A millennial woman’s theory behind why she refuses to leave the house without heels has gone viral on TikTok, earning over 152,000 views.
Anoushka Mehta, 30, (@anou5hkam) said her approach to footwear is rooted in a blunt view of aging. In the video, which has racked up more than 23,000 likes, Mehta explains that as you get older, “your time on earth starts decreasing,” along with your ability to comfortably walk in heels.
She argues that while she is still fit and young, she wants to embrace wearing heels for as long as she can. One day, she notes, she may be older and might require knee surgery, which could mean swapping stilettos for flat shoes. Until then, heels are non-negotiable.
“I often prefer my outfit more with heels so then I will worry about the consequences later no matter where I’m going,” Mehta told Newsweek.
A fashion designer based in the United Kingdom, Mehta says there are very few places where she draws the line.
Aside from the gym or sports events, she will always opt for heels, even wearing them on walks when conditions allow.
“I will try to squeeze in a kitten heel whenever I can,” she said.
In the viral clip, Mehta opens by saying she doesn’t want to “sound shallow.” Still, she makes it clear that if she can’t wear heels, she often doesn’t want to attend at all.
“No where is truly off limits from heels for me the beach included, I have a pair of flip flop thong wedge heels for that too,” she told Newsweek.
Her stance taps into a wider conversation about generational shifts in fashion. According to a 2024 YouGov survey, both millennials and Gen Z say price, value, quality and fit are the most important factors when deciding where to shop. But their attitudes begin to diverge when it comes to trends and formality.
Millennials are notably less driven by what’s fashionable right now, with many favoring longevity over novelty. They are more likely than Gen Z to say they stick to classic items, at 10.3 percent compared with 8.9 percent, and to describe themselves as shoppers who don’t follow trends or fashions, at 27.8 percent versus 23.5 percent. The data suggests a more cautious, timeless approach to dressing.
Mehta believes that shift is visible in footwear choices, particularly among younger women.
“I am tired of seeing everyone wear casual footwear to places women used to once typically wear heels,” she told Newsweek.
“I find the newer and younger generation are opting to wear flats and trainers to the clubs, restaurants and bars.
“What happened to heels and the art of wearing heels? Wearing heels to me is one of the best parts of being a woman it’s super feminine and fun to dress up and throw on a piece of footwear that puts some distance between you and the ground.”
TikTok Reacts
The video sparked a wave of reactions, with many users applauding Mehta’s commitment.
“I wore heels to get a massage [because] there [are] no rules,” said one user.
Another commented: “Being a heel in a world full of sneakers and crocs is undeniably peak womanhood.”
Others were less convinced, questioning the toll on her feet.
“Girl how is your feet handling it! After 3 hours my feet are tapped out!” a third commenter wrote.
Another added: “If it requires heels, I’m not coming. Lol. Good for you [though] girl. My feet are huge and ugly and I can’t walk.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Mehta appears unfazed. For her, heels are less about trends and more about seizing the moment—one step at a time.
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