Difference Between High Heels and Pumps

High Heels vs Pumps

Shoes and boots are a must for every individual’s wardrobe for footwear. This truth holds more bearing for women who are have a special relationship with their footwear.

Pumps and high heels are just two of the shoe and boot styles available for women. A “pump” is defined as a shoe or boot style with flat or low heels. The heel can be non-existent, or it can be as high as one to one and one-half inch heel. The overall heel is wider and chunkier. This design enables the shoes to carry and support most of the feet’s (and the body’s) weight. The design also enables less pressure on the feet when walking, standing, or in any form of movement.

This type of shoe or boot style is usually closed at the back and front of the shoe. The material is wrapped snugly around the wearer’s foot. There is usually no fastening or straps to hold the shoe in place with the foot. In addition, the style gives more room and, in extension, comfort for the foot when placed inside. This particular style is also the most comfortable style of footwear.

Pumps have a long history. It started out as a design of footwear for men hundreds of years ago. Gradually, women became the wearers of this particular shoe design. Men still wear pumps in the form of a patent pump for formal occasions. This utilitarian shoe is also acceptable and suitable for women for a wide range of occasions; professional, formal, to casual events.

The high heels style of footwear was designed exactly for the woman. High heels are characterized by an elongated sole at the back of the foot while the front of the foot is near the ground. This results in a higher back and a low front. Examples of high heels are: kitten heels, Platform shoes, French heels, and many others.

A high heel can be covered or can be fastened by straps depending on the design. The heel is long, narrow, and usually starts from one inch to four inches. Some specially designed heels are higher than the usual four inches.

This style has a two-way effect. Research shows that high heels have a great effect on a woman’s body. The good effect of wearing high heels includes the following: the woman’s posture and gait is improved; the buttocks are lifted and the bosom is displayed for prominence. It also helps to put a couple of extra inches for added height. The woman’s legs can also look slimmer and sexier. High heels are also a good compliment to many outfits. High heels are also one of the symbols that can characterize women as feminine.

The bad side of wearing high heels is that it causes foot problems and pain. The foot, particularly the joints, is stressed when placed into the shoe. The shoe also doesn’t place the weight of the wearer evenly. Wearing high heels is also associated with numerous foot problems like; bunions, corns, blisters, ingrown toenails, hammer toes, and other foot conditions. Aside from foot pain, back pain is also a common problem as well as difficulty in walking or running. Another set of effects are shorter calf muscles and leg sprains.

Despite all of these consequences, problems, and information, many women still wear high heels for many occasions like work, leisure, and formal events.

Summary:

1.Both pumps and high heels are two distinctive styles of footwear. Women mostly wear these kinds of footwear for outings and in other social environments.
2.A pair of pumps is characterized as having no heel or a low one, usually ranging from one to one and one-half inches. 3.The heel is structured as a wide and chunky heel. On the other hand, the heels of the other style are long and narrow. 4.The height of the heel usually ranges from one to four inches.
5.Pumps can be worn by men and women while high heels are almost always worn exclusively by women.
6.Both pumps and high heels can be covered on the back and on the front. One side can also be exposed depending on the design. Embellishments and fasteners can also be added.
7.Though pumps and high heels invite foot problems and other various conditions, the risk of occurrence and the severity of the problem are more evident in wearing high heels.