The Suri Effect: Little Kids Want to Wear High Heels

Call it the “Mini-Me Craze.”

In an attempt to emulate their idols—be it their mothers, celebrity role models like Selena Gomez, or even Suri Cruise—young girls are apparently starting to wear high heels.

On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that high heels are no longer just something you see on celebrity kids. They're shockingly becoming more common in elementary schools and playgrounds.

Some designers have shown increasing interest in the younger set, with brands like Burberry featuring Romeo Beckham as the face of its spring campaign, and making versions of runway clothes in children's sizes. Michael by Michael Kors and Steve Madden have also made the jump into literally “down-sizing” adult fashion to a miniature level. The Times's Tatiana Boncompagni writes that “roughly half of Steve Madden Kids Spring/Summer collection (six sneaker styles and a dozen other wedges and heels) has an elevated sole,” and that “the company made pink, fringed wedge boots in toddler sizes last fall.”

Not only is the thought of little kids wearing heels pretty disturbing, it could be harmful as well. The Times spoke with Dr. Adam L. Wollowick, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, who explained that “because of their open growth plates and softer bones, as well as still-developing coordination skills, children in elevated shoes are more susceptible to ankle sprains, fractures and contracture of the Achilles’ tendon.” Recently, though, it seems that even Suri Cruise has abandoned her heels for flats—and maybe the rest of the kids should kick the habit too.