Heels That Don’t Hurt
In my experience, there are shoes that have interesting details, and little touches of whimsy — and there are shoes that are comfortable. Every once in a while I find a pair born from the magical co-mingling of comfort and artful femininity, but usually I settle for sexy shoes that make me hobble (and how sexy is that?) or plain jane comfort.
As I was searching for shoes to wear with my wedding dress, this very quandry kept happening. When I would find a pair that had a cool bow or flourish at the toe, the heel would be 4 inches high. In a word, no. I’m just not woman enough. But really, who is? I would venture that the greatest disservice ever done to fashionable women everywhere is the sight of Carrie Bradshaw picking up her dry cleaning, buying flowers, and sipping lattes in sky high heels. Again, no. I know no women personally who wear shoes like that while toodling around the streets of her neighborhood, and the ones who don high, high heels do not dally — they take cabs hither and yon.
But for those of us who walk to get milk at the corner and run for buses, I’d like to share perhaps one of my greatest discoveries of the past year — up there with strawberry jam and pink bathrooms: you can take any pair of too-high heels to your local cobbler and have the heels cut down about half an inch. It sounds like a small difference, but for about $12 the effect is stunning: Voila! Walkable, danceable, real life-able gorgeous shoes.
Julia: Well, seeing as I am a total shoe girl, I feel I must leave a comment. Just to say, thanks for talking about shoes and cheering me up on a very frustrating, grumpy Monday evening!
2 years ago
And what a tip! Thanks, I never knew that before now. I am a sucker for a high heel, but you’re right – there’s no sight un-sexier than a woman hobbling in sexy shoes. Off to the cobbler’s I hobble
Suzy: Do you own those glorious red shoes pictured? If so, wherever are they from???2 years ago
Here they are!2 years ago
rachael (speirs art): that cobblers tip is amazing! I have been seeking a pair of heeled boots for the office/ normal life but all I find in the professional avenue are sky high heelers!2 years ago
Emily: Ooooh, if only I could find heels that fit. (I have freakishly wide feet.) A slightly (totally) off topic question – do you think that quick jam recipe would work for other fruits? It looks yummy, but it’s not exactly peak strawberry season now.2 years ago
Julia (Color Me Green): in my opinion, taking it down half an inch isn’t gonna do anything for my comfort because there aren’t ANY heels that are comfortable to wear more than 5 minutes at a time. but that’s just me. to each his own. if you can wear those red beauts, go ahead and rock them.2 years ago
Emily, I think it depends on the fruit. If you have something in mind, I bet you could do a quick search: “[insert fruit] quick jam recipe” and see what you come up with.2 years ago
Shandell's: Sarah,
Try look for Stuart Weitzman shoe, very sexy and i think very comfortable. Good luck with your search.2 years ago
Adrienne: Shandell’s, I am wearing Stuard Weitzman shoes RIGHT. NOW. Shiny, fancy, red, cute buckle… flats! I’m breaking them in for a wedding this weekend (gotta be able to dance your pants off, am I right?) and they would be extremly comfortable if not for the blisters I have leftover from the wedding I went to this past Saturday night. I also like Anne Klein for sexy + comfortable shoes
2 years ago
Elo: That’s great news !! And do you think it would work for wedge heels ? (although I can’t figure out how) My favorite (and only) pair is similar to yours but in a light chestnut colour, and it’s killing me that they kill the arch of my feet after five minutes ….
(I totally agree about the Carrie part by the way. I would add a second “greatest disservice ever done to fashionable women” : her absolutely flat and incredibly muscled belly ; this just doesn’t exist !!)2 years ago
Love the shoe brand recommendations! Thank you!
Elo, I think the only way this would work is if the cobbler was able to remove height from the platform under the toes and the heel part of the wedge, so as to cut it straight across from toe to heel. It’s worth checking out if they’re a fave pair.2 years ago
The Blushing Hostess: I never considered this… I have a lot shoes which I consider are just for standing, not for walking even one step…
2 years ago
Jessica @ Acting Adult: WOW! What a brilliant idea! I think this may save half my shoe collection.
