The View from Up Here: An Ode to Heels

Kris Atomic heels

 

When it comes to epic Sex and the City moments, few are so memorable as the one where Carrie is chosen to be in a “real New Yorkers” fashion show and asks the designers – Dolce & Gabbana, no less – to put her “in the big gals’ shoes”. Only she ends up with heels so high that even she can’t pull them off and ends up tripping and falling on the catwalk. The episode is funny and relatable – because who hasn’t had a heel mishap?

For me, it was my wedding day. I had spent at least 15 years wearing heels without ever falling victim to a disaster that had hit many of my friends: the heel breaking. Even though most of my shoes were dirt-cheap and some were second hand, the heels were sturdy enough to carry me through life. Until my Big Day came and the dainty heel on one of my brand-new wedding shoes simply snapped. Fortunately it happened after our first dance as a couple, and even more fortunately, my new husband wasted no time, found a hammer and some glue somewhere, and quickly and seamlessly brought the shoe back to life, reminding me once again why I had chosen to marry him.

Heels, despite all the love we have for them, can be a tricky business. Aside from that pain we all know too well, that too-familiar pressure on the balls of your feet that’s fully capable of ruining a night out dancing, heels also carry the risk of breaking, getting stuck places and simply getting in the way of, well, life. So why do we love them so? “I don’t know who invented high heels, but women owe him a lot”, quipped Marilyn Monroe in her day. It’s actually ‘her’ , and not ‘him’, as the first person who brought elevated shoes for women into fashion was Catherine De Medici (that stylish little thing) in the 16th century, although heels date all the way back to ancient Egypt, when they were worn both by women and men.

Expert tips

Since heels are here to stay, we might as well do our best to learn to walk (and even run) in them. Here’s how, according to Bebe Mehr, founder of Coquette, the brand behind the most strikingly beautiful vegan shoes.

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“My first tip would be insole padding. Coquette shoes actually have a good amount of padding, this was a conscious effort because even many high end designer brands have no cushioning whatsoever, and comfort is key. If it’s a pair of shoes with insufficient padding, using a gel insert makes a huge difference!

 

Having new shoes stretched makes a world of difference. Any shoe repair place and even some department stores offer this service. It saves your feet from having to do the dirty work! So no blisters or sore feet the first couple times you wear new heels!

 

Choosing a a heel that has a toe shape that isn’t too tight or constricting is also a great tip. Pointy shoes will always squeeze your toes, so you have to be aware of this before purchasing (and plan to sit down or drink a lot to numb the pain when wearing them!)   🙂
An almond shaped toe (like the Coquette pumps) tend to be more comfortable, without sacrificing that pointy look completely.

 

Lastly, a newly discovered secret are “muscle roller balls“. These are amazing, whether you always wear comfortable shoes or not. Just like every other part of your body, your feet need to be stretched too. Think of how much work they do and how much pressure they are under everyday. Rolling your feet on these balls in the mornings and evenings can really loosen your muscles and make wearing all shoes more comfortable!

 

Heels that we’ll gladly sacrifice the comfort of our feet for: 

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Vegan Slope Heel, Free People

Sleek and minimalistic, this is a heel for beginners: you can actually walk in these.

 

 

olsenhaus

 

Classic Red, OlsenHaus

Because you can never go wrong with a scarlet touch. Wear with a LBD and a slash of matching red lipstick #bombshell

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Open Toe Metal Heels, Sydney Brown

Featuring the eco-friendly marvel that is cork, this pair from Sydney Brown is perfect for summer. The metal heel lends an edge.

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Susie Open-Heel Pump, NAK Fashion

The epitome of elegance. Will look good with absolutely everything.

 

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Lily Gold High Sandal, Beyond Skin

The party piece, guaranteed to turn heads whether you’re pairing them with jeans or a mini dress.

 

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AZAR Grey Reptile, Coquette

No reptiles were harmed in the making of this femme fatale stiletto. The perfect day-to-night look that smolders in a subtle way.

 

 

 

 

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Sascha Camilli

Founder and Editor

A passionate changemaker, Sascha Camilli is the founder and editor-in-chief of Vilda Magazine. Born in Moscow and raised in Stockholm, she has also lived in Los Angeles, London, Milan and Florence, before landing in her current hometown of Brighton, UK. She was selected as one of GLAMOUR UK's Most Empowering Nu-Gen Activists and is a frequent public speaker on the topic of vegan fashion and material innovation. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books.

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