ONLY if the shoe fits!
November 19, 2009 by cinder
Filed under Fit Feet for Shuz
Dr. Emily Splichal, Podiatrist and "fit feet for shuz" columnist ~
As my involvement as a stiletto-strutting podiatrist takes me from high schools to fashion shows, I’m noticing an interesting trend – there are a lot of women out there with ill-fitting shoes!
You can admit it! We are all guilty of buying the too tight heel on sale, telling ourselves “They’ll stretch out! ” as our toes turn blue. When deep down, we know those shoes are going to end up in the back of our closets with receipt still in the box. Surprisingly, even more common than the toe-squashing pump are the over-sized heels!
One of my favorite lectures during Podiatry School was the manufacturing of shoes. I had always wondered “who determines what makes a size 7?” and “why does a Aldo size 7 fit me but a Steven Madden size 7 feel too big?”
With the uniqueness of foot sizes and shapes, how can a shoe company generalize and assume that their size 7 is going to fit all size 7 feet out there? Without going customized for all your shoes (expensive!) what can you do to get the best fit out of your shoes?
Below are some tips for finding the best fitting heels so you can strut your stuff with confidence and not worry about leaving your shoe behind you!
Tip #1 – Buy shoes at end of day when feet are largest
Blame it on gravity that our feet can be up to a ½ size larger at the end of the day!
Tipe #2 – If you wear orthotic/arch support in heels
That orthotic takes up space! In a high heel, where real estate is already sparse best to try on for fit with the orthotic already in place.
Tip #3 - Different size feet
This is probably the biggest headache for women when buying shoes. Do you go with the smaller or the larger foot? It is easier to make a big shoe fit a small foot than vice versa, so opt for the larger foot!
Tip #4 – Heel slips out of shoe
This makes walking properly in heels impossible! There is a great company to the rescue – Foot Petals (www.footpetals.com) has created Heavenly Heelz to place in back of shoe to prevent the slipping and sliding out of heels.
Tip #5 – High arched foot
As beautiful as a high arched foot is, it is not the best foot type for shock absorption with each step. This makes wearing flats difficult and even painful! Perhaps this is what first led to my high heel obsession! For the best high heel fit, a high arched foot wants to avoid sling back pumps or open arch pumps due to gapping. For best fit go with classic pumps or strappy high heel sandals.
High arched no-no!
Tip #6 – Flat foot
On the flip side is a flat foot which will appear as a little wider foot. If your flat foot is flexible the best shoe that will actually give you a small arch is a kitten heel. I would avoid going too high with a flat foot especially if you walk turned out as this will affect the way you walk from your feet to your knees to low back! Rock out those kitten heels!
Tip #7 – Bunions/Hammertoes
I referenced this topic in an earlier article but just in case you missed it – if you are starting to notice a bunion on side of foot or hammertoes go for high heels made of softer fabric that will give and conform to foot. Best is suede, cotton or open high heel sandal. Also you want to get round-toe shoe versus pointed-toe as this puts less stress on your big toe joint!
Remember these tips for that perfect fit…now let’s go shopping! And if the shoe fits perfectly, buy it in every color!!
CatwalkConfidence.com
Dr. Emily Splichal is a Podiatrist, the creator of Catwalk Confidence and shuzsociety’s “fit feet for shuz” columnist. To order her Catwalk Confidence and Stiletto Recovery DVDs, visit CatwalkConfidence.com.
