Should stilettos be banned!

When a woman in stilettos, with tight calves and legs that look long and sleek, walks past, few men can go by without giving her that second Stilettos in office (Getty Images) look. And, there are fewer women who can resist a pair of high-heels when they see one. Heels are known to accentuate a woman’s natural curves, but in the UK, all this will have to take a walk if a trade union, which has demanded that stilettos be banned in the workplace, has its way. According to the motion that was filed, ‘high heels may look glamorous on Hollywood catwalks but are completely inappropriate for the day-to-day working environment. Women should wear “sensible shoes” at work’. But women are holding tightly onto their Louboutins and won’t give them up in a hurry. “It must be a man, or a woman who hates how other women look in heels, who is responsible for this move,” says Georgina Pinto, a corporate trainer. “Ban it because it’s too distracting to men?” chips in actress Anupama of Pokkisham fame. “It’s probably a party pooper who came up with this idea. High heels are definitely a boon to most women. They add to a woman’s stature, give her a beautiful gait and it’s the most fashionable way to kick out all the rubbish from one’s life,” she adds. “There’s no fashion without high-heels. If it were to be banned, I’m sure women would protest like never before,” says Bangalore-based model Sonam Varma. The move seems to have earned the wrath of women who believe that a lot many other things need to be first got rid off before doing away with stilettos. “Surely we can interfere with people’s lives more than then we are already doing. Let’s ban neck ties, they restrict the air flow around the neck,” Sonam says. “Perhaps Peeping Toms should be banned in the workplace,” says Georgina, “There’s nothing more irritating than a colleague looking over my shoulder.” “Irritating ring tones would be on top of my list of things to be banned,” says Anupama. “What irks me the most is when someone’s phone goes off in a cinema hall.” Nancy Wells, an expat model in the city, can’t stand catcalls. “Whistling for a superstar is fine, but catcalls from guys when a good-looking woman walks by gets on my nerves,” she says. The fashion police seem to have daggers drawn over stilettos but women won’t go down without a fight. marcus.clay@timesgroup.com