3. Stick to a 2-inch heel or wedge
Stilettos are no longer part of our 50-plus vocabulary, but the leggy effect of wearing elevated shoes sure is. Right now, there are plenty of sturdy-looking block heels and wedges with a 3- or 4-inch height. Don’t get fooled! They’re actually jamming your toes forward and shifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet. Ouch! If you want a leg lift, stick with a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches, which puts less stress on your feet and ankles but provides enough of a rise to stretch your silhouette. Always check the fit at your arch in a mirror. Too big a gap, and the contour of the shoe and your arch is not a good match. Choose a block heel sandal like the Bella Vita Jodi Sandal in Navy Fabric ($90, nordstrom.com) or Journee Collection Women’s Perette Block Heel Slide Sandal in Yellow ($49, famousfootwear.com), a pump like the Everlane The Italian Leather Day Heel in Light Taupe, Bone Stacked or Black ($145, everlane.com) or a casual wedge like the Bzees Smile Women’s Washable Wedge Slide in Berry Mimosa Stripe ($85, kohls.com).
(Clockwise from top left) SoftWalk Sandy in Beige; Open Edit Cammie Slingback Pump in Green Obi; Born Inlet in Taupe
Zappos; Nordstrom; Zappos
4. Consider a slingback
Let’s face it, a shoe that connects with your heel in some way is a little more dependable than a mule or slide when climbing stairs or walking quickly, and looks polished even in trendier versions. Slingbacks are a good breathable alternative to open sandals and a more businesslike option for work. Flats like the SoftWalk Sandy in Taupe or Beige ($100, zappos.com), a ballerina style, or the Born Inlet in Taupe, Turquoise or Black ($95, zappos.com), a peep-toe with airy instep, are modern ways to go. For a more classic look, opt for a sling with a low kitten heel, like the Open Edit Cammie Slingback Pump in Green Obi or Black ($50, nordstrom.com).
(Clockwise from top left) Trotters Nora Slide Sandal in Red; Marc Fisher Calvie Slide Sandal in Dark Pink; H&M Braided Slides in Dark Beige
Nordstrom; DSW; H&M
5. Choose toe- and foot-friendly mules and slides
These comfy styles are backless: Slides have open toes; mules, closed ones. One of the hottest trends for both looks is a sandal with one or two soft, wide woven bands that gently but confidently secure the foot. They’re easy on bunions, corns, hammer toes and other front-of-foot and mid-foot issues. The Trotters Nora Slide Sandal in Red ($100, nordstrom.com) has wide crisscross straps and a block heel, the more casual H&M Braided Slides in Dark Beige ($25, www2.hm.com/en) have a single puffy band and the Marc Fisher Calvie Slide Sandal in Dark Pink ($60, dsw.com/en/us), with a low block heel and a braided strap, will make your feet say ... ahhhh.
(Clockwise from top left) Naturalizer Kayden Mule in Black ($70, dsw.com/en/us); Brinley Co. Women’s Open Toe Slip On Mule in Tan ($45, walmart.com); Steve Madden Mentor Flat Sandal in Tan ($85, dsw.com/en/us)
DSW; Walmart; DSW
6. Treat heels to TLC if you love backless shoes
Who doesn’t love the open feeling of backless shoes? However, a steady daily diet of mules, slides and clogs can leave heels extra vulnerable to calluses and cracking, due to the constant friction. Be sure to use a moisturizing cream on the edges of your heels at the soles every evening. The other issue here is keeping the shoes on your feet. If you’re a fast walker, have sweaty feet or end up using your toes as “clingers” with every step, try using adhesive inserts on the balls of the shoe or swipe your soles with stick antiperspirant deodorant to prevent backless shoes from flying off.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Old Navy Faux-Leather Pointed-Toe Loafer Shoes for Women in Bare Necessity; Cliffs by White Mountain Women’s Gracefully Wide Loafer in Light Blue; Ann Taylor Suede Tassel Loafer in Countryside Blue
Old Navy; Famous Footwear; Ann Taylor
7. Choose shoes with a comfortable toe-box
Wiggle your toes. If you can’t, your shoes are too small or too narrow. Be sure your front-of-shoe toe-box width and shape are comparable to your feet. Podiatrists always suggest giving up pointy shoes, but some pointy shoes out there actually work, and here’s why. Though some styles are needle sharp (avoid these!), plenty of others — even those labeled pointed-toe — have a more gentle point bordering on an almond shape, like the Cliffs by White Mountain Women’s Gracefully Wide Loafer in Light Blue or Butter Cream ($59, famousfootwear.com), Old Navy Faux-Leather Pointed-Toe Loafer Shoes for Women in Bare Necessity ($30, oldnavy.gap.com) and Ann Taylor Suede Tassel Loafer in Countryside Blue ($138, anntaylor.com). Whether you prefer a pointy-ish toe or a more rounded one, choose shoes in the softest leathers and suedes for toe comfort and be sure all toes, from pinky to big, have room to flex when sitting and standing. Wiggle and walk around for at least 10 minutes before heading for the cash register, or do a day test-run at home before designating them as keepers.
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