Dos and Don’ts
Heels are always with us, always in fashion, always alluring. We also know that while they make us look and feel good, they can also make us look and feel bad. Here are some tips to make sure that the high heel experience is fairly painless.
Do:
- Wear a pair of low heels to the office. One inch or under is the ideal. They look good and won’t cause any pain. Save the really high heels for evenings and special occasions.
- Wear heels out to parties. They will make you look taller and slimmer, with longer legs and more shapely calves. They also make your feet look shorter, and make you stand up straight.
- Buy really good heels. Think of them as in investment. Make sure they are exactly the right fit. A lot of the problems associated with heels are actually problems of badly fitting shoes.
- In the same vein go for leather heels; they are more comfortable, will shape themselves to your feet, and let your feet breathe.
- Consider buying some gel-style insoles to fit inside your heels. As well as cushioning your feet, these insoles will prevent chaffing and also hold your foot in place.
- Keep getting your feet measured. Do not get into the ‘I am a seven, always have been, always will be’ frame of mind. Different brands vary in size, so choose a pair that fits, no matter what size the label says.
- Take the weight off your heels from time to time; a sit down helps rest your feet, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
- Pamper your feet before and after wearing heels. After a long evening teetering around with your heels three inches above your toes, treat your feet to a bathe in cold water. You will feel the benefit almost at once, and more so next morning.
Don’t:
- Buy cheap heels. Think of it like this – high heels are luxury goods. They make you look special, so be prepared to invest in quality. Cheap heels are cheap for reasons. Buy them and prepare for sprains, strains and trips.
- Buy plastic heels – they will make your feet sweat uncontrollably and the sweat will have no way of getting out.
- Be silly about walking in your heels. If you wear a pair of low heels to the office, use another pair for your journey to and from home. Similarly, if there’s an outdoor occasion and you know that you will have to hike some distance across country to get to it, then either abandon the stilettos or carry them with you and wear some folding flats.
- Be like Cinderella’s sisters and try to force your feet into a pair of heels that are too small for you. No matter how nice you think they look or how nice you think that they make you look, it honestly is not worth it. Your feet will not look any the better for it!