High Heel Shoes: Oh How We Love Them and How To Be Comfortable In Them

Whether they are from Jimmy Choo, Jessica Simpson, JC Penny or Target, we love them! They come in all shapes, sizes and more importantly, inches. Men love them, and we almost require them. You have high heel boots, stilettos, gladiator sandals, pumps, 3inch, 6inch and heck, they even have flip flops that have a little heel on them now.

High heel shoes have been around for centuries and have always been a prominent fixture in fashion. They do everything from completing an outfit, making a woman feel seductive and sexy, to boosting a shorter woman’s confidence by making her taller. They are phenomenal and I personally cannot go a day without wearing heels. Everyone I know associates me with high heels. When I don’t wear them everyone notices. My high heels are like superman’s cape. I can’t imagine not wearing them and I don’t think anyone would recognize me without them.

One drawback to high heel shoes, which women push through every day, is that they can be uncomfortable. Here are some tips on finding comfortable heels and making the best of your high heel experiences:

Finding the right size is key to comfort. Try on a couple different sizes because we all know, no two pair of shoes are the same. If you have time, walk around the store for a few minutes with both shoes on. You get a pretty good idea if a shoe is going to be comfortable within 3 – 5 minutes of wearing them.

Dilemma: You see that perfect shoe, the one you MUST HAVE, but they don’t have it in your size. If you find a shoe that’s close but doesn’t quite fit and you must buy it, buy stock in band aids.

I’m not saying you have to spend $500 on a pair of heels, and I’m not saying if you do spend $500 that they will make you feel like you are walking on clouds. However, if you find a great pair of shoes and they are a little more expensive than the cheap high heel shoes, buy the more expensive ones. Your feet will thank you in the long run and your wallet will overcome the dent. I promise.

Dilemma: Money is an issue. I have personally experienced fantastic high heels shoes that were $20 to a few hundred dollars so if money is an issue, just keep looking.

Oh boy this is my favorite one of them all. Buy as many high heel shoes as you can and try a spice it up sometimes as well.  Something like stilettos and stockings add a bit of "oooh la la" to a night out.  If you wear the same pair of shoes every day they will get worn out faster and if they are uncomfortable then your poor feet suffer.

Dilemma: Ok, why would there be a dilemma here?

Never, ever, ever, ever…wear a new pair of heels when you plan on doing a lot of walking or dancing. I know those situations. You’re going out with the girls or a hot date so you go shopping for a new outfit and shoes to wear that same night. While I’ve been in this situation and understand that sometimes you just have to do it, if you can avoid it please do. The best thing you can do for you and your feet is buy them a few days in advance and break them in at home. Wear them around the house for a few hours to wear them in. Or maybe you want to know how to break into your shoes without wearing them? Buy a shoe stretcher. Shoe stretchers generally work better on natural materials as they are more likely to expand. Materials like vinyl do not give much.

Dilemma: I must wear them tonight: If you must, you must, but try and wear them around the house at least for a little while to find out if they rub you anywhere. That way you can stock up on band-aids or Vaseline for the night so you aren’t doing the limping dance by the end of the night. Nothing is sexy about a woman walking home in bare feet because her shoes hurt!

Nothing ruins a great pair of heels like a gross looking pair of feet. I’m sorry I couldn’t candy coat that for you, but its true.  If you are going to wear high heels invest the money in a pedicure every other week.  Pedicures feel good and they make your feet look great in your high heel shoes. Besides, you are worth a pedicure anyway, aren’t you?

Dilemma: Can’t afford a pedicure.  You can get at home pedicure kits for fairly cheap.  All you need is a good pumice stone, a foot scrub, some deep moisturizing lotion and great nail polish and you are good to go.

The saying “Practice makes perfect” especially applies to wearing high heels. The first thing you want to do is start out small. Don’t go and buy 6inch stiletto heels as your first pair. Start out with something small like 2 – 3inches that’s a little wider and practice standing in them to learn how to balance yourself. The best thing to do is to try this in front of a mirror so you can check your posture. From there take baby steps around the room and make sure it’s a clear room as you are likely to stumble. Do this a little bit each day and you will get more comfortable walking in them. Once you have mastered your beginner high heels, move up to something a little higher and maybe a little skinnier heel. You will soon be a high heel master!

Well, unfortunately there is a down side to heels, they can cause back pain, bunions, toe deformities and trapped nerves if worn all the time. Make sure you have correct posture when wearing your high heels. You can look very sexy in a pair of heels, but if you are hunched over no one will be talking about your shoes. Don’t buy shoes that cram all your toes into a little tiny space. Do you remember when your mother used to tell you if you make that face it will stay like that? This also applies to your shoes. If you cram them into a small space, they will stay that way. When you aren’t wearing your high heels be sure to wear something comfortable and supportive like a good pair of running or walking shoes. You have to balance health and fashion.