Why are Modern High Heels so Bad?

As yet another round of models on the runway fall and trip over their high heels, it leaves us to wonder how non-professionals are expected to wear these towering shoes. High heels have a long history of being deemed dangerous and painful, and it's not without reason. But the reality is that styles have become consistently worse over the last few decades- emphasizing fashion and mass-manufacturing over comfort or functionality. And models aren't the only victims.
The manufacturing process for a pair of shoes goes through so many different hands, expecting all to have the expertise and the time to properly create a complex piece. But, as with all modern systems, short cuts are made in the interest of time and money. A few millimeters off in a pattern or last can result in blisters and pinched feet. Not taking the time to check fit and function can make a pair that sits beautifully on the shelf, but can't actually be walked in. And as we look closer in how shoes are modeled online (if they even bother to show feet), the models often are a size smaller and quite a bit narrower than the shoe is intended for. So it's no wonder that our feet don't look like the ones online!
Feet are an incredibly complex part of our body, and how we walk can affect the rest of our posture and joints. It's important to know the difference between fashion and function, as well as understanding our unique bodies needs. High heels aren't for everyone, but there are some designs that really are for no one.
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00:00 30 years of Falls
02:00 Straight Arches
05:51 Short Toes
10:33 Wobbly Heels
15:47 The Big Secret

[@redfullmoon]

In addition, I think it's quite telling that something like the Miss Universe franchise has turned to lesser known shoe designers who customize shoes specifically for stage walking rather than to luxury brands. These days, true luxury means getting a custom shoe made.

[@Spamhard]

Honestly, this. Blows my mind that people would spend ridiculous prices on a brand, when the same sort of cash could afford you a completely custom, tailored experience. I'm still amazed brands are held to such high regard when they're high end. I'd be way more impressed with someone saying "they're custom made" than "they're louboutins".

[@stephaniet1389]

Got a pair of custom leather Victorian replica boots, and they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. They almost feel like another part of my feet. They require regular maintenance, but it's worthwhile. Finding modern cobblers is a bit difficult, but the attention they put on giving the perfect shoe is priceless.

[@manicpepsicola3431]

@Spam also why not just paint the bottom red that's the only thing keeping people buying Louboutins

[@Enoo-Wynn]

​@@stephaniet1389 About how much were they?

[@stephaniet1389]

@@Enoo-Wynn about 250 USD and that's including the shipping.

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

My mom took me to an old fashioned shoe store when I was graduating high school for some heels. I got a seminar on buying shoes from the lady who waited on us; didn’t cover the walking mechanics but told me what to look for in properly made heels. Sometimes the factory sets a heel on improperly, so if it’s unstable you make them bring out another pair. Also, walk around the show department! Warm those shoes up. They’ll change, may improve or may turn awful. This is to do in the store, not on a date.

[@TheSuluhope]

You have a smart mom. Unfortunately there aren't any old fashioned shoe stores left where I'm live. The last one disappeared 15 years ago. The staff in shoe stores here today don't know the first thing about shoes, and they barely have time to look up from their phones to speak with you.

[@fireblade1986]

​@@ploopploopploopboop1887guess they carry this dated looking shoes cause that's what they are selling. They actually don't worry about you cause you are way more likely to shop online and don't pay their prices. Older customers who will actually go into said stores buy exactly what they carry, and thats why they carry it.

[@ashleighberryman9280]

My mom always made me walk around the shoes department. They will not stop you.

[@kivalily]

I HOPE YOU WENT BACK THERE AND SUPPORTED THAT EXPERT BEING THERE

[@baby.nay.]

It’s quite unfortunate to be the person buying a pair thats clearly received a hefty test drive from the last person though 😢

[@throwaway7899]

As a model who has never fallen but have been always very anxious about it, this is my perspective. Most designers don't have the proper shoe size for every model, because the collection is still not fully ready to be commercializable when the runway is scheduled. So it is very common to have to walk in heels 2 or 3 sizes too small or too big (assistants put paper in them). Doing a catwalk walk means you have to walk heel first, and putting all your weight in the heel, plus not really moving your knee (the hips do the movement, sometimes models even rotate the legs a little bit to do a more 90s like walk) it puts a lot of weight on the heel, hence the possibility of falling. There is also a psychological factor : big crowds and catwalks are stressful for even the most experienced models, especially during fashion week, when you have to hurry all the time.

[@dennischiapello3879]

That is interesting. I don't follow Fashion, so my questions might be naive. I've got to wonder, are the shoes ever a focus of the runway show? Because a shoe's design wouldn't show well on a foot that doesn't fit it. Do models have any sort of leverage or protection? I certainly doubt they're unionized. It seems there's a real chance of injury.

[@whispernow6639]

Still doesn't make any sense to do too small versions, if most of models have standard or bigger that standard size foot, especially if you can put paper inside.

[@lilolmecj]

Thanks for the insight. I have noticed the oversized shoes.

[@throwaway7899]

@@dennischiapello3879 some designers do, especially the ones who embrace body positivity like Esther Manas or who have been known as shoemakers like Robert Clergerie, but you don't have the luxury as a model to choose only designers who focus on shoes. Models aren't unionized even if there have been attempts to do so in Europe.

[@throwaway7899]

@@whispernow6639 oversized shoes are more frequent for unisex shoes like sneakers.

[@l6318]

This was super interesting! I wore dance shoes to my wedding. They were so comfortable all day, I was able to dye them to match the color scheme, and they were cute without pulling attention since my dress was floor-length. I 100% recommend this option to brides who aren't used to heels and plan to wear a long dress or pants.

[@Cricket2731]

I like "opera pumps", like the kind the late Queen used to wear. High enough to look nice, but not so high as to be dangerous.

[@snowmonster42]

Smart girl. I wore ballroom shoes to my daughter's wedding and was happy for the entire day. I told all of my daughters they ought to do so as well. None of them listened and none of them were wearing their shoes by the end of the evening. What's crazy is that I ended up buying them at the last possible moment because I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I wore them for the first time at the wedding and I was still the one whose feet didn't hurt. I'm one of those smart idiots.

[@l6318]

@@snowmonster42 😂

[@TheSolitaryGrape]

I do character work for children's charity events (dressing up as various characters, particularly relevant for this is princesses) and I use dance shoes too! It also helps me move with a particular feeling of elegance; wearing shoes that allow such free movement are so helpful for just instinctually getting that ~glide~!

[@sarag1158]

after watching this video I'm convinced I will only buy dance shoes for formal events. I never wear high heels but every once in awhile, they're necessary for something.

[@marciam7301]

When I was younger, my mother tried really hard to have me wear high heels on a regular basis, because in her mind (and much of society), that is what women did. I HATED them. My mother told me I had to learn to walk in them. (My answer was "Nope!") The highest heel I would wear without complaint was 1.5 inch, and only if I could not wear gym shoes with the outfit. If I made to wear a higher heel, they would come off as soon as I stepped into a building. I did not care that others would stare at the me carrying my shoes. I HATED THEM!! Now, nearly 60, I still refuse to wear high heels, and I do not have the foot problems that many women have that wore heels. In fact, I have no foot problems. I never believed in suffering for fashion.

[@whyyy463]

My mother tried to encourage me to wear heels too. I wore 2 inch ones for parties in high school and hated them. Been a decade since I haven't worn them and don't regret it at all. This video just confirmed all my fears, shoes are not made well.

[@mialemon6186]

I got this same treatment except I gave in. That's what I was made to do. I'm 33 now and my feet permanently fold in at the toes (where my last two toes try to fold in under the others even) from how ill fitting shoes shoved my toes in the pointed toe boxes. This came to a head where I was dutifully shipped off to my first job for 10hr a day in heels and it did so much damage within a few shifts that my second toes on both feet were numb for days. They quickly came back to life, thank god, but stabbing neuropathic pain comes and goes, well more than ten years later now. From that day on I haven't worn heels at all except for maybe a few minutes of picture taking because comfort and health finally reigns, but the damage is visible to me and sometimes painful. My mother is still offended that I won't wear heels now, thinking I've become too matronly too early. Fuck that! She got 21 years of doll like aesthetics from me and I have the rest of my life to go with pain and damage.

[@marciam7301]

@mialemon6186 wow, I am so sorry

[@emilymanhart368]

I gave up heels in my 20's because my knees hurt! The problems caused by footwear don't stop at the ankle.

[@Sasha-zw9ss]

I am pretty feminine, yet heels are one of those things that are an instant nope, and not only because I have back problems. Mom tried to get me heels for a prom, but I ended up just wearing her sandals (which fit perfectly with my dress anyway).

