Take a look at your shoe selection and compare it to the selection of shoes of any man in your life. Is is valid to say that most women have a slight obsession with shoes? Let’s face it, if we had all the money in the world, our closets would be filled with shoes galore.
But, in reality, many of us have to restrain ourselves and limit our shoe purchases in order to remain on budget. This is not an easy task when women have such a variety of outfits worn throughout the year- casual skirts and dresses, fancy skirts and dresses, everyday jeans, going out jean, work suits, casual pants, dressy pants, shorts- the list could go on forever.
To ensure that you have a core shoe selection to be able to compliment any outfit, we have compiled a list of our 5 MUST HAVE high heels. These are the ones that will get the most use and still make you feel sexy after their 100th time on your feet.
#1- Standard Black Pump- Whether it is a peep toe, stiletto, or platform these heels can go with you to work, to play, and anytime in between. They are the “Little Black Dress” of footwear.
#2- Evening/Dress Sandal- These are great to have for formal affairs like weddings or celebrations and they also work great to dress up jeans or a casual dress. We recommend purchasing a basic color like black or a metallic tone like gold or silver that will match just about any outfit.
#3- High Heeled Boot- Whether it be an ankle boot, a knee high boot, or a risky thigh high version, boots work great for a night out on the town or a casual meeting with family and friends.
#4- Wedge- These will provide height and style without the normal pain from other types of heels. During the warmer months, sandal wedges are a cute option to dress up a sun dress or pair of shorts.
#5- Fun and funky high heel- Every girl needs a pair of shoes that don’t compliment the outfit, but rather are the outfit. They are the bright colored, uniquely designed, fashionably chic, or flashy pair that makes a simple black dress or a pair of jeans and a white tank top look like the hottest outfit around.
The 5 Types of High Heels that Every Girl Should Own
Celebrating Earth Day a Girls Way
In honor of Earth Day, Pinup Shoes thought it would be beneficial to discuss simple ways that we can promote a healthy environment through what women love most- fashion and beauty.
Check out our green friendly ideas and feel free to add to the list!
- Incorporate organic products into your beauty routine. There are a ton of new lines from earth friendly manufacturers. The organic products are not only healthier for your skin and body but they are also produced with ingredients that are less harmful to our environment. A few brands we recommend are Yes to Carrots, Aveda, and Alba.
- Make it a routine to check your closet for unworn clothing before going on a shopping trip. Donate any articles found to a local charity like Good Will or the Salvation Army. You can even make a deal with yourself that in order to purchase new clothes; you must first donate an article or two.
- Share with friends. Whether you gather once a month for an exchange or you shop each other’s closets before a night out, sharing helps save on materials. Even if you are not the same high heel shoe size or dress size as your friends, you can always borrow each other’s accessories like jewelry, handbags, and belts. Follow the phrase we were all taught in grade school- “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. Reuse jewelry for multiple events, recycle bags by handing them down to friends, and reduce the amount of clothing you purchase by sharing!
- Shop for eco-friendly brands that give back to the environment. Many clothing companies, beauty brands, and boutiques will donate a portion of their proceeds to a green friendly organization. Examples include The Body Shop, Avon, and Kiehls.
- Save water during prep time. We all know that a long hot shower is just what you need to wake yourself up in the morning or relax yourself at night. But, saving on shower time can save a ton of water. In general a four minute shower uses about 20-40 gallons of water. Imagine how much water you can save if you cut your shower time in half!
Fashion is Pain, Learn to Make it Less Painful
In the fashion world, a cocktail dress or club outfit is not complete without a high heel shoe. It doesn't matter if it is a platform, a pointy toe, or a strappy sandal, the height creates the sexy, stylish look that woman want.
Nowadays it seems like the higher the heel the sexier the look causing heel heights to increase dramatically. Woman who once strutted through clubs and hot spots in 4 inch heels are pushing the limit in 12 inch platforms!
So, what are the effects of the increased heel height? The obvious is the pain that woman go through from walking in heels all day. But, when you ask around, most women will admit the look and feel that they get from wearing high heels outweighs the risk of twisting an ankle or causing soreness to the feet. It’s like we have heard many of times before
“Fashion is pain”, right?
The good news is that there are tips and pointers to help you complete your outfit with a sexy high heel, without adding soreness and pain to your feet.
Here’s advice that we find helpful:
1. Get the right fit. If your high heels are too big, your foot will slide to the front and cause more pressure on your toes. If you buy heels that are too small, your foot will feel cramped and add pressure in unwanted areas. Your heels should fit snug so they do not slide, but also allow a bit of stretching room.
2. Invest in added cushion. There are shoe inserts on the market designed specifically for high heel pressure points. Webmd.com recommends using silicone metatarsal pads to protect the balls of your feet. Morris Morin, DPM, director of podiatric medicine at the Hackensack University Medical Center, says “They look like flattened gummy bears, but they do
a super job of shock absorption.”
3. The steeper the slope of the heel, the more painful they will be. This is why platforms have become so popular. Platforms create less of a slope but still have significant height because they add elevation in both the heel and the sole.
4. Thicker heels create more stability. A wider heel will distribute your weight allowing better balance and less pressure.
5. If you have corns or calluses, see a podiatrist about getting them removed. They will cause your feet to be misshaped in the heal creating unwanted pressure points and soreness. If the doctor can not remove the corns or calluses, opt for open toed high heels to take pressure off inflamed areas.
6. Switch up your shoe daily. If you are sporting the same high heel over and over again, they will wear in and provide less stability and more discomfort. Rotating between high heels and flats will also give your foot a break from the pressure. Trust us when we say there are plenty of cute and sexy flats that provide comfort without risking fashion!
