History Main / HighHeelPower

While it's certainly not unknown for men to wear tall shoes in order to appear taller, that tends to have [[TheNapoleon quite different]] connotations. Since the kind of shoes in question here used to be part of male fashion, and are nowadays part of female fashion, trope examples tend to be AlwaysFemale. The obvious exception is the male {{Crossdresser}} of all persuasions, who likes high heels for the same reasons women do, and may kick just as much ass in them. For him, though, the heels can be a mixed blessing for increasing his height, with tallness [[HugeSchoolgirl usually considered unfeminine]] past a certain point--he probably doesn't want to be OneHeadTaller than his boyfriend (or even girlfriend, if he's straight) when in drag. [[StatuesqueStunner Tall women]] face the same dilemma, and so likewise often tend to prefer lower heels. This is often especially true for {{Transgender}} persons, for whom conspicuous tallness may likewise be a cause of PassFail.

* ''Burn Notice'' features Fiona who's always carrying a gun (or a rifle) and is more than capable of kicking some ass in heels.

Also, the trend for high heels [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fWKe_Mfp0 can depend on zeitgeist and the state of the economy]]. It is said that in an economic downturn, such as TheGreatDepression, TheSeventies, and the dot-com bubble burst and the recession at both ends of the TurnOfTheMillennium, high heels are on a rise as a means of flamboyance and escapism. If a woman wears high heels when the economy is stable, it can be an expression of dominance and sex appeal.

Also, the trend for high heels [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fWKe_Mfp0 can depend on zeitgeist and the state of the economy]]. It is said that in an economic downturn, such as TheGreatDepression, TheSeventies, and the dot-com bubble burst and the recession at both ends of the TurnOfTheMillennium, high heels are on a rise as a means of flamboyance and escapism. If a woman wear high heels when the economy is stable, it can be an expression of dominance and sex appeal.

While it's certainly not unknown for men to wear tall shoes in order to appear taller, that tends to have [[TheNapoleon quite different]] connotations. Since the kind of shoes in question here are part of female fashion, trope examples tend to be AlwaysFemale. The obvious exception is the male {{Crossdresser}} of all persuasions, who likes high heels for the same reasons women do, and may kick just as much ass in them. For him, though, the heels can be a mixed blessing for increasing his height, with tallness [[HugeSchoolgirl usually considered unfeminine]] past a certain point--he probably doesn't want to be OneHeadTaller than his boyfriend (or even girlfriend, if he's straight) when in drag. [[StatuesqueStunner Tall women]] face the same dilemma, and so likewise often tend to prefer lower heels. This is often especially true for {{Transgender}} persons, for whom conspicuous tallness may likewise be a cause of PassFail.

Often part of a FeetFirstIntroduction, along with ShesGotLegs. Sibling trope to CombatStilettos, though for this trope the woman doesn't have to be an ActionGirl to be displaying High Heel Power. She can simply be good at what she does or be in some position of authority. A must for a LadyInAPowerSuit.

HighHeelHurt probably won't apply.

In other words, she (this trope being AlwaysFemale) doesn't think [[HighHeelHurt High Heels Hurt.]]

* ''Anime/AggressiveRetsuko'': Washimi has this in spades. She wears high heels, and ''easily'' dominates her boss, the company president (not sexually: she just shuts down his foolish ideas).

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* A common sight on StockPhoto websites when searching for images related to power dynamics. Expect to find a lot of images of a GiantWoman about to crush a cowering guy under her high heels.

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* In ''Theatre/MeanGirls'', AlphaBitch Regina George threatens to "grind you to sand" beneath her [[BlandNameProduct Loubitton]] heel in her song "World Burn".
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[[caption:"Roll out the red carpets."]]

[[caption:"Roll out the red carpets."]]

[[caption:"Roll out the red carpets."]

[[caption-width-right:264:"Roll out the red carpets."]

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[[caption-width-right:350:The second [[Creator/PamelaAnderson she]] showed up in those, [[Music/{{Lit}} A.Jay]] should have known [[Music/{{Miserable}} who was really in charge]] ]]

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Adora Belle Dearheart from ''Discworld/GoingPostal'' and its sequels ''Discworld/MakingMoney'' and ''Discworld/RaisingSteam'' wears high-heeled shoes and is well known for her stern, tough attitude. In her first appearance she makes good use of her high heels against a lecherous drunk by putting one through his foot and [[GroinAttack threatening to put the other one through his crotch]].

Out of all types of shoes, high heels are perhaps the ones most associated with women[[note]]Originally, high heels were a mens' article originally used for horse riding, and over the centuries, it evolved to show off status and authority until women started wearing them by the 18th century onwards, and high heels as an article has now been exclusive to women.[[/note]], and as a result, are often seen as symbols of femininity. However, this does not always mean that this translates into WomenAreDelicate. In fact, sometimes it can imply the opposite. A woman in heels can wear heels and still be badass, competent, and in charge. Whether she's an ActionGirl, a competent GirlFriday, someone's boss, a [[HelloAttorney lawyer,]] or any combination of the above, chances are good that when she comes walking in, it will be in a pair of high heels.

Out of all types of shoes, high heels are perhaps the ones most associated with women, and as a result, are often seen as symbols of femininity. However, this does not always mean that this translates into WomenAreDelicate. In fact, sometimes it can imply the opposite. A woman in heels can wear heels and still be badass, competent, and in charge. Whether she's an ActionGirl, a competent GirlFriday, someone's boss, a [[HelloAttorney lawyer,]] or any combination of the above, chances are good that when she comes walking in, it will be in a pair of high heels.

* Samus Aran of ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' fame's [[SpyCatsuit Zero Suit]] incorporates high heels in its design. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' takes it even further, starting in the fourth installment, by upgrading her to rocket heels.

* BreakingBad: Lydia is always seen wearing a pair of blue or black pumps. They receive a lot of focus when she's walking through the New Mexico desert or tiptoeing around dead bodies, showing how at odds her OCD businesswoman side is with the more brutal side of her business.