2 years ago
I had no idea you all would love this tidbit so much! I have to credit my friend Dina for telling me to blog about it when I told her.2 years ago
Ingela: Super tip!
I recently got married in a pair of silver killer heels, they looked gorgeous and I tried very hard not to hobble but I couldn’t feel my feet for two days after the wedding. Now I know what to do with them!2 years ago
Evon T.: Sarah, those shoes absolutely look like you! They’re so very adoreable.
I too would love to wear 4″ inch heels more often while walking like a total lady and not looking like I’m playing dress-up in my mom’s closet. I’m so glad that killer, too-high heel kicks can be spared. And just look at all the sexy boots out there right now for the cold season… they’re super sexy, vampish, and most all are over 4-inches. I guess it’s either cut ‘em down a bit or walk around the house in them until they feel more like second skin… if that’s even possible.2 years ago
love,gidget: oh my gosh! those shoes are divine to look at!2 years ago
Elo: Mmmh yeah it could be worth asking ! Thank you for the tip
2 years ago
Lilly: Am I the only one who doesn’t find 4″ heels painful? Is it weird that I find heels more comfortable than flats? There are many heels that can badly hurt your feet, but I’ve found that finding the softest shoes with the fluffiest soles really helps. I’m sure my situation is also helped by the fact that I live in a city where walking anywhere isn’t a good idea.2 years ago
Ingela, I’m very glad that if I can’t feel my feet after the wedding I’ll can just dip them in the Mexican ocean and take a swing of tequila…ahhh…
Lilly, I definitely agree that heels can be more comfy than flats…but a moderate heel. I do find though that those super flat flats are as hard on my back as super high heels are on the balls of my feet. Seriously, if I could live in Sven clogs I would!2 years ago
Dina: just wanted to chime in here and let everyone know that Sarah looks absurdly and hauntingly beautiful in these un-SICafied (sex-in-city) red heels with her glorious wedding dress (was honored to go to a fitting). What a sight! anyway, i don’t remember if i told you this, Sarah, but on my way to the dentist the other day, I saw a provocatively dressed, elderly woman sauntering down the street. i judged myself for judging her. She was easily seventy and looked like the tartiest version of Carrie Bradshaw (I refer those of who are as lame as I am to the episode when Miranda’s water breaks on Carrie’s Christian Louboutin feathered strappy hooker shoes. by the episode’s end, Carrie has undressed to cheer her friend on through delivery, but for her bra and a skimpy, off-the-shoulder hospital gown). Anyway, the mature woman was scantly attired and wearing five inch heels and I thought “this lady watches too much TBS at midnight.” Well it turns out it was Patricia Fields, who is partially responsible for millions of shin splints, bunions and arch sprains (I guess she keeps podiatrists in business). I had to restrain myself from reading her the riot act as we passed he other.2 years ago
The Flying Quiche: Oooh those heels are gorgeous! And your picture does them much more justice than the one on shoes.com. They are the perfect red color.!2 years ago
Sarah: That’s a really helpful tip! I have a pair of Hugo Boss leather pumps I got on discount for a super price, but I’ve been (mostly) unable to wear them due to their 4-5 inch heels. They’ll still be high, but at least I’ll get to walk in them. Yay for walking!2 years ago
Olivia: http://www.fluevog.com
Most comfortable and adorable shoes ever. I couldn’t do heels at all before these. I will admit that they are an investment, but totally worth it. I have a pair going on four years old and they still look marvelous.2 years ago
Andi @udandi: regardless of heel I need a good, comfortable shoe b/c I’m on my feet & walking 8-10 hours a day (people think librarians sit and read all day-no!). I have a favorite pair of shoes that I’ve had re-heeled, but never thought about trimming heels a smidge-thanks for the tip!2 years ago
Kristin: My thoughts exactly – thank you! I love the look of high heels but not the discomfort. You might want to check out “heels without pain.com”. It’s a collection of shoes and boots that have no more than a 2.5 inch slope between the heel and toe. Some of the shoes have heels heights that are around 3 inches, but the toe is also high, so the tilt angle doesn’t feel that uncomfortable.2 years ago