The price women pay for looking glamorous and poised all the time is a wallet full of money and nights of pain in their legs, starting from ankle, all the way up to their hips. All this is courtesy of the oh-so-fashionable high-heeled shoes that don’t fail to impress. No matter how tall you already are, the heels are still going to make you look nothing short of jaw-dropping hot!
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Types of high-heeled shoes
But if you thought it was as simple as that, think again. Do you want to buy stilettos that are going to go well with short dresses and make a statement on the onlooker? Or the cute kitten heels that are going to be rather comfortable and not make you go on a balancing act each time you try to walk? Then there are cone and prism heels, which narrow down in the bottom, making you look rather poised and elegant in almost all kinds of clothing.
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There are also wedges, which elevate the entire foot. You could also choose heels with a sling at the back, which provide that extra line of support to your ankle and foot. Or the platform heels, which are almost like stilettos, but narrow down at the bottom and have a platform for the front of the foot. Lastly, there are sandals, which are just like flip flops but with added heels at the back. Within this dizzying array of heels, there are less significant variations within and between each of these broad types.
Accessories for high-heeled shoes
Then there are all the accessories that you can use with high-heeled shoes to make them a lot more comfortable. You can buy the high heel insoles, which are going to help you keep pressure off your feet. Or a gel cushion to keep the ball of your foot in place, or better yet, heel grips so that you do not slip inside the shoes. Consider instant heel caps for your shoes when you purchase the shoes themselves to make worn-out heels last longer.
High heel gel insoles
You could also tape your third and fourth toes together to avoid a great deal of discomfort, or use gel deodorant on the edges of your shoes to avoid blisters. When it’s too late to turn back, buy some moleskin to protect all the blisters and cuts on your feet without dangling band aids.
Things to consider before buying high heels
High heels for women can be a nightmare right from the time you tried on your very first pair, especially when there is very little information available about them. To help you out, here are six things you need to know before you buy high heels:
1. What is the purpose of the purchase?
Kitten heels
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Are you going to be wearing them to work? Or to a party where you need to dance? Or to that fancy date where you only need to look super elegant but can sit like a doll and not have to manage walking around on stilt-like shoes?
This is an important part of the purchase because there are heels designed for all different kinds of purposes. If you are going to be wearing them to work, you might want to buy wedges that go well with the corporate attire. Kitten heels are perfect for fancy occasions, when you need to walk around a lot and also be at your physical best. And save the elegant stilettos for when you are only going to be sitting at a social occasion.
2. How much will you use your heels?
Unless there is a really important occasion worth you to throw your money around, NEVER buy a pair of expensive high-heeled shoes for just one dress or outfit. Ensure that the style goes with different outfits you own, and that there is a good chance that you will wear them often. Otherwise, it is going to be a waste of money that you will regret in the future.
3. What are the other shoes that you have?
Platform heels
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Don’t buy the same kinds of shoes all the time. Build your collection with different styles and colors to give yourself more options to choose from for a variety of occasions. If you are bored with the black kitten heels that you wear with almost all of your outfits, then stay away from similar colors and types. Get a coned heel, or a kitten heel if you already have a lot of stilettos and wedges.
4. How good are you with heels?
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Are you the completely clumsy lady who is going to be the damsel in distress when put in five-inch tall shoes? Or are you the elegant superwoman who can make walking in heels seem like a piece of cake? You need to evaluate yourself very honestly and buy the kind that suits you best.
Take the walk test. When you try on a pair of heels, walk around the store and make sure that you are comfortable in the shoes that you like.
5. What time of the day is it?
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Our feet tend to swell during the day. Many of us tend to disregard this and buy tight shoes while we shop at night, or loose ones while shopping during the day. Here is the ultimate hack: If you are shopping during the day, don’t worry about them being too tight; while if you are shopping in the night, you can afford to buy shoes that are half a centimeter loose. Eventually, your shoes will adjust to the size of your feet, but you want to do what you can to avoid unnecessary pain when it comes to your feet.
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6. How much do these shoes cost?
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This is the most important factor to consider when buying heels. They are expensive and sometimes not so worth it. Ask yourself two simple questions:
- Will I use these shoes enough to be paying this much money for it?
- Is it going to be a problem to my monthly expense, and do I need more savings for it?
We are sure you know the favorable answers in your head. If your choice passes the test, then go for it.
How to wear high-heeled shoes
So you have bought yourself that one pair of heels, or maybe even a few. But not all can be worn through the day. Some shoes can wreck your feet no end, and the pain can become unbearable. Here are a few things you can do to protect your feet when you are going to be wearing high heels for an extended period of time:
1. Use petroleum jelly to avoid blisters
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Rub petroleum jelly on the edges of your shoes to avoid any kind of shoe-bite or blister. It works as a smoothening agent and lubricant for your feet through the day. If you can actually remember ahead of time, rub them with petroleum jelly the night before. Works wonders.
2. Sandpaper soles before you put them on
This hack is going to take away a lot of pain and most chances of you twisting your leg while walking in heels for hours. This smoothens the sole and will even it out for you to wear. It is also the best way to create better grip of the shoes for your feet.
3. Get insoles to avoid slippage
High heel inserts
You are bound to slip inside the shoe itself when you walk in high-heeled shoes. Insoles made of soft material will hold your feet and also release some pressure off the balls of your feet. This is also effective to avoid twisting your leg.
4. Use the arch support
Arch support for heels
Yes ladies, you need it. If you want to walk in heels all day, show your feet some mercy and get an arch support. This will give you a better hold on the shoe and your feet will definitely hurt less. The best recommendation is a gel-based arch rest so that you have cushion-like support.
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5. Tape your toes
Tape your third and fourth toe together when you wear heels. This will give your toes some air to breathe. As for the discomfort, we guarantee that you will not have any because of the tape. Just ensure that it is not too tight on your toes.
6. Carry instant heel caps
Heel caps
If you have worn-out heels that are making the steel-against-glass noise, get an instant heel cap and fix it up. This is going to save you a ton of awkwardness when you walk around, especially when you take the staircase.
With all these tips and hacks, when you have a pain-free and elegant pair of shoes that you can practically dance around in, you are going to love them to the moon and back. After all, if comfort can come with good looks, it is the look to die for.
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