[@RachaelTheRed]

I used to be a pointe shoe fitter at a dancewear shop. We would look at the feet to determine length, width, toe shape, toe length, foot compressibility, foot and ankle strength, and arch strength and shape before we even thought about pulling a shoe for them to try on. Once we started trying on shoes we would pull 5-10 different pairs, depending on how many pairs the dancer had previously gone through (more experienced dancers usually know what they're looking for compared to first timers), until we had narrowed it down to one pair that fit as perfectly as possible to provide maximum support. I think about that experience a lot when it comes to modern shoes. We expect every shoe to fit every foot and there's usually no expert fitter there to guide us to the perfect pair of black pumps for our foot shape. The only time I've ever seen a fitter with that much expertise outside of a dance store was at the Louboutin in Chicago. That girl really knew her stuff and she directed me to the stiletto that would best fit my foot. Louboutins are known for being quite narrow and uncomfortable but because of her knowledge the ones I bought are one of the most comfortable pairs of heels that I own.

[@Teverell]

I'm not a dancer and never have been but so much of what Nicole was saying here resonated with what Josephine Lee of the Pointe Shop says and does when she's doing a fitting and talking about what she's looking for/looking at. I had no idea that Louboutin offers something similar. Mind = blown!

[@LynnHermione]

I am a ballerina and I wish we had things like that in my country :( We had 3 brands of pointe shoes available, each brand maaaaybe has 2 types, and sellers knew nothing.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

That's really cool, but as a reminder, Louboutin *is* a designer/luxury brand that not everyone can afford, and we need to find a way to bring that shoe fit knowhow that the saleswoman had to Payless and similar shoe retailers that us regular, working-class folx shop at.

[@kagitsune]

Woww that is so interesting, yes I was also under the impression that Loubs would forever be too uncomfortable for me! I'll have to visit them in Chi-town next year for my next yearly luxury budgeted purchase. ❤️

[@lidewij4263]

I've been thinking the same thing! Imagine if shoe stores offered fitting services even a little bit like pointe shops, we would have so much less foot pain!

[@CharlotteV3D]

I realize that my mom taught me really well when it comes to choosing some shoes. She has very small squared feet for a woman (she is a 34,5 eu size) and since very young she had to be very picky with her shoes. She always told me that shoes are an investment, not fast-fashion. I don't know if it is true but for longer walks, or all night dancing, she advised me to choose shoes that are: - leather (better wear, better aging, better flexibility, breathing and can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly, plastic CANNOT be taken care off and will end in landfills) - rounded in the end, not pointy (because it pushes your big toe in the wrong direction while folding, so it creates bunions on the long run) - no more than 4 max 5 cm high on the heels (same, otherwise it can create irreversible damage on the joints and on the Achilles tendon) - fully closed or with good proper straps - which are close fitting so not too tight, no wiggle room. - And on which I can feel my whole feet (outer arch included) touching the inside of the shoe. I am following this and I don't have shoes that causes me pain. And for the more extravagant ones, I use them only for occasions.

[@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

That's the exact description of well-fitting, comfortable pair of heels, but nowadays they are so hard to find!

[@jwenting]

my mom taught me the worst thing: she firmly believed that shoes need to be at least one size to small so they will "shape the foot properly". Until years after I moved out I always had painful feet as a result, and even now, 30 years later, my toes are shaped and positioned incorrectly from being squeezed into way too narrow a space for the first going on 18 years of my life.

[@CharlotteV3D]

@@jwenting I am so sorry you had to go through this and I really feel for you... that sounds really painful. Glad that you don't have to follow this belief anymore though.

[@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

That could be a mis-interpretation of old school advice. My mom was instructed by the pedetrician to put flexible leather shoes on her babies feet even before they walked, to shape feet that would later fit into footwear. In the 1970's and 1980's, there were no Crocs. I used to play with those little shoes when I was a little girl. I found them absolutely adorable. I don't think that did harm, though. None of us (4 children) have feet issues. When we were bigger and we bought shoes, she would put the shoes on, press on the end to check for proper toe room, then ask us to walk in the shoes and tell her if it felt comfortable.

[@jwenting]

@@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist That was the advise of the shoe salesman and the experts he got it from, and not flexible shoes either but hard leather shoes deliberately designed to compress children's (up to teenagers) feet into unnatural shapes to fit very narrow toe boxes especially and flatten arches. That's what was done in the 1970s and into the 1980s. And it's still the fashion thing to have extremely narrow shoes with very limited arch height, an unnatural beauty standard that's been perpetuated by the industry and even podiatrists in the medical field for decades already. I've been advised more than once to get special shoes to compress my feet so my toes aren't so spread out and my arches get lowered, even as an adult, despite spread toes and high arches being the natural shape of a human's foot.

[@autumnjohnson2739]

I have the horror of three "unusual" traits that make shoe shopping a nightmare: wide feet, very high arches, and feet so small that I can barely ever find something in my size in the adult section. Just finding something that plain fits is such a pain. Usually I just go to running shoe stores and make them pick out the three shoes that can actually work for me and add arch support later, but occasionally I need to dress formally and that's where I just visit every single store near me and dissociate. (Yes this is a plea for store recommendations if anyone has them)

[@LinWarai]

maybe custom shoes on etsy or something could help?

[@fluffysheepfallingasleep609]

I know custom shoes are expensive, but it sounds like it would be worth it

[@im093]

Vivobarefoot

[@catarinapatatina8314]

@@im093 vivos have become very narrow in the front of the foot over the last 4 years.

[@elelith7802]

I'll add one more to that list of horrors: Toe nails curving upwards. Oh yes. Good old 45 degree upwards. I found a pair of sneakers (that I fear is now discontinued) from Adidas Junior side that had enough toe space for me. Like I can WIGGLE my toes!! It's amazing!!

[@anivijudi]

This is why my mother taught me never to compromise on shoes. Our feet carry us our entire lives, and messing them up from poor footwear can really mess up our lives. Treat your feet to nice things, they deserve it.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Absolutely, my mum and my training made sure my kids always had proper footwear, you can't mess about with growing feet and, as my mum used to say, better they go barefoot at home or in the summer than wear badly fitting shoes or slippers. I always fit their shoes myself and regardless of being vegetarian or vegan, it's way better to get leather shoes for growing feet as it is much more forgiving than man made materials. Its one of the most important things you can do and can save a child a lifetime of foot AND joint pain.

[@deniseberman8633]

Plenty of beautiful low heel or flats out there. Pointy shoes don’t look good on everyone, take it from someone who worked in the fashion trade. Ridiculous stiletto heels don’t look good on everyone either. The runway models fall all the time with these stupid heels, how about we stop using sickly looking models as well. Some of the girls look like anorexia victims. You could look fantastic in a gorgeous evening gown and fabulous flats. Enough of this trend already that’s ruining feet, hips and knees.

[@katm8128]

@@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws real Leather is better anyway, it doesn’t contribute to the overconsumption of plastic

[@mndlessdrwer]

Never compromise on the things that separate you from the ground while you're alive: shoes, bed, furniture, etc. You tend to use those a lot and it isn't worthwhile to try to save a little money or look fashionable if it ruins the ergonomics and makes you uncomfortable.

[@kimberlypatton205]

Yes! It is just as important as giving your children roper nutrition… My mother swore by “Stride-Rite “ baby shoes, and would only buy those for her children, The reason being that they have great arch support for a growing toddlers feet, and supports the stable formation of the arch as the child learns to walk. Having a strong arch development is highly beneficial to your spine and health of your posture and spine for the rest of your life. Having baby shoes that promote a healthy arch is very wise.

[@wolfgalleader]

High heals to me where always the kind of shoes that I feel cap that whole "There's a gap between designers and makers." It was something my costume professor always spoke about. So many designers of many art forms, rarely actually know how to make the things they design. Especially in fashion. Most designers are there to make something look good, not practical to wear. It's part of the reason I wish people would look deeper into "high fashion" and address it as just the show that it is.

[@riverAmazonNZ]

It’s gross that fashion designers get away with making items that are not suitable for actual humans.

[@kathymcbob3137]

My husband is a manufacturing engineer. His job is best described as a liason between design, materials, and factory production. That disconnect is true in all STEAM areas! His is a dying breed and he's close to retirement.

[@TheDeepRedCharlie]

My husband is also an engineer with lots of hands-on fabrication experience, and also lots of time performing maintenance on various equipment. So he makes designs that are easier for the assemblers to actually manufacture, and also possible for the end user to service without playing Twister to reach an important part.

