Greetings to dear readers of my site “Note to the Family!” Yes, yes, precisely female readers, since today’s article of mine is dedicated specifically to female representatives, and specifically to the heel height of women’s shoes. Do you know what the correct heel height should be, both from the point of view of proportionality and from a medical point of view, so as not to harm your health? Let's talk about this a little.
It is believed that a woman looks more attractive if her feet are wearing high-heeled shoes, especially stiletto heels. Such legs attract the eyes of the opposite sex.
And women themselves often wear high-heeled shoes in order to increase their self-esteem.
At the same time, in Lately very often you can find women, and especially young girls, wearing flat-soled shoes without any heels at all.
How are things going from the point of view of the theory of proportionality, comfort and health safety? What do orthopedists advise? What is the ideal heel height?
Let's start with the theory of proportionality. According to it, the ideal heel height that suits you is calculated using a special formula:
Ideal. heel height = (R: D - 1.61) x 10
P is your height in centimeters;
D - leg length in cm;
1.61 is the coefficient of the ideal ratio of height and leg length;
The resulting figure will mean the most correct and harmonious heel height in centimeters for you in terms of proportionality.
For example, my height is 170 cm.
Leg length - 93 cm.
1) 170: 93 = 1,828
2) 1,828 - 1,61 = 0, 218
3) 0.218 x 10 = 2.18 cm
Thus, for me the most correct heel height would be 2 cm18 mm.
An important point in this formula is calculating the length of the legs.
Get someone to help you and have a measuring tape ready.
Stand straight on the floor barefoot. Leg length is measured from the protruding tubercle of the femur, which is opposite hip joint, to the floor.
Just in case, measure the length of both legs. Sometimes they differ slightly. Moreover, you may not even notice a difference of 1-2 cm.
Surely you will want to compare the results you obtained with those considered ideal. Just in case, I’ll give you a sign:
As you can see, the ideal physique is considered when the length of the legs is slightly more than half the height. The figures given are relevant for women. For men, the correct proportions are slightly different.
So, we have decided on proportionality. Now let's see what doctors say about this.
When we talk about the correct heel height, we, of course, mean shoes for everyday wear. So, Doctors believe that the most correct heel height is 2-4 cm.
Over time, higher heels can lead to various diseases of the joints, veins and spine. High heels provoke swelling, bumps, and calluses.
Flat soles are no less harmful. Recently, it has become very popular, and doctors noticed that more patients began to seek medical help with foot problems, and they preferred to wear shoes without heels. In such shoes, the foot constantly slides into inner part, tendons are stretched, pain appears in the fingers and toes. Therefore, a small heel is necessary!
The platform is also harmful, even if its height is normal. Constantly wearing platform shoes leads to flat feet, since in such shoes the muscles of the feet practically stop working.
Until recently, a heel height of 5 cm was considered safe all over the world, and American scientists, after conducting research, came to the conclusion that such a heel height does not contribute to maintaining health, and the correct heel should be 2 times lower, namely 2.5 cm.
Orthopedists also came up with their own formula for the most useful heel:
Correct Heel Height = Foot Length: 7
For example, my foot length is 24 cm.
24:7 = 3.4 cm
From the point of view of orthopedists, the most convenient, comfortable and safe for me would be a 3.4 cm heel. Shoes with such a heel height will protect my legs from fatigue and help my feet when walking.
Once again, I want to emphasize that all these calculations apply to everyday shoes. By special occasions You can wear shoes with heels, but it is advisable not to wear them for more than 4 hours at a time.
And it is generally better not to purchase shoes with a heel height of more than 11 cm. In addition, not everyone knows how to walk beautifully in such heels.
I will say about myself that I am really very comfortable and comfortable in shoes with a heel height of 2.5 - 3.5 cm, which confirms all the above formulas. In such shoes my feet do not get tired even after very long walking. I can also wear shoes with heels up to 6.5 cm quite comfortably, but after some time my legs still begin to get tired, so if I know that I will have to walk a lot, I prefer not to wear such shoes.
What heel do you think is ideal for you? How well did the above formulas work for you? I will be glad to hear your opinion in the comments.
Useful tips the author of the site, Ksenia Druzhkova, gave you information about the correct heel height
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We, the fair sex, are so used to walking in heels that we don’t even think that this invention was originally a man’s and had practical purposes. The heel helped medieval riders better fix their feet in the stirrup. Only a few centuries later, the fashion for high heels appeared (in the middle of the 17th century), capturing the whole world and giving ladies the opportunity to become taller and slimmer. But did you know that there are many types of heels? Among them there are basic types and unique specimens - the result of the creative thoughts of designers. Let's talk about them - about high and low, about rough and graceful, about stable and fragile heels.
Main types of heels with photos
1. Viennese heel
Viennese heel is the lowest heel (from 0.5 to 2 centimeters). When buying ballet flats or summer sandals with such a heel, many ladies believe that they are purchasing “flat” shoes, but it is still a heel and it has its own name. It is very comfortable to walk on, your feet feel great in such shoes, and your spine remains healthy and strong.
2. Brick heel
A brick is a stable, square-shaped heel, two to four centimeters high. Designers willingly equip both women's and men's shoes with such heels: shoes, boots, and boots with brick heels look very stylish and modern. So comfortable and practical shoes Every fashionista should have it.
3. Wedge heel
The wedge heel is an inverted triangular prism shaped heel. It can be of completely different heights. It is believed that a heel of this shape slims the legs, but I don’t entirely agree with this. When the wedge heel is not high enough, the shoes on it look somehow old and grandmotherly. Due to the fact that the upper part is quite massive, and the base itself is very narrow, such heels very quickly get knocked down and lose their attractive appearance.
