But there’s little experts can say to stop a woman’s will to stride into clubs and restaurants looking slinky-legged and skinny-calved thanks to a killer pair of stilettos.
How nice, then, to join a gym class that embraces the humble heel and a woman’s desire to dance in them with the composure of a Russian ice skater and the sultriness of a Hollywood siren.
It seems weird at first, entering a gym studio in four-inch heels (if you’re not that confident, you can dance with trainers or bare feet), but instructor Jarrelle cranks up Big Spender, we get stuck into some moves and any awkwardness dissipates. We go over the routine until they’re ingrained, having a giggle. There are shakes of the hand, a 180-degree turn, foxy strides, quick shuffles, body rolls and clicking of the fingers.
“Stride to the bar like you want that man,” Jarrelle urges as we wade our arms through the (imaginary) crowd. It’s the most empowering hour I’ve ever spend in a gym.
£15 RK
Stars Gym, Unit 5, , 8 Hester Road, SW11 4AX
starsgymclub.com
Tube: Battersea Park
