Ouch. Rocha Autumn/Winter 2014
Picture this: You leaving the house in your sexy teetering stilettos feeling like the epitome of glamour, only to end up hobbling home barefooted at the end of the night. You probably swore never to wear heels ever again, yet you find yourself reaching out for another pair of heels come the next day.
Doesn’t this situation sound all too familiar? Yes, it’s the age-old problem that we all face throughout our womanhood; the pain and discomfort that comes with wearing heels. Many of us (uh huh, totally guilty here) have adopted a “grin and bear it” attitude, when we choose stylish heels over comfortable shoes.
But as it turns out, heels can be comfortable too.
Here are five simple (yet extremely efficient tips) for you to strut your stuff without paying the price in comfort.
1. Find the right fit
I know this sounds painfully obvious, but you will be surprised how lightly most women take shoe shopping, committing to the purchase as long as it looks nice on their feet.
It’s important to walk around in the heels to get a feel of the material and the cut of the shoe. If these shoes feel tight or are rubbing against your toes, even just a tiny bit, don’t buy them. You will not break the shoe in – they will break you.
The shoe should feel slightly snug, but with enough room for your toes to wriggle around. There should be a thumb’s width from the front of the inside of your shoe to the end of your longest toe. For pointed shoes,there should be a gap between the pointed edge and your toes, so that your toes won’t be cramped into the v-shaped toe box.
The best time to shop for shoes is either in the late afternoon or in the evening. This is because your feet will swell up during the day and are at their largest size by late afternoon.
2. Avoid cheap shoes
No, it’s not my inner snob talking. I’m talking about choosing quality over quantity, when it comes to your shoes. Well-made shoes offer more stability and support in quality materials (look out for real leather linings) that takes care of your feet.
If the price is a concern, my advice is to do some research about the type of shoes you like and to wait it out until the sale seasons (the Great Singapore Sale in May to June, Christmas sales in November to December) and spend them on the best shoes you can find then.
3. Own your shoes first, at home
Wear your heels around the house, to know where they will rub against your feet; this is where friction might cause those dreaded blisters. Apply fabric plasters to the sore spots on your feet and soak them briefly in water. Walk around the house in the shoes once more, so that the expanded wet plaster will soften and stretch the shoes at the identified spots.
4. Tap your third and fourth toes together
There is a nerve that splits between those two toes, which cause pain when pressure is put upon it.This helps to keep your foot muscles aligned, which takes the pressure off the ball of your foot, making it to be much steadier! You can use sticky tape or self-sticking bandage tape.
5. Spray a dose of antiperspirant spray
Even if your soles don’t sweat much, just the tiniest bit of moisture can cause the inner soles of your shoes to chafe your skin. The antiperspirant also works as a barrier layer between your skin and shoes, safeguarding them from blisters that are caused by friction.
