Heels History & Hot Tips!
One of the most recognisable aspects of pole dancing is the shoes! Sky high heels that sparkle and clack like no other. Like a moth to a flame, us pole dancers can be known for hoarding these beauties.. and then being too scared to ruin them by actually wearing them..! 🙈
But where do these glorious shoes come from? And why are they such a big part of pole dancing?
Just like pole dance itself, the shoes we adore so much come from the clubs. "Stripper heels" or "Pleasers" (named after the brand), were designed specifically for those dancing in the clubs. The extended height elongates the body, accentuating the line and curves of the dancer and the tall platform adds for more stability and comfort. Built to wear over long shifts, these shoes were made for work.
As hobby pole dancers, we are lucky enough to dance around in them within the safety of the studio and be largely accepted by society for our fun, alternative fitness outlet but as an integral part of the stripper uniform, those same shoes often have stigma and judgement attached to those that wear them within the walls of the clubs they were made for.
If we want to honour our pole dancing roots and the wonderful heels we love, we need to do our bit to educate ourselves and those around us on the sex work industry and advocate for our stripper friends🩷
Be sure to follow Fired Up Stilettos and Strip the Stigma to continue to educate yourself and spread the word with your whanau and friends that 👏 sex 👏 work 👏 is 👏 real 👏 work!
From the iconic clear stiletto, to velvet, sequins, rhinestones and more, the options for our beloved heels really are endless. For those interested in heels, it can be a little overwhelming as to where to start - so we thought we'd put together some of the basic info for you to make it all a little easier!
👠 Heel Heights 👠
The standard heel heights you'll find are 6, 7 and 8 inches. They also come in 9 and 10 inches.. you will want to avoid walking in those! 🙈
7 and 8 inches have easily become the most common for pole dancers but whatever you choose is up to you! Keep in mind that although these heels have been built for stability - you will still be a lot higher off the ground than you're used to!
👠 Platforms 👠
The platform is the chunky part at the front of the shoe. It's been built up to support the high heel, which helps level out the position of the foot and stops you from effectively being on tip toes!
In floorwork and basework (where you are dancing around the base of the pole), instead of placing pressure on the top of the foot or toes, you will use the platform instead! Lower heel heights (6") will have a smaller platform, so if you are interested in floor and basework, then a 7 or 8 inch heel might be better suited for you.
👠 Sandals vs Boots 👠
Or both! 😉 Sandals are great for elongating your legs and are helpful for those interested in things like Edgework (where you intentionally use the outer edge of the shoe and flex your feet to create unusually satisfying shapes!) as they allow for a greater range of motion through the ankles. Boots on the other hand are great for ankle stability - which if you're not used to heels, can be very helpful! They also offer extra protection for the toes and feet when doing floor and basework. So really, one pair of each is helpful 🙊😂
👠 Sizing 👠
Just like any shoe, you will want to check the size charts as sizing can differ between brands and even between styles! If you know someone with a few pairs, try them on before you purchase your own - a PVC strappy sandal vs a velvet boot will fit differently. Shoe fitting tip: You should always have about a thumbs width of room between the end of your big toe and the end of your shoe 🩷
👠 Brands 👠
Pleaser is easily the most well known brand worldwide with most people referring to their heels as "Pleasers". Pleaser only offer wholesale orders, but you can purchase their heels through third party sites like Shoe Me or Bonita Danger Doll!
Another popular brand is Australian owned Hella Heels. Sizing between the two brands does differ so be sure to check the sizing charts before purchase!
👠 Walking in Heels 👠
You might feel like bambi taking your first steps but the key is to walk normally! Walk as you would in any other pair of shoes. The more you change your walk, the more unstable you'll feel. If you're not comfortable walking, then make sure you put your shoes on next to your pole so you have no chance of falling a long the way! Oh and AVOID CARPET! Might seem safer but trust us, that high up you're one step away from a face plant! (speaking from experience)😂
It's a big wide world of heels out there and picking your first pair can be SO exciting! Just remember to honour those pole roots and support your local sex worker community as much as you can!
If you'd like to learn more on how to do this, check out our other blogs below!
Standing with Aotearoa Strippers
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