There are many different types of high heels, including pumps, platforms, sandals, wedge heels and high heeled boots for women…and there is also the increasing trend for men to now wear high heeled shoes, this shows just how many styles today’s fashion embraces. Heels don’t have to be too high to be fashionable and comfortable …so here are a few tips for choosing the right pair of high heeled shoes:

• Choose the right heel and shoe shape for your legs... If legs are too thick, pointed toe heels will appear much smaller and may make feet look out of proportion with the rest of the body. Find a shoe that makes the body look in proportion with the shoes. Many people make their legs appear slimmer by choosing a wider design in high heel shoes. Heels that are too sturdy may make your legs look sturdy also.

• Which shoes are best for your outfit?... Dress length, style, and colour are critical to shoe choice, for example if very high stilettos are chosen with a very short skirt there is serious danger of the wrong message being conveyed. A pair of heels will lengthen the look of long skirts on a shorter person but take note of the height of the heel as the dress or skirt must not appear too long or too short. A floor length dress does not require elaborate shoes because they will not be visible. Mid height heels may be more suitable for knee length outfits. Be careful of wearing highly decorative shoes with a longer dress particularly as they may conflict with the dress details. Extravagant shoes work better with shorter dresses. Simple classic shoes are more suited to longer elaborate dresses. Avoid black shoes with pastel outfits unless all accessories are coordinated. The shape of the bottom of your jeans can also determine the type of heels that should be worn. Platform heels can be great with jeans and if the jeans are longer the impression is that you are taller.

• Safety... With high heels and stilettos, beware of strappy shoes. They look super sexy but ankles can be twisted, take care that the straps are firmly attached and the heel is well balanced. Another tip is to roughen the bottoms of new shoes which can help you avoid slipping on the dance floor.

• Flexibility... Wedge heels can provide the best of both worlds and can give all the ‘leg slimming’ and ‘extra height’ benefits of a normal heel. They are great with mid length skirts and minis and are great for wearing to the office. High heeled boots can also be very flexible and can be worn with almost all outfits. They are great with skirts, super for office wear, because the benefit is that you can wear them longer without too much strain to the feet.

• Comfort...High heels don’t have to mean ‘super high heels’ or stilettos which can be very painful if not selected properly, and are also not suited for walking too far in. If you need heels to go hand in hand with comfort go for a lower heel or a kitten heel. Maybe choose a style with squared-off toes or open toes and shorter, chunkier heels instead of stilettos or maybe the versatile wedge heel which slopes the foot gently and supports the whole foot area. Wedge heels are good for the office because they can be worn for longer periods of time without too much strain on the foot.

Perhaps shop later in the day as feet swell as the day goes on. Also allow a period of time to break them in if you intend wearing them to a special function. Ultimately the heel height you choose should be determined by how much discomfort you can allow yourself.

• Sex appeal...Sandals with heels are very, very, sexy, and very versatile as well. Sandals tied at the ankle will draw attention to legs as well as feet. Most sandals, including flip flops, some of which fall under the category of high heeled shoes, have small, delicate heels, called kitten heels, which gives them a look that can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on what you prefer.