Mostly no. Strangers have no earlier height to compare you with, so they see a normal suede shoe. People who know you well may sense a small change, and your height will change when the shoes come off. VAHL sneakers have a 6 cm built-in lift with 3.4 cm of visible outsole; the Venice loafer has 5 cm with 2.2 cm visible.
Who might notice
| Who | How likely | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strangers | Very unlikely | They have nothing to compare with |
| New colleagues or dates | Unlikely | They meet you at this height |
| Colleagues you see every day | Possible at first | They know your usual height |
| Close friends and family | More likely | They know you, and see you without shoes |
These are our own judgements, not study results.
The shoe is rarely what people spot
What gets noticed is a thick sole, a boxy toe or a stiff walk. We go through each of these in do elevator shoes look obvious? If the shape looks normal and you walk normally, there is little to catch the eye.
Taking them off
Be realistic here. Your height changes when the shoes come off, for example at a friend's home or at airport security. Elevator shoes make most sense for the times your shoes stay on, like work, dinners and events. Nobody needs a speech: take them off as you would any pair.
How to stay relaxed about it
- Be consistent. If you wear the same height of shoe most days, nobody has a lower reference point.
- Practise at home first, so your walk feels normal.
- Pick a modest lift. For most men, 5 to 6 cm is enough.
Our models
- Oslo: black suede sneaker, 6 cm, 1 900 SEK, the darkest of the three
- Stockholm: deep navy suede sneaker, 6 cm, 1 900 SEK
- Copenhagen: beige suede sneaker, 6 cm, 1 900 SEK
- Venice: deep navy suede loafer, 5 cm, 2 100 SEK, the lowest visible sole
Common questions
Will my colleagues notice?
The shoes themselves should not stand out. People who see you every day may sense a small change at first, which is one reason to wear the same height of shoe most days.
What happens when I take them off?
Your height changes, and someone who stands next to you may notice. Elevator shoes make most sense for the times your shoes stay on.
Can someone tell from the side?
Not easily with a moderate lift. On VAHL sneakers 3.4 cm of the 6 cm is visible outsole, and on the Venice loafer 2.2 cm of the 5 cm.
What should I say if someone asks?
Whatever feels natural. You do not owe anyone an explanation for your shoes, and a relaxed answer ends the subject quickly.