Humans come in all shapes and sizes and despite the fact that everyone is beautiful, we tend to compare ourselves. Aspects like weight, height and facial features are just some of the things we compare and that, often breeds insecurity.
Many studies show that almost 20% to 30% of men find themselves anxious because of their body image. Keeping that in mind, it isn’t farfetched to assume that men also dress differently due to body image issues such as wearing oversize clothing or elevator shoes. What are elevator shoes, you ask? Keep on reading to find out!
What are Elevator Shoes?
When we think about heels in footwear, it is usually associated with women and their plethora of options. But now, it is not just the women who can benefit from that little boost in their footwear, but also men.
Elevator shoes are all the rage among men who want to look taller in an unnoticeable and subtle way. No, they are not shoes specially created to wear in an elevator but shoes you wear to “elevate” your height. From Robert Downey Jr. to Tom Cruise, many celebrities have dabbled in the world of elevator shoes.
Known to increase height by a significant amount, elevator shoes have a built-in height increasing insole. It eliminates the need to move the insoles for different shoes and you don’t have to struggle to make them fit in the shoe either. The most significant difference between these and heels worn by women is that the height increasing platform in elevator shoes is hidden.
Now that what it is has been established, the question is —what are the benefits of elevator shoes? Let’s find out!
Apart from the obvious benefit, which is increasing height, there are plenty of benefits that these shoes have to offer:
- A Definite Confidence Boost
It is always easy to say things like “love yourself” or “confidence comes from within” but it is easier said than done. Yes, you can train your mind to look beyond the physical but that can take years to master.
With elevator shoes, you can regain your confidence instantly, be it professionally or in the dating scene. If your height is something that stops you from going on dates, or if you feel less confident at job interviews, a slight bump in height using elevator shoes could take that away.
One of the biggest benefits of elevator shoes is that you can pick how much of a boost you want by choosing the right sized insole. Naturally, you would want the increase to be gradual to eliminate the risk of it being too noticeable. With elevator shoes, you can add two to five inches to your height (depending on the brand) without it being obvious.
- Great for Improving Posture
With improved height, comes improved posture. Another amazing benefit of elevator shoes is a greater height can lead to improved posture. The increased height will make you want to walk without slouching which inherently improves sitting posture as well. By straightening your shoulders and back, you will feel the change.
Another great factor is that these shoes help in the long run as well. The everyday, subtle change to your posture facilitated by the elevator shoes will ensure your spine and neck muscles are healthy and activated. In fact, the change in posture will ensure your back suffers from lesser aches and pains.
- A New Way to Look Slimmer
People who struggle with body image issues because of their weight usually find some way to hide it like wearing black clothes, oversized clothes or clothes with vertical stripes. This is another great benefit of elevator shoes.
With the increase in height, your body may look more proportional and your legs will appear longer which may make you look slimmer.
- A Cost-effective Alternative
Elevator shoes aren’t just for people who want to look taller but also for people who may have asymmetrical legs.
Leg asymmetry or Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) is something many people suffer from. While it is common knowledge that our bodies are not symmetrical, LLD occurs when the discrepancy is more than one cm.
The discrepancy in the leg can lead to back, neck and hip pain for many years but it can be treated surgically in extreme cases. However, elevator shoes are a more cost-effective alternative for people who suffer from minor LLD issues. Since not every person suffering from LLD needs surgery, the ones that don’t can utilise elevator shoes to prevent further damage to their neck, back and hips.
- Comfort is Priority
An opinion that many people have about shoes with heels is that they tend to be uncomfortable. And while that might be true for some types of footwear, this is not the case with elevator shoes. Made to provide comfort while increasing height and improving posture, elevator shoes are more comfortable than most shoes with heels.
This is possible because the heel is concealed beneath the outer layer of the shoe. It is a soft padding that adds height to your frame instead of a hard heel on the outside of the shoe. Hence, you do not have to worry about having to deal with an aching foot after wearing elevator shoes all day.
- An Emerging Fashion Statement
Not only are these shoes comfortable but they are also extremely fashionable. With the number of people demanding elevator shoes, many brands are jumping on that bandwagon. One brand called guidomaggi has not just one or two but five different categories of elevator shoes, offering men plenty of options. Whether you are looking for boots for a formal occasion or something casual like sneakers, guidomaggi has it all.
Guidomaggi has categories based on occasion like leisure or dressy formal and even sandals for people looking for the ultimate casual look. A great thing about the brand is that they offer heel sizes of varying types, from 2 inches to 5 inches, hence expanding the options for men.
Based on the increasing options, it is no surprise that elevator shoes are becoming an emerging fashion statement. These shoes are just as good as any other brands and offer excellent benefits that aren’t easily found in any other shoe!
How Elevator Shoes Work
Now that we have gone over some of the benefits of elevator shoes, let’s get into how they work exactly. Most elevator shoes have four parts - the body, the mid-sole, the height increasing layer and the outsole.
The outer body of the shoe is like any other shoe with no indication of what is going on inside. On the inside, a height increasing layer is added to the shoe which can be of varying sizes (depending on the brand) and on top of that is the mid-sole that primarily protects the height increasing layer from moisture and dirt. Finally, the outsole and the body of the shoe are put together to create a fashionable height increasing shoe for any man.
Are Elevator Shoes Noticeable?
The main question that many men tend to wonder about when it comes to elevator shoes is whether the heel is noticeable. This is mainly the case because of multiple reasons like the stigma of men wearing heels or just the fact that no one wants the world to know about their insecurities. However, the best part about elevator shoes is that they are discreet and often subtle, unless someone pays very close attention to your feet.
But keep in mind that depending on how drastic the height difference is, the sudden increase in height might be noticed by some close people like friends or family.
If the sudden height difference is a matter of concern for you, why not slowly make your way up to the desired height. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of options when it comes to the height of the inner layer, leaving the decision in your hands.
Some Tips to Remember
While the benefits of elevator shoes are endless, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before buying them:
- Budget
Elevator shoes aren't the cheapest shoes available in the market and that is because of the high-quality of materials used. Take some time to scrutinize all the brands and set your mind on a realistic budget.
- Occasion
Are the shoes for an interview? a date? a family function? Choose wisely! Elevator shoes are versatile for any event. While high heel sizes are better to leave a great first impression at a job interview, mid-sized heels might be better to start with around friends and family.
- Frequency
Make a mental note of how often you want to wear it. If you’re looking to wear elevator shoes every day, make sure to invest in something that is high-quality and has a good look. For a one-off occasion, it’s always best to opt for something low cost like temporary insoles.