Very important to my future - How do you get used to wearing heels?

[Luv2Scrap]

First, a little background - I have been wearing tennis shoes and crocs for years now - not a very strict dress code at my job. I've struggled with plantar fascitis and back problems for years, but I've been doing pretty good with both lately.

Now, I'm back in school, and when I graduate, I'd really like to get a great paying job in the private sector (I work for the county now). This is assuming the economy turns a bit and there are jobs available, but I have a year and a half to go.

Of course, I'm sure this will require me to step up the dress code a bit, so I'm trying to work on it now. Dress for the job you want, right?

The problem is, I am having the hardest time finding ANY heels that are comfortable to me. I even bought a super cute pair of Crocs heels in Chicago last weekend, which I thought were the most comfortable heels I've ever worn. Not too high, but higher than a low pump. Sure enough, I was in pain by 9 am. My poor toes are so scrunched!

I'm not big on flat dress shoes - I can never really find any I like. Will I ever adjust to heels? Am I doomed to a lifetime of tennis shoes?

 

[diznygirl]

I always buy a 1/2 or one full size larger in high heels - gives my toes plenty of wiggle room.

Good luck.

 

[powellrj]

Try a good shoe like a dansko. I paid $110 for a pair of plain black sandals, but it is the first time in years I was able to comfortably wear a pair of heels. I also suffer from the same foot problems you have, then I have a really, really wide foot so I had given up ever wearing heels again. I hated to pay that for shoes, but they feel and look good.

 

[bekkiz]

How much are you willing to spend? I'm of the personal belief that you should put money where you spend the most time (mattress, shoes etc), but I'm also a little bit of a cheapskate, so these are out of my reach right now. When I was teaching and on my feet, yeah, it would be worth it.

Cole Haan teamed up with Nike and made some extraordinarily comfortable high heels, but they are $$$$.

Tayrn Rose shoes are designed by an orthopedic surgeon and are very easy to wear. Again $$$$$.

A wedge will almost always be mor comfortable than a spike. A square toe box is generally easier to wear than a pointy one. And there's a few inserts that might make things more comfortable for you.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I have crazy ankle issues after breaking both ankles several times but also wear heels when I need to.

I never wear more than 3 inch heels and those are for special occasions. A few things I have learned include buying a good pair of shoes and putting in more cushion if possible where you stress your foot the most. Dr. Scholl makes a great heel insert cushion pad thingy.

DSW shoe store has an outstanding shoe selection including flats and mini heels. Don't be vain and try to get a size smaller. Think about going up half a size or even a wide. Not all shoe brands are the same size.

Keep trying to find a pair that is comfortable to you when walking. I HATE the new style of heel being in the middle of your heel instead of at the back of the shoe. It throws my balance off and puts even more pressure on my poor ankles.

If you find a great brand or pair of shoes you like, buy two colors or even two of the same pair. I have one brand I love and have 5 pairs of heels just different colors.

I don't think you'll be 100% comfortable the whole time in heels. It does take more time though. I haven't worn heels in almost a month and feeling the pain now from it after wearing them this morning.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Is this a heel or wedge? I don't even know the difference!

http://www.crocs.com/crocs-lydia/10509,default,pd.html?cgid=women-footwear-heelsWedges

they were so comfy in the store, I bought two pair. The one place to buy crocs in my city has very little to pick from, so I thought I'd get two, knowing I can't get them here. Now I don't know if I can get used to them.

Oh, and they're SO cute, I just love them! I have worn this same outfit I'm wearing several times, with plain beach crocs... but suddenly today, everyone is commenting on how nice I look. apparently, the right shoes really do matter!

I'm wearing knee-hi nylons. Does that make a difference?

Oh, and I even went to the Good Feet store at lunch today and told him how desperate I am to wear heels. He told me to come back with my tennis shoes.

So how much are these $$$$ shoes, and where could I find them? I'm spending $100 on my tennis shoes and $40 on my inserts as it is...

 

[MiniGirl]

OP, I have dealt with Plantar fasciitis as well, and I used to be a flight attendant so I was on my feet a lot. Oddly enough, I went to the doctor hoping to get an excuse to not wear heels. Imagine my surprise when he mentioned that I really should always wear a heel or a running shoe. I found a pair of shoes with a good solid 2" heel. After getting them broken in, I found them quite comfortable and I actually stopped bringing my flats to work with me. I could comfortably work a 10 hour flight in my heels.

