14 DAY TRIAL // Women in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan might soon find themselves undergoing an uncalled-for and quite extreme makeover fashion-wise, and they will have lawmaker Oleg Mikheyev to thank for it.
Thus, media reports say that, earlier this week, this legislator in Russia proposed that high heels be banned in the Customs Union, which comprises the aforementioned three countries.
According to The Moscow Times, the peculiar proposal is detailed in a letter that Oleg Mikheyev sent to Viktor Kristenko, the current economic chief of the Customs Union, just a few days ago.
By the looks of it, the lawmaker's proposal stems not from an innate aversion towards fashion, but from the fact that this lawmaker is very much preoccupied with keeping people in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan healthy.
In a nutshell, Oleg Mikheyev is well accustomed to studies showing that high heels can cause women's feet to become gruesomely deformed, and hopes to solve this problem by regulating what ladies should and should not walk around in.
Information shared with the public says that, according to these studies that the lawmaker and his supporters consulted before coming up with their proposal, heels turn devilish once they pass 4.5 centimeters (1.77 inches) in height.
More precisely, orthopedic surgeon Vladimir Khoroshev argues that, as confirmed by investigations carried out over the years, heels that are higher than 4.5 centimeters can cause memory loss, uterine prolapse, and skeletal problems.
Interestingly enough, high heels are not the only choice of footwear Oleg Mikheyev and those who share his views wish to outlaw. On the contrary, the proposal recommends that canvas sneakers, ballet flats, moccasins and the like be banned as well.
Apparently, this is because not wearing any heels is just as bad for one's health as strutting around in high ones. Simply put, chances are men too will have to rethink their wardrobe if Oleg Mikheyev's proposal is approved and is voted into law.
“In the past, it tended to be women who suffered from uncomfortable shoes because the lion's share of complications was caused by high stiletto heels. But now the at-risk group also includes men. Fashionable canvas sneakers, loafers, moccasins without heels are also dangerous to health,” the lawmaker says.
Just for the record, it need be said that, according to this proposal for a high heels and a sneakers' ban in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, shoes will have to sport heels measuring somewhere between 2 centimeters to 4 centimeters (0.78 inches to 1.57 inches) to be deemed fit to be worn.