I had a good chuckle over this blurb in British Vogue about a survey of the average heel height of women’s shoes in European countries. I don’t know what’s more shocking — that the British came in with the highest heel height at 3.3 inches or that the French came in last, behind the Dutch and Germans mind you, at 2.4 inches.  Victoria Beckham aside, towering heels just seems so….so….well…un-British. And I just imagine all French women sauntering down the Rue Saint-Honore in towering heels, shopping bags slung over their arms. Then again, if anyone can make a modest heel look elegantly chic, it’s the French.

I also got a pretty good laugh out of the “psychological” justification for the preference for tottering pumps.  See, tall women are considered smarter, more confident, and more successful (there’ve been studies, ladies!). British women being incredibly ambitious naturally don the highest stilettos they can find, all to further their careers. Yes, yes, now that finally explains Maggie Thatcher’s fetish shoes.

Apparently, if I ever want anyone to take me seriously, I’m going to need a pair of those Louboutin torture chambers (which appear to be a  crystal encrusted ballet shoes on eight-inch spikes) in the photo accompanying the article.

British Women Wear The Highest Heels In Europe (Vogue.com UK).