Who doesn’t love a pair of high heels? They are the perfect wardrobe item for work, parties, weddings and just about everything else in between. While they look great, they can sometimes be a bit of a pain to walk in – literally.
If you’ve got a big event coming up, or just want to dress up a bit, we’ve got everything you need to know about how to walk in heels, how to stop niggling aches and pains and some high heel essentials for your handbags.
How to make high heels more comfortable
Heels don’t need to be your enemy. With the right tips and tricks, you can make wearing heels both a fun and a comfortable experience, here’s how:
Choose shorter or thicker heels
Maybe it’s a little obvious, but if you find heels uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to steer clear of stilettos. The higher the heel, the more strain and pressure you put on your feet. While they might seem like a great option, wearing them for a whole evening can be painful. When shopping for a new pair of heels, be realistic with yourself. A heel that is even just a few centimetres shorter than your usual go-to can make all the difference.
Make sure you can properly walk
If you can’t walk in them, don’t buy them. Unless you’re going to spend the time practising, no shoe is ever worth sacrificing your comfort. But what about if you find any heel uncomfortable to walk in? Well, there’s definitely a knack for walking in heels. Try engaging your abs and walking in a heel-to-toe motion.
Look for platform heels
If you’ve tried to fall in love with heels but can’t seem to find something that works for you, try a platform. Platform shoes give the same beautiful height of a heel with less of an angle, which is kinder for your feet.
Pick the style that is best suited to you
There are so many different styles of high heels to choose from. For example, a peep toe, rounded top, straps – the list goes on. While a killer pair of pointed toe stilettos may look incredible, they definitely aren’t in the slightest bit comfortable. If you don’t know what works for your foot shape or walking pattern, feel free to do some experimenting. Finding your perfect heels can be a bit of a trial-and-error process. You can buy a few pairs of cheap high heels in different styles and see what works for you.
Hacks for wearing high heels
Wear the heels in
As with any shoe, high heels need a bit of breaking in. Try to avoid buying a new pair of shoes and saving them for your big event. Get them out of the box and wear them around your home for a few minutes every day. Maybe start with 15 minutes and work your way up to build up your tolerance.
Invest in a pack of padded inserts
For ultimate protection of your feet, buy a pack of padded inserts. These are handy gel cushions that stick to the inside of the shoe to support the balls and heels of your feet. This bit of extra squishiness will take away the dull aches and pains you may get from wearing heels for long periods.
Carry a pack of blister plasters
Hopefully, you won’t need them, but having a pack of blister plasters in your bag could be the thing that saves your day. If you’re only wearing your shoes for a couple of hours, blisters shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you’re wearing them all day or night, it’s quite common to get some painful rubbing from your heels. So, having one or two blister plasters to hand can prolong your wear time.
As a bit of advice, if you’re sitting down for long periods, take your heels off under the table and give your feet some breathing time. Wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles to relieve some of the pressure.
How to stop high heels rubbing
You know what they say, prevention is better than cure. Having some gel inserts and blister plasters to hand can treat irritation, but what can you do to prevent it?
Buy some moleskin or fabric plasters
If you’re worried about developing blisters while wearing high heels, try lining your shoes with moleskin. This hypoallergenic material is a lifesaver for stopping painful rubbing in shoes. If you don’t have any to hand, fabric plasters are a great alternative.
Get some toe protectors
If you’ve got closed top heels, you may feel pressure on the top of your toes, especially where your big toe is concerned. While this could be a sign that your shoes are too small, it’s also a common problem for most heel wearers. As your foot slides when you walk, you weigh down through your toes. Wearing some toe protectors can take away that intense pressure leaving you free to dance the night away.
What do you think, will you be using any of these tips when you next wear heels? Head over to your social channels to share your favourite hacks on how to make high heels more comfortable!