She’s maintaining vogue on its toes by maintaining fashionistas off their tiptoes.
In Barbie’s world, real-life glamor women on-the-go are kicking excessive heels to the curb, and stepping out in a lot cozier kicks as a substitute, per a Might 2025 report.
The shift is drastic — but it surely’s improbable.
“[Barbie] made a transition from excessive heels (equinus foot posture) to flat sneakers (flat foot posture), particularly when employed,” research authors from Monash College said in a statement.
“We propose this mirrors broader societal modifications,” the investigators continued. “This consists of how girls select footwear in response to how a lot they’ve to maneuver within the day, and away from solely carrying excessive heels in some workplaces.”
Researchers examined the foot positions of two,750 Barbies manufactured between 1959 and 2024, excluding collectible or restricted version dolls.
To trace the modifications to the mini diva’s ft, specialists utilized a classification system often known as “FEET” — Foot posture, Employment theme, Fairness and Time interval.
Analysts decided that the plastic pinup’s once-prominent foot arch — a haute hump famously mimicked by Margot Robbie amid the latest “Barbie” film mania — has severely declined all through the a long time.
Whereas 100% of the gorgeous playthings had been made with the equinus foot posture (structured to face on their tippy toes) within the Sixties, solely 40% boast the propped-up look within the 2020s.
The authors attribute the softening of the icon’s stance to her ever-expanding résumé — which, because the mid-Twentieth century, has included work expertise as an astronaut, surgeon, firefighter and scientist.
And her skilled prowess has influenced on a regular basis go-getters, in response to the findings.
“The change in workforce roles of Barbie mimics the change in girls’s employment the world over,” insiders mentioned.
“Barbie fashions her footwear alternative primarily based on process calls for, being flat-footed and carrying flat sneakers when she must work on her ft, be bodily energetic or extra secure,” they added. “Given Barbie is thought to mirror societal norms, we contend that is more than likely true for many excessive heel wearers.”
It’s a reality setting drained tootsie frees.
Kurt Geiger, a London-based footwear retailer, not too long ago revealed a dip in gross sales for sneakers with heels over 4 inches. In 2024, excessive heels solely made up 17% of non-flat shoe gross sales, in comparison with 47% in 2014, per The Times.
The trendy swing away from stilettos and such has additionally turn out to be more and more evident on the runway.
Haute vogue homes like Alaïa have, too, put flats on the map, making the heel-free wonders wardrobe staples for A-listers reminiscent of Jennifer Lawrence, Dakota Johnson and Dua Lipa.
Monash researchers say all of the comfortable shoe roads lead again to Barbie.
“The very robust correlation between flat foot posture and employment sits effectively with proof observing Barbie ‘evolving’ away from prioritizing vogue over her profession,” the examiners wrote.
“Simply as her facial options and physique form have modified over time, her increasing workforce roles create a requirement for extended standing, elevated strolling pace, and higher postural stability,” they added.”
“As a job mannequin to many younger folks, it’s encouraging to see Barbie making foot posture and footwear selections that greatest allow her participation in employment and bodily exercise.”
