The greatest struggle women constantly face when they’re about to conquer their world with a pair of high heels is no other thing than comfort. As a matter of fact, any woman seen in heels is likely to have another pair of shoes in her bag as an alternative for comfort. No matter how it seems like, the struggle for wearing heels continues – because heels are obviously the kind of shoes a lot of women can’t live without.
To make life more stylishly pain-free, shoe designers shared their insider tips on how to make heels more comfortable via Who What Wear.
Stuart Weitzman – Designer:
According to Weitzman – “The only reliable alteration to a shoe that does not hold the foot properly is to add a foam pad filler. But only if such filler does not make the shoe uncomfortably tight. If the heel is higher than the lady is used to wearing, it will most logically be a difficult adjustment for her; and of course, if it not comfortable when tried on, it should be put back in the box and returned to the shelf.”
Weitzman’s tip for making sure the shoe is, indeed, a comfortable fit?
“Try it on,” he says. “Then walk around the store a few times. If it’s tight, don’t assume it will stretch. And if it slips in the heel, assume it will always do that.”
Amanda Fisher (Design director for Sigerson Morrison):
“Pay attention to how narrow the shoe looks in the toe area, and if there’s any foam or padding under the sock,” – said Fisher. “High heels are always easier to walk in if they have a platform—the more support the better! Adding a piece of foam under the sock will offer some extra cushioning.”
And how to double-check that a heel will be comfortable before you buy it?
”The heel height! If the heel is extremely high on a single sole shoe, you know these shoes won’t be good for walking,” Fisher advises. “Also, if it’s a pointy-toe style and it appears very narrow, your toes will be suffering by day’s end.”
Megan Key – Creative Director for Dolce Vita:
“It’s all about the tred point,” Key says. “The tred is where the ball of the foot hits on the shoe in a high heel. If it’s not correct, then your weight balances too much on the front of the foot and will be painful. Insole padding also affects the comfort of your shoe, if there’s not enough or if the quality is poor.”
Isa Tapia – Designer:
According to Isa – “I’m making some shoes with heart-padded footbeds that cushion the foot and help lower the impact of wearing a high heel, but, of course, they still look glam!”
