Stepping into Self-Confidence with Platform Boots
Regardless of how I try to address the dreaded height question — either saying I am around 5 feet tall or “vertically challenged” — there is no denying that I am short. I have not grown since sixth grade. While I watched my peers eventually grow up and into their clothes, I was left behind still struggling to cuff my jeans and hem my dresses. Adults attempted to assure me that I still had time to “sprout up,” betting that I was just a “late bloomer” as all they say. However, as an 18-year-old woman who is barely 60 inches tall, I discovered they were wrong.
Before high school, I never considered my height an issue. I grew as normal throughout elementary and middle school, never questioning the progression of my height until it all just . . . stopped. Check-up after check-up each year, my doctor would write the same exact number. To my dismay, everyone started to level out in high school, leaving me to wonder when my body would catch up in this genetically-rigged marathon. With a majority of the women in my family being under 5 feet tall, I should have realized my hope for more height was pointless. Nonetheless, feeling stunted and stagnant in my own body, I searched for ways to grow a few more inches.
My search began out of a desire to spark some self-confidence. Considering the average height of women in the United States is 5 feet 4 inches tall, I developed a sense of inadequacy. However, another more subtle yet sinister factor also contributed to this feeling: the way people perceived my shortness. As I got older, the more I became aware of how my height led people to talking down to me both physically and metaphorically — especially as a woman. Even in positions of leadership, people addressed me with infantilizing words and phrases that often amplified the belittlement associated with my height. I endured hearing, “Aww, you’re so tiny!” or “I can’t take you seriously from down there” or “It’s cute when you try to act all tall,” (particularly from men) during important discussions.
And, despite trying to ignore the condescending comments and the slew of short jokes, my resentment towards my height continued to grow, while I myself did not. Well, that is until I came across a way to compete with my taller counterparts: platform boots. Since I realized heels would be too much of a hassle for everyday wear, I explored a more unconventional solution to my dilemma. After seeing one of my favorite artists, Beabadoobee, incorporate platform shoes into her eclectic fashion sense, I became inspired to venture into the world of platforms myself. As a result, I took my first step into uncharted territory and saved up money to buy a pair of 5-inch platform boots (specifically the Demonia Shaker-100).
I fell in love with these shoes as soon as I opened the box: the black leather, the chunky heel, the aesthetic packaging. Not only did they boost my height, but also my self-confidence. I felt empowered. Walking around in knee-high platform boots elevated my perspective; thus, enabling me to experience what a difference a few inches could really make. Because these shoes provided a 5 inch height advantage and bold fashion look, they became an integral part of my wardrobe and identity. In spite of all the disapproving glares from middle-aged moms and wide-eyed stares from little kids, I was enamored by these platform boots.
Who would have guessed shoes could possess such power? In social situations, I noticed a shift in the way people interacted with me. More eye contact, conversation engagement, and involvement influence. Less speaking interruptions, demeaning jokes, and arrogant attitudes. Even though a majority of my peers were supportive of my audacious fashion decision, I still had a few men in my life express disapproval over wearing my boots, claiming that they did not want me to wear them because they made them feel “uncomfortable” and could never view a girl like myself as tall. Besides these boots being a blow to their fragile masculinity, such sentiment has forced me to rethink what it really means to be tall, or at least in my case, taller.
Tallness is not merely a matter of height, but a mindset. Living with this tall mentality has allowed me to develop a sense of self-assuredness — even when I am not wearing my platform boots. With or without these shoes, I know my worth as a human being does not depend on my height. While at times my experiences with being short have been frustrating, I am fortunate enough to see a bit of both short and tall perspectives with simply slipping on a shoe. By infusing my life with a bit of height and happiness, I have been able to get more comfortable with my self-confidence.
These shoes overall just add such a funky yet fierce flair to my ever-evolving clothing style. Styling such a bold pair of boots challenges me to experiment with a variety of outfits that I would have not otherwise tried before. I embrace the daring fashion decisions. Every time I zip up my shoes, I anticipate each new adventure. Yet, wherever I go, I will always consider my platform boots as my compass, leading me to step forward in the right direction towards accepting my height.