High heels are one of the sexiest forms of footwear available, but they are also the most difficult shoes to get right in terms of comfort, fit and style and so here is a quick guide to buying the right high heels for you.

Measure Up
High heels can be difficult to walk in, but half the battle is making sure you get the best fit possible. Go to a shoe shop when it is a bit quieter and get the assistant to measure both of your feet properly, and you may even discover that one foot is slightly larger or wider than the other.

Try Shoes On
Remember that shoe sizes can vary slightly across the brands, so make sure you try on each pair of shoes before you buy them, as you may be a size 7 in one style, but need a 7.5 or even an 8 in another. Try to avoid buying a pair of high heels unless you have tried them on and walked around in them for a few moments, as some styles can be very uncomfortable with certain foot shapes. For example if you have quite long toes then high heels that come into a sharp point at the end can actually be very uncomfortable for you, and you may well find you are not able to wear them for very long without getting painful feet and blisters on your toes.

Quality
Another part of how well you can walk in high heels is how well the shoe is made and balanced. Check the shoe carefully to make sure the heel is seamlessly attached to the sole and that it has a heel tip, which is a little layer of rubber on the heel that helps to prevent slipping and make it easier for you to walk. Next look at the sole and make sure it is not too flat, and check it has a bit of give, then also check there is some padding on the inside foot bed. Very flat, inflexible shoes can be quite hard on your feet, and are painful to walk around in after just a short while, so give yourself every chance you can by picking a more comfortable shoe.

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We continue with the “Buying flattering Shoes” topic posted before few days.

Big Calves
If you have big calves then avoid very flat shoes as these can make calves look wider, and avoid high boots as not only will you find it difficult to get any that fit comfortably, but they will just highlight bigger calves. Also avoid very high heels as well, as these can bunch the calve muscles up and again make then look bigger.

Flat Feet
If you have very flat feet and fallen arches then you will need to think carefully about your shoes, as you will need extra support to help prevent problems such as foot, leg, hip and back pain. Choose shoes that have properly shaped foot beds such as Birkenstocks (there are now many fashionable designs available), as these provide a lot of support across the length of your foot and help to balance your weight, and try and stay away from high heels as these throw your weight forward and place a lot of strain on your feet and legs.

Wide, Long Feet
Big feet can look even longer in pointy-toed shoes, so avoid these and opt for round-toed designs that help to give the illusion of shorter feet, and are also a lot more comfortable for wider feet.

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Everyone has different shaped feet and legs, and some styles of shoe will suit some people more than others, so when you are shopping for shoes it is important to be realistic about your shape, and buy a shoe that will flatter you and your individual style.

Large Ankles
If you have strong, large ankles then you do need to avoid shoes that have ankle straps or boots that have low ankle cuts, as they draw attention to this area and make your ankles look even bigger. Opt for slingbacks and pumps instead which will draw out the length of your ankles and make them appear slimmer.

Short Legs
Avoid ankle straps or t-straps as these will make your legs look even shorter, and also try and avoid very flat pumps as these will have the same effect. Opt for a slight heel for every day shoes to help stretch out your legs, and high heels for the evening as these will give the illusion of height and combined with pointy toed styles will help make your legs look as long as possible.

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If you are interested in vintage clothing and styles then you will need to do some research into sizing and fit from different periods, as these can often be very different from the modern way of fashioning and tailoring clothes, which can make it more different to choose the right sizing. This is particularly important when it comes to choosing vintage shoes, as badly fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable but they can affect your overall posture and cause foot, leg and back strain.

Quality and Condition
It is amazing to think that shoes made over 50 years ago can still be worn today, but remember that in most cases shoes made in the early to mid 20th Century were handmade by specialised craftsmen, and the quality is outstanding and comparable today to shoes that cost well over several hundred dollars per pair. High quality vintage shoes are well sought after, but you can still get a pair in good condition for as little as $30-$50 dollars, and these will just keep on going with a little tender loving care. Be very careful when vintage shoes are described as ‘worn’, as this usually means they are almost worn out, and it is worth paying more for a pair in better condition as this will save you money on any expensive repairs. Most vintage shoes that are described as in ‘good’ condition may only need a few minor repairs such as a heel tap (around $5 in any good shoe repair shop) or a really good clean and polish.

Sizing
The main problem with vintage shoes is that many of the handmade ones do not have any standardised sizing, so you would have to try each pair on to know whether they fit, and if you were a size 6 in a modern shoe you may be anything from a 5.5 through to a 7.5 in a vintage shoe. Also vintage shoes tended to be much smaller and narrower than modern shoes, and finding a vintage ladies shoe in anything over a size 7 can be quite difficult.

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