Most advice about wearing heels is either obvious or useless. Here's what changes the outcome of a long day, roughly in order of how much difference it makes.
1. Heel height matters less than heel width
A 3-inch block heel is easier to stand in for eight hours than a 2-inch stiletto, because the base is wider and your ankle spends less energy stabilizing. If you're choosing between lowering the heel and widening it, widen it.
2. Where the pressure actually is
The pain in a long day is rarely the heel. It's the ball of the foot, because raising the heel shifts your weight forward onto a small area. That's why a platform helps — a platform heel with a half-inch under the toe reduces the effective pitch of the shoe without lowering the look of it.
3. Buy for the end of the day
Feet swell over a day, and more in warm weather. A shoe that fits perfectly at 9am can be tight by 6pm. If you're between sizes, take the larger one.
4. The toe box does the damage
A sharply pointed toe compresses the forefoot. That's fine for three hours and hard for eight. For a long day, a square or almond toe gives your toes room to spread while still reading as elegant.
5. Break them in on carpet
Two evenings of an hour each, indoors, before the event. You find the rub points somewhere you can take the shoe off, and the lining softens where your foot needs it to.
6. Strap position changes everything
An ankle strap or a slingback strap holds your foot back in the shoe, so your toes aren't fighting to stop you sliding forward. A backless mule gives you nothing to hold onto and your toes grip all day. For long wear, choose the strap.
7. Walk heel first
The instinct in heels is to land flat or on the ball of the foot. Land heel first, roll forward, and take slightly shorter steps than you would in flats. It looks better and it's less tiring.
8. Bring a second pair for the commute
Nothing wears out a day faster than walking to and from a train in heels. Change at the door.
9. Know when the shoe is wrong
Pain that shows up in the first fifteen minutes is a fit problem, not a break-in problem, and it won't improve. Pain after four hours is normal wear. Learn to tell them apart and you'll stop wasting money on shoes you never wear twice.
What to look for when buying
If you know you're on your feet: a block or kitten heel, a strap at the ankle or heel, a square or almond toe, and a slight platform. That combination is far easier than the heel height alone would suggest.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most comfortable heel height?
For all-day wear, 2 to 3 inches on a wide heel. Below 2 inches you lose the posture benefit; above 3 the forefoot pressure climbs quickly.
Do heels stretch?
Leather and faux leather give slightly across the width with wear. Length does not change. Never buy short expecting stretch.
