Clear heels (also referred to as stripper shoes[1]) are high-heeled footwear made from a transparent material.
Heels sometimes contain novelties such as flashing lights, coloured liquid, or even fish. Materials used to create the heel design include polycarbonate, PVC, lucite, and acrylic resin.[2][3] The transparency may be used deceptively with a ballerina style to give the appearance of standing on tiptoe or en pointe.[4]
A more romantic style resembling Cinderella's glass slipper has been designed for social events such as the prom, but generally designs are more provocative with very high heels.[3][5][6][7]
Popular brands include Pleaser and Luscious.[6] In 2009, New York Magazine indicated that the style was "on trend" for the Spring 2010 shows, notably in Milan at Dsquared2, Prada,[8] and Fendi.[9][10] The association between clear heels and erotic performers and pornography has led to criticism of celebrities for wearing the trend in public.[11] In an interview, actress and singer Taylor Momsen noted that she liked performing in a pair that had a slot for tips, "fans started putting money in them, so now they are filled with tons of bills".[12][13]
- ^ Sowray, Bibby (July 12, 2013). "Helen Mirren reveals red carpet secret weapon: stripper shoes". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ Walter E. Cohn (1969), "The Transparent Shoe", Modern footwear materials & processes: a topical guide to footwear technology, Fairchild Publications,
Transparent heels offer unusual styling opportunities.
- ^ a b Vinylite Gives Class To Shoes, page 10, Tri City Herald, March 12, 1956.
- ^ Ellen Shear, "Sexy Shoes For The Bedroom", The Insider, archived from the original on May 3, 2010, retrieved November 7, 2010
- ^ "The Princess style reigns this year", Fort Wayne News Sentinel, April 16, 2004
- ^ a b Noor-Jehan Yoro Badat (June 19, 2009), "Can you bear the trend for killer heels?", Independent Online
- ^ Bambi Haggins (2007), Laughing mad, Rutgers University Press, ISBN 9780813539850
- ^ Bowles, Hamish (September 25, 2009). "Milan Spring 2010: The Definitive Look at Prada". Vogue.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Amy Odell (June 28, 2010), "Taylor Momsen Wore Clear Heels With Room for Cash Tips", New York Fashion
- ^ Clear Heels Storm the Milan Runways, New York Magazine.
- ^ Stop This Trend: Lucite Stripper Heels à la Taylor Momsen, Beyoncé and Shauna Sand E Online Fashion Police.
- ^ "Who Wore It???". Cocoperez.com. June 28, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Taylor Momsen talks about her stripper shoes". Osoblog.tv. August 26, 2010. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2011.