From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Tyrina Talks Fashion
Walking Tall
By Tyrina Neely
Aug 11, 2010 - 1:24:55 PM

walking-in-heels.jpg

I love the way wearing high heels makes me feel. Slimmer legs, sultry calves and a visibly flatter stomach are just a few of the benefits of wearing sky high heels.

Added to that, I have always wanted to be taller, so slipping on a pair of high heels is the quickest fashion fix for women like myself who want to pump up their height several inches in a flash.

The downside is the discomfort that comes with teetering atop 4 inch heels for hours a day, almost everyday. Unless you are like my mother who has mastered the art of wearing heels everyday, so much so that she only feels foot and back discomfort in flats, then this little column is for you.

This year’s fall shoe trends all revolve around beautifully high heels. Platforms, oxfords, wedges, booties - even prim, vintage inspired shoes are going sky high.

But you don’t have to resign yourself to that pesky adage “no pain no gain” when it comes to wearing high heels. Here are some quick ways to help wearing heels a piece of cake.

Break Them In

Before you step out the door in those killer heels, break them in at home. Breaking in your shoes helps you get accustomed to wearing them and gives them a chance to mold to the shape of your feet. Doing minor housework such as light cleaning where you walk around and bend in your heels helps to break them in even faster. My method is to slip on my ipod and dance around in new heels for at least 30 minutes - after a few days they’re ready to be worn comfortably as if I’d been walking in them for months.

Buy Your Size

As with buying clothing, shoes look and feel better when they fit perfectly. We’ve all been tempted to purchase those gorgeous pair of heels that are on sale but just a little too tight - word to the wise - walk away! Shoes that are even a little too small or too big are a terrible fashion faux pas and a recipe for discomfort. Shoe shopping during the late afternoon is recommended as feet expand during the day as you walk around. Purchasing shoes to fit your feet at their widest ensures a comfortable fit that will get you through the whole day.

Add Support

Buying cushioning inserts for your heels can go a long way in keeping you comfortable and your feet well supported. Many shoes aren’t designed with sufficient arch support, so an inexpensive insert is a very small price to pay for comfort.

Choose a Comfortable Height

A college friend of mine from New York was always obsessed with big hair and high heels. Her favorite quote was “the higher the hair and the higher the heels the closer to God.” Perhaps her stance on the hair was right but you can get all the wonderful benefits of wearing heels from a great pair of 3-4” inch shoes - anything higher tends to be impractical. A quick way to tell if you are choosing a wearable heel height is to slip on the shoes, stand with your knees straight and tip toe an inch. If you can do this easily then go for them, if not then that height is a bit too high for you to walk in properly.

Give Your Feet a Rest

I reach for my heels most often at night, when I want to feel a little more glamorous. During the day I often reach for flat sandals or ballet flats for running errands. Giving your feet a break from high heels at least a few days a week is a good idea to keep them in tip top shape.


Tyrina Talks Fashion is your weekly serving of fashion forecasting, trend reporting, figure analysis and helpful fashion tips and tricks. Email Tyrina with your fashion questions and photos at tyrinaalicia@hotmail.com. Visit www.primadonasales.com




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