Women wearing heels are rated as more attractive than when wearing flat shoes, even when the people who are making the judgement are unable to see their faces or bodies, researchers have revealed.

Researchers at the University of Portsmouth say heels change the way the body moves, including the pelvis, hips, legs and knees to emphasise femininity, the Independent reported.

The researchers suggest that evolution could partly explain the continuing popularity of high heels as an article of the female wardrobe.