[@yossarian00]

@@riverAmazonNZ fashion in general, especially high fashion has ALWAYS prioritized appearances over function and comfort. That's always been the main objective of fashion. I don't know or understand why people still fall for it so much.

[@templebeast1324]

As a car painter some of the car bumpers are a fucking nightmare to fix!

[@kristinb5121]

I was in high-end sales in the 80’s and expected to wear pumps and a suit every day. Often my job entailed hauling equipment up and down stairs. My knees have suffered from this abuse over the years, but I’ve noticed a few things. What we considered a normal heel height (2.5-3”) back then is considered pretty short today. I learned early to buy the best heels I could find since I wore them daily. Back then, my go to brand was Farragamo. I was told by a sales person that Farragamo used steel shanks in their shoes. I know there was much less wobble in their heels when I walked. I’m very glad I invested in the best, but it’s even better that women are no longer expected to run around in heels all day as a condition of their job.

[@MiljaHahto]

I bought my first heels in the 90's and have also been noticed the ever higher heels. Part of if is explained by platforms, but not all, nowadays in many shoes the feet are in a different position, too.

[@jugendamthamburg-ggkonform381]

I grew up in Manhattan, am old now and Ferragamo was my favorite. Soft leather and has narrow widths too. I can almost never find shoes narrow enough for my feet.

[@spazarific]

One of my friends is a model, and did one of the runway shows at London Fashion Week last week. All I could think about when watching the videos she posted of her walk was this video. The shoes, which were very much a haute-couture, artistic shoe, looked so uncomfortable. I was talking with her about it yesterday, she said they didn't fit her at all, and they literally threw the shoes on her about a minute before going on, so she didn't even have time to get used to how the felt before walking down the runway.

[@AngstG]

sounds dangerous..

[@nokomarie1963]

Well, that actually explains why my daughter can wear what I think are sky-high heels with no problems whatsoever. Her foot is a stiff, narrow, size 9.5 flipper with short toes, and she does make sure her shoes fit and provide good support. No skinny straps for her, and they still make me wince when I see her trotting by at full speed on those spikes as if it was nothing.

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

It’s not just the feet - it’s also the young. I have wide flexible feet and spent my youth in tall heels because I could. Was a super fit athlete. Now I see young women in daffodils and my feet hurt. 😆

[@biosparkles9442]

I was like your daughter when I was in my early 20s, I ended up developing Morton's neuromas in both of my feet and now cannot wear heels anymore, I hope that doesn't happen to her

[@nokomarie1963]

@@biosparkles9442 She's 40, very slim, and everybody thinks she's in her late 20s. It's disgusting. But, well, she only dresses up a few times a month. Most of the time, she's in scrubs with her hair under a bandana and a face mask, so I can't blame her for dolling up when she can.

[@yuuri9064]

Until this video I had no idea that hardness of feet was a thing

[@lauraketteridge324]

@@yuuri9064 Ooh, definitely. I am hyperflexible in every single joint in my body. My feet are just as flexible as the rest of me.

[@SimpleDesertRose]

As a former dancer this all makes perfect sense. I always had and easier time funding dance shoes that fit better than regular shoes. Even to this day I get frustrated trying to find shoes that fit. I have short but wide feet. Complete opposite of most shoes out there. That's are long and narrow. To get shoes that fit across the metatarsal I typically have to get shoes that are too long for my feet which means a lot of tripping since there is the big toe gap. As a result I usually wear boots or sandals. I much prefer to just go barefoot as often as I can.

[@claudiadarling9441]

Yeah I can't even wear heels. My wide feet just immediately scream in pain. Even regular shoes are not great. So when weather permits I usually wear my Toms. They have enough give without being too loose. If I need something a little bit more substantial then Chuck Taylors or boots.

[@blktauna]

I feel you girl. This is me.

[@christinacody8653]

Fellow former dancer and I hear you.

[@apcolleen]

I've heard that some women buy "character shoes" and then get leather paint to paint them to match outfits. I haven't found one yet that will fit my 4 inch wide foot though :(

[@teddybeartears88]

wow yes this! damn

[@nope6021]

I really wish more modern heels were made like dance shoes. They aren't perfectly comfy but they're way better. I honestly will gladly take visible wear or a floppy-off-the-foot look, over 0 flex and so much discomfort. The padding if dance shoes would also be nice. But most heels and flats I find nowadays have ZERO padding. It's like walking on solid wood. Why can't we have actual padding 😭

[@MossyMozart]

@nope6021 - It is also difficult to find shoes with real arch support, flat or heels. Every thing is flat-flat-flat.

[@margaretschaufele6502]

@@MossyMozart I wonder if that's the problem I had with flats. I needed black shoes for a choir concert and I bought some flats (I'm quite tall so tend to avoid heels) and wore them for the dress rehearsal the day before the concert. By the end of the rehearsal I was in so much pain I couldn't even walk. I had to have help getting down from the risers. Wore my more clunky looking work shoes and was much more comfortable. Have never worn flats since.

[@glossaria2]

Weirdly, you just explained for me why my mom's (incredibly) old-fashioned wooden clogs are so comfortable. They DO have a curve at the heel and a rise in the toe to accommodate foot movement, and there's a lot of arch support inside. Yes, the who thing's inflexible, but it's still managing to support my through through its whole (or at least most) range of movement.

[@MiljaHahto]

Never throw them away in that case! You can always have the upper part remade, after all.

[@beagleissleeping5359]

I have a pair of heeled shoes from a certain historical shoe company. My mom: How do you keep from falling in those? Me: Because these heels were made for walking. Note: I have fell over wearing sneakers because of an inturned foot that likes to occasionally tip sideways. Edit: yes it's American Duchess.

[@amandalea8772]

I’ve gotten my hands on some vintage 1950’s and 40’s heels and they’re so freaking comfortable. And they look so nice on the foot without being a super high heel. So I’m all for the vintage recreation shoes

[@crow-jane]

I have a foot like that. Gave myself the worst sprain of my life while wearing combat boots.

[@el4689]

what’s the specific historical shoe company?

[@onbearfeet]

Would love to know what company that is. My friend is getting married this year, and I need heels I can wear in the bridal party even though I normally live in boots.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

@@el4689 I'm guessing American Duchess.

[@NicoleRudolph]

Always go see a doctor if your foot pains continue past a certain pair of shoes, but it all starts with getting to know your feet and knowing what shoes to avoid! Or at least how to alter them to make your day a little bit easier.

[@sarahnelson8836]

As always well researched and thoughtful!!! Do you think you could explain more about modern patterns and why they have so much ease/ never actually fit (and maybe what to do about it)? If not that’s okay but I’d love to know how patterns got so messed up and I definitely don’t have enough experience to find the information myself!

[@apcolleen]

Perimenopause will also eat the fat on the bottoms of your feet and often leads to planar fasciitis. Its been 2 years of expensive insoles and footwear and cortizone shots and making sure my knees didn't get ruined in the process so I've had to stop going on nice walks and hikes.

[@ahmetkemalgurel5730]

We need a shoe alteration video🥲

[@Teverell]

@@sarahnelson8836 Oh, oh, oh - please look up Evelyn Wood's channel! She's got a lot of videos about things like that! (And I am absolutely not saying Nicole shouldn't do some videos on that, too, I'd *love* to see her address that issue!)

[@jjez61]

@@apcolleen I've been dealing with that for a decade or so. I found varying my heel heights, not wearing the same shoes all the time and getting inexpensive cushioned arch supports have helped more than all the other things. I had an expensive pair of orthotics and they actually made it worse because they were hard. I have less issues wearing the shoes Nicole designed than I do wearing sneakers/trainers.

[@AZ-tf2hx]

I once bought a pair of custom tango shoes, and even though they were 4” heels, I could dance in them for hours without my feet getting sore. And I do think it’s funny to see so many dancers commenting here :) I definitely have some things to look out for in my next pair of heels.

[@Vapor249]

I thought I'd be watching mostly models slip around because shoe designs were silly, but the actual reason is so complex. Thank you for the education! This was amazing!

[@MiljaHahto]

Then again, you were not wrong. A lot of that is about the designers being silly.

[@MagickSprite]

My first job out of college was working in the Engineering department of a manufacturing plant, where I would need to go to the various departments on the Shop floor several times a day. At that time, I wore 3” heels all the time, and shoe requirements for plants were a lot less strict in the early 90’s. My boss came up to me one day saying I made everyone nervous with my heels, and to please change to lower heels or flats. No problem- I went and bought several pairs of 1” heels … and it was a disaster. Between being used to walking in my higher heels and the inward slope of the lower heels, I would fall 3-4 times a day. After 2-3 weeks, my boss told me to put my high heels on again.

