In some professional environments, dress codes are still in place.
So, in the luxury trade, in the airlines, in the investment banks or in courts...
heels are the norm.
But if for some, the pumps are symbols of charisma, for others, it is just another injunction made to women.
In Japan, a hashtag #kuToo was born from a tweet that made the buzz by the actress Yui Ishikawa who expressed her annoyance about her obligation to wear heels as a hostess.
A petition was even sent to the Japanese government, to which it replied:
"Wearing high heels is necessary and appropriate for work." Takumi Nemoto, Japanese Minister of Labor.
A study was conducted to find out what role heels could play in the in the business world.
Simulations were carried out: women had to make a presentation, an interview for a job or a negotiation.
Some wore heels, others wore flat shoes.
Bottom line: As a result, the latter seemed better prepared and more credible.
Originally, heels were seenas an instrument of power, especially when women entered the business world.
The pumps were like a tool for climbing the ladder, building confidence and convey authority.
But in France, the wearing of heels is less and less frequent.
Executives are faced with a paradox between respecting the ritualized codes of femininity without overdoing it, at the risk of damaging their professional image (by being perceived as less competent).
Today, women wearing flat shoes show their ability to break free from the rules imposed on them.
They are therefore considered as "stronger".