High Heels

I'm sorry but I think we're through. We've had a good long run but I don't think we can see eachother any more. Even if you are sweet and soft and good and comfortable, I am just too tired after walking on stilts all day.

I've gone back to mini wedges in summer and almost flat riding boots in winter. How about you, are you still wearing heels?

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

38 Comments

  • Molly L-R replied 11 years ago

    Yes, but only if they're a comfortable height and are comfortable all over.  Realistically that means nothing over 2.75".

  • replied 11 years ago

    I can do 2" heels for limited duration, but even my 1.5" Hi-Ness sometimes hurt my knee.

    So, basically 1" or lower is my preference!

  • Mochi replied 11 years ago

    It's kind of sad when we shorter ladies can't do a heel, and some 6' woman can....I am actually hoping to work my way into dealing with a 2" and eventually higher heel, though that would be for tango dancing. It's possible that my complete avoidance of heels my whole adult life would give me some leeway in starting in on them now. But really, I have very few walking skillz. And am not sure I really look great in them anyway. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Not really. I did a huge shoe and sandal purge a couple of weeks ago and got rid of anything over two inches - except for my green Poetic Licence pumps and my KS cobalt pumps. These will be for dressy nights out only.

    I'm now wearing nothing more than two inches and my bad knee has been thanking me for the change.

    Welcome to the club :)

  • cinnamon fern replied 11 years ago

    I am with you.  Being short and short-legged, I think everything looks better with heels - but - I also want to be able to walk around in comfort.  Any shoes I'm dying to take off by the end of the day/evening have been purged.

    2.5 inches is fine.  Nothing higher.  

  • Raisin replied 11 years ago

    I've never been much of a heel wearer. I've always loved flats. I just walk so unnaturally in any sort of heel. I do keep a black pair of pumps around for certain events, and court duty.

  • ClaraT replied 11 years ago

    Not only have I (personally) moved away from heels, I am liking them less in general.

    I love (love!) to walk and I hate being fettered by my shoes. I also live in a hilly place, and it is really hard to walk up or down a San Francisco hill in heels.

    So...for everyday, no way. For special occasions, occasionally! 

  • citygirldc replied 11 years ago

    I know what my limit is with heels:  2.75" or lower.  Anything over that and I can feel it in my back and feet.

  • Liz A. replied 11 years ago

    I guess I'm in the minority.  I also recently purged all too high heels, but for me that's anything over 3.5".  Heels are only worn for work (I keep them under my desk) and for nights out, though.  So in general I am in flats ~80% of the time.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    1.5 inches is my favourite heel height. MUST be less than 2 inches for every day - and I adore my flats.

    I haven't worn my sitting shoes - which means 3 inches - for 14 months. I wear low heels to events too. I am DONE with high heels.

  • shedev replied 11 years ago

    I have 2 pairs of 3" heels that I do wear, Harley boots and wedge sneakers, but usually its 2" and under for me. I also really find flats uncomfortable so I do tend to wear a slight heel.

  • replied 11 years ago

    OMG, yes, I am. I would never give up on my heels. I think the issue is not the height, but the incline of the shoe. I do walk all around NYC in heels, not a problem.

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    Rita, you can sent the beauties in that photo my way!  ;)

    I wear 3' heels every day and have no plans to stop.  I am getting more and more particular about comfort and walkability, though.  As Zap says, it's less the height, I think, than the overall design.  (I've walked all over NYC in heels, too, and can't wait to do it again!  ;) )

    I have purged all my flats because they're just not "me."  I have to have at least a small heel or wedge even in my ballerina "flats."

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    My heel height sweet spot is between 1-2.5", and the heel must be chunky for everyday wear.  I have too many foot problems for higher, wobbly heels, plus I have the world's worst sense of balance.  The only heels higher than 2.5" I have also come with a substantial front platform which reduces the effective incline by a lot.

    But too flat doesn't work either!  My arches collapse...  Sigh.. I feel like Goldilocks.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    I'm not a real heel wearer in general, but I did just order your Rag & Bone booties... I hope you are not giving up on those babies!

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Una, I'm not giving them up but I'm not wearing them that much either. You'll probably need an insole. They aren't the most comfortable shoes on earth.

  • bj1111 replied 11 years ago

    flats or 3".  anything in between is terrible on my arches.

    so what flats have you bought lately?  wanna see.

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    I do 2" and 2.5" easily, but usually stacked or wedge.  Have maybe 4 pair of 3" - 3.5" and they are only for random occasions, never weekly wear.  I don't wear any heels on a weekly basis, only for 'dress up'.  :)

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    BJ, I just got a pair of chucks for kicking around on weekends. Otherwise, everything is from previous years. Mostly I am wearing my me too linda's (pewter flats) and kork ease debora's (light green clog type sandals) these days.

  • rachylou replied 11 years ago

    I've been wearing heels again... I'll be crippled one day.

  • Aziraphale replied 11 years ago

    For daytime wear, if find up to 2.75" is comfortable an practical.  I will wear up to 4" for evening, as long as I don't have to walk too far.