[@yuuri9064]

Omg really? I didn't know that was even possible. It's so interesting how the fit changes everything

[@MagickSprite]

@@yuuri9064 The way the lower heeled shoes were designed was different. The placement of the heel was more forward under the foot than I was used to. Also the back of the heel was a smooth line from the bottom of the heel to the back of the shoe. Since I was used to stepping heel first with the high heels, with the low ones I kept stepping on the back edge of the heel which would then roll my shoe up and along the back of the heel causing the shoe to slip out from underneath me. Hopefully this makes sense. Looking back if I had just changed my walk to stepping toe first I would have been fine.

[@amystreasuresdesign]

😂sounds like you and I are close in age. I've been wearing heels since I was a teenager, the only times I had a problem was when I would touch down on the side of the (narrow) heel and it slipped. In 2013 I bought a pair of 4 inch platform heels. It took me a good amount of time to find the right pair. I quickly noticed how they were designed poorly and how easily I could fall flat on my face. Most of them had the platform towards the ball of the foot, with the toes up. Not the easiest thing to walk in when trying on. I finally found a pair that worked great. They weren't the most comfortable because I'm a wide width, coupled with the fact that they were peep toed. The toe area was where I had pain. First time I wore them I walked from the furthest parking garage at Navy Pier to the grand ballroom, no problems! It was as if I had been wearing them my whole life Spent the entire night either walking or sitting, then walked back to my car. That was after an hour and a half to two hour drive there (and back). A few years later I put them on I put them on, took a step and nearly fell flat on my face. I forgot how to walk in them. 😂🤣Good thing I was still in the house, about to walk out the door to the garage. 😂 I still wore them to the wedding I was attending, I was immediately reminded to pick my feet up to compensate for the extra height and platform. 😂😂🤣

[@undyla-chan1675]

You were making everyone nervous with your heels??? Were they seriously sexualizing you just for wearing heels or am I getting this wrong

[@amystreasuresdesign]

@Undyla - Chan no, it's legitimate. I work in manufacturing, and there are so many things in a shop/manufacturing area that can cause physical harm. Now everyone needs to wear steel toe shoes, regardless of whether or not you are working in the shop all day, passing through or just in and out of the shop. OSHA has made good safety changes over the years.

[@user-xe8cs5no6l]

AMEN SISTER 🙏 Ever since I started salsa dancing and tried on dancing heels (bendable, stable, closed back, with straps or T- bar and with a flared heel that is placed more to the center) I really cant wear most other heeled shoes. Thank you for pointing out that a chunky heel is not necessarily better. If the heel is way back it does not support your foot. If your shoe forces you to lean forward and put your weight mostly on the ball of your foot, its no good. If its not curvy and flexible, its not good. I am done buying shoes simply for the aesthetics. I only wear shoes in which I am able to dance, I mean dance salsa and samba and go crazy. That means I can also safely walk. And my feet wont hurt as bad (I mean, all high heels eventually will hurt a bit, because its not natural for our feet to wear high heels). I was so glad when the past few years flared heels made a comeback. And I wish mules will never, ever come back (I see more of them lately and I just want to scream)

[@NicoleRudolph]

I ALWAYS recommend dance heels to anyone looking for a comfortable pair! There are so many semi-historical designs as well. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with historically built shoes- they feel like my ballroom dancing pairs!

[@raraavis7782]

Ever since I got my first pair of Tango heels, I'm sold on them as well. I don't care, that they're expensive and need to have an 'outside' sole added, I switched from regular heels to dance shoes for fancy occasions as well!

[@susanavenir]

I hadn't realized until today what made dancing shoes "dancing" shoes, other than maybe a strap to keep them on.

[@c.w.8200]

So true, my sister got recommended to buy dancing shoes for her debutante ball when she attended the mandatory dancing classes you have to take when you're Austrian and they are RIDICULOUSLY more comfortable than the regular heels, it's unfair.

[@41052]

I’d rather wear dancing shoes then dancing heels, is that allowed or are you only allowed to wear heels?

[@m.f.3347]

I'm a dude who's never worn heels in my life (not against it, just haven't seen a pair that appealed to me) but this is such a captivating video! it's so great to listen to someone who clearly knows their stuff

[@micosstar]

@m.f.3347 ikr me too as a man, it’s always nice to learn from someone who knows their stuff! - mico

[@komikbookgeek]

I don't wear high heels but as a cosplayer who is often times stuck with a costume where I need to increase my height and therefore change the shoe entirely this was actually very informational because it actually tells me what I need to do in order to create the type of boots that I need to support my foot make sure that I don't end up falling but also look right with the costume so I thank you very much for those

[@valerydiane20]

FINALLY someone that shows how normal is to have different shaped feets! Thank you, I'm so glad you did this video! I've passed 10 years of my life thinking that I had sone kind of feet deformity because I couldn't wear any type of heel without feeling terrible pain on the arch after 5-10 minutes. And it comes out that I have just a different foot proportion (longer arch and shorter toes). When I started to tell people that they looked at me like I was saying something really stupid. What a struggle! And I can't really find any good padding to fill the gap in the shoes so I simply stopped wearing high heels. It would have been so much easier to know these things 12 years ago.

[@EdwardoLover]

Heels are already so bad for you, but, it sucks that your own personal choice was taken from you by something you couldn't control. I'm 5'9", I don't need heels, people look at me too much cause I look like a giant in heels, and I hated that so I stopped wearing them.

[@lapislazarus8899]

I was really good at walking in heels, which was a shame because I'm 6'2" and already tower over everyone. Now being an amputee, I don't even care about shoes... It's a big to do for me to put on my leg!

[@gravyz2cute4u]

I also get a lot of arch pain quickly in heels and tend to slide forward a lot. I stopped buying open toe heels for this reason, and now I've completely ditched the heels because I can't stand having sore feet all the time. I've only managed to find one pair of heels that were mostly comfortable. Unfortunately when those wore out I bought a similar style in the same brand but they were nowhere near as comfy. Somehow it felt like the inside of one heel was higher than the other and I feel very uneven when standing in them. I was considering buying expensive heels but thanks to this video I'll try to ensure they fit me properly! I kind of want to try dancing heels now haha

[@valerydiane20]

@@gravyz2cute4u Yeah, I would like to try dancing heels too hahahaha The arch looks a lot more supportive than the normal heels

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@EdwardoLover I know women who are tall (6 foot and over) and enjoy wearing heels; they embrace their height in heels. Anyways, you’re not really that tall comparatively speaking.

[@sweetlorikeet]

The heel cup being too large and the design trying to compensate for that by making the edge of the top of the heel try to slice into your Achilles tendon is definitely the thing that causes me the most problems. My heel stays pretty wide all the way up to my ankle. That kind of heel design has drawn blood from me several times.

[@l6318]

Same. I don't know if you can do this with all materials, but if you wear the shoe with a thick sock and then blow the back of it it with a hair dryer for a few seconds, it should loosen and conform to your heel/ankle shape better.

[@carrot7868]

THATS WHY I DONR WEAR EM

[@dbseamz]

@@l6318 A hair dryer? Ooh, I should try that, I've had a few pairs that slice like that.

[@DoveAlexa]

This was always my childhood in the 90s experience with heel. Caused me to not bother wearing heels. It took me into my 30s to find a 1920s style mini boot heel shoe that I can walk around in and draw no blood.

[@blondbraid7986]

I have thin heels, but I also get problems with the top edge scraping my ankles. It's like instead of making shoes for people with thin OR broad heels, shoemakers combined the worst of both worlds and give everyone foot sores.

[@janettechapple1782]

I wear a UK size 9 wide. Finding shoes that fit is a miracle, and now I’m finding that the shop doesn’t stock the full range, so I have to order on-line just to be able to try on. I’ve never really worn heels because manufacturers think that people with large feet don’t want to wear heels. I’ve often wondered where Drag Queens find their shoes. 😁

[@FunkyTomo]

In surprised you have never googled drag shoes... Watch the film "kinky boots " too. Will be of interest and I bet you can get some well fitting shoes

[@becmckinlay5073]

Kinky Boots is a favourite movie and though not boots, I always have one RRRED pair of shoes😂. Though nowadays no longer stilletos, more ballet flats.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

Great video! It points out the technical reasons I am so picky with my shoes. The males in my family think I’m crazy for spending $150 on shoes; it’s not because I want “fancy” shoes, it is because I want shoes I can comfortably wear all day everyday (plus a quality make that will last 5-10yrs)

[@missimmi]

Literally yesterday, I did a Burlesque/Drag show where I didn’t know we’d be performing on cobblestone when I did my costume, including my very tall heels. I fully fell onto the cobblestone during my performance, yes I recovered quickly, but it’s still not great.

