Ankle straps unflattering?

I've been looking at high heeled shoes--sandals and dressy shoes. A lot of
the shoes have an ankle strap. I'm especially vertically-challenged, but it
seems to me that *no one* would want a visible horizontal line at the ankle.
Across the instep or criss-crossed lower down, okay. Or a neutral color
that won't attract attention. But a dark or brightly colored horizontal
line across the foot? I know it's a way of holding the shoe on the foot but
if it makes my legs look even stumpier than they are already, I'm not
inclined to wear it.

Am I alone in thinking that this style is almost universally less flattering
than other styles that do not break up the visual line of the leg?

JennP...

No, you aren't alone. I have never, ever been able to wear something like
that. I think only very, very thin legs/ankles can pull that off.

shinypenny...

I'm verticlly challenged too (measured my inseam the other day - it's
only about 26in, gack! No wonder I have to hem and hem), but oddly
enough, I have no problem wearing ankle straps provided it's a delicate
one scaled to my petite size. In fact, my favorite black strappy heels
have an ankle strap.

Why can I get away with it? Two things:

1) I'm careful with the total proportion (vs just the proportion of my
stubby legs). For example, a high-waisted skirt to knee length
proportionately elongates the leg overall.

2) Despite frustratingly stubby legs, I have very delicate ankles and
size 6 feet.

My gf who's 5'11" and is allllll leg cannot get away with ankle straps.
Why? Because her ankles are thick and her feet are big.

I think the UK WNTW site once had a photo before and after site showing
best shoe styles for either type.

itsjoannotjoann...

I think you hit the nail on the head. I've always heard you have to
have race horse ankles to wear ankle strap shoes. You must qualify!
:-)

cofarb...

I think I *do* have race horse ankles. Unfortunately, the horse is Barbaro.

shinypenny...

Unfortunately, I have race horse ankles *and* a race horse waist
(meaning, none). :-(

I'd trade my ankles for a better stomach anyday. I think - who knows!

Maybe it is best to just be happy with what you have?

jrogow...

So much for ~that~ cup of coffee!

cofarb...

Sorry for the coffee spewage. I couldn't resist. And, in truth, my right
ankle is permanently misshapen since I broke it in three places a few years
ago. I'm sure it is much more noticeable to me than to anyone else. I
probably steer away from anything that draws attention to it.

jrogow...

Not to mention how uncomfortable and clunky they seem to be.

Nathalie Chiva...

Emphatically agree. I'm short with round calves and thin ankles, my
legs usually look pretty good, but *not* with ankle straps.

jrogow...

I'm sure no one notices.

I've been fretting about the scars on my legs, but decided that they
were badges of honour so am wearing shorts again.

Perhaps your ankle is also a badge of honour.

Nathalie Chiva...

I also have one slightly thicker ankle - I also broke it in 3 places
last year, still have the metal inside (taking it out next year), and
the callous is still there (but shrinking) since it isn't fully
consolidated yet - plus, the scars are visible, though fading quickly.
You know, last Summer (I broke it in March), one of the things that
had a true (and bad) effect on my general mood was not being able to
wear my skirts and dresses, except the very long ones (I needed to
protect the scars from the sun, and the ankle was really thick and the
calf flat and ugly). Usually in Summer I hardly wear pants, and I felt
sooo depressed - ridiculous, isn't it?

Nathalie in Switzerland

You're forgiven for the coffee spew - it was funny watching the cats
scatter in alarm.

cofarb...

Does leaping from a tree at age 40-something qualify me for a badge of
honour? I'm usually covered with bruises; I should just arrange my wardrobe
to coordinate with black & blue.

jrogow...

Are you ~sure~ we aren't related?

I suppose they *may* work for very tall women with very thin calves.

Nathalie in Switzerland