  • Janet replied 11 years ago

    I still love my heels and wedges, but I tend to alternate heel days with flat days. I wear everything from totally flat shoes to 4" but it's very dependent on what kind of activity I have planned.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Team low heels and comfortable heels here. My sweet spot is 2 to 2.5 inches, but I happily do up to 3. Wedges, too. But absolute flats? They are the worst things for me ever!! 

  • Thistle replied 11 years ago

    I don't wear them. I can't wear them becaus eof my back and the pressure on my foot that I shattered years ago.

    I am trying to train my eyes to dislike the look of heels. Logically, I understand the damage high heels do to women's feet, knees, back and hips. I mean, it seems ridiculous to do this to ourselves (ahem, as men don't wear them).

    Hasn't worked yet . . .

  • replied 11 years ago

    I have always hated wearing heels. I love my flat sandals especially gladiator sandals. Wedges are tolerable as long as they have some width on the bottom of the shoe. Wedges of 2 1/2 inches are about my limit. I love my ballet flats since they go with everything and are so comfortable. Isaac Mizrahi makes the best ballet flats.

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    I've kept x 4 pairs for evening/formal but mostly I'm done. Can't wear pumps or ballet flats either - they don't stay on my feet :)

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    My fussy right foot is starting to complain when I bend it the slightest bit, so even 1.5" - 2" heels are starting to cause pain.  C'mon!  Two inches are hardly heels!!!  Even Dansko sandals are a problem height.  C'mon!!!  DANSKO!!!!!  So to assuage this pain, I bought (another) pair of blue booties, this time flat ones.  Gotta decide if I can justify a second pair, but the other ones are faux suede with heels that for some reason are fairly comfortable.  With super short squat legs, I look so much better in heels.  :(

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    Nothing over 2.5" (but that includes the platform deduction) for me. I think you pointed out to me that it's a less severe angle since I have larger feet (size 10).  I love a lower heel (and have slowly been finding them) and wedges. I think flats are cute, but I still feel unprofessional in them at work. 

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 11 years ago

    I love 3 inches and lower.  I love heels and in fact prefer them, wedges work well for my mom lifestyle, but there's always date nights.  If I had a job I would rock them every day...

  • replied 11 years ago

    2-3inch wedges max. I do have a couple of heels 3+ but they are sitting shoes like a fundraiser dinner..

    No dead flats, must be at least a 3/4 to 1 in heel, true flats hurt my arches and back

    And I commute to work daily in Keds or Skechers and change into my dress shoes

    It has always been less heel more flats for me, I am thankful wedges are 'in'

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    After years of only wearing flats I am now sometimes wearing high heels thanks to my Anyi Lu wedges - that is super high for me! Anything more than 2 inches is pretty much out of the question. One inch is great!

  • Echo replied 11 years ago

    I adore heels, though my lifestyle isn't conducive to me wearing them often. I generally find anything up to about 3-1/2" comfortable, though of course it depends on the style. Anything higher I've mostly retired now, and platforms have fallen out of favour for me. My DH is much, MUCH taller than I am, so I am actually more comfortable wearing heels when we are together.

  • Sarah A replied 11 years ago

    Just the flattest of flats for me. Completely flat or 1/4" heel is ideal, with 1/2" or 3/4" doable for everyday. It seems very difficult to find boots or booties with less than a 1" or 1.25" heel but I'd like to add some! I do like the look of some heels, but the tendons in my left ankle dont agree with it at all. I did pick up a 2" pair recently to have some "just in case" heels for dressy occasions.

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Yes, still wearing heels but favouring wedge heels and "blocked" heels and must be comfy. I am too petite to give up heels;)

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    I have no problem with the Rag & Bone Newburys which have about a 3.5" heel.  I think because they have a substantial heel as well as a supportive design.  If the shoe has a thin sole and stiletto or narrow heel, I have way more trouble.  If the shoe is not wobbly I can generally tolerate heels quite well, much better than most people.  Maybe all of that ballet training being "en pointe" was good for something!

    I love my mini wedge sandals for summer, they are all day shoes.  (1.5" heel)  And, my 3" wedge sandals were fine for a long outdoor wedding this past Saturday, save for the fact that they felt quite tight.  A half size bigger might have worked better, but I didn't feel like waiting 2 weeks for Amazon to send me an exchange.

  • unfrumped replied 11 years ago

    Can't manage a thin heel of any height, even kitten. Dress up can be 2" if wedge or blocky. Flat for work. I really have to.commit to designing my outfits around around the shoes I'll realistically wear, whether my legs look shorter or what. If something seems " made to be worn with a bit of heel" I have to decide whether to thumb my nose and create my own look or skip.that item and stick with another formula.
    I am watching photos and outfit creations now with a focus toward who's rocking flats and low heels and how..

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    No heels for me. I still have a pair of three inch wedge sandals but they are probably going to be purged. I love how they look but barely ever get worn.

  • jurocha replied 11 years ago

    I shied away from heels all of my life and was a proud wearer of flats and riding boots... But I recently began my love affair with heels, and even though I am still wearing mostly flats on my everyday, I must say they slowly, but consistently, begin to feel a bit odd. My favorite shoesat the moment are a pair of black suede boots with a thin 4" heel.

    I might swap almost all my flats for 2.5-3" pumps. I can wear 3" pumps or wedges without discomfort; can't say the same about chunky/cone heels or flatforms.

You need to be logged in to comment