Recently, we stood in a shoe store staring at the newest boots from NYC footwear label 80%20, the same footwear label that makes our favorite skimmers. We approved of the navy blue color. We liked the fringe.
Essentially, these were cute boots. But there was still something a little bit odd about these “Tammy Fringe Boots” that we couldn’t quite put our finger on.
Closer inspection revealed the truth. A hidden wedge!
The seemingly flat boots were, in fact, wedge boots masquerading as flats. The regular looking heels concealed a two-inch wedge, creating the same hidden lift effect sported by the likes of Bono and Tom Cruise.
Because we were in the market for flat boots, we decided to pass these guys up.
But we’d still like to explore the psychology of the hidden wedge:
Are hidden wedges shameful? Do people need to pretend to wear flats? It’s one thing to sport a Chloe wedge, its height right out in the open for all to see. But we feel like hidden wedges, which are essentially lifts, is a little too George Costanza to be cool.
Also, does anyone else think that hidden wedges make feet look a little like horse hooves?
—ALISON COOL
posted by FWD
Nov 13, 2007 6:15PM
So I can look casual without looking stumpy? I think this is the greatest idea in the history of great ideas! (I have kind of a height complex).