Optimal heel height for women

How can you tell how high the heel of your shoes is? This can be done in a number of ways, including visually. The latter method, however, requires you to be an expert.

How to choose the perfect heel height for you.

How to determine the ideal heel height. How to measure heel height.

You should also not lose your balance or feel uncomfortable. Your feet must not be tense so that you do not fall over. The heel should be closer to the front of the foot to support the ankle.

High-heeled shoes - a classic of women's fashion and an indispensable accessory in the wardrobe of most representatives. Because high-heeled shoes, sandals and boots can be perfectly combined with both skirts and pants and ensure a feminine, soft and attractive gait. However, in an effort to always make them irresistible, women should not forget that shoes should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable.

If you are looking for casual shoes for the city, the heel should not be too high, otherwise your feet will get tired and hurt. Podiatrists believe that the heel of casual shoes should not be higher than three to four centimeters so that your feet do not become uncomfortable and painful. The optimal heel height is recommended by podiatrists according to the following formula: length of the foot in centimeters divided by seven. The formula is simple, but to put it into practice you need to know how to measure your heel height as accurately as possible.

How high a heel should be.

For formal occasions where you don't walk much, you can choose shoes with a higher heel - between five and ten centimeters. Of course, these are only guidelines; if you do not have any health problems with your feet (varicose veins, flat feet, arthritis), you can go to a party in shoes with a thin twelve-centimeter heel without hesitation. Therefore, there is no definite answer to the question of how high the heel should be, because it depends on your condition, physiology, health and habits.

Can you wear stilettos during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should not wear uncomfortable shoes, because during pregnancy the legs are subjected to increased pressure as the weight of the expectant mother continues to increase. The optimal heel height during pregnancy is three to five centimeters, later in pregnancy women should switch to more comfortable shoes - soft leather shoes, sandals or sneakers for the summer and shoes with a small platform or a sports sole for the winter.

High-heeled shoes can be worn in the first trimester, especially if you are used to such shoes and do not feel uncomfortable walking. However, if you have heavy or swollen feet, you should abandon the beauty and wear shoes with a solid, flat sole with a slight elevation.

It should be noted that a completely flat sole is not anatomically correct. Therefore, wearing ballet shoes or moccasins for a long time can cause foot deformity. The ideal anatomical shape of the sole is one in which the heel is raised one to two centimeters in relation to the forefoot.

How comfortable should a woman's heel be?

The heel is a very important and responsible part of women's shoes, which largely determines the visual appearance. An aesthetically pleasing, shapely and distinctive heel makes a shoe sexy and eye-catching. For women who actively wear modeling shoes, however, it is not so much the appearance that matters, but rather the comfort. In this article, we'll take a look at heel patterns and give you tips on how to choose a really comfortable and safe one.

Heels can be both beneficial and harmful to your feet. Check out the options available in the domestic market and comment on them in terms of comfort and long-term health effects.

  • Total absence of the heel (ballet shoes and other similar shoes). Podiatrists do not recommend these shoes, since the complete lack of a heel leads to the development of flat feet. Therefore, good European ballet shoes are still equipped with a low heel of up to 5-6 mm to exclude negative health effects.
  • The minimum heel is 1-2 cm. This variant is considered the healthiest. Support under the heel ensures that the foot keeps the right shape, such shoes are the most comfortable, the feet do not get tired in them, and the long-term effects on joint health are only positive.
  • Low heel with a height of 2-4 cm. Also a very popular option in European shoes, which is optimal for fashionistas who want to combine health and a glamorous look. Such heels make the silhouette 'longer' and slimmer, but at the same time they are not harmful. Especially if it's not short stilettos, but a wide, stable heel.
  • The average heel is 5-6 cm. This variant already leads to an increased load on the kneecaps and the foot. Therefore, this footwear is not recommended for prolonged standing. Experts recommend that a heel of this height should be wide enough and stable enough to ensure comfort. Miniature stilettos, even at this height, already put significant stress on the joints and have a negative effect.
  • High heel height of 7-8 cm. This heel height is considered the maximum acceptable unless the shoe has a platform to compensate for the height difference. They are only suitable for short-term use. Long-term wear is unhealthy. Therefore, high-heeled shoes are not recommended by experts to wear, for example, in everyday office life.
  • Platform heels with a height of 9 to 12 cm or more. The only advantage of these models is a significant increase in height and a flashy, sexy look. From a health point of view, such heels are a real disaster. Even the best models cause discomfort and often pain that fashionistas put up with in the name of beauty. We do not have such models in our range, as European brands offer healthier shoes.

Shape of the heel: which shape to choose?

Now let's look at another important aspect: the shape. Here are the main variants to look out for.