[@NicoleRudolph]

I feel like Burlesque/Drag would be the ultimate testing ground for high heel designs. If it doesn't work there, no one can do it! We totally need to set up a system for that.

[@missimmi]

Absolutely! There’s also something to be said with proportions and the angle of your toes. I discovered recently when I wore a pair of shoes that fit in every other way, my toes angle upwards and twist in ways that shoes was obviously not made for. That was a fun thing to learn on the job, now with very bruised toe nails.

[@foxylovelace2679]

We need a stamp of approval for shoes like "burlesque/drag tested" or something

[@missimmi]

@@foxylovelace2679 We’d half the amount of broken ankles

[@bustedkeaton]

Drag on cobblestone sounds like a hate crime like Why

[@eskvar]

The mall in the town I grew up in had a great shoe store, and having the old salesguy explain that my foot isn't so much wide as having a higher than average instep has saved me some grief over the years. I can look at certain shoe styles and just know arch area will be too tall to shove in them. The explanation of the narrowing of the back of the heel also tells me why I have so much trouble with feeling like shoes are trying to slice through my Achilles tendon.

[@corvidaegudmund1186]

Sometimes I really wish that shoe stores would bring back specialized “shoe fitters”, like how some boutique clothing stores have sales people who can fit you if asked. I know that stores probably won’t due to cost and the training requirements, but it would probably save so many people trouble.

[@morganshryock4847]

I've always found most pumps to be really uncomfortable and fit poorly (which is why I go for heeled boots now instead) and this really explained to me why I had all those issues with heels! it all makes sense now

[@natashaw6346]

This is fascinating. I could never get used to heels because I refused to sacrifice comfort for aesthetics but it's so interesting to understand exactly why heels hurt the way they did.

[@ouranhostphan1018]

The structure of a heeled shoe is 100% why I don’t buy them as often anymore. I can just feel how awful they would be on my feet just by looking at them. I’m blessed that I have a background in theatre so I have a handful of character shoes to tell me what good support/heel placement is. This hurts me most when I see super cute shoes for lolita but the placement of the heel has me crying on the inside. Why do they hate our feet?!

[@endlessteatime4733]

Lolita brand shoes in general are just awfully made, not just the way they're shaped but the material too. That cheap pleather gets damaged so easily and then they look awfully dirty...

[@Cricket2731]

High heeled shoes also mess up the muscles in your legs!

[@ettaz]

At 13:52 you can see the model curling their toes OVER the edge of the shoe, trying to hold on for dear life. Also, there is a blister forming at the back of the heel, so who knows how many uncomfortable shoes they had to model that day

[@NicoleRudolph]

YEP! I was shocked how many horrible fits I could find with little to no effort. No wonder most companies advertise shoes without a model now!

[@4niasomnia573]

I was always so confused about how I loved my tap heels but hated regular heels. I do think the flexible shank is part of it, but also…regular heels never have a wide enough toe box. I’d always buy up in regular heels to accommodate my toes (otherwise my tiny pinky toes-at least-would be waving hello) but then I’d get so much shrinkage and slippage in the rest of the foot that I would be on my tip toes with these ginormous flippers in the back-which was funny because I’m normally a size 10-1/2 to 11. I finally gave up on trying to wear heels after they wouldn’t let me purchase tap heels without the taps and just decided that flats or even actual men’s dress shoes were good enough.

[@SoundShinobiYuki]

It was thanks to this channel that I realized the reason I could never ever find off-the-rack heels (that weren’t boots) that fit me was because I actually have AB-width feet- average in front, but VERY narrow in the back, so unless the heel is shaped absolutely PERFECT to my foot my feet slide out or have too much space in back. I’m also a half size. Unfortunately, basically nobody actually makes that size any more. 😰

[@MiljaHahto]

​@@SoundShinobiYuki I have a similar problem - narrow heel, wider in front, maybe even wider than standard. Winter shoes are easier, there have more wiggle room and always proper socks which help a lot, but heels and sandals are a problem, even with only 4cm heel. My little toe has problems fitting in at all.

[@amykathleen2]

Have you ever tried character shoes? Many (maybe most?) tap heels are just character shoes with taps attached. Capezio Jr. Footlight is the dominant model but there are others. I just saw a character shoe from Theatricals with a neoprene insert in the upper that I want to try next time. Tip though - if you buy character shoes with plain leather soles (i.e. not suede), sandpaper the ball of the foot and/or walk around on a sidewalk before you try to walk indoors or you’ll very quickly find out how slippery leather on tile can be!

[@laara1426]

I was a cocktail waitress for 10 yrs over 50 yrs ago. Mandatory minimum 3 in heels. Ferragamo wedges a serious investment at 70 bucks on sale. Now at 71, my feet are good, still can rock 3 in heels. Stay with good brands and styles that support you. Our feet support and transport us. Great info in this video !!

[@KristenStieffel]

I went like half my adult life with plantar fasciitis not knowing why until I finally found an article about arch support. I have really high arches so literally no off-the-shelf dress shoe works for me. I have to add arch support every time. And thank you for explaining the wide-all-over heel cup problem. I thought I had weird feet because every time I find a shoe where the ball is wide enough, the heel cup is too wide. 🙄

[@jjez61]

I have plantar fasciitis as well, but because I have flat feet. I have a spur on the underside of one heel, so hard orthotics don't work for me. I found cushioning arch supports that work so much better. I also found varying heel heights helps for me because it causes my foot to arch so takes pressure of the plantar tendon.

[@KristenStieffel]

@@jjez61 Isn't it nuts how totally different foot shapes can cause the same problem? Bodies are wild!

[@bellablue5285]

I also have extremely high arches, best shoes I ever managed to find were a brand that caters to horseback riders - support in all the right places and a ton of cushion/shock absorption. Sadly I think they discontinued the style I'd get for work which were more a business casual style, and I've struggled to find decent shoes ever since.

[@jjez61]

@@KristenStieffel it is!

[@yossarian00]

Shit like this is why I find it so sad that we've replaced custom shoes made by cobblers with off-the-shelf mass produced items.

[@maudline]

I’m actually one of those who try to see how flexible the soles are before I buy shoes 😂 If they are too stiff I wont buy them. I also had figured out from trial and error about where the heel is placed underneath your foot had a huge impact on ‘walkability’

[@jjez61]

I agree. I had a pair of (cheap) Oxford that I couldn't wear because the sole was not flexible and with a large opening my foot just slid right out. I was leery about buying shoes online so only do it if the company shows a video of a person walking.

[@ariannasv22]

I feel like most modern shoes in general have similar problems, not just heels. I've never worn them, but I would still struggle to find a comfortable shoe for almost 20 years of my life. I have wide, kind of flat feet, so I would always have to wear either sports shoes or shoes that were wide enough but way too long. I watched a video a few years back from a doctor talking about how everyone's foot is different and that most modern shoes are pretty narrow, which over time causes our feet to conform to the shoe, not for the shoe to conform to our feet. Ever since then and learning that I can find wide toed shoes, I feel a little less ugly and have had much better luck finding shoes that I can walk in without much aches or pains. I still need insoles, especially for work, but now I'm much happier and feel more inclined to walk around.

[@MerelvandenHurk]

KZbin recommended this to me, and honestly I'd never been specifically interested in shoes or modern fashion, but this was such an informative and well constructed video that I loved every second of it. Your explanations are super clear and make sense, you use great examples, little clips of you walking, photos of what you're talking about etc, and the way you speak is engaging and clear. It's not dry and monotone, and it's also not preppy and fake enthusiastic or anything. Just wanted to give you my compliments, I feel more knowledgeable and have definitely become more interested in shoemaking!

[@daisukidatotoro]

Thank you. This was so informative. I have high arches, high instep, narrow feet and a very square toe box. In 40-some-odd years I found *one* pair of heels that fit beautifully. I gave up and assumed that they don't make shoes for feet like mine. (I'm not wrong) I HAD NO IDEA that shoe manufacturers intended for consumers to be padding out the shoes, and I wonder how common that knowledge really is, as I've been told countless times by people wealthier and more fashionable than me, that "Cute shoes are supposed to hurt" or "That's just the price you pay." You'd think retailers would put shoe cushions next to heel displays as a "Point of Sale."

