<p>I really wish I could wear high heels – they add height which I desperately need, and they make me look very lean! When I was younger, I could wear 2" to 3" heels every day. Now, not at all – if I wear high heels for any time at all, my feet (actually, mainly just one foot) hurts like hell for the next several days. I’m curious what has specifically changed as I’ve aged – do I no longer have the same “padding” on the bottoms of my feet?</p>
<p>well, I’m no foot doctor, but I can say that my experience is similar. In my case it is plantar fasciitis (also commonly known as heel spurs or fallen arches). I must wear orthotic inserts and can now manage only a 1- 1.5 inch heel. </p>
<p>There are a variety of conditions that might cause you the pain. Custom orthotics, available through a podiatrist, could help.</p>
<p>I love heels. I have found that I am able to wear boots with heels, but not pumps with heels all day. I still wear them if I am dressed up though. Have you tried any of the shoe cushions they sell?</p>
<p>I have noticed that as I’ve aged, I can no longer get away with cheaper “fashion” shoes. Better quality materials and construction can make a big difference in comfort. The ultra high quality (Manolos) are balanced in such a way that the pressure isn’t entirely on the ball of the foot and even high heels are deceptively comfortable.</p>
<p>High heels do change the posture, helping one to appear slimmer, stomach in, chest out, as the expression goes. Of course up to 2" is not much of a “high heel” but is very moderate.
My wife can still wear up to a 4" comfortably for one evening(but not longer), but she tells me it needs to be a better made, better fitting shoe to do so.
When it is appropriate for her to wear a heel she usually chooses 2" to 3".</p>
<p>I also can wear boots with higher heels, but my dress shoes kill me! My boots have a chunkier heel which I believe allow for better balance. If we have a wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah weekend where I am dressed up each night, I find my feet are not happy with me at all!</p>
<p>Have you tried the “air” shoes that many now make? The ones from Cole Haan often feel like flats to me.</p>
<p>Look for the newer wedge heels - they look and feel substantial, so you can get by with a 1 inch heel. Spend a little more - they’re your only feet, after all. Cole Haan makes great shoes, especially if your feet have widened, as does Bruno Magli - my 86 year old MIL wears them daily. Of course, the best place to order from is Zappos - they have great return policies, and the site has reviews on fit and comfort that I find very useful.</p>
<p>The problem with high heels and many other styles of women’s shoes is that they are not shaped like human feet. As long as your shoes are not generally shaped like feet they are going to make feet hurt one way or another. That your feet were more resilient in the face of this assault when you were younger is not surprising. Decreased ability to withstand injury is typical of many aging body parts.</p>
<p>Taryn Rose makes comfortable high heels.</p>
<p>Wedges have always been lauded as MUCH kinder to our back, feet & other body parts than regular heels. Walking Company & others have some comfortable shoes (but generally charge somewhat more). At this point in my life, I ONLY buy shoes I am very comfortable in and can walk around all day in. Some have low heels and some have a slightly higher heel.</p>
<p>You may be pleasantly surprised at how much more comfortable some of the padded shoes are, especially if you’re planning on standing or walking for any length of time/distance.</p>
<p>Yes, I found the same thing - I can no longer get away with disposable bargain heels. Taryn Rose and Sofft make very comfortable high-heeled shoes, but they are not cheap. My justification for paying the higher price is that I get more “mileage” out of them. My biggest “splurge” was a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps from Nordstron Rack - I would not normally call a $150 shoe a bargain, but if you’ve seen their retail prices… Despite their 2.5" heels and pointy toes, those shoes feel very nice and supportive, but I had to get them in size 40 (US 10) after trying on my regular 39. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not find Cole Haan shoes comfortable; it is all about the individual fit, so you will have to try several brands and styles (and sizes of the same style!) to figure out what works for you.</p>
<p>Look at the various shoes gel inserts to absorb some of the “shock” to your feet. Dr. Scholl’s For Her makes several kinds for high heel shoes.</p>
<p>BB, are the Jimmy Choo shoes comfortable? They don’t look like they are to me.
I can wear 2 inches comfortable. I save the 3-4 inches for Xmas party.</p>
<p>Yes, the pumps that I got are very comfy! I looked for a picture, but apparently they are sold out everywhere. So no pictures of the exact style, but they look somewhat like these:</p>
<p>[‘Lambert</a>’ Croc Embossed Pump](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3064464?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:pumps&cm_ite=jimmy_choo_‘lambert’_croc_embossed_pump:277677&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-DEV43z6GRitQjWBBNL3x2A]'Lambert”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3064464?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:pumps&cm_ite=jimmy_choo_‘lambert’_croc_embossed_pump:277677&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-DEV43z6GRitQjWBBNL3x2A)</p>
<p>Jimmy Choo sandals, OTOH, are terrible to walk in. I tried a few pairs and decided that they were not for me :)</p>
<p>I somehow hurt a bone in my foot, the metatarsal closest to my big toe I think-- so can no longer wear high heels. (I can’t comfortably stand on tip toe either) It’s so sad. All the best styles have heels. So I feel your pain.</p>
<p>If you look at Nordstrom Rack you can often find Sofft and other foot friendly brands without paying full price.</p>
<p>BTW, I look at the young girls wearing the current 4-5 inch heels and am horrified at the problems they may encounter later in life. Back problems, knee problems. Ick!</p>
<p>Not sure that this is accurate, but I have been told that the fat pads on the balls of our feet do, indeed, diminish as we age. So, if true, that could explain a lot.</p>
<p>Heels? Me? No. Never.
Why do women do this to themselves?</p>
<p>high heels: fuggettaboutit</p>
<p>I wear only comfortable red and blue boots which match my outfit.</p>