The Low Down on the High Heel

Women have had a love-hate relationship with the high heel since their inception in 1533, when Catherine de' Medici commissioned a pair be made in Florence especially for her wedding. Since then, high heels have been designed in many different styles and colors.

So, what constitutes a high heel? That would be any shoe with a heel between 2-5” (but could be even higher). Higher? Who can walk in anything higher without looking ridiculous? Not me. But my favorite shoe maven, Stacy London, would disagree. She has been quoted as saying, “The higher the heel, the closer to God.” That may be true, but after walking in a pair of high heels for a couple of hours, I’m usually praying that God gets me someplace where I can take them off and  wiggle the piggies. How can something that looks so good feel so bad?

And that brings me to another question…Can wearing high heels cause foot problems like bunions? Well, although wearing the wrong shoe (i.e., one that doesn’t fit properly) can cause all kinds of medical problems, it is widely believed that bunions are genetic. Wearing heels can be a component of bunions, primarily if your mother or grandmother had them.

One thing we can all agree on is that there’s nothing like a high heel to elongate a woman’s legs and accentuate her calves. You’ve heard the song from Annie “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile?” My version is “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Heel.” Be it a nightclub, a Bar Mitzvah or the red carpet, a beautiful pair of heels can make an outfit. Just keep in mind there are all kinds of thin pads out there designed to slip into the sole that make standing, walking or dancing a bit more tolerable.

This week I had a recommendation from a customer. She shared with me that her favorite heels are Sam Edelman’s Delilah (available for $110 at Nordstrom). They look sleek and sexy - black with a touch of snakeskin. But the true test is comfort. She says she can wear them all day. Let’s try them and see. Sam, want to send me a pair? I wear an 8 ½.

Please keep those comments coming.

Happy feet make for a happy home!

Erica