Wearing shoes that are a size bigger is the trick celebs use to wear them for a long duration. Experts weigh in on it
While some women can’t do without their pair of heels, others have to don them for work. Most ladies who have had to wear them know that enduring pain is part of putting on a sexy pair of shoes. Some Hollywood leading ladies seem to have found a trick that makes wearing heels a comfortable experience. Be it Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Lea Michelle or Kristen Bell, they have worn footwear that’s a size bigger on the red carpet. This small trick apparently helps avoid swelling, pain and blisters. Experts tell us if this hack actually works...
SIZE TALK
Women often end up wearing shoes that are a size smaller. That can lead to various issues like pain and bunions, which are caused due to increased pressure on the forefoot. Chaitanya Shah, podiatrist, founder — Orthofit, Foot, Ankle & Biomechanics Care, says, “Women tend to wear smaller footwear because they don’t want their feet to look big and ugly. High heels are detrimental as they can also cause ankle pain, knee pain and back pain. The combination of high heels and small-size footwear is the worst.”
Some ladies wear shoes that are a size smaller because they think their feet will look big and ugly. Stylist Isha Bhansali says, “Women do wear footwear that is tight and their toe cleavage is often visible as the shoes are pointy in the front. That’s because Indian feet are broad. It’s only now that international brands are trying to cater to us.” Isha doesn’t recommend the use of a double-sided tape as it may not suit your skin.
DOES WEARING A SIZE BIGGER HELP?
So, while wearing shoes that are a size bigger won’t prevent the swelling, they may make it more comfortable as your foot has more breathing space. Shah adds, “But this is just a temporary solution.” Dr Nilesh Makwana, director and physiotherapist, Muscle N Mind, feels that wearing heels that are of the correct size is the best deal. “When one wears shoes that fit, they hold your feet correctly. Footwear that is bigger, results in overuse of the intrinsic muscles of the foot to get a proper grip,” he opines.
PREVENTING SLIPPING
When one’s wearing a footwear that’s a size bigger, it can cause a bit of discomfort. But there are ways to work around it. Celeb stylists use a double-sided tape or install silicone pads inside the pumps. Shah points out that using a double-sided tape is a bad idea it can cause irritation, which in turn can result in rashes. He suggests the use of silicon pads or thin silicone insoles. Dr Makwana recommends platform heels as they have a sole under the toes as well as the heel. He also advises that when you are wearing heels, avoid walking too much and try and sit to rest your feet whenever you can. Also, void wearing shoes that are more than one size large.
OTHER HACKS YOU CAN TRY
Besides double-sided tapes and silicon pads, there are silicone shoes or silicone bunion sleeve (which provides cushioning under the ball of the foot) that fashionistas can consider. Then there’s the medial arch insole, which provides padding under the centre and inner soles of the feet. This gives comfort to the arch of the foot that is affected due to the use of heels. The good news is that all these options are easily available. But experts suggest that you replace them every six months as they tend to wear out after that.
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