Who says you can't drive in heels?
Filed under: Accessories, Fashion, Best of the Season
Have you ever tried to drive a car wearing high heels? Tough isn't it? It's also extremely dangerous. But the days of toting around a pair of flat driving shoes may be over, ladies, because there is a new shoe in town called the Sheila Driving Heel. The pink-and-black-patent-leather heel pictured at right was not designed by your friend Manolo Blahnik or your lover Christian Louboutin; it was created by a British company called Sheilas' Wheels that provides auto insurance for female drivers.
The Sheila Driving Heel features heels that folds into the shoe sole at the push of a button to instantly transform your stilettos into a pair of much more sensible flats. There's even a special tread on the bottom of the shoe to help your heel grip to the floor of your car.
As Autoblog reports, so far there's no word on the pricing or availability of these James Bond-like heels. My guess is that if Sheilas' Wheels is crafty enough to market women-specific auto insurance (WTF?!?), they ought to be able to move some pumps, even if they are kind of ugly.
Lori 7-09-2007 @ 6:55AM
Those are really neat. I'm really into new inventions that make life easier. This seems like something that could make driving safer and prevent accidents. Taking your shoes off while driving works too. But you just have to remember to put your shoes out of the way and not near the pedals. They could get lodged under the pedal and cause an accident if you're not careful.
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Angel 7-09-2007 @ 6:59AM
i always wear high heels when im driving.. i don't see why it's unsafe as long as you'r comfortable doing it....
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Bruce David Frazier 7-09-2007 @ 7:28AM
John F. Kennedy Sr., who was healed and hidden, shall step hidding to be the beast, aka antichrist, JFK ss# is 600-60-0006. The next pope will be the false prophet. WATCH GODS PERFECT PLAN UNFOLD. TROD
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Elissa 7-09-2007 @ 8:08AM
My husband the mechanic would love me to wear these, as my heels have worn holes completely through all the carpets he ever puts into my cars.
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shonna 7-09-2007 @ 9:29AM
Pretty neat idea. The only problem I see is the heel getting dirty. Well, that, and the button to retract the heel breaking as you are walking into a business meeting and falling on your face.
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Javanmocha 7-09-2007 @ 9:54AM
My only concern is the arch support; how comfortable can a heeled shoe be if it has the possibility to be completely flat? I understand function, but a little comfort would be preferred! My BCBG black patent leather shoes are not going to be retired anytime soon..
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Deb 7-09-2007 @ 10:00AM
Way to go!! How many accidents have you got it,or caused another driver to reck her or his car. I think,this it pathetic.
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DCFraulein 7-09-2007 @ 9:52AM
I like the racing stripe design, but my concern is comfort. With its ability to go completely flat, the heeled shoe cannot provide much support. Just a little comfort would be preferred! My BCBG black patent leathers are not going to be retired just yet...
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CAK 7-09-2007 @ 10:03AM
They're quite Laughable ... and you're right ... it is an UGLY shoe!
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thisgirl965 6-06-2008 @ 3:31AM
Quick question. Where did this concept come from? Not trying to be a glory hog, but I swear this was an idea that I submitted in an elementary school inventors contest back in 1991. I still have all the old paper work to prove it. Anyone reading this if you have any information for me please e-mail me at thisgirl965@aol.com
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Marlene 7-09-2007 @ 10:44AM
How difficult is it to simply keep a spare right shoe in your car to change into? Problem solved!
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Madonna 7-09-2007 @ 10:59AM
I have been looking for driving shoes, with style, FOREVER! I think they are adorable. I drive an old Porsche, with a stick shift, and my big clunky gymshoes will be tossed aside for these little hotties.
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Jasmine 7-09-2007 @ 11:07AM
I've never really had any problem driving in heels, besides the fact that my floormats eventually get worn in certain places. However, I guess this is a pretty cool idea. My concern is if you have a heel that can pop in and out, how do you know it's not accidentally going to do so at a time when you don't mean for it to (i.e. the problems that some kids have with the wheels on their Heelys popping out unexpectedly) ?
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simplesins 7-09-2007 @ 11:13AM
Won't the back of the heel be incredibly scuffed up and ragged looking in a very short time? I can evision a fairly short closet life for these shoes and in no time women (and perhaps some men) will be back to keeping a cheap pair of driving shoes or even slippers in the car. I guess I'll have to resign myself to wasting those precious seconds spent changing into appropriate driving footwear.
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Inventor 7-09-2007 @ 11:39AM
To the woman who was concerned about submitting an invention like these shoes in an Elementary School Inventors Contest years ago...
I've had 2 inventions stolen from Elementary School Contests. Obviously, there are pathetic parents or possibly teachers who submit the best inventions they see at these shows to invention submission companies. There is nothing you can do about it at this point.
The law regarding this states the original inventor has 13 months to Patent the product after it goes on public display. After 13 months it is basically fair game. I saw both of my products on a VERY popular home shopping channel almost EXACTLY 13 months and 1 day after there were on display at the Elementary School Invention Show. Of course, when I called the Channel to get information on who submitted the product to them, I was mysteriously hung up on...repeatedly.
Needless to say, I won't be helping my nieces and nephews with their Invention Convention projects any more.
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Cindy 7-09-2007 @ 11:55AM
Yea, this is really great if your a size 6 and up, but for those of us who are a true size 5, (and not a 5 that's really a 5 1/2 - 6), we have no picks at all. Would love to wear an actual pretty adult flat!
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Tiamaria0058 7-09-2007 @ 12:05PM
This shoe is a good idea but why can't someone use ANY cheap flat shoe you can get a payless?! I think buying a 'special' and more expensive shoe when any flat shoe will do is silly!
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Peggy 7-09-2007 @ 12:07PM
Why not just have a spare pair of sneakers in the car at all times? Seems it would be just as easy to switch shoes as to adjust your heels. Plus, that way you can wear any shoe you want, and not be limited to this ugly style.
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penn19533 7-09-2007 @ 12:05PM
Ladies don't u know what u are doing to your legs by wearing those ungodly high heels? I wore them for the first 40 years of my adult life,now I have achy leg because of the poor muscle structure brought on by wearing those damn cute shoes. I can't wear a heel ove 2 ins. Sorry gals they are bad for your legs no matter how sexy they look. PJ ohio
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Cheryl 7-09-2007 @ 12:19PM
I'm more concerned about how the heel might possibly collapse into the shoe while walking. The shoe probably won't look too 'cute' after driving a while with these shoes, the heel being scuffed continually as you're driving. Something to think about. I'm sure all this input from everyone helps the maker of products. Keep up the good work.
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