Tips on buying high heels that are 'safer' for you and your feet

Love wearing high heels? In my twenties, I used to love wearing 5 inch heels to work because they made me look smart. The higher, the better, right? I was battling the high heel love-hate syndrome. Love the sexy silhouette it gave me, hated the repercussions later (chuffed heels, sore calves, scrapped toes, etc). Not to mention the pain and embarrassment of falling down!

As with everything we do in life, moderation is the best, so mom says. Easier said than done. I know some women who would rather walk on high heels than on flats. Some even claimed it is more comfortable than flats! So, if you must indulge in high heels, here are tips on how to choose high heels that are safer for you, your feet and your dignity. This is based on my own experience, nothing else, so read with an open mind.

1. Choose shoes that have ankle straps. Or straps across the vamp, like Mary Janes. Why straps? Even though experts say ankle straps will visually 'shorten' the leg, I believe it is always safer to have a strap on, especially if you are teetering on 5 inch and above heels. Think those pumps look good without a strap? Think they are easier to slip on and off without the troublesome straps? I did too, until many embarrassing falls later, I decided otherwise. Have you ever walked fast and tripped because one side of your shoe slipped off your foot? I bet it has happened to most of us, it happened to Leighton Meester as well. It doesn't usually happen when you are trying on the shoe in the shop, it only happens after that, when your shoe stretches due to wear and that's when the strap is really, a blessing in disguise. If you couldn't be hassled with conventional straps with hook, look for shoes with elegant velcro straps. It is quite trendy nowadays! I have a few design with velcro - hope to make them one day.

2. I am obsessed with booties and shooties now, as they have more hold on the feet, due to the high cut vamp vs the low cut normal pump shoe. So, if you don't like ankle straps on your pumps, then buy a bootie or a shootie. A bootie is cut slightly above the ankle while a shootie is cut below the ankle, a cross breed between a pump and a bootie. Shooties emerged 2 years ago and I don't think it's gonna fade anytime soon! It's too cool!

3. If you want height, yes, you know it - platforms. Platforms provide more comfort as your feet are not arched at a vast angle. However, I caution you to not buy anything that has too high of a platform - you also have a potential to fall. I call this the 'tipping' of the foot on the out step. See picture above, where I circled red. Noticed how her feet 'tipped' over? I know very well from experience. That's a sprain waiting to happen. Ensure your platform height is not more than 1 - 1.5 inches. Anything more is risky and also screams 'bar top girl'.

4. For work, go with 4 inch heels. It's still sexy and relatively kinder to your feet and calf muscles. Anything higher should be saved for special days. It's not kind to your body to wear 5 or 6 inches to work everyday. Need to go higher? 4.5 inch would be good. That's why I do mostly 4" heels. Coz I am my own guinea pig. I know what aching calf muscles feel like. And I am not the type to carry a pair of flats for a quick change as it is not ingrained in me to do so.

5. Look for shoes that have leather lining and leather in soles. When you arch your feet in heels, you are putting stress onto it unnaturally, especially on the balls of your feet and the sides of your toes. You will want materials that are soft and flexible. Most mainstream shoe brands I know these days only use leather for the upper (outside) part of the shoe and use PU for the inside part. Pay a little bit more for leather insides for that extra comfort. It is really worth it.

6. Don't buy shoes that are too hard. Just on layman terms, when you pick it up, it feels hard all over, leather's tough as nut, toe area's hard - put the shoe down. No point buying cause if it already feels like a brick in your hands, it will feel like a brick on your feet. It WILL chuff. It WILL blister. It WILL hurt like hell. I know. I got many blisters to show and tell due to my habit of buying shoes because I like how they look, not necessarily how they feel. I must say I love patent leather material, but those are hard materials - well, it's something I will decide on to use sparingly from now on.

All in all, just ensure you feel fabulous in the heel of your choice. Anyway, these are my tips as a high heel wearer. If you have tips of your own, do share it with me.