High heels add height, make you stand taller and straighter and give the illusion of longer, leaner legs – all great attributes to have. Unfortunately, these towering shoes also come at a price: aching feet and legs at the end of the day. And if you had purchased a particularly ill-designed pair, you would feel the effects in hours, if not minutes, of walking in them. It is no wonder we always awe in marvel when we watch K-pop idols dance a whole choreography or actresses running in them onscreen.
On the contrary, we don’t need to suffer the debilitating effects of wearing heels in the name of fashion. Instead, we can shop more wisely. Ahead, we tell you how to shop for proper heels that won’t hurt your feet.
Let’s start simple with the heel height and width. In general, the higher and thinner the heels are, the more discomfort you will face. The height affects how much weight you’re throwing forward to be supported by the balls of your feet, while the width affects the distribution of pressure.
Our recommendation: if you really need to slip into a pair of heels, put down the eight-inch stilettos and pick up block kitten heels instead. The lower the heel height or wider the heel width, the more comfortable the pair will be.
Next, take a look at the heels you’re looking to pick up. Where is the heel located on the shoe? Heels that are located at the edge of the shoe will push all the weight forward, making them rather uncomfortable.
Our recommendation: opt for designs where the heels are located directly below the heel of your feet. This provides more support and balanced weight distribution.
Mules and slip-ons are quick and convenient. However, if you find that your toes and arches are aching at the end of the day, it could be due to your feet trying to grip the shoe to prevent it from coming loose.
Our recommendation: try slingbacks and sandals that have straps to ensure that the shoes are fitted (not too tightly) around your feet and ankles. Also, thicker bands would be less “cutting” as compared to thinner straps.
While knife heels and pointed silhouettes give an elongating and slimming illusion to your feet, they can feel constricting and biting. This is because Asians generally have a broader forefoot (the toes and balls of your feet).
Our recommendation: it’s straightforward – go with a rounded toe design. This point is especially important for people who suffer from bunions.
No, we’re not talking about toe rings and anklets to jazz up your feet. Silicone pads, gel insoles, heel cushions and other footwear implements are inexpensive and can provide a world of difference.
Our recommendation: get one that directly addresses your concern. For example, if you have a higher arch, find a gel insole that can be placed at the arch the alleviate the pressure. You can also consult your cobbler to see if they are able to lift the lining and fix an insole directly onto the shoe itself.
For those who love shoes as much as Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, the shoe shop might be your first order of business when you go shopping. However, we’re telling you to put it off as long as you can and shop for shoes at the end of the day.
Feet swell after a long day of walking and you don’t want to discount the size increase as the new favourite pair could become constrictive and pain-inflicting.
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Text: Ho Guo Xiong