Heels for the Office
By Abby on December 11 2008 at 08:49 PM
Victoria Beckham was once quoted as saying, “I can’t concentrate in flat shoes.” And it’s true that heels make most women feel confident, poised, professional… and ultra sexy. High heels are the equivalent to a man’s power suit—without them, you just don’t feel like you’re making a powerful statement. However, if you’re more like me than you are like Victoria Beckham, you think that flat shoes would be a mercy…. because you have a lot more trouble concentrating when your feet are screaming and tingling from five-inch stiletto heels. Too bad flat shoes are so boring.
Tips for Wearable Office Heels
You don’t want to give up wearing heels at the office. But that doesn’t mean that you have to wear the same toe-pinching platforms you’d wear to a nice dinner out. When shopping for stylish but wearable office heels, you should look for:
Heel Height:
The higher the heel, the more pressure will be put on your feet. When wearing just a three inch heel, the pressure put on the ball of the foot is similar to the pressure put on it when you run—which really adds up over a nine-hour work day. Choose lower heels for longer-term comfort. Two-inch heels tend to be quite comfortable, and are high enough to avoid looking like granny shoes. Want to go higher? Shop for platforms. A four-inch pair of heels with a one-inch platform puts the same pressure your foot as a three-inch pair.
Heel Shape:
Without a doubt, stiletto heels are the sexiest, most eye-catching shoes you can wear. But they’re also the worst for your feet. When shopping for office heels, look for fatter, boxier heels—the fatter the heel, the more wearable the shoe. Even better, shop for a pair of wedges. Wedges lengthen and slim the leg the same way stilettos do, but are ten times more comfortable. You can wear them a whole work day without a twinge.
The Fit:
Some shoes squeeze and pinch because of their shape. Some don’t. If you’re shopping for office heels, it’s a good idea to spend a little extra on a shoe perfectly suited to your foot—because you’re going to be suffering all day if they don’t fit properly. Save tight, strappy sandals and toe-pinching pointed-toe heels for a night out. Choose softer and more generous shapes for the office.
Comfortable Office Heel Brands
Most women aren’t expected to wear panty hose to the office anymore, but most of us still wear heels. We’re a whole market crying out for comfortable-but-sexy shoes. So of course several brands have come along to make money off our aching toes—and we’re very grateful. Some of the most popular brands that specialize in comfortable heels for the office are:
Cole Haan - This brand uses Nike Air technology in the heel and toe of their high-heeled shoes. And it really helps. These shoes are a little on the pricey side, but probably have the best combination of style and comfort on the market.
Naturalizer - This brand has produced comfortable shoes for years, in increasingly sexy and trendy styles.
Taryn Rose - This brand was created by an orthopedic surgeon named (what else?) Taryn Rose. Her shoes are orthopedically healthy and comfortable, but also super cute.
The next time I get invited to an expensive fundraising dinner or a movie premier, you better believe that I’ll strap on the tallest, most foot-crunching shoes on the market. And I’ll grin and bear it when I have to undergo corrective foot surgery the next day. But until I’m tempted out of the house with more than the promise of files and faxes, I will believe that office heels should comfortable and wearable as well as sexy.
Comments
Cool article, the brands and info you gave is really great. I love to wear Dansko shoes to work, but most of them are less than attractive, which does sometimes make you feel sloppy.
Posted by louisville girl 12/22 at 08:50 PM
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