Boots made for walkin' or not . . .

These boots are made for walkin'

An' that's just what they'll do.

One of these days these boots 

Are gonna walk all over you.

I loved this song growing up. I envisioned myself as this powerful woman wearing at various times mountaineering, cowboy, or combat boots breaking down all barriers, all while teaching cheaters and baddies a thing or two on my way! These boots could equalize an unequal playing field between men and women. They were a symbol of power, utility (they're made for walkin'), and independence.

Then, the other week I saw the promo video they made for the song back in the '60s for its release. Let's just say . . . these boots are not made for walkin'.

Groans.

Sexy boots and cute boots have their place - maybe even a place of power. For example, although the guy's been cheating on her, she's not "letting herself go" and will instead show him up by a dancing coyly and looking hot whilst remaining unattainable. There is a certain kind of passive-agressive power in that.

But . . . let's revert to the lyrics of the song. "These boots are made for walkin' . . .. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you." Let's not kid ourselves. Stiletto boots are made to accentuate the visual line down the woman's back (improved posture!) down through her rump, all the way to her toes. In other words, they were made to make women look sexier, not chiefly for utility or function. Most women if they knew they had a lot of walking ahead of them would choose a different pair of boots.

True enough, a man tread beneath these stilettoed boots would likely receive many injuries -- those heels can jab in all sorts of hurtful places -- but it would likely also be terrible for the woman. Let's talk ankle support. Her statement of walking all over him would lose some power if she twists her ankle in the attempt. Or if the tiny stiletto snaps off before any real damage is done, and she one-foot hops her way to the nearest taxi cab.

Still a great song. But I'm now going to forget this "eye-candy" video and forget that I ever read any of the comments associated with it. Rant complete.