Actually, I used to run all over San francisco in 3+ inch heels. That said, spike-heels are super-impractical in the city. You have to be ever-vigilant for steam grates or anything else where you might put your foot down and suddenly have your heel sink 3 inches lower than you expected.

In most cities, if you look around, there aren't actually that many women in stiletto's. Lots of crazy-high wedges, those heels that look like stilletos in profile but the heel is actually as wide as the shoe, curvy louis heels, etc. Or even just pretty pumps with more practical-ly shaped heels.

It was funny, and my old roommates were the same way, even though we all owned some seriously spiky shoes, we each had 4-5 pretty but practical pairs that we actually *wore*. I would only wear the stilletos on evenings out where I would be taking cabs from place to place.

Now that I live in St Louis where I drive everywhere, though, the sky is the limit. I wear the most impractical shoes even to work since I won't have to schlump to the bus stop in them.

Ugh. I work in a factory. I wear Goodwilled Esprit boots. With gel insoles. If my shoes make me taller, it's because I'm pulling a frankenstein with the platform soles. Rrrrrr! Arrrrgh!

But there was a time when I was queen of strappy, spiky shoes. I think I was compensating for my shortness. But that time's long gone.

Even when I'm dressing for myself, I skew toward bubble-toed comfy shoes. Heck, clean flip flops are considered dressy around here in Portland. I'm serious! That and the unexplainable "teenaged urban eskimo" look (Furry suedey boots with stretch jeans tucked into them?! I missed that fashion boat.)

Edited to add: OK, apparently I have some pent up shoe rage or something. I meant to comment that I miss my sexy shoe days, but not enough to wear them again. I've become afraid of heights.