Barbie has been a trendsetter for more than 50 years, and while the doll has served as an inspiration for little girls across the globe, she may also be a role model when it comes to shoe choice.
When you think of a Barbie doll, you may assume that her feet are crammed into little pink heels. That was the case for a while, but now that Barbie has evolved and become more modern, she’s ditching the heel and choosing footwear that is appropriate for the occasion. A recent study took a closer look at Barbie’s evolving footwear style and found that today’s woman could stand to benefit from following her lead.
Barbie’s Shoe Evolution
To get a better understanding of how Barbie’s feet have evolved over the years, researchers analyzed more than 2,700 dolls manufactured between 1959 and 2024, excluding collectible or limited editions. The found that Barbie’s foot arch has decreased as has her reliance on high heeled shoes, which can be notoriously hard on a person’s feet.
Researchers found that original Barbie dolls had a >10 degree foot pitch, as the doll’s feet were designed to be placed in a high-heeled shoe. But that foot pitch has declined substantially over the years. Here’s how the foot pitch has dipped throughout the decades:
- 85 percent of Barbies in the 1970s displayed equinus (heel-raised) foot posture.
- By the 1980s, that percentage dropped to 70 percent.
- Only 55 percent of Barbies displayed equinus in the 1990s.
- Only 50 percent of Barbies displayed equinus in the 2000s.
- The percentage sits at 40 percent as of mid-2024.
Researchers noted that career-themed dolls, like nurses, veterinarians and astronauts, were 3.2 times more likely to be flat-footed than their fashion-centered counterparts. In other words, Barbie is seeking out more comfortable and supportive footwear based on her job demands, and that’s exactly what we want our patients to do! Wear athletic shoes if you’ll be exercising, a flat business shoe when you’re in the office, or a supportive shoe for everyday walking activities. Follow Barbie’s lead and pair your shoe choice to the activity, and you’ll be at a decreased risk of a footwear-related injury!
And of course, if you’re finding that your feet are starting to hurt no matter what type of show you’re wearing, make sure you confront the problem head on. The best way to do that is by syncing up with a foot specialist who can view your condition in person and set you up with a personalized treatment plan. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.