I have long since stopped flying and I still wear shoes with a small heel. Except for my running shoes, any other flat shoes will cause my heel to hurt -- even Crocs. It could take some time, but eventually you'll find some that work. Also, if you're toes are scrunched, then you are probably buying shoes that are too small.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

size probably is part of the problem. why doesn't Crocs do half-sizes? I really didn't want to go a full size up because they were definitely too big, so I just hoped these ones would stretch.

hey... isn't there some trick I can do with Crocs in the dryer for stretching them? Or was that shrinking? I definitely don't want to shrink them!

 

[m&m's mom]

Sofft brand will be your best friend. I have plantar facitis and hate shoes since they are so uncomfortable.
I bought a Sofft black wedge healed shoe that I can wear for hours. I was shocked. On a lower budget try Aerosoles.
I work at a Fortune 100 company and we have been straight casual wear for a few years. You might luck out.

 

[lisah0711]

I've suffered with plantar fasciitis, too. The best thing for me are the orthotics that were fitted by my physical therapist (who wouldn't like getting a foot massage from a cute 20 something guy? But that's another story . . . ). They were about $120 but can be worn with different shoes and are supposed to last for five years.

The orthotics really made a huge difference for me. I went from limping around all day to being able to walk 11 miles on Thursday at DL in 102 degree heat. Being able to walk without thinking about your feet -- priceless!

Good luck!

 

[SC Minnie]

You don't have to wear 4in heels. There are a lot of nice dress shoes that aren't hard on your feet. Wedges can also be nice but in a lower heel.

 

[Kitzka]

i don't know if there is a trick. the crocs you link to above, i would call a wedge. i am a shorty 5 ft 2 and wear heels all the time. i tend to wear 3 or 4.5 inch heels to work. i use to wear them TO work (walking a mile or so from the bus to my office) but as i am older i find that i can't do this anymore. i tend to wear flats to and from thr office but heels at the office.

i also wear shorter heels (2 or 2.5 high heels) for my around town errands. cole haan heels are great but as a pp mentioned pricey. like $300 PLUS.

good luck. it's all about finding the right shoe for you.

lara

 

[LadyZolt]

Do your legs a favor and wear very low pumps -- one inch, tops. They make some plain black ones (I wear them to church, and I also wore them when I was in the Navy as I am not fond of standing at attention in high heels and getting foot cramps) that go with pretty much everything, or some pretty flat dress shoes. High heels are completely unnatural and women should stop wearing them so that they'll go out of fashion. Here's a copy/paste from a health web site:

It's true that stylish high heels can make you look taller, flatter your legs and give you a chic appearance. But they also are notorious for harming women's feet.

* Blisters, corns or calluses can develop when high heels throw weight into the ball of your foot.
* Lower back pain can result when your spine bends backwards to compensate the forward push of your body when you walk in heels.
* Pain in the ball of your foot, a condition called metatarsalgia, can stem from high heels.
* Ankle sprains are more likely because your foot position in heels and the often-narrow heel width can make ankles unstable.
* Achilles tendonitis is a risk. Frequent wearing of heels shortens and tightens calf muscles. This can lead to painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of your heel.
* Benign tumors of nerves, called neuromas, can grow between toes. Symptoms may include sharp pain and tingling or numbness of the toes.
* "Pump bump," or Hagland's deformity, has been linked to women who often wear high heels. This painful bump on the back of the heel bone occurs when the bone rubs against the shoe or a narrow, pointed shoe makes toes curl up.

Wearing heels all the time can even make wearing flats impossible if your foot becomes used to the position of heels. This can lead to more serious problems, like bone spurs or Achilles tendon tears.

Not worth it -- wear one inch or less.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[vettechick99]

Buy very nice, brand name shoes. I have a pair of 4 inch platforms that I could wear all day because they are BCBG. Spend the money for the good stuff and never leave the store with a pair of shoes that feel just ok. You will suffer for it!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Love wearing heels but I do think some people are comfortable & some are not........add in your health problems you might have to take some time & start wearing them sooner than later. Start at a few minutes at a time

I will say crocs or wedges with a corp. outfit...not a good look.