Get All Access for $5/mo

Style Check: Five Tips For Wearing Pain-Free Heels To Work Don't buy shoes thinking you'll break them in; it won't happen.

By May Rostom

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

With an influx of millennials in the workforce, offices around the world are adopting a more "casual" dress code. What you wore to work today probably looks a whole lot different than what you would have normally donned a couple of years ago. However, some organizations may still have more formal dress codes that mandate high heels, which are often known to cause discomfort to the women that wear them. If you're one of these ladies, here are five tips that will make you suffer a little less while wearing heels:

1. SIZE MATTERS The most common mistake women make is wearing the wrong shoe size. It is only normal that your shoe size changes over the years, so make sure to get your feet measured for length and width when buying shoes. Always make sure that there is a half-inch space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe, while having enough room to wiggle your toes inside the toe box without your heels slipping off when you walk. Don't buy shoes thinking you'll break them in; it won't happen.

2. TRY THEM ON Avoid buying shoes online. The reason why you should try shoes on before buying them is to make sure if they're rubbing, or their texture is too stiff for your feet (even if they're the right size). Also, avoid budget buys- cheap shoes are cheap for a reason, and that reason is mostly plastic. Plastic shoes will not only cause your feet to sweat and smell, but will also cause rubbing and blisters. Leather shoes however are softer and less likely to rub.

3. THE THICKER, THE BETTER When it comes to everyday heels and soles, the thicker, the better. Save your stilettos for special occasions, and invest in a comfortable chunky heel for everyday wear instead. Thin soles will cause foot pain, blistering, and calluses. A platform wedge would be perfect to take off some pressure on your feet when walking or dancing.

4. INVEST IN SHOE INSERTS Sold at department stores, gel shoe inserts cushion the blow to your feet. Don't buy inserts that are too thick though, they might squeeze up your feet even more. Opt for inserts that are silicone/gel-based and for an extra kick; put them in the freezer before you wear them.

5. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS Don't hesitate to give your feet a break every once in a while. Take off your shoes, wiggle your toes around, and stretch those troopers. Just in case, always carry a pair of extra flats, and when the day has finally come to an end, dip your feet in a bucket of ice.

Related: Visible Spectrum: The Gentleman's (Easy) Guide To Color Matching

May Rostom

Curator, Entrepreneur Café

May Rostom is the curator of Entrepreneur Café, a new daily digest of stories from Entrepreneur Middle East to fuel your day at work. 

May has been in the fashion journalism field for more than five years, with over 500 articles published in online and offline mediums. Working closely with some of the biggest fashion brands in the region, from creating, curating, and developing content to aggregating and pitching for content from several fashion and beauty outlets in the Middle East, Rostom’s experience is multicultural and vast. She was formerly a senior lifestyle editor/writer at MSN Arabia, and she has also worked with TRESemme Egypt as a fashion expert.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business News

Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' Ended Last Night and the Receipts Are In. Here's How Much This Record-Breaking Tour Made.

It may not be a shock that Taylor Swift's Eras Tour grossed double the ticket sales of its closest competitor.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

You Have to Take Risks to Succeed. Here Are 4 Risk-Taking Benefits in Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are often risk-takers. It takes a certain level of bravery and confidence to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and make it successful. Taking risks is often seen as something to be feared, but when done correctly, it can lead to great rewards.

Side Hustle

Teen Brothers Started a Side Hustle on Facebook Marketplace That's on Track for $1.2 Million This Year: 'Quit My Job and Went All In'

Kirk and Jacob McKinney turned their high school side hustle into a lucrative full-time business.