I sat down to write this post about "the comfiest heels" at a loss. In my experience, no high heel is comfortable until you break it in. But this column isn't about my opinion, it's about objective information, so I turned to an expert. The first question I posed to Tania Kapila, doctor of podiatric medicine at DeLoor Podiatry Associates, was, "Do comfy heels exist?" The short and depressing answer: no.
"There isn’t an ideal heel out there because they all cause some trauma to your feet," Dr. Kapila says. (Think: corns or calluses, to start.) Before you break out the Band-Aids or foot numbing cream, Kapila shared three quick tips for finding heels that won't completely destroy your feet:
- The best height heel height is between one and two inches. If the shoe is extremely tall, it will cause jamming of the toes and ball of the foot every time you walk.
- Pay attention to the shape of the toe box, whether it's pointy or curved. A pair that's too sharply pointed will squeeze your foot.
- Look for something with a breathable material, like nubuck or suede.
Regardless of the style you're shopping for, there's one more factor that can have a massive impact on whether or not your shoes will be killing you as soon as you step outside the store: when you choose to buy your heels. "Feet tend to change in size throughout the day because they swell. It’s best to buy shoes in the afternoon or later in the day rather than in the morning. Whatever size shoe fits you better during the afternoon is the size you should be buying," said Kapila.
Now that you're armed with all the facts, make a 3 p.m. Zoom date with your bestie to do some online shopping. I selected some winning heel options based on the doctor's recommendations, below, to get y'all started.
The Eco-Friendly Heel
Dr. Scholl's shoes get cuter and maintain the same level of functionality with each season. This pair is designed with "Insole Technology" for plush cushioning and is lightweight, flexible, and sustainable. The leather is responsibility sourced, shipped in recyclable materials labeled with soy-based inks, and for each shoe purchased, the brand will donate one tree to Trees for the Future to offset carbon emissions.
The Seasonal Ankle Boot
One of the brands recommended by Dr. Kapila is Rockport. This little bootie features the brand's "truTECH" construction for a shock-absorbing sole. That means your feet won't feel the impact of walking on concrete like it does when you're in sandals. A 3-inch heel offers a height boost, but won't leave you teetering on your tippy toes.
The Professional Loafer Heel
Made in Portugal, this loafer makes a polished statement in your professional wardrobe. It has a removable fluidform insole for long-lasting cushioning and a stiffer exterior to hold its shape. Tone down the shoe's seriousness, if you wish, with a pair of quirky designer socks.
The Slip-on-and-Go Weekend Heel
For Saturday nights when you know you'll end up hanging out at the bar until 3 a.m., wear a pair of wedge heels instead of stilettos so your feet don't scream bloody murder in the morning. As for that hangover? You might need to take an Advil or two.
The T-Strap Heel
The heel measures 1.25 inches and the shoe itself is made of a soft suede fabric that comes in this poppy pink hue. (You can also order the shoe in black or blue.) Our favorite part are the t-strap vintage-inspired straps.
The Square-Toe Heel
Gucci lovers will splurge on a pair of Zumi mules that feature the brand's iconic interlocking GG logo and horsebit signatures. Slight heels offer a comfortable lift from the ground while square toes give a trendier take to the classic design.
If a sneaker and sandal merged to form one, you'd get this result. This sporty shoe is great for the gals who want to run around without breaking an ankle and don't want to wear suffocating sneakers in the summertime.
The Bridal Heel
These Jimmy Choo shoes are the epitome of the pretty, comfortable party heel for brides. The heel height is only 2.5 inches, so give these babies a spin on the dance floor to capture everyone's attention.
The Wooden Heel Sandal
This warm-weather sandal has a 2.75-inch heel with a one-inch platform and is outfitted with Toms' signature OrthoLite-cushioned footbed for support and comfort. The muted colored straps make the sandal easy to pair with all your outfits.
The Wedding Guest Heel
A minimalist heel you can wear with denim shorts or with a wedding guest dress as you watch your friends say their "I dos." You might want to get an extra pair or two as back up because you'll be wearing these heels down to the soles for the rest of spring/summer 2020.
The Day-to-Night Sandal
This two-inch-heel transitions easily from day to night. For day: rock with a denim skirt and a billowy top. For night: style it with a black cutout dress like this one from Zara.
The Work Shoe
The next time you're about to wear the same battered black ballet flats to work—stop. Swap them for an of-the-season mule like this backless cognac-colored pair from Sam Edelman. Thanks to the low heel, it won't put too much stress on the ball of your foot or toes, so you can stand comfortably while you nail that presentation.
The Everyday Ballet Flat
Naturalizer, which has been around since 1927, is known for creating, "the shoe with the beautiful fit," so it's no surprise Dr. Kapila mentioned it as one of the brands that should be your new go-to. Your nude ballet flats get a little design upgrade with a stripe of snakeskin print.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at MarieClaire.com, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's also had many opportunities to write content in other areas such as beauty, food, tech, and even home. Her previous fashion stints include POPSUGAR and Cosmopolitan.
-
Heidi Gardner Opens Up About Viral Moment She Broke Character During ‘Saturday Night Live’ Beavis and Butt-Head Sketch
“I just couldn’t prepare for what I saw.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Fashion, Family, Fitness: The 3 Guiding Principles of 'MC' Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike and How They Intersect in Her Life
By Nikki Ogunnaike Published
-
Caitlin Clark's WNBA Draft Glow Is Courtesy of Glossier
She even wore a just-launched product from the brand.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Stylists on Why Leather Jackets Are a Great Investment
Fashion insiders weigh in on their favorite styles.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Grown-Ups Are Rediscovering the Charm of Peter Pan Collars
From bibbed button-downs to round-neck leather jackets, this year's takes feel more sophisticated than sweet.
By Emma Childs Published
-
Sabrina Carpenter Wears Vintage Victoria's Secret Lingerie to Tease Upcoming Coachella Performance
Her look was pulled from the brand's 1997 archives.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
The Best Chunky Sandals Prove Minimalism Is Out
Another footwear trend embracing maximalism in 2024.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
The Brands to Shop for the Best Swimsuits
From size-inclusive labels to sustainable and designer options, this list is all-encompassing.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
The Best Vacation-Worthy Beach Dresses
From barely-there to playful fringe.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Could a 'Shirt Sandwich' Pull You Out of a Fashion Rut?
The gourmet styling trick may help you fall back in love with your wardrobe.
By Emma Childs Published
-
The Best Spring Dresses Simplify Any Outfit Formula
Style this wardrobe staple for any occasion, from farmer's markets to formal affairs.
By Lauren Tappan Published