polly Pockets, my sister alerted me to a rather alarming detail.  This particular showcase featured Barbie and a special plaque noted that Barbie’s feet are designed to wear only high-heeled shoes.  However, the plaque mentioned that Ken’s feet are much more contemporary in design.  I found it striking.

Many people have argued that Barbie’s measurements are unrealistic and create an unhealthy image for the young girls to whom they are catered.  Most often though, these arguments involve waist and bust size.  Rarely, are Barbie’s stilettos the focus.  Evidently, Barbie’s feet are only half the size of the average woman’s foot and the dolls are sold solely with high-heeled shoes.  Nurse Barbie = heels. Teacher Barbie = heels. Malibu Barbie (you guessed it) = heels.  Those feet are designed for some nice high-heels!

Barbie feet even now have a definition on UrbanDictionary.com.  The website says Barbie’s feet occur “when a woman takes off her heels after a long night and her feet are stuck in the shoe position minus the shoe, like a Barbie doll’s feet. Often this happens because the foot hurts too much to move back to normal position so the foot just stays pointed.”  The key part of this description is the idea that the “feet are stuck.”  This takes away any option for other footwear. Sexualization?  I think yes.

For young girls, this implants the idea that heels are the only shoes women should wear.  This is a serious misrepresentation.  Yes, heels are an option and have their time and place to be worn for mature women, but not for children. The focus should be that girls and women have the ability to choose what they want to sport on their feet whether it be heels or flats or boots or sneakers.  Heels and stilettos are not the only choices.

Ken, on the other hand, wears nothing but his nice flat shoes in whatever color coordinates with his outfit. Ken is much more contemporary with his feet, fitting whatever style of shoe is popular at manufacturing time.  Ken has been seen in his loafers, sandals, and sneakers.  Ken’s footwear changes with his setting or his occupation.  Captain Kirk Ken has space boots yet Barbie remains in her heels while fishing.

This sexualization of women has been happening since Barbie was designed, but the “necessity” of high heels is no longer even in fashion.  This is an unrealistic portrayal of the working women and Barbie’s high-heeled requirement is a blast from the past.  No longer are women doing their housework in heels either.  Google “ballet flats” and you will find over 1 million results.  This is a product of our time.  Barbie’s pointed feet are not.

The Otzi Iceman wore large, flat snowshoes insulated with grass because it was the style that was practical for his time.  In today’s world, commuter shoes are seen on every train or subway in New York City. Even the highest ranked businesswoman wears flats to the office and changes into high heels when appropriate. Barbie’s style should reflect this change in the times, too. As Amanda Bynes said in She’s the Man, “I will not wear high heels. Because heels are a male invention designed to make women’s butts look smaller… and to make it harder for them to run away.” Sometimes women work in heels, but sometimes they are in sneakers, boots, and flats. Why does it matter? Because today women are running around doing all the same things that men are doing.