How To Buy Comfortable Heels

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Comfortable heels. No, it's not an oxymoron. There really are some shoes out there that are stylish and sexy both. Please don't forsake fashion for fundamental functionalism. Don't give in to tacky flip-flops or ugly Birkenstocks.

What do you look for in a comfortable heeled shoe?
1. Be sure you buy the right size. Many times our feet change in size over the years. Even half a size can make the difference between walking and wincing in pain or walking with a serious strut. Have your feet measured the next time you buy a pair of shoes.

2. Look for a wide base where the heel meets the bottom of the shoe. This lends more support to the heel and puts less stress on the balls of your feet. I have a pair of BCBG's with a 3 1/2 inch heel that I can wear all night because of this feature.

3. Try a kitten heel. They aren't quite as high as their 3 and 4 inch stiletto sisters, but they are quite cute, curvy and many shoe designers have quite a selection of kitten heels.

4. A little padding under the ball of the foot works wonders. Either padding on the inside of the shoe or a thicker sole (or both) provides excellent shock absorption for the ball of the foot. Platform pumps, which are all the rage this season, are an even better choice, especially when they have the built in cushioning. This Via Spiga pump at Nordstrom.com is the perfect example.

5. Rounded toes squeeze toes less than pointy ones. So if you are going to be doing a lot of walking or on your feet constantly, opt for a shoe with more room in the toe area by choosing a rounded toe.

6. Wedges give the illusion of height without sacrificing comfort. You basically have more shoes to walk on with a wedge heel. If they include good cushioning you're on to a good shoe choice. Check out this patent wedge by Richard Tyler at Piperlime.

7. Buy good leather. You shouldn't have to break in your shoes. They will feel great the very first time you wear them.

8. For ultimate comfort check out Cole Haan's Nike Air collection. Cole Haan joined forces with Nike to create dressy shoes with Nike Air cushioning. The result is you have shoes like this that look way too good to feel good.

Last but not least, when you are wearing those super sexy stilettos, try using an insert for the ball of your feet. 'Foot Petals' makes a variety cushions that provide comfort in all types of shoes. Hopefully with these few tips, you will be able to find some comfy stylish comfy shoes. Have a favorite brand that works for you?