Women that can effortlessly walk in heels are goddesses, okay? They don’t even hesitate or break a sweat when they do it. And how do you not even look at the ground when you’re walking? What if you step in a crack on the street or something? Aren’t you scared? It’s like a superpower – it’s ethereal.
I have absolutely no clue what kind of sorcery or black magic that is but I’ve never been able to do it. I’ll literally fall face-first onto the ground if I tried to wear anything other than comfy orthopaedic shoes. My legs just weren’t built for anything too high. Cursed I tell you.
But the sad reality of the situation is that we can’t wear sneakers and sandals to every occasion. Not that anyone’s stopping you and you’d probably be able to pull it off. But you’d feel a tad bit out of place when you look at everyone else. So, you just need to grin and bear it. Sure, they’re not the most comfortable thing in the world but you probably won’t need to wear them that often anyway.
There are a lot of options out there and if you’re not really a shoe enthusiast, you might not feel up for shopping around much. We’re here to narrow down your choices. Let’s dive into the magical world of stylish formal high heels and see what we uncover.
Which Heels Are Formal?
Luckily for all of us, formal heels aren’t too high. If you can’t work or walk around the office while wearing a pair of heels, then they’re definitely too high. It’s best if you save those super high stilettos for wild nights out. If you get lower and thicker heels, they’ll feel more comfortable and you’ll put less of a strain on the balls of your feet. This, in turn, will make it easier to walk around and not feel any unnecessary pressure. After all, no one would willingly want to torture their feet, especially if during those harrowing eight hours in the office.
Generally speaking, the most appropriate height for formal high heels is anything at or under 3.5 inches. Interestingly enough, some women would go even lower, buying dress heels with a height of one to two inches. In a situation where flats aren’t appropriate and yet they’re your preferred choice, getting shoes with the lowest heel possible seems like the go-to option. Do with that information what you will.
What to Look For When Buying Formal Shoes?
Obviously, there are things you need to consider when buying any type of shoe, not just formal ones. That’s not saying that they’re entirely different things but you do need to pay attention to a few minor details before making a purchase.
Type of Materials
Most formal heels come in a leather or suede package. While synthetic leather is a more affordable and cost-effective solution, it comes with a few drawbacks since it’ll be an inconvenience for your feet. Heels are very uncomfortable anyway so why would you make things even more difficult than they already are? High-quality leather or suede heels, or maybe even a combination of both, will adapt to the shape of your foot and provide adequate support. They’re quite sturdy and durable too, so they won’t wear out that easily.
Fit and Comfort
It’s important to pay close attention to how the shoe fits and feels around your foot. It should be snug but not too tight or too loose. Take your time when trying them on at the shops to think about how and when you’ll be wearing them. If you’re wearing them for a longer period of time and you’ll be standing throughout, then higher heels might not be the best option.
When it comes to size, remember that different brands may have different sizing options. There’s a possibility that the same-sized shoe but from different brands will not feel the same once you try both pairs on.
Here’s a helpful suggestion – try out any type of heels at the end of the day. Why? It’s simple really – this is when your feet are likely to be swollen and tired from all your daily activities so you’ll truly get the chance to see how the shoes will feel after a long day. If you try them on in the morning, you might regret getting them by the time the evening rolls out and your feet are killing you.
Design Pattern
I can’t possibly stress this enough – don’t buy glittery or sparkly heels for the office or any type of formal event. That’s going to draw unnecessary and unwanted attention to you. In addition, you should bright and vibrant colours such as red, yellow or green and opt for more neutral, toned-down colours like blue, beige, white or classic black.
Another thing to keep in mind is shoes with ankle straps. Some might say that they provide extra support on your ankles but in reality, what they do is just add extra pressure on an already overwhelmed joint. You’ll feel extremely uncomfortable and sore by the time you have to take them off. And last but not least, avoid pointed shoes because your toes will be super cramped and wonky the whole time. But this doesn’t mean that you should go for open-toe shoes either. Choose something that’s in the middle.
