Help! Have to wear heels again on Sat, Tried them this morning...

[LookItsMeAgain]

...and already my feet are in bits!!!

Throughout lockdown I have been wearing trainers as I've been working from home.

Knowing that I have to wear heels for an event I'm attending on Saturday, I decided to wear a pair this morning around the house. I got up at 7am and by 7:30 the balls of my feet are aching already.

I went out looking for suitable alternatives (i.e. low heels/kitten heels) at the weekend and was unsuccessful. I don't think getting stuff delivered at this point is an option (in case of delays with postage/customs/whatever) so I'd need an actual shop if I was to try something.

Failing that, do you have any suggestions/remedies that help when your feet are just killing you in heels???

I had this issue a couple of weeks ago. Just got drunk, can't feel it then! Took flats to change into but didn't feel the need.

If it's under a long dress, could you wear heeled ankle boots? I find them easier to wear.

As for heels being "deeply unfashionable" - who gives a fuck! On the one hand you're telling someone to wear what they want and not wear something uncomfortable and on the other you're eschewing their choice because of some arbitrary "fashion" rule you've imagined.

if you go to the effort of buying and wearing an evening dress, you would expect to wear heels of some height with them, right?

Or you could get some flat gold or silver sandals and take up the hem of your frock

I don't wear heels but I can still recognise that feeling of panic when you realise the outfit you'd been planning to wear to a big event - possibly the first for a good couple of years - isn't going to work.

If it's a full length dress with quite a lot of fabric then shortening it might not be straightforward. I sew a bit and I'd still look for a seamstress or enlist someone with a good eye for a level hem to help.

I'm sorry I can't offer much in the way of practical help op, but I hope you find a solution.

If you're standing up wear a shoe 1/2 a size bigger - it will help when your feet swell

@Nomorecoco

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/shoes/sandals/black-suedette-open-toe-block-heel-sandals/p/807093101?_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQiA95aRBhCsARIsAC2xvfx5uiuW9SlSuauWcPbAkaMXO8LSFWneLWfVTN1TWICSzDM7S0s08egaAiB-EALw_wcB&extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Generics_NC_Google_DV_m&gclid=Cj0KCQiA95aRBhCsARIsAC2xvfx5uiuW9SlSuauWcPbAkaMXO8LSFWneLWfVTN1TWICSzDM7S0s08egaAiB-EALw_wcB

This type of style is what I find comfiest, block heel, thin straps. I wear this style daily for work.

Agree with this - I had to do exactly the same on Saturday for a black tie event and I got blocky heels like this from new look but in silver

I assumed that no one is literally making the OP wear heels!
@ShirleyPhallus until very recently (sometime in the past 10 years) some firms had strict dress codes that enforced women to wear high heels. Nothing changed until one employee challenged the legality of this requirement as she had suffered physical damage to feet or spine as a result of the dress code.

OP, not the most beautiful, but something like this padded sole wedge gives 3" heels without the pressure on your feet.

I like the 2.5 inch suede court shoes from Boden. I got some in navy. I did a lot of research as I can't wear heels anymore either.

I had this issue a couple of weeks ago. Just got drunk, can't feel it then!

Also good advice

If the heels are required due to the length of the dress, I'd look into getting the dress hemmed. Dry cleaners or taylors often offer an express service for alterations.

@TottersBlankly

Also they are deeply out of fashion right now.

So why are you so keen to be uncomfortable and unfashionable?

I'm guessing you weren't at LFW then!!

Block heels/platform heels are the way forward! Also you can get cushioning pads for the balls of your feet which help x

Please don't do this. I only occasionally wear heels, but when I do I love them, and find them comfy. If you don't, why are you subjecting yourself to this? Stupid.

@FolornLawn just give a girl a bit of a heads up before a shock like that!

M&S do really comfortable heels and wedges - far better than other makes.

If you can get to Thurles, then I am told that Chateau Choos are worth a look.

You can get special gel inserts to protect the balls of your feet. Unlike "normal" ones these have a loop that you put on your toe.
If wearing tights they hold the insert in place. If not they are still wearable.
Boots also do a stick on thingy to alleviate pain on the balls of your feet. However pulling it off is not pleasant.

I am an expert on this subject, sadly, as I have the most sensitive feet in the world and they get calloused so easily and burn with pain.

Wearing an evening dress doesn’t mean it needs to be heels, just take your dress up - with pins or hemming tape if need be. I don’t do heels and have been to many black tie events, even white tie, and have always been fine in smart flats/dolly shoes.

You don't have to wear heels and actually I think they look dated now.

When the evening dress you'll be wearing has a split either to the knee or thigh, then shoes are on show and it doesn't matter if the length of the dress is to the floor or 2 inches less to allow for flat/kitten heels, they will be on show.

The first pair of shoes I tried this morning were platform stilettos. They are lovely shoes but my feet didn't appreciate being in them having lived the past 2 years during lockdown in trainers.
I tried a slightly lower heel that I have and they were better except my feet were slipping around in them a bit (wearing hosiery again for the first time in ages too). I think a half insole would help here. I may have 'found' the shoes I'll end up wearing on Saturday.

I was looking for advice on how to help with painful footwear and for suggestions on how to deal with retraining your feet to wear heels having not worn them for at least 2 years.

I wasn't looking for legal advice on suing someone for 'making' me wear them. I wasn't looking for advice on adjusting my dress and get it taken up. That isn't going to happen and wasn't even on the table.

Thank you to everyone who has posted a suggestion so far. I do appreciate it.

If they hurt it’s because they don’t fit properly.

Different brands use different models so if you’re wearing a shoe based on a length between heel and ball that’s longer than your foot it won’t be comfortable.

Go real life shopping and try and find either a shoe shop that knows how to fit and measure correctly or just go to a department store where you can try different brands on and pay attention to how your arch is supported, where the straps sit etc until you figure out what works for you.

I have thrown out all but two of my heels now because the rest are unwearable. I had more tolerance in my 20s/30s but I just can’t do it now. But the ones I’ve kept are comfortable and don’t give me a problem.

Get the dress shortened and wear flats.

www.dunnesstores.com/p/savida-velvet-platform-bow-heels/7940136

@gingerhills

I assumed that no one is literally making the OP wear heels! *@ShirleyPhallus* until very recently (sometime in the past 10 years) some firms had strict dress codes that enforced women to wear high heels. Nothing changed until one employee challenged the legality of this requirement as she had suffered physical damage to feet or spine as a result of the dress code.

OP, not the most beautiful, but something like this padded sole wedge gives 3" heels without the pressure on your feet.

I know, but given OP hadn’t actually said that it was unfair to tell her to “grow a backbone”!