  • Wide, firm heel. It is the most stable and comfortable, minimizing the negative impact of this type of shoe on the joints. Provides a firm grip under the heel, preventing flat feet. Most recommended by doctors.
  • Fixed platform. Not as good as the first option from an orthopedic point of view, but also quite comfortable. A raised platform is often less cumbersome to wear than high-heeled shoes. Stability is guaranteed.
  • The heel is of medium thickness and has different shapes. This option is very common in European shoes. By combining balance and aesthetics in form, designers create heels that are almost as sturdy as the wide (full) heel, but much more sophisticated.
  • Slim stiletto heels. This variant, although beautiful and graceful, is extremely unfavorable from the point of view of health. Even the best stiletto heel is quite wobbly and unstable, putting a lot of strain on the knees and ankles and tiring the legs.

How do you determine the height of your heel?

Here's a simple guide on how to choose the right paragraph. I would like to anticipate right away that you need a helper. So call your girlfriends, your sisters, your mom, mostly because they're going to need it too (an excuse for a girls' night out!).

Assume a foot position where your foot already has to relax.

  1. Take off your shoes and sit up straight in a chair. The seat should be flat and your feet should be at a 90 degree angle to the floor. Your back is straight. You should be seated comfortably.
  2. Extend one leg in a straight line in front of you while keeping the other leg in its original position.
  3. Now relax the foot and ankle of the stretched leg. You will see that the foot moves slightly backwards, which means that this height is comfortable for you. The whole foot may also stretch, which means flat shoes are comfortable for you.
  4. Take a tape measure and carefully measure the distance from the edge of the heel to the tip of the big toe (keeping the tape parallel to the floor). Then mentally draw a line perpendicular from the sole of your foot to the measuring tape. After all, the number of inches on the tape is your ideal height.

Little Secrets

Knowing the ideal height is not enough to avoid various deformities and foot problems such as curvature, bunions, blisters, etc. It is important that the part of the foot that is in the shoe is loose enough, it must not pinch or pinch. Often this part is very narrow, which leads to the emergence of various foot problems.

In addition, there must be no loss of balance or discomfort. The feet must not be loaded, so that you don't tip over. The heel should be placed closer to the forefoot to support the ankle.

A narrow instep in the shoe helps to relieve pressure and reduces stress on the toes. This will support the arch of the foot and prevent it from slipping and causing pain.

In summary, when choosing your shoes, you should consider the following:

  1. Choose a well-made pair that provides arch support.
  2. In the instep area of the shoe, there should be enough space for the toes, so it is very important to choose a correctly sized heeled shoe.
  3. You must not lose your balance in the chosen pair of shoes.
  4. So it goes to show that good shoes can't be cheap. Finally, remember that unlike shoes, you only have one foot and you cannot replace it or throw it away. So take care of your feet.

The ideal length for women's heels

Ever since the invention of the female 'stiletto', modeling agencies and fashion houses have established their own 'golden' standard for women's heel length. At this heel height, a woman looks the most attractive and slim. Calculate the ideal heel length for dress shoes using a formula:

Doctors advise wearing shoes with this heel no more than twice a month.

Maximum allowed paragraph length

Women try very hard to be beautiful. And how much of that in life, right? Sometimes, just once a year, you want to be the most irresistible and desirable person. To avoid injuring yourself from wearing stilettos, podiatrists recommend determining the maximum heel size for your foot.

This distance is usually between 7 and 9 cm, depending on the woman's height and foot size. Doctors advise wearing such shoes no more than 2-3 hours and 1-2 times a month.

Why is a certain heel comfortable and another not?

Every person wears different shoes and this is logical for the following reasons Differences in foot size, ankle mobility, muscle condition. Bone variations also play an important role. All healthy feet are the same, but each foot with a pathology is unique. This makes them uncomfortable in shoes that can be worn by people who do not have or have not had orthopedic problems.

It's also important to understand that In every company, even in shoe manufacturing, mistakes happen.. Sometimes they are even wanted. Runway shoes, for example, often defy all medical requirements. The reason: Such shoes and boots are 'disposable items'. Its purpose is to show an image. They are not intended for walking, let alone everyday wear. Blind copying of fashion can therefore be hazardous to health.

Red shoes

Experts emphasize that.

Among the 'most dangerous' heels and shoes are the doctors:

  • sloping heels (they put even more stress on the front part of the foot);
  • without a heel (there is an increase, but the heel part of the foot is not supported by anything);
  • stiletto (a miniature version of the stiletto heel);
  • Shock (a stiletto heel with a pointed midsection).

Even unusual and avant-garde variants often harbor considerable risks for the musculoskeletal system. The more 'strange' the shape, the more likely it is that walking and staying in such shoes will be painful and fraught with health problems..

It's also important to remember that The combination of the pointed toe and high heel, even if incredibly stable, inevitably leads to pathological enlargement of the big toe bone.The ankle and foot are not adequately protected and there is a risk of dislocation, displacement and associated nerve entrapment.

Fancy shoes

What is the optimal heel height?

A woman wearing a high heel looks much better. Her walk becomes more elegant, her figure slimmer and her self-esteem increases. However, a high heel all day is not for everyone. It is dangerous for health.
Experts express their doubts about high heels in women's shoes.

It's not that difficult to determine how high the heel can be. Measure the length of your foot with a ruler and divide it by 4. The result is the optimal heel height for you.

