Fashion
6 Ways To Break In Heels So They Won't Hurt
Let's face it: There's nothing worse than putting on a spankin' new pair of heels and then quickly realizing (almost instantly) that they're more painful than sitting through an two hour finale of The Bachelor (no offense, everyone). You're torn, because yes, they're super cute and worthy of a spot in Carrie Bradshaw's closet, but if you can't walk more than three steps in them —what's the point?
Not to worry, our SJP-wannabe friends. With the right technique, you too can break in any heel to make it functional for a night on the town. After you've had these six thoughts every woman has wearing high heels, check out our six ways to break in heels so they won't hurt. You're welcome in advance.
Image: Magdal3na/Fotalia
1. Start With the Right Shoe
Before you decide whether or not you can attempt to walk in the heels of your dreams, it’s important to make sure you’re starting with the right foundation. While you may want to start your heel-wearing days with a sexy stiletto, it may be more practical to opt for a kitten heel or something under 2 inches. This way, the arch is less dramatic, and there’s less weight on the balls of your feet.
Nine West Margot Suede Pump, $63, Amazon
Image: Africa Studio/Fotolia
2. Break 'Em In With Socks
It may be super tight at first, but adding a sock (even a thick stocking, instead) will not only help prevent your feet from blisters the first few times around, but will also ever-so-slightly stretch out the material to accomodate for the slight swelling that’ll happen with continuos wear. Not into looking like Cher Horowitz in public? No worries. Simply rock the heels with socks around your house or apartment while making dinner or cleaning up. Bonus points if your roommate or S.O. catches you in the act.
Merino Wool Knee-High Sock, $9.49, Amazon
Image: Darkbird/Fotolia
3. Crank up The Heat
We’re not saying the goal here is to melt your kicks, but sliding them on and then blasting them with a hairdryer will help them better conform to your feet. Warning: You may want to do this with socks on, too, while concentrating on the stiffest parts of the heels (think toe box, back of the heel).
Conair Ceramic Hairdryer, $27.99, Amazon
Image: Lauro55/Fotolia
4. Get a Little Rough
Granted, we understand you may not want to rough up a pair of red bottoms, but heels will be inevitably easier to walk in if you scuff up the fronts where the balls of your feet rest. You could choose to use sandpaper for this, or you could buy non-slip pads (like these!) if you can’t bare to wreck your favorite pumps.
Gripalicious Non-Slid Sole Adhesive, $7.95, Amazon
Image: Ognianmed/Fotolia
5. Store Them the Right Way
Sure, it’s tempting to kick off your shoes after a night out and throw them into the abyss of your closet with a slew of others, but storing them smartly will make them more comfortable the next time around. Putting a shoe horn or a stiletto stretcher (like this one) in your pair post-wear will make them more cozy for the next wear. Plus, it’ll prevent them from getting ruined under your Nikes.
Foot Petals Stiletto Stretcher, $25, Amazon
Image: Simmittorok/Fotolia
6. Moleskin, #FTW
Is there anything that you can’t use this stuff for? If you find that the shoes are pinching you in certain places (think pinky toe, heels, side of the foot), place moleskin on the trouble spots, then soak your feet. Dry them off, then put your heels back on. You’ll probably notice a slight bulge in the heel where the Moleskin has expanded. Wear them around for as long as possible to loosen up the trouble spots.
Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus, $4.99, Amazon
Image: leszekglasner/Fotolia
