Has the era of wearing high heels to the workplace come to an end?

As more individuals transition back to in-person work settings, there are numerous aspects that might dampen their enthusiasm – from overly controlling bosses to dreadful commutes, and the inevitable presence of that one colleague you can’t seem to get along with. Among these challenges lies a longstanding issue particularly affecting women in the workplace: the expectation to wear high heels.

For years, women have lamented the unfair and gender-biased standards that dictate the necessity of wearing heels in professional environments. From the physical discomfort of enduring hours in stilettos to the perpetuation of misogynistic stereotypes associated with women who opt for high heels, especially in male-dominated workplaces, the burden has been palpable.

Finally, research has emerged to corroborate these experiences. Professor Sreedhari Desai and her team from the University of North Carolina conducted a series of studies examining how individuals evaluated women in various work scenarios, with the sole variable being the footwear – heels or flats. The findings revealed that women wearing flats were perceived as more competent, prepared, and received higher evaluations from both male and female peers across different age groups.

However, the situation is paradoxical. On one hand, many industries, including corporate environments, retail, and hospitality, impose heel requirements as part of their dress codes. This norm is deeply rooted in historical practices of dressing women to conform to the male gaze, thereby enforcing misogynistic standards of femininity. Yet, as demonstrated by the study, women in heels are taken less seriously in the workplace compared to their flat-wearing counterparts.

Moreover, beyond professional settings, the decision to wear high heels remains fraught with cultural and political connotations. Women find themselves simultaneously objectified, perceived as powerful, and dismissed based on their choice of footwear. This complex dynamic underscores broader issues of gender discrimination embedded within clothing choices.

Desai aptly characterizes her research as a lens through which to examine the broader issue of gender inequality in organizations. Heels serve as both a spotlight on and a perpetuator of gender inequities in the workplace, representing just one facet of the myriad ways in which women are denied agency over their bodies at work.

Notably, the case of Nicola Thorp, who was famously sent home from her job at PricewaterhouseCoopers for refusing to wear heels, sparked international outrage and catalyzed discussions about gender-based dress codes. While PwC has since revised its policy, incidents like these underscore the urgent need to address systemic issues.

Thorpe’s case prompted a petition in the British House of Commons to outlaw mandatory heel requirements for women in the workplace, reflecting a broader global reevaluation of employer dress codes. Consequently, the tide seems to be turning against the longstanding expectation of wearing high heels at work.

As the pandemic prompts us to reassess our relationship with work, there is hope for a future where women are evaluated based on the quality of their work rather than their attire.