 Well
heeled!
By Lisa Kovalovich
When
it comes to looking stylish, nothing beats a gorgeous pair of high
heels. Heels make your legs look longer, your body look slimmer,
and your whole outfit just a little more polished. Unfortunately,
for many women, they also make your feet hurt! You can thank shoe
designers’ propensity for pointy toes, spindly heels, and
narrow stilettos for your aching post-heel feet. According to the
American Podiatric Medical Association, you should get rid of any
shoes that cause any discomfort. Understandably, the fashionista
in you would find this hard to comply with. That’s why you
need strategies to help you make your high heels work for you, not
against you. Read on for tips on wearing your high heels comfortably
(or should I say more comfortably).
Buy
the right size
Sure, seems obvious, but when was the last time you got measured
when you bought shoes? Podiatrists know that feet can grow larger,
as we get older (and pregnancy can result in longer or wider feet,
too). That’s why it’s crucial to have your feet measured
every time you buy shoes. Make sure there’s a thumb’s
width between your longest toe and the front of the shoe, to give
your toes room to move. For heels, this means you may need to go
up a size to get a comfortable fit.
Stick
to round toes
Lucky for us, round-toed shoes are back in style this season! Where
pointy toes can wrench your big toe inward, causing joint pains,
crunched toes, and even the beginnings of bunions, round toes allow
your toes to lie flat and spread out naturally. That makes for much
more comfort. And if you can’t stay away from your pointy
toes completely? Have some round-toed shoes to alternate with the
pointy ones.
Don’t
go too high
Podiatrists agree that a heel of one to two inches is a good choice
for comfort and foot health. And with kitten heels still such a
big look, that’s great news. Avoid three-or four-inch heels,
which put undue pressure on the ball and bones in the front of your
foot.
Tailor
your width
Sometimes the toe isn’t the problem - it’s the width.
Many fashion shoes come in a standard medium width. But if you have
wide feet, medium-width shoes will feel uncomfortable. When you
find a pair of shoes you love, see if they come in a wide width;
if not, a shoemaker can usually stretch the shoes to widen the toe
box, enhancing the comfort of the shoe.
Cushion
up
When you have the shoe size and style right, it’s time to
think about cushioning. Many fashion shoes come with less-than-adequate
cushioning on the area you need it most: right under the ball of
your foot. Especially when you’re wearing heels, which shifts
your weight fully onto the ball of your foot. Ample cushioning will
help your feet stay comfy. If your shoes don’t have enough,
consider adding some with a shoe insert.
Alternate
Wearing heels for many days in a row can make your feet feel ravaged.
To maintain some comfort, switch between heels and a flatter pair
of shoes. Although heels elongate your legs when you’re wearing
a skirt, they are less important when you are wearing trousers,
so give your feet a rest on those days.
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