Friday, October 10, 2008

A woman’s right to shoes

As much as we love our shoes, there is something strange about the way some girls deal with it. With the rich variety of designs, brands, colours and heels available in the market, who can stop herself from indulging? But shoes or heels to say more appropriately need you to do your own research and know what you are getting into. As much as thrilling an experience it is, not all of us are Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City. After all, in real life even Sarah Jessica Parker had hurt her ankles. So to make matters easier, here is a gist of how well you should know your shoes.

It is true that heels bring a curve to your body and that you can walk more confidently in them rather than when you put on your sneakers. However, a bitter fact is also that these heels have ruined many lives to its credit. The foremost and most prominent reason behind this is the lack of knowledge and carelessness while dealing with these amazing objects. There is still no reason to quit your heels just yet. All you need is a little bit of info. Lets start with the lengths of heels available.
Low heels--start your quest here!
If you want to taste the life of a high heeler, and yet want to avoid the pains, just go low-heels! Girls wear low heels to train themselves for a bigger task (stiletto, for many) or they just prioritize health over style. Doesn't matter to which category you fall in, whats important for you to know is that you are not alone. These heels help you pep-up your confidence and are very much acceptable in a professional atmosphere as well.
Medium heels--for the undergraduates!
Medium heels are for those who crave to wear high heels but still lack that most wanted terrible balance. Practicing on medium heels will surely pay you and it is one of the top tips that high heel experts give. But if you are naturally tall, don't ever compete with the Everest; instead opt medium heels and get satisfied with them.
High heels—necessity sometimes!
Wearing a pair of high-heeled shoes makes a more sexy curve in the body. The body above your hip bends naturally to balance itself, thereby creating an almost seductive curve. So don't ever think that high heels are just for your feet, you never know what all those stares are for.
Warnings for high-heel lovers
As a common fact known to many, if you constantly wear heels, the intense stress on your muscles, tendons and joints can cause permanent damage to your feet. As much as we high-heel lovers want to deny this fact, it is in our own interest to accept it.
Too much pain is a bad sign. If your feet are giving you a hard time, take off your shoes and figure out why. If they don't fit, no matter how much you like them, get rid of them. After all, shoes can be replaced, but you have one pair of feet.
You need to be much more careful while walking in high-heels. Be careful about terrain, grass, ice, metal grates and other things that can trip you up very easily, damaging or breaking your heel, or worse. Long walks in heels aren't recommended either; the shorter the step, you will have to make many more steps to cover any given distance. Don’t do that; you’d be forced to spend the rest of your life in comfort shoes, and that's a harsh fate. Bunions, hammertoes and achilles tendon problems are common in high heel wearers. Take a break, change shoes regularly and exercise to stay in shape.
High heels, especially stiletto heels, never go out of style with true fashionistas. But being fashionable isn't always confortable. If you are a slave to high heels you might also suffer from corns, bunions, and fallen arches. Luckily, there are ways to make them less harmful to your feet (and not just by spending $400+ on an elite designer pair). TYPES
A kitten heel is a short, slender heel, usually from 3.5 centimeters (1.5 inches) to 5 centimeters (2 inches) high with a slight curve setting the heel in from the edge of the shoe. The style was popularized by Audrey Hepburn. They are particularly common on sandals.
A kitten heel is a stiletto heel of 5 centimeters or less in height; some are as low as 3 cm. They are classified as stiletto heels and despite their lack of height are generally classified as ‘high heels’ because of their sex appeal; particularly when teamed with a sharp pointed toe or long ‘winklepicker’ toe. This is an anomaly because a shoe or pump with regular wide heels of 3.5 centimeters high would normally be considered a flat shoe; it is the addition of a stiletto heel, however short, that turns it into a sexual accessory.
A stiletto heel (also known as a spike heel) is a long, thin heel found on some boots and shoes, usually for women. It is named after the stiletto dagger, the phrase being first recorded in the early 1930s. Stiletto heels may vary in length from 2.5 cm (1 inch) to 20 cm (8 inches) or more if a platform sole is used, and are sometimes defined as having a diameter at the ground of less than 1 cm (slightly less than half an inch). Not all high slim heels merit the description stiletto. The extremely slender original Italian-style stiletto heels of the very early 1960s were no more than 5mm in diameter for much of their length, although the heel sometimes flared out a little at the tip. After their demise in the mid-late 1960s, such slender heels were difficult to find until recently due to changes in the way heels were mass-produced. However, no moulded plastic heel with internal metal tube can hope to achieve the slender line or strength of a metal-stemmed stiletto, so it was only a matter of time before popular opinion and the demands of shoe designers brought back the manufacture of genuine stiletto heels.
A spool heel is a heel that is wide at the top and bottom and narrower in the middle. Spool heels were first popular in Europe during the Early Georgian era (1715-1750).

How to choose heels??

High heels can make your legs look long, lean and luscious. Unfortunately, they can also be quite uncomfortable if not chosen wisely. To avoid foot problems, you need to strike a balance between looks and comfort. Here's how to choose high heels that'll feel as good as they look: The right fit is critical High heels aren't the most comfortable shoes to begin with so getting the right fit is critical. By getting the right fit, you can reduce your risk of developing blisters and corns. When you try heels on in the store, walk around for at least five minutes before making a decision to purchase. Rise up on your toes and see if the shoes still feel comfortable. Before purchasing, make sure they're returnable in the event you get them home and they don't fit properly. Always try on shoes at the end of the day when your foot is it's largest due to fluid retention. Be wary of purchasing high heels online where you can't try them to see if they're comfortable. Consider your buildIf you have chunky or muscular legs and calves, choose a thicker, more substantial heel to balance out your leg. A good choice is a platform heel or an espadrille style. Not only do these tend to be more comfortable, they can make a chunky leg look smaller. Thin heeled shoes such as stilettos look best on people with thinner legs. Invest in neutral colorsAlthough you may want to branch into colored shoes occasionally for variety, blacks, browns, and neutrals are much more versatile and can be worn more places. Get out of the mindset that you need to match shoe color with your outfit. This is often overkill. Buy a few pairs of high quality heels in neutral tones that look good with almost everything. Buy one or two pairs of colored heels for special events. Consider your heightIf you're six feet tall, you may want to avoid wearing five inch stilettos unless you want to look down on everyone. If you're short and petite, tall stilettos may add height, but can be overpowering. Choose a more modest two and a half to three inch height for daytime wear. You can wear a slightly taller heel for evening. If you want to add height when wearing pants, a platform or wedge heel can work well. These shoe styles also provide better foot support than narrow heels. Give yourself a breakIf you plan on wearing high heels to work, take along a pair of flat shoes to wear during your lunch break if you'll be doing a lot of walking. To avoid foot problems, it's always a good idea to give you feet a break from the stress of high heels. For additional comfort, consider adding a pair of gel soles to your shoes. High heels can be stylish to wear and they don't have to be uncomfortable if chosen wisely. Spend some time trying on a variety of high heels before purchasing. Don't make the mistake of sacrificing comfort for style.

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