[@biosparkles9442]

Specialty dance shoe stores are the only ones I've ever been to that have shoe cushions as a standard and expected accessory. I'm glad I grew up dancing cos I've always known how to pad shoes to suit my foot, but most would never know that it's a thing you can even do

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

I sat my 10 year old down to watch this... because she needs this info before she starts drooling over pretty but impractical shoes. She rolls her eyes at stilettos and calls them Monster High shoes. May she continue! 😁

[@fredericapanon207]

I call stilettos "ankle busters" because they are.

[@w0033944]

Well done for showing your daughter that these implements of torture are ridiculous.

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@fredericapanon207 I love my stilettos. One just needs good ankle strength and good balance to wear them.

[@kiwisocks]

@@keirfarnum6811 If you need ankle strength and balance, then your weight isn't being properly distributed and supported in them, as per the video. Plus, the position high heels put your feet misalign your hips and back and have long-term effects on pain those areas if worn frequently. Like, SEVERE, only drugs can help pain if you've been wearing them for 20 years, or even less.

[@RoseyVamp]

Lmao funny enough very few of the G1 monster high dolls work stilettos. A majority of them were boots and wedges 🤣 now the dolls are actually designed with flat feet and have tennis shoes and sneakers instead of heels

[@NamelessAidan]

I'm a guy and I don't really ever wear high heels but I'm fascinated by the way things are made. It's really interesting that heels are still more or less made the same way as they have for a century. I have worn heels a couple times in the past, and once in high school I wore them for a play (long story). It gave me a lot more empathy and respect for people who wear heels on a regular basis. Even fairly low, standard heels can be difficult to walk in. I feel like I would be snapping my ankles trying to wear most of these.

[@Sujowi]

The best shoes I ever wore had what I call a “Queen Mother’s Heel”. Not too high, a good average dimension and positioned in the right place under the heel. The sort of heel the Queen wore and could stand in a reception forever. It supported my heel, my arch didn’t tire and my spine was in the right place so no aches there either. Hard to find again unfortunately.

[@MaidMirawyn]

That’s fascinating-thanks. I’ve made the decision not to wear heels, at all. My back, hips, and feet are happier for it. Bonus: I had been doing physical therapy for months for plantar fasciitis, but could only get to about 90% healed. Literally within days of giving up heels (1/4” is my maximum), the pain was completely gone. It’s been years, and the only return of (very mild) pain was when I had been sick and fairly sedentary for months. Resumed stretching my feet in the morning, and it’s gone. Only took a couple of weeks. Abandoning heels is one of the best health decisions I’ve ever made.

[@kagitsune]

This is an incredible video not just on modern shoe design, but walking kinematics in general. I left fashion design to re-enter engineering, and this video really shows where we need that bridge of skills/understanding going forward.

[@jenniferk9242]

I gave up wearing heels 30 years ago after years of ankle twists and sprains. I wore a short chunky heel at my wedding but that was it. Now my only pair of "heels" is an ankle boot with a 1.5(?) inch heel that I got at Aldi of all places. Insanely comfortable and stable. I wear them with jeans or dresses, got them a few years ago for $15 and I absolutely love them. Wish I had got a few pairs for when these wear out 😂

[@birdy369]

This right here. This is what I feel would and should be taught to customers at at least a decent shoe store. I feel like back in the day, stores interacted with their customers so much more - and we got such better quality items too. Now with the internet and fast fashion... I wonder if we will ever get back to any quality.

[@valvalid5200]

what I find especially alarming is that when a model falls,they are blamed, because "they are clearly bad at their job, because they cant even walk in heels"

[@catherinerw1]

I always used to think I couldn't wear high heels at all (having only tried on relatively cheap ones), then tried on a good pair in Russell & Bromley, and was astonished that I could not only get them on, but walk in them! (I didn't buy them, bought flats instead, but it was eye-opening).

[@abigailtran5321]

As a shoe fanatic (yes, "fanatic" with at least 40+ pairs of heels of all heights), thank you so much for making this video! I loved the detailed analysis and it's perfect for showing my children who are now beginning to get interested in fashion and shoes. I personally prefer shoes with very wide bases (regardless of height or styles, from 10-inch platform boots to smaller Oxford-styled pumps) and found they're generally much better for my back than something like Louboutins, even if my mother claim they make my feet look "chunkier". Only own one (1) pair of stiletto pumps, and I almost never wear it anywhere without knowing I'll have a place to sit down 😉

[@elenaziccarelli1295]

where do you buy your heels? I like platforms but ive never shopped for any and i have very sensitive feet.

[@kateleary130]

This is probably the most helpful design/fitting/clothing video I've ever watched. I have never understood what makes a shoe comfortable or what to look for when shopping for shoes. Thank you so much for the great information!

[@chamberswagner2010]

This was a great video, thank you! Watching this made me realize how often I've blamed myself for not being able to walk in heels, or just being a klutz where it's probably the shoes. OK, I'm still a bit of a klutz but since I've started making different shoe decisions, I have had less falls or twisted ankles (and I wasn't even wearing crazy heels). Thank you for giving me things to think about when shoe shopping!

[@apcolleen]

ADHD and autism make me so clumsy I gave up on heels ages ago lol.

[@PurelyCoincidental]

@@apcolleen Omg I never thought that might be part of my issue! I dance reasonably well, but a stiff breeze could knock me over if I'm not focusing, lol. Thanks :)

[@moniqueleigh]

@@apcolleen My problem is less my ADHD and more my hypermobile EDS. Faulty collagen means I have no bloody idea what my ankles are going to do when I walk. It's a problem no matter what shoes I'm wearing, but it's worse in heels. I tend to go for either complete flats (at least if my ankle twists, I won't be falling far) or boots with really *good* ankle support.

[@madelinejohnstone9950]

I trained in ballet for 12 years and dancing in pointe shoes has taught me to appreciate quality and comfort in my shoes . Once I find shoes that work, I stick with that brand or style. I also have re-soled a couple of really good boots instead of buying new inferior ones.

[@shalom9500]

What brands would you recommend?

[@perrinboseley6017]

A really informative video! And you were so engaging for the whole time. It would be fabulous to have a shorts with a "what to look for in heels" to put all the key information together as a cheat sheet!

[@AnarchistArtificer]

I loved this video, I'm glad I stumbled across your channel. I used to dabble in shoemaking, but I never tried making high heels. I appreciate how you were able to break down such a complex topic without oversimplifying the factors at play. I especially loved how clear your grapphics and clips were, such as at 11:48, that was really cool.

[@caitcoy]

As someone who knows very little about shoes, this was fascinating. Appreciate the clear demonstration on the kinds of issues run into with high heels and runway shoes in particular.

[@PurelyCoincidental]

This is wonderfully informative, thank you. I'm a former professional costumer who (for years now) has been contemplating learning shoemaking. Your video explained so many issues I've had for years--I have narrow heels, high arches, and long toes, and I've largely given up on shoes with anything more than a 1" heel. Honestly, I've hardly bought shoes in general for years now. I'm learning dance as an adult, and it's hard to go into a shoe store now and NOT reject 99% of what I try on, because they're so obviously "fails." Time to go back online and find those lasts I was eyeing a couple months back....

[@blueocean43]

Have you found any heels that do fit really well? I have that exact foot shape and have also given up on shoes. I'm also a UK10 and hypermobile, which doesn't particularly help in my search for comfortable shoes. Unsurprisngly, I have also been looking at lasts because it feels like there's no hope of ever finding a pair of heels that fits.

[@andreacook7431]

@@blueocean43 I'm hypermobile too. I've had good luck with heels from Dansko and Sven, both of which make clog-type shoes like nurses wear. Allegra has nicer fitting clogs, but they tend to look like turn shoes BEFORE the turning.

[@RedPandaHomebody]

@@andreacook7431 similar ish foot shape, except my toes are normal width (but very thin top to bottom) and the rest of my feet are narrow, and most of those brands that *should* be more comfortable won’t fit at all, gaping vamps, etc. there was a black rose embossed pair from Allegra that I so wanted to wear but I could have put the toes/balls of both my feet into a single toe of one of them! I was so sad!

