Dressing up in heels often elevates the elegance of any outfit. Yet, opting for ill-fitting heels can quickly undermine your desired style. Securing heels that fit perfectly can pose a challenge, but by investing time in understanding your foot measurements and carefully evaluating the shoes during the fitting process, you can spare yourself unnecessary discomfort and avoid fashion mishaps.

Putting On the Heels

When trying on heels, slip your feet into the shoes and secure any straps or buckles. This initial step will give you a sense of how well the heels fit. Your feet should feel comfortably snug inside the shoes.

If you struggle to fit your feet into the heels, they may be too small, and you might need to go up a half or whole size. Conversely, if your feet slide in too easily and there’s excess space inside the heels, they may be too big, and you may need to go down a half or whole size.

• Stand up straight in the heels after securing them on your feet. Pay attention to how your feet feel. Are you experiencing any pinching? Is any part of your foot, such as the heel, toes, or sides, hanging off or extending beyond the shoe? Are there areas of the shoe, like the heel, that are not making proper contact with your foot?
  • If you notice any discomfort or excessive looseness before even taking a step, it’s likely that the shoe size is not right.Use a mirror to inspect how the shoes look on your feet. A mirror can provide a different perspective and help you assess the fit more accurately.

• Inspect the heel area of the shoe while standing. The heel should rest snugly against your skin, with no more than about ¾ cm to 1 cm of space between your heel and the shoe. This slight space allows for the natural expansion and swelling of your feet when wearing heels, ensuring comfort.
  • If the heel of the shoe is cutting into, squeezing, or scraping your skin, it’s likely too small and may cause cuts or blisters.
  • If your foot is sliding or lifting out of the shoe, or there is more than 1 cm of space between your heel and the shoe, the shoe is probably too big. This excess movement can lead to friction and blisters.

• Inspect the toe area of the shoe while standing. Your toes should be positioned comfortably at the front tip of the shoe, regardless of the style of toe box (closed, peep toe, or open toe). Ensure there is enough room for your toes to wriggle slightly without feeling cramped or constrained.
  • If your toes are pushed together tightly, appear red or purple, or the top part of your foot bulges outward, the shoes may be too small.
  • If your toes hang off the front edge of the shoe or have excessive wiggle room, the shoes are likely too big.

• Inspect the sides of your feet while standing in the heels. Your feet should comfortably fit within the parameters of the heel, with the sides of your feet touching the inside edges of the heel. There should be no bulging or excessive space between the edges of your feet and the insides of the heel. Excessive space indicates that you can fit a finger or two between your foot and the heel of the shoe.
  • If your foot bulges out from the heel or exceeds its natural parameters, the shoe is likely too small.
  • If there is excessive space between the sides of your feet and the inside edges of the heel, the heel is probably too big.

• Walk around in the heels to get a feel for how they fit. Ensure both heels are adjusted to the same tightness, and walk up and down the aisles of the store. Walking around provides a live test run of how you will feel wearing the heels. Remember to inspect key fitting areas (heel, toes, sides) as you walk.Uncomfortable rubbing or noticeable spacing often becomes evident while walking in the heels. This is why trying them on before purchase is crucial.