It’s easy to tell when someone’s feet are killing them. It’s pretty fair to say we’ve all seen and experienced it. I’ve put together some tricks of the trade to make sure that experience is something from the past. Quality Shoes Quality shoes are an investment. However, paying more isn’t a guarantee of a good fit. A quality shoe will often be sewn instead of glued. Shoes should be lined in leather or suede, including the straps. Leather soles, and good padding are other indicators of a good shoe. Comfortable Fit This has been said many times, but we often conveniently forget it when faced with a shoe we love. Remember this; no one notices how pretty your shoes are when you can’t walk because your feet are obviously hurting. Know Your Size You must know yourself in order to find what works for you. Measure your foot. I don’t just mean in the store but also with measuring tape. It’s good to know the exact length of your foot when shopping online, especially with auctions where the insole measurement is provided. It’s also a good idea to know the international measurements. A US 8 is also a 38, but may be a 39 in true European shoes. The link below provides a good international chart. http://www.sunncity.com/Export/shoesize.html Toe Room The majority of shoes aren’t in the exact shape of your feet. You need some extra space for toe comfort. The ideal room is half an inch to one inch depending on the shape of the shoe. Pointy-toe shoes usually require up to 1-1/2 inches of extra space to fit comfortably. Aside from the immediate pain, squished toes can lead to corns and bunions. Side Support Flimsy side support is a pet peeve of mine (I have flat feet). My situation makes me sensitive, but I’ve come across so many shoes with no support at all. One test I learned is to gently try to bend the shoe in half (you’re testing the shoe, not damaging it). It should bend just before where the arch would start, but resist bending in the middle. Heel Height The ideal heel height for moving around comfortably is a half-inch to 2-1/2 inches. Many of the fashionable styles are at least three inches. Carrie of Sex & the City made this a trend. Just remember Sarah was in them for a limited amount of time. Let that be your guide; the higher the heel, the less time you should spend in the shoes. Heel Width The popular trend of skinny heels is a style that can be harmful if you’re not careful. Teetering in high heels is not good for your ankles not to mention how it looks. Skinny, especially those combined with high heels can cause ankle sprains and strains. Heel Placement If you can’t stand or walk solidly, skip the shoes. They’re not for you. This includes making sure the heel fits solidly under your heel. You want to avoid the heels that feel like they could break or move slightly out under your heel. They won’t last long. Padding This is important so you don’t feel every pebble and grain when walking. Padding also helps the knees and back by absorbing shock. Avoid paper insoles. Go for leather insoles and padding that’s at least a quarter of an inch thick. The padding should at least extend from the heel to the ball of the foot. Ideally, shoes should have heel-to-toe padding. I’ve found two rare, special brands; Coach (most affordable and you can catch sales in the stores sometimes) and Christian Louboutin (very expensive, but I have seen them discounted on ebay) Pinching If a shoe pinches immediately when you try it on, it will most likely continue to pinch. Shoe stretch solutions and gadgets can only do so much. Save yourself the pain and money … keep looking. Extras Pretty touches are always a bonus. Mesh rivets, bows, ribbons and cords are nice, unless they hurt. Try the hand test; rub the inside of your hand over the area that will lie against our feet. If the extra touch doesn’t feel soft, almost soothing to your hand, it will hurt your feet. Make Sure Those Great Buys Are Something You'll Really Wear ... A bargain is no bargain if it's in the back of your closet. Yolanda Keil is a certified image consultant and a confessed shopaholic. She produces two free style newsletters; Style Shopper and Voluptuous Femme. Sign up for email updates at: http://www.polished-images.com/stylenews.html.
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