[@PurelyCoincidental]

@@blueocean43 Oof, I wish I had something good to suggest. I don't know if I've bought heels in ten years. I used to stalk them on eBay, looking for a long and pointy toe (mostly just personal preference, although often I was luckier there), a higher vamp than average (long toe and mild bunion issues), leather or suede (so they could be stretched a bit), and no more than about a 2" heel. I had better luck with shoes that had a loafer look to the vamp. Also, Italian or Spanish companies more often seemed to have the kind of "classic" look I was interested in, so I'd search specifically for them. The one pair of normal pumps I still wear is by Claudia Ciuli. I bought them used 8-10 years ago and only wear them to special occasions anymore. The heel tip is pretty narrow, but they're otherwise quite stable and in line with many of the guidelines discussed in this video. (Good job, younger me!) I had a very similar Spanish pair before then, but they...well, they ended up very well-loved. :) I have an easier time finding comfortable heeled slides/mules, so I have a few of those. I've been meaning to get some 40s-style heels--maybe some heeled oxfords--but so often the heels are higher than I want. They may be more comfortable than modern shoes, but I need to save my feet for dancing.

[@vickywitton1008]

Your feet sound like mine. I can only wear heeled sandals comfortably

[@rhondagoldberg8419]

Fabulous information with great visuals. Thank you.!

[@chrisgreek4285]

Thank you for all of that knowledge! I am almost 59 years old and have always hated my “difficult feet”: I have wide feet, a suuuuper high instep, and ankles that look like my calves just run straight into my shoes. My most challenging feature, however, is that my feet are a full size different - left foot is a 7.5 and the right foot is a 6.5. When I was in high school and participating in piano competitions I needed to get some heels (my Dad was super strict, but my piano teacher gave us specifics about how to dress to compete 😁). Back then I was lucky as my Auntie worked at a high end shoe store whose owner guided me how to purchase and then pad shoes. Other than my aqua socks and flip flops, I only have leather shoes as I buy size 7.0, so they will stretch for my left and I can pad up the right foot. Unfortunately this rules out a lot of styles for me. Do you have any other suggestions that might open up a few more options, please? Thanking you in advance ~ Chris

[@acraftycrow]

I *knew* most heels were poorly designed just from comparing the ones that are comfortable and those that aren’t but didn’t really have the words to describe it. Thanks so much!

[@gpettus9508]

This video is very informative and I love that it says all of this without ever demonizing wanting to wear pretty shoes. It gives the realities of the fashion industry without telling us as femme-presenting people to just wear flats or switch to boots for formal wear. Thank you for this.

[@astridafklinteberg298]

Your videos are always so informative!!!

[@storm4559]

this was a really good video to find! I'm doing burlesque and I'm just about to by my first pair of dance heels (and heel in general), so this was very helpful in just ~understanding~ how heels work (or don't work in some cases). Thank you so much for making this video ♥

[@IncandescentLightbulb00]

When I was getting married I wanted a pair of heels that would look like dancing shoes so that they would be comfortable - I found a pair from Rachel Simpson that I wore from noon until midnight! It was amazing how long I was able to wear them honestly and if I were to wear high heels I’d definitely go back to those as they are the most comfortable high heels I’ve ever wore. They are so soft and they are not ridiculously high.

[@sarahspinetta]

This is very interesting to watch from a dancer (primarily ballet) perspective. I have literally dozens of pairs of ballet flats, pointe shoes, jazz shoes, modern/contemporary shoes and salsa shoes. Even among the same brand, different models of shoes can feel and fit completely different on the foot, leading to finding my favorites that I buy again and again. Since I have been dancing, especially en pointe, I have constantly been asked how I do that, isn’t it painful, etc. My answer has always been no, because it has not been painful dancing en pointe…sometimes uncomfortable but never painful as I was fitted with the proper shoes for my foot type: taking into consideration my narrow and tapered foot shape, high arches, high flexibility and general strength, not to mention toe length, age and years of experience. I had a great fitter my with my first pair of Russian Pointe Rubin shoes, and literally have been ordering the exact same shoes for almost ten years now, only special ordering a harder shank so I don’t break down the shoes so quickly (they are expensive!) The one exception is when against my better judgment as I was pressed for time, I was pressured into purchasing another brand of pointe shoes which frankly felt terrible on my feet and I couldn’t even dance at the barre in them because they felt like awful bricks. I will never make that mistake again. While I was lucky to find my “right shoe” the first time, often ballet dancers take years to do so and once they do, will purchase several pairs at a time or have a certain “maker” who makes their shoes (they generally have their own custom stamp on the bottom of the shoe) and be dedicated to that one maker’s shoes. When it comes to the salsa shoes I have, they are a three inch heel and despite that are the most comfortable pair of heels I have ever worn. I have only been dancing in heels for the past six months or so (have studied primarily in ballet so never had a need for them until taking up jazz again) so there was a little transition at first but wow. They are incredibly comfortable. I wish modern heels were made with that flexible 3/4 shank or 1/2 shank in mind…honestly who cares about the shoe changing in appearance over time if it is comfortable. The only issue is, the sole is very soft to be quiet on stage and therefore not appropriate for wearing on cement/asphalt or out of the studio/offstage…but I am seriously considering purchasing another pair of salsa shoes and having them resoled for streetwear! Thank you for the interesting and informative video!

[@chronolojays4634]

So interesting! You communicate so clearly, and all the visual examples really helped my understanding.

[@alyssaworklightbourn9059]

Wow! This is very enlightening and instructional. Will be thinking about your points the next time I am shopping for shoes

[@indescribbles]

This explains my dislike of high heels so much! I have wide flat feet and all my favourite shoes are either converse, flat boots or relatively ‘flat’ goth platform boots (aka the height difference between the heel and the ball is small but the platform itself is like 5inches). I wish i could wear high heels but always felt unsafe when i tried them on. As a plus size gal, i always blamed my weight for this - now i know its the shoes! Thank you 😊

[@Kehy_ThisNameWasAlreadyTaken]

I have very wide but short flat feet and my toes come to a chisel shape with a giant big toe. I've flat out given up finding women's shoes that can work for me- the shapes are completely off for most of them, so off to the men's section it is. I've also found construction boots (Keen's Milwaukie to be precise) are some of the most comfortable shoes/boots I've ever worn. For being a steel-toe boot, it's surprisingly flexible, and the ankle support goes up a good few inches and is a lifesaver at the end of a long day. This is intentional design on their part, and I 100% appreciate it.

[@julieblair7472]

Did I write this comment? lol. People think I am crazy when I explain platform shoes are the most comfortable, but as a flat footer all the flexing in shoes that aren't like that make me feel like I am waling on knives by the end of the day. And the HUGE speedbump arch in Nikes is basically my cryptonite.

[@Sandcat]

Same! Wide flat feet and converse are my favourite. I absolutely hate shoe shopping, especially for heels, because everything is far too narrow for me. For the first time in my life I found one pair of heeled shoes that actually fit my feet properly a few years ago. I cannot tell you how absolutely thrilled I was. I could have cried

[@mintjaan]

Was modeling in a fashion show during an earthquake and was proud of myself for never falling. I never wear high heals in my daily life. I can also say that I've been put in shoes 4 sizes bigger than my actual size.

[@SwimminWitDaFishies]

Fantastic video!! Thank you for a wonderful explanation

[@shelbysawyer6352]

Wonderfully crafted video and very informative!

[@Monaco-fz4sk]

We neeeeeeeed a history of platforms, I’d be so interested to hear your take on modern platforms and looking back at the “platforms” of centuries past 💖

[@kjmav10135]

The historical path of the platform shoe is cluttered with broken ankles . . .

[@Monaco-fz4sk]

@@kjmav10135 broken ankles and exasperated menfolk: a history of the platform shoe 😂

[@fizzysassafrass]

@@Monaco-fz4sk The menfolk wore platforms, too. Look at pics from the 70s! And it's still a thing in alt fashion for both genders to wear them. (New Rocks!)

[@Monaco-fz4sk]

@@fizzysassafrass I am an avid wearer of a blended aesthetic comprising of coquette and alt fashion, my favourite pair of heels is a huuuge pair of platform Mary Janes that my boyfriend coincidentally owns in black, trust me my dear I’m very aware lol

[@alejandramoreno6625]

This was very interesting. I can't wear high heels, so I was thinking of getting dance shoes to use as party shoes, because all heels I find in shops are just nonsensical.

[@jeryth057]

Yes, or "character shoes". They are like a Mary Jane with a strap and low heel but very flattering even on a side short foot 😀

[@AcantostachaLichtmesz]

Very good lecture. Thank you, Nicole.

[@createa.googleaccount713]

Very good video! Huge Gratitude for your wisdom & excellent video, Thank you!

[@manicantsettleonausername6789]

There is something really fun about watching an expert flex their knowledge, and this was definitely one of those cases! I love your breakdown of this issue and learned a lot, even as someone who doesn't wear heels.

