Marilyn Monroe said, ‘ Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world’.
I’m crazy about heels and I’m sure you are too. I love matching cute outfits with amazing footwear. This article includes tips on how to be comfortable in heels.
RELATED: 14 Cute Spring Dresses That Will Make You Stand Out
Why I Wish I Had More Comfortable High Heels
I have a love affair with high heels. I even go shopping in high heels!
A while back, I went shopping with a friend. We were dressed to impress. I paired a knee-length dress with an amazing pair of beige high heels and my friend was turning heads in a black dress and red heels.
After our shopping spree, my feet hurt from all the walking. That inspired me to find ways to go shopping in high heels and be comfortable.
Shopping in High Heels: Hacks Every Girl Needs
For many of us, stepping out in style means wearing high heels. We all know how tiring it is walking in heels all day. These high heel hacks will keep you shopping as long as you like.
1. Know Your Foot Type
If you want to wear comfortable high heels, it’s important to know what type of shoe works best for your foot type.
If you have high arches, heels with shock-absorbing properties, like rubber or cork platforms will be most comfortable while shopping.
For flat feet, kitten heels might be best.
Incorrect footwear influences your posture and the way you walk. It might also cause a whole range of problems like back pain, blisters and even bunions.
Whatever your foot type, look for shoes that offer support or invest in custom insoles. Your feet will thank you later!
2. Compromise Between Style and Comfort
It’s hard to find comfortable high heels to wear all day and match your style. It’s best to look for something in between to offer support and still look fabulous.
Swap sky-high stilettos for more practical slingbacks or t-strap heels.
If you simply can’t live without heels make sure they offer enough support on top of your feet or around your ankle.
3. Buy Your Size
The right shoe size will always be good for your feet. Sometimes I end up buying shoes that are half a size smaller than mine and I almost always end up never using them. Especially with high heels, don’t stress your feet more by getting something that doesn’t allow your feet to breathe.
4. Consider the Material
Whether you’re shopping for the perfect outfit or spending a day window shopping, think about the material your heels are made of.
For long shopping sprees, softer materials might be better as plastics and hard leather can cause blisters.
Rubber soles will prevent slipping and reduce stress on your feet.
5. Wear Wedges
Wedges are a great alternative to high heels. They offer arch support and take the strain off the balls of your feet.
Most wedges have rubber or wooden soles with a wide base so you don’t have to worry about tripping.
6. Avoid Thin Soles and Thin Straps
If you don’t like the look of wedges, mules are a definite hit, their no fuss aesthetics is just really appealing for anyone wanting to wear heels and going shopping.
A thicker sole, like platform heels, distribute pressure more evenly when you’re walking and absorb more shock.
Broader straps and more cover on the top of your foot will keep you shopping all day.
Think of high-heeled boots for example. They don’t bother your feet as much as their summer counterparts. Wider straps offer similar benefits.
7. Chunky Heels
Block heels or chunky heels offer more support than regular high heels and can be dressed up or down.
Thicker heels are less tiring because your feet won’t wobble as much. In other words, they offer more walkability so you can shop longer without aching feet.
RELATED: 5 Must-Have Shoes in Every Woman’s Closet
8. Get Over-The-Counter Inserts
With the wide variety of inserts available you have no reason to walk around with aching feet.
Consider your foot type and insole material to find insoles for your individual needs:
- Flat feet
More structured insoles will be best. Look for neoprene or EVA (rubber-like plastic) insoles with good arch support to improve your gait and provide shock-absorption for your heels. - High arches
Softer insoles, made with foam or gel, will reduce pressure on the balls of your feet. Choose insoles with the right arch height for proper weight distribution and support. - Preventing plantar fasciitis (pain in your heel)
Heel cushion or cupped heel inserts attach to the inside of your high heel. Besides additional padding, they also prevent blisters and strain. - Preventing metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of your foot)
Look for full-length insoles made from gel or silicone. The insoles increase stabilization (your feet won’t slide forward) and offer support for long days spent on your feet.
9. Moleskin Adhesives
The best way to prevent blisters or improve the fit of shoes is moleskin adhesive. It’s a thin cotton material that can be applied directly to high heels to make them more comfortable and offer protection from chafing and blisters.
10. Rescue Footwear
A back-up pair of shoes can be a lifesaver. I always have a pair of comfortable flats in my car or my bag.
11. Take a Break
When you start feeling pain take a break.
Sit down and have a coffee. Do a couple of stretches like pointing your toes, rolling your ankles and stretching your calves to help relieve tightness.
If you still experience pain ditch the high heels for the day. You can always conquer the world (or mall) in high heels another day.
Save this infographic for reference it later!
If you need more advice on how you can make your high heels comfier, check this video by Style by Jd:
What are your favorite high heel hacks? Let us know in the comments! Share them on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
UP NEXT: