If you’re anything like me, you love the look of sky-high heels, but your feet don’t always love how they feel. Still, you’re not willing to give up the glamor and the silhouette of stilettos in favor of more “sensible” shoes. Is there any way to fix this dilemma? Thankfully – after years of trial and error – I’ve found that there definitely is.
Whether you are wearing them in the office or after hours, there is no doubt that high heels look amazing. But if you want to avoid the health hazards associated with heels, such as bunions, hammer toes or painful neuromas (yuck), you’ve got to be smart with your shoe choice. You must also be willing to invest a bit of money and time to ensure that when you step out heels, you’re not also stepping into potential trouble.
1. invest in good shoes.
You don’t have to empty your bank account to buy Jimmy Choos, but you shouldn’t go totally cheap where your footwear is concerned, either. By making the financial investment in good shoes that feature good quality materials and expert workmanship, you will save money over the cost of continually replacing low-quality shoes.
Walking in stilettos that fit well can already be a challenge. But walking in ill-fitting stilettos is torture that can result in permanent damage to your feet. Good quality shoes sold by reputable brands are more likely to fit well. By purchasing well fitting shoes, you will also spare yourself pain and potential expensive visits to the podiatrist.
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2. prepare your shoes for actual wear.
Just as your clothes fit better when they’ve been altered to fit your actual proportions, your shoes will fit better and feel better if you cushion and customize them with padded insoles and shields to protect the balls of your feet and the backs of your heels. To determine where padding and alteration is needed, wear your shoes for an hour once you take them home from the store. Make a note of where you feel pressure or rubbing and purchase cushioning for those areas.
The last thing you want is to take a tumble wearing stilettos. To prevent that from happening, scuff up the soles to provide a bit of traction. You can also purchase grip soles to apply to the bottoms of your shoes. Be sure that you don’t intend to return your shoes before you do this, however, as the store will be highly unlikely to accept them.
3. practice is a must.
Walking in high heels is an art form. You don’t have to pretend you’re on the catwalk, but a modified version of the model step is a good approach. To acclimate your muscles to the long-legged model stride, practice walking in your shoes in the privacy of your own home. Practicing yoga can also help to strengthen your core muscle and adjust your sense of balance so that you can wear heels gracefully. All that practice will also help you “fake it ’till you make it” - you’ll look great once you step out in public wearing your heels even if you feel silly at first.
4. give your feet a break.
Just because Carrie from Sex and the City wears heels 24/7 doesn’t mean that you have to…nor should you try. Instead, vary the heel height of your shoes from day to day. If you must wear stilettos for several days in a row, give your feet several days off as soon as possible. Walk around the house barefoot. That will help stretch your calves in addition to giving your feet a break from the strain of wearing heels.
You can also give your feet a break during the day. Try to wear flats on your commute to work, whether you are driving or taking public transporation. Once you’re in the office, try to sit as much as possible to give your feet a break.
5. fashionable alternatives to stilettos.
If you like the look of heels but need a bit more support, consider platforms or wedges. Your legs will look just as great, but the balancing act is not nearly so difficult. Boots with a chunky heel are another alternative to stilettos that looks great with skinny jeans and skirts.
How often do you wear high heels?
I love the tips about wedges. I LOVE wedges in the summertime when my feets is aching.
Lucky for me, my blog is about running, so I get to spend a LOT of time in running shoes. But when it’s warm out? Heels or wedges at LEAST a few times a week!
I tend to only wear heels for special events and for interviews. But, I sometimes put on a pair of wedges during the summer time.
I do want to try wearing heels more, but it isn’t really practical for me as a college student.
Pam@pamluvsheels says
I most prefer pumps. I usually wear high, block heel loafers to work. I like the rounded toe box and added stability. I usually wear heels at least eight hours a day, sometimes stretching to 12 or 14 hours. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to wear heels.
I usually wear flats/boots on weekdays- I walk 2+ miles back and forth to class and all around campus. Heels are not worth that pain!
I wore some gorgeous nude high heels to a formal in college and it was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I never wore them again haha. BUT I wear high wedges all the time and those tortured my feet the first time I wore them and now they are super comfy. It’s really important to break them in a bit first. This post was great! I’m barely 5 feet and I never wear heels because they’re so painful and difficult to walk in, so it’s helpful to get some tips
These are great tips, Gracie! Do you have any particular brands that you’d recommend that work for you & aren’t tooooo uncomfortable?
I’m actually a huge fan of Jessica Simpson’s line! She has a really great variety of styles, and even her super duper high heels (the ones I usually go for, haha) are pretty comfortable
Steve Madden is usually good too!
Uh ohhh, I’m looking online & she has some really cute stuff… hubby’s in trouble! Shh, I won’t tell him you gave me the tip
xo
heheh
you deserve the treat hot mama!!
ahhhh i try to avoid heels at all costs, unless they’re my comfy work heels that i can slide off under my desk (Tahari makes really cute pumps that are so comfortable to wear all day) or else my salsa shoes, which are definitely the most comfortable heels ever made. otherwise, it’s Chuck Taylors, Tom’s and oxfords here.
I used to wear them all the time but got out of the habit, now I am all about cute little boots that are oh so comfortable:)
I love these tips! I love high heels but feel shaky on stilettos (and no-one wants to be that girl who can’t walk properly!)so these are super helpful
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Jasmine says
I love the tips! Where do you like to shop for comfortable higher quality shoes? I used to tend to shop at Payless like stores when I was younger but as I get into my mid-twenties I’m looking for quality and comfort rather than number of cute heels I have
I love department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom!
Pamela says
Gracie,
As a Macy*s sales associate (in Dallas), thanks for the endorsement of our shoes. Nordstrom is great, too. I am a pure size 9, so its a case of either the shoe/boot fits or it doesn’t. I always wear my purchases at home several times before “taking them to the street”!
Pamela
That is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post!