[@CrimsonVipera]

A lot of this was explained to me by the kind shopowner who sold me my first pair of heels. They are (I still have and wear them 18years later) red leather stileto sandals. Slightly 20-ish in design (more like someone cut out holes in a shoe, rather than just made a shoe out of the bits left after the cutting out). I don't have the chance to wear them much anymore, but during uni I would dance the whole night in them and then run home over coblestones. Unfortunately, the owner died and the shop closed and with it my access to learning the names of brands that cared about making their shoes right. But I kept all he said close ever since. It (and my very specific taste) made me a VERY choosy shoe shopper, but 99% of my shoes are pretty much made out of comfort. The 1% is a pair of black "professional" heels I broke down and bought for exams and work interviews at the end of high school, because the first exam was in 2 days and I had to get something. I guess I only wear them for about 4 hours a year, so they will do.

[@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

This is so enlightening, and disconcerting. Heels are my main footwear, and I did notice over the decades a few things. One was the increased difficulty of finding classic mid-heels. It's either sneakers or trampy high heels. The other is how uncomfortable the shoes are. I noticed the rigidity of the shoes that makes it difficult to walk gracefuly with them, and causes different parts of the shoes to cut into the flesh. I have ballroom shoes for ballroom dancing and I often wondered why street shoes could not be as elegant and comfortable. It seems like we have abandoned the idea of heels being a kind of shoe that could be designed for everyday wear. Shoes that could make women feel good while wearing them. From the comfort and from how they pull together a feminine (and not sexualized) look. Instead, they have become objects on the shelf. I find it deeply disturbing that we find it perfectly normal to make shoes for women that are impossible to walk in.

[@valeriacao510]

Great video! It answered so many questions I always had 😄

[@stephaniesews6603]

SO THAT'S WHY I can walk just fine in my expensive high heels (which came with cushions which I used were needed) but get blisters in the same space every time I use my hiking shoes! Thanks for all this information!

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

I haven't worn heels (stiletto types) in years. I'm 5 foot 1 so I would really benefit from the height 😂 But it's not worth it. I've had some of those runway incidents irl and it's painful and embarrassing 😬

[@stephaniecowans3646]

I haven't worn high heels in over 20+ years because of my work and I now no longer know how to walk in them; I've lost the "muscle memory" of how to balance in them.

[@mariaaguadoball3407]

I'm so glad flat boots are in style and easy to find.

[@opallise2605]

Really great informative video! Thanks!

[@Tealeafsong]

Practical help. Thank you Nicole!

[@annalysenko9180]

I bought these 30-40s kind of heels in a thrift shop and they’re more comfortable than anything I’ve ever worn, never had that luck with modern shoes.

[@kaysprerogative6746]

This explains why high-heels/platforms helped reduce the pain from my planters faciutis. Gave the arches more support when the arches were the worst. (now that I've got custom orthotics and the arch isn't as flat, I have the opposite issue and can't wear heels or socks without arch support)

[@happytofu5]

Weirdly enough, my most comfy shoe has a heel. Probably fits my foot perfectly by chance.

[@dnllmaurer1]

Wow! Your explaintion of this topic was clear & thorough! Your words per minute were packed with valuable information & your visuals made the content easy to understand. Having worked in the shoe industry, plus experience making shoes, you're the perfect person to cover this topic! Thank you so much for sharing this enlightening insight! I learned lots from watching & consider this very helpful! Now I'm aware of what specific parts to look at before deciding if a pair of shoes will suit me.

[@lifespanwellnessbeauty-60i64]

This is a very informative video. Thank you for sharing this!

[@bellablue5285]

Very intrigued by this video - I'm a heel-toe walker, so swapping to heels is a bit complicated (I run on my toes so it's not terrible, but it does change my normal 90% of the time gait, which makes me a bit more trip prone). That said, the older style heel/spike-centered-on-my-actual-heel I find far easier to walk in, as well as having a curvier arch.

[@iraisrose]

Incredibly interesting and informative. I had a mishap at work a few years back. Needless to say that my extreme foot pain/ swelling of that day was blamed on my shoes. No X-ray was done and practitioners barely touched me. The shoes I wore, I had worn already for 3 weeks and was a discontinued model that I happened to find in Amazon. This was 2018. I had purchased this same model in 2012 and had worn and continue to wear both the old and new pair to work. Never gave me any problems before or since. I love them they are confortable and very durable….so far. They have to be when I spend a good chunk of time walking or standing. I didn’t like that were falsely accused of causing injury with little to no evidence.

[@sarahnelson8836]

Yeah that’s weird… I hope you have learned to advocate for yourself in medical settings since then! If they could tell it was tendon or muscle related they should have explained that and what their reasoning was…. Information is the only way to make informed medical decisions. It could be you didn’t need an X-ray but how are you supposed to know that if they don’t explain it…..

[@skolljumper]

Medical professionals are overworked and insurance companies use "cost efficiency" of treatment as leverage during contract negotiations. The most common answer is held as the only reasonably possible answer. I would look for reviews from actual human beings for a foot doctor. If they blame your shoes at least they'll give you orthotics that will make life less painful and might actually be able to help with the root problem. Hang in there 💖

[@apcolleen]

Try checking sites like poshmark. I was able to buy a nearly new condition same exact shoe as my favorite sneakers which fit my wide feet well.

[@pendlera2959]

If they were worker's comp doctors then they'll find any excuse to blame anything but the company. One doctor straight up lied to me about the law, saying that repetitive strain injuries aren't covered under worker's comp.

[@iraisrose]

@@apcolleen I have checked there. Found a cute pair of clogs from the same brand, semi used in good condition. I have also found a pair of ankle boots and a pair of Mary Janes from same brand on Amazon that I adore for home/street use. Very confortable and so far also have shown to be durable just like my work shoes. I took both on a trip and was worried they would come back ruined, but that was not the case. ☺️

[@miniyupi3766]

this was an absolutely fantastic video. the images and video comparisons of you walking were also really helpful to get a bit of specific examples based on what you were says. I was very captivaated and learned a lot, thanks!

[@shnuggumz]

Wow, so incredibly informative! Thank you!

[@amberdaze7892]

i basically have to only wear tennis shoes because of my cerebral palsy (which, interestingly enough makes me walk toe first, something i got yelled at about a lot as a child lol) so this was incredibly interesting!!

[@apcolleen]

Autism also has a similar thing. We are just so tense all the time and it leads to a lot of musculoskeletal pain.

[@karladenton5034]

I have a birth defect in one hip joint, so I don't wear heels over 1 inch high. My sister teases that I 'can trip on a carpet fiber' LOL. But even very flat shoes can have issues with the toe proportions, so definitely very useful info in this video!

[@amberdaze7892]

@@apcolleen i'm probably also autistic lol (cp has huge comorbidity rate with autism and adhd)

[@quilabright4263]

@@apcolleen I don't know how many times we tell one of my ASD kids "heels" to remind him to put his heel down. We're trying to avoid surgery for toe walking. Stretch those ligaments kids.

[@ArcticNinjan]

It took a second or so longer before I realised 1993 was 30 years ago 😅

[@NicoleRudolph]

I see you count as if it's year 2000 as well 😂

[@ArcticNinjan]

@@NicoleRudolph Probably 😅 The weird part is that I myself were born in 1992, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise 😂

[@rikkatrieseverything]

This was really informative! Thank you for explaining so technically!

[@BellalinaBallerina]

This is really helpful! Thank you!

[@AlisonGrossTheWitch]

Thanks so much for this. As a long time heel addict I've been passively aware of a lot of these issues but this video breaking the down clearly has provided me with a lot of things I can try like how to add padding to help distribute weight properly as well as more precisely where my weight should go when I walk to help me learn better how to plant the foot properly. Super useful.

[@vcutler4735]

There was a really blessed time from like 2008 to 2014 where there were a lot of more budget brands (like ones at Target even) who were making really well balanced 2-3" heels with a bit of flexibility in the toe and I miss that shoe time so much. I wore heels near constantly then and even went camping in my pair by Medicus. People were always so shocked like how could I do my constantly on my feet job in heels and I was like good heels really are quite comfortable. I have sadly worn through all my shoes from that time though, even the real leather ones finally wore out.

[@luminariel3765]

A few years ago, Target had this one pair of shoes. It looked like a hiking boot but with a four inch stiletto hell. Very cute, extremely comfy. The only high heel I ever truly felt stable in.

[@henrykessler9494]

I miss mudd. They always had the best maryjanes with the chunky heel that I could run around across grass in and ride a bike with back in middle school.

[@alittleofsomething]

This was so so interesting! I had no idea about any of that. Thank you for making this video!

[@andreaandrea6716]

Your knowledge is extraordinary! THANK YOU!!!