If you’re a woman, you’ve likely worn high heels especially if you’re working in a conservative office that demands a pair of heeled pumps. They are sexy and beautiful, accentuating every definition in your legs. However, you should never feel like have to wear them if you don’t really want to. After reading our 5 reasons you should not wear high heels anymore, you might be encouraged to get a pair of flats right away.
1. There are lots of gorgeous flat shoes out there that can make you look fabulous.
If you love high heels and feel comfortable in them, that’s fabulous. But if not, there are a lot of chic alternatives that you may go for to keep you stylish and dressed up all the time, while feeling comfortable. If you wish some feminine and flirty flair, think of a pair of lace up gladiators that will go well with your miniskirts and shorts. Also, a pair of canvas sneakers can now be worn with your chic dresses to tone them down while keeping your style chic.
2. They’re uncomfortable and they slow you down.
Any heel over 3 inches changes walking pace, forcing you to take smaller steps and slows you down. Some women claim to love high heels, saying they can walk in them for hours without any discomfort, which is great for them, but you deserve to be comfortable. Also, high heels can make it impossible to walk on many surfaces like grass, sand, cobblestones, and even stairs. As confident and in control as you might look when you are just standing around in a pair of high heels, it’s a different story when you’re walking along in a pair of stilettos, unable to keep up and having to constantly look down to make sure you won’t break your ankle.
3. High heels can make walking dangerous.
Apart from injuries due to tripping, heels can cause sprained ankles, especially if your shoes offer little to no arch or ankle support, which can cause all sorts of pains throughout your body. Remember, your body will attempt to compensate for the off-kilter balance heels cause by flexing or forward bending the hips and spine. To maintain balance, the calf, hip, and back muscles become tense, making excess muscle fatigue and strain. If you can’t go to work without heels, wear a thicker heel that offers stability and support, and softer soles that reduces the strain on your knees. “Every shoe has different stress points, so tease your heel height throughout the week to give each part of your feet a break,” Dr. Emily Splichal, podiatrist, and author of Everyday Is Your Runway: A Shoe Lover’s Guide to Healthy Feet & Legs explains. “If you wear 3-inch heels one day, switch to a 2-inch heel the next, then try a flat.”
4. Heels can alter your posture.
Though you stand up straighter when you first wear high heels, they’ll in fact improve your posture temporarily. Once you get used to them, your posture more or less goes back to what it was. “Your feet are the foundation for your entire body, and when you walk in heels, you change your center of balance,” says Emily Splichal. “The increased weight on the balls of your feet causes your pelvis to tilt forward,” she explains. To compensate, you lean backwards, increasing the arch in your lower back, which puts a strain on your lumbar spine, hips and knees. So, be aware of your posture as you should be the one wearing the heels and heels shouldn’t be wearing you. Also, regularly wearing high heels can cause other foot problems like bunions, hammertoes, and nerve damage.
5. Not all heels can make you look visually taller.
Though heels can make you physically taller, you have to know that flat shoes can also make you visually taller without the discomfort. If you want your legs to look longer, stick to shoes that are open on top so you aren’t cutting yourself off at the ankles as even high heels with unflattering ankle strap can shorten your frame visually. Also, pointy-toed shoes will elongate your feet and legs whether they are high-heeled or not. So, it’s time to grab a pair of chic flats that will keep you stylish and comfortable at the same time.