How to Dance the Night Away in Heels

How to Dance the Night Away in Heels

It's 2am, your feet are killing you and you just know that when you wake up later today (I can't really say the next day can I?) your feet are going to hate you just as much. But that's the price we pay right? Us ladies love to dress up, put on those heels and dance the night away, but in the long run do we really have to suffer the pain? Or are there other ways to help ease or beat the pain so you can look AND feel fab in those sexy new heels? So I set out to find out some awesome and proven techniques that may just answer that question, so here goes, for your feet and mine!

I was at the chemist the other day and noticed a new product which seems so simple but at the same time a great idea! They're called Spare Soles which are basically roll up ballet flats that you can put in your handbag. So I guess the idea, is to head out the night with your heels on, and when you need to, sneak out your ballet flats to give your feet a break! My only question would be, where do you put your heels once you've taken them off? While the spare slippers conveniently fit into your bag, once you've put them on I have a feeling those 6-inch heels won't slip into that cute handbag just as easy. But hey, when I've been wearing heels for so many hours, I wouldn't care if I had to hold them or clip them to my bag, as long as my feet got a rest (and not bare foot, because its dark and I can only imagine what is on a club floor, I will definitely not risk that). I think that getting some of these Spare Soles may be an investment. But will have to wait for my first night out to do that. In the meantime, if you think Spare Soles are a cool option, you can learn more at their website: www.sparesoles.com.au. A pair goes for around $15-30 and come in all funky colours to sophisticated designs. Let me know your verdict if you get a pair.

Gel Cushions and Soft Adhesive Protectors now these innovative little products can be found at your nearest crazy clark's for $2 or you can get some more involved ones at around $15 at your local chemist or supermarket. I guess the makers realised that a lot of us woman will end up just wearing our heels all night, but try to offer a product that will help make the pain a little lesser and lessen the chance of getting blisters. I've personally tried these, and like that when I get home I don't have crazy looking toes and red blisters all over, the only down side I guess is you're still arching your foot for hours on end and it does little to stop the whole pressure of that and the weight on the balls of your feet. But half the pain from wearing heels all night is getting blisters or your sexy new heels removing skin in places not so comfortable.

While I was in the Philippines (the home of the most amazing shoe selection ever!) I was in SM department store and came across Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles, now I have tried these out, and personally I loved them but having to wear them all night, I ended taking them off because they made my shoes too tight. If you get these inserts, it's probably best to get your heels in a size or half size bigger to fit the insoles in. They come with a bit of an arch (which is great for those flat footed like me) and are available in sizes 6-10.

Now, if you're like me, and tried these products, while they are quite helpful for those special occasions, I still feel they aren't that long term solution and can be quite annoying have to stick these random things all over your feet and change the shape of your high heels. A main thing to remember without relying on all these products is to just choose certain types of shoes when you know you're going to be standing up for long time. Avoid stilettos as they put all your weight on the ball of your feet, instead choose heels like wedges which spread out the weight a bit more. With shoes like wedges, you can get the extra height without having to stretch your foot in more uncomfortable limits.

One could also try specially designed dancing shoes like they use in ballroom dancing. You'll notice that ballroom dancing shoes have a thicker heel and some of these shoes have in built arches to give support to that middle part of our feet that a lot of us tend to neglect. Like dancing shoes, choose high heels that aren't too high, if you know you're going beyond 4-5 inches you already know it's going to be a painful night ahead.

Other ideas when it comes choosing certain types of shoes, would be of course to wear the right size!, make sure your heels actually fit properly. Most of the time, the reason why we get blisters is because the shoes we're wearing are either too big or too small.

A lesson I recall from childhood, and I'm sure you've heard countless times before, is to break in your shoes at home and not just with heels, but with pretty much all shoes like the shoes you wear to work. Mama always said not to just buy shoes and wear them out that same night.

Alternating, sounds like a great technique too. I read about this in a book called "The Grown-up Girl's Guide to Life" by Jacqui Ripley. She says recommends that we wear different kind of shoes each day, which I suppose sounds most logical. By varying the styles and height of the heel by wearing ballet flats or sling back sandals to jogging shoes, you're enabling your foot to prevent your Achilles tendons from shortening and your calf and ankle muscles from over-tightening.

Ok, so I may not have found the perfect product or 'technique' but I found that all these ideas worked in their own way. The best solution for me, was well I don't want to give up my heels! I'll stick those adhesive cushions on all over, I'll alternate the shoes I wear each day, I'll put that insert in, but in the end of the day I know I'm going to take care of my feet by having a long, warm foot spa at home and give myself or maybe treat myself at the local spa with a nice & soothing foot massage.

Now I'm sure any male reading this must be thinking, why do they put themselves through that? Well here's my answer from all us females: High Heels are therapy, they make us feel confident, add that little skip in our stride, they're that perfect accessory to that sexy new dress, and while guys say they don't really care whether we wear them or not, it's the fact about how they make us feel, and like my boyfriend says, confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear. So wear those heels girlfriend, and if you find any new tips or ideas, let us know too!

-By Lariana
Blogger+Musician+Optimist
www.IslandMeetsCity.com