Margot Robbie's feet have sparked a frenzy online following their prominent appearance in the marketing campaign for the new Barbie movie. The image of her flawlessly arched feet has been widely displayed on buses and billboards nationwide to generate excitement for the highly anticipated film, with its trailer already amassing 36 million views.
According to MailOnline, enthusiastic fans, reminiscing about their own Barbie doll experiences, were captivated by the illusion of Ms. Robbie's heels seemingly defy gravity as if they're propped up by an invisible stiletto. However, it also caught the attention of health experts who warn against copying it.
Margot Robbie attends the press junket and photo call For "Barbie" at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Following Barbie's 'Perfectly Arched Feet' Could Have Painful Impacts
Experts warn that attempting to conform to the idealized Barbie image, including wearing high-heeled shoes, can lead to long-term damage to the feet, including shortened calf muscles and a high number of injuries.
It is advisable for enthusiasts of Barbie-like footwear to reconsider the use of sky-high heels, as each additional inch increases the excessive pressure on the forefoot by 25%, resulting in a three-inch heel exerting 75% more pressure than usual, as per a 2018 paper in the journal Pediatry Today.
Despite the potential discomfort caused by high heels, approximately 38% of surveyed women expressed their willingness to continue wearing them purely for personal preference.
Fans of Margot Robbie's portrayal in the Barbie movie expressed admiration for her ability to keep her heels lifted without the support of a stiletto, praising the adherence to the doll's aesthetic. However, caution is advised for those seeking to emulate Robbie's iconic appearance.
The Barbie movie trailer features a close-up shot of Robbie, who plays toy royalty, removing the doll's signature ultra-arched foot from her five-inch heels, with the heels remarkably maintaining their position.
This distinctive attribute of Barbie has been a constant feature since the doll's introduction in 1959, and director Greta Gerwig confirmed that the seemingly impossible high arch was indeed captured using a shot of Robbie's actual feet. Nonetheless, fans are advised to carefully consider the consequences before imitating Robbie's look.
The Downside of Wearing Heels
Wearing high heels can have significant consequences, as a fifth of women have experienced ankle twists or torn tendons, and a third of them have suffered falls resulting in dental and wrist injuries.
Data shows that emergency departments treated over 123,000 high-heel-related injuries between 2002 and 2012. The attention garnered by the still shot of Margot Robbie's feet in the Barbie movie led to humorous reactions from netizens, highlighting the unexpected prominence of this element in the film's plot.
The negative effects of high heels are widespread, with millions of women experiencing toe and ball-of-the-foot pain, inflammation, and restricted movement.
A survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of women wear high heels occasionally or daily, with 59% reporting toe pain and 54% experiencing pain in the ball of the foot. Wearing high heels also tightens the arch muscles, leading to conditions like plantar fasciitis, causing intense pain in the heel.
Furthermore, high heels alter posture and body alignment, placing strain on the calf muscles and hip flexors. The reduced mobility of the ankle joint affects balance and limits actions like lifting the foot or walking on heels. Ultimately, wearing high heels can result in back pain, a stiff posture, and decreased ankle flexibility.
These findings emphasize the significant risks associated with high heels and highlight the need for caution and consideration when choosing footwear.
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