The shape of the heel is individually tailored to your specific leg shape.
All types are suitable for long-legged beauties:

clip paragraph;
the stiletto heel;
the stable wide heel.
In any case, her legs will attract men's attention with their slimness and length.
For girls with full legs, shoes with a thin stiletto heel are definitely contraindicated. A chunky heel hides the lack of legs. Short and chubby women should not dare to wear very high thin stilettos or thick heels.

Advice from orthopedists

Advice from podiatrists: The heel of everyday shoes should not be higher than 2.5 cm. The reason for this is the optimal load on the spine. Such a high heel does not tire the feet and does not deform them.
Women over the age of 45 should not wear high-heeled shoes, even on special occasions. The maximum allowed height is 4.5 cm. When choosing shoes, the increased comfort of each model should be taken into account.

Optimal heel height for every day

Even if you love high heels, in everyday life you should resort to more modest models. Because frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes is bad for your health: Knee joints and ligaments are permanently damaged, not to mention back problems. They say beauty takes sacrifice, but is it worth it when you can sacrifice just a few inches of height? Therefore, you can either start wearing flat heels alternately, or resort to two options to choose the optimal heel:
The easiest thing is to trust the doctors: in their opinion, the heel of everyday shoes should not be higher than 4 cm - this is the least harmful height, which reduces the load on the spine and does not cause degenerative changes in bone tissue.
Another way to find comfortable shoes is to pay attention to the distance between the heel and the sole. Logically, the higher the instep, the shorter the distance. A safe distance of 6 cm is considered the correct and most stable foot position.

Comfortable and secure heel height

When choosing shoes for your vacation, you have to resort to more complicated methods, but it's worth it, because it will allow you to determine the ideal height of heels specifically for you. And in most cases such a heel will be longer than the mentioned 2-4 cm.
The first option takes into account your specific body characteristics. To calculate, you need to remember your height, measure your leg length from hip to foot and apply the following formula: ((height/leg length) – 1.61) * 10. The result is a measure of your ideal heel height, for which you need a ruler or meter stick. Sit comfortably in a chair and extend one leg forward. Important: Do not stretch out your toes, but relax your foot. Measure the distance from the heel to the ball of the foot as shown in the picture. The measurement thus determined corresponds to the height of the ideal heel, because it corresponds to the natural inclination of the foot, with which you do not have to exert yourself.

Which paragraph to choose?

When shopping for shoes, consider your ideal heel height. This parameter is easy to calculate at home. Do not wear shoes that are too tight to keep your balance and feel comfortable.

  • The heel height is up to four centimeters. Such models are suitable for almost everyone. The girl looks feminine and feels stable.
  • A few inches more. The shoes gain height but retain their stability. Suitable for office work.
  • The heel is nine centimeters high. Those who have this ideal height will feel comfortable at work and at events. The height contributes to the slimness.
  • The heel is up to eleven centimeters high. This is an option for a short trip as the foot takes on an unnatural curvature.
  • A heel of more than four inches. Wear these shoes for lonely occasions. You will find it difficult to keep your balance, your gait will become ridiculous.

What to do for little women

Short women try to appear taller and more harmonious with their heels. A high heel can not only not solve the problem, but also spoil the whole picture. If heels are your thing, dispel the myth that you can't always wear them. Here are some tips on how to choose comfortable heels.

Avoid high heels, seven to nine centimeters are enough. Pay attention to the platform, which increases the heel height by an inch or two, but can look ridiculous on little girls.

Avoid massive shoes. Chunky shoes draw attention to your butt, making you look even smaller and awkward.

Emphasize a low heel visually by avoiding the contrast between foot and shoe. Wear tights, stockings, and pants that match the shoe.

Wear shoes with a pointed toe. Such models lengthen your legs and allow you to reduce the heel by a few centimeters.

Give preference to chunky heels. So you can wear a fairly high heel and still remain stable. However, if you are a slim woman, you should not buy bulky shoes because your feet will suffer.

Top tips for wearing high heels

Can you wear heels if you have flat feet?

It is believed that flat feet are more common in women than in the stronger sex. High heels can be one of the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon. Regularly wearing high heels shifts the center of gravity and stress shifts to the forefoot, resulting in 'inward tipping' deformation.

As a result of this overload, a static flat foot is diagnosed. No heels are recommended, maximum 5 cm. To avoid the development of the disease, practice swimming, choose orthopedic shoes.

Varicose veins and high heels.

Uncomfortable tight shoes and high heels put the veins in the legs to the test. The consequence is the formation of stagnant blood vessels, the development of inflammatory processes and poor blood circulation. To avoid these symptoms, as well as the appearance of dilated veins and blue 'stars', it is important to walk in comfortably sized shoes.

It is advisable to choose a medium-high heel, about 4 cm high.

Doctors recommend wearing sandals or shoes for no more than 5 hours a day. Uncomfortable shoes are contraindicated for varicose veins, otherwise an aggravation of the condition is inevitable.

A stable, low heel is the key to healthy feet. Replace beautiful shoes with comfortable sneakers, sandals, moccasins made of breathable materials.

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