4. Cowboy heel
A cowboy heel is a fairly wide and low heel with a characteristic slight bevel in the back. These heels can be found on boots and boots in a cowboy style, which have recently become very popular.
5. Heel - glass
A glass is a heel with a wide base and a thin tip, reminiscent of the stem of a glass. This heel is terribly uncomfortable, not very high, but it can become good solution for very tall girls who want to wear thin heels, but cannot wear stilettos due to their height. This heel ranks very last on my secret list - I don’t like it so much!
Although the Valentino shoes in the photo above are really okay!
6. Heel - column
A very stable and reliable column heel is perhaps the most comfortable type of high heel. So it’s not surprising that modern fashionistas fell in love with it. Even a very high heel of this type is quite comfortable to wear, especially if the shoes are additionally equipped with a platform. This allows you to make the climb more gentle on your legs and spine.
7. Heel - flared
A flared heel is a type of heel, which in its shape is very similar to the once popular flared trousers. In the heel area, such a heel is narrower than the supporting base of the heel itself. In some shoe models, such a heel looks very original.
8. Wedge heel
A wedge is also a type of heel, but the heel in such shoes is integral with the platform. This heel is incredibly comfortable; it provides an even load on the entire foot, and not on a separate part of it. That is why the wedge heel is a very popular solution nowadays, especially in summer models shoes
9. Hairpin
The stiletto heel is a real queen, which for several decades has not conceded the podium to any other type of heel. The hairpin always looks elegant and gentle. This heel adds airiness to any look, but it’s not very comfortable to wear, especially for every day. Stiletto heels are shoes for going out, evening shoes, but not shoes for walking for many hours.
10. Heel - trapezoid
The trapezoid heel represents a fairly massive wide heel, where the top of the heel is somewhat narrower than the bottom. In the photo above you can see several Prada shoes that were shown during one of the shows at Milan Fashion Week in 2015.
Fashion trends change day by day. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to keep track of all the new products. But some things remain the same. Heeled shoes will always be a decoration for women. As if by magic, such shoes make our legs slimmer, longer, and our gait more graceful and seductive.
Advantages and disadvantages
Is it harmful to walk in heels? There is no clear answer to this question. Recently, Italian scientists have proven that low-heeled shoes help strengthen the pelvic muscles. At the same time, opponents of such shoes say that constant wearing of high-heeled shoes can cause arthritis due to the stress on the knees.
It’s also no secret that high-heeled shoes can cause calluses. Injuring the soft tissues of the skin, this leads to pain. When wearing high-heeled shoes, there is a risk of developing osteoarthritis due to the strong stress on the back.
Depending on the height of the heel, the load and harm to the body will be different. For example, the safest are models with heels up to 2.5 cm. The foot will feel comfortable in them. But even such shoes have a drawback - the necessary instep of the foot is not supported. Because of this, the legs also have to strain.
Models with heels from 4 to 5 cm are also comfortable. They develop the calf muscles. The gait becomes more graceful and easier. But this can put stress on your back.
Shoes with heels from 6 to 10 cm are less comfortable, but they make our posture slimmer. Such models also develop the calf muscles, but they can also cause harm. Due to the heavy load on the foot, a problem arises such as the growth of a bone on the side of the foot.
The most dangerous heel height is 10 cm and above. It is generally accepted that the larger the heel, the greater the load on the back. From here may appear various diseases joints, such as arthritis, chondrosis and even intervertebral hernia.
But don't be too scared. All this can occur when wearing such shoes uncontrollably.
If you wear high-heeled shoes on holidays or weekends, you are not at risk. Experts also advise giving your feet a break from such shoes when wearing them throughout the day. And in the evening, when you come home, you can make a soothing foot bath with chamomile and massage your legs with moisturizer. If you follow these simple rules, you will not face any risk of arthrosis.
Models and types
With the development of the shoe industry, there are incredibly many models of high-heeled shoes. On store shelves we can see the wildest fantasies of designers. And also classic options.
The most popular option has always been and will be pumps. The distinctive features of such shoes are a cutout, a pointed toe and a stiletto heel. The first models of pumps familiar to us appeared in 1955. They were created by French designer Roger Vivier. The heel at that time reached no more than 8 cm. The real popularity of pumps was given to Salvatore Ferragamo, who made a heel of 10 cm. These shoes were created for Marilyn Monroe and her role in the film “Some Like It Hot.” After this picture, millions of women began to dream of similar pumps!
Despite the fact that this type of shoe is one of the sexiest, some designers manage to ruin it too. If you do not want to be branded as a gray mouse and a girl without taste, always Pay attention to the depth of the neckline of your shoes. The deeper the better. Shoes with a round neckline look completely unstylish and are more suitable for grandmothers than for young and energetic people.
Besides classic version pumps, there are models with an open toe, with an open heel or with cutouts on the sides. Such models are considered the most feminine and if classic pumps can be combined with almost all wardrobe items, then such options will look perfect with dresses and skirts.
Mary Jane shoes became extremely popular. These are shoes with a strap and low heels. They owe their popularity to the comic book Buster Brown. In him younger sister the hero was depicted wearing shoes with a strap. The comic book was so loved by readers that soon all the girls wanted to wear such shoes.
In the early 60s, this model received a second wave of fame, but already among adult girls. Millions of fashionistas wanted these shoes after they saw them on Twiggy, the style icon of that time.
Now the variety of this type of shoes is amazing. Various colors, unusual look heels, all kinds of strap variations can be found in shoe boutiques. These shoes look especially stylish with thick heels, and they are much more comfortable to wear than pumps. But there is one "but". Mary Jane shoes can visually shorten the length of your legs. To prevent this from happening, you should choose the color of your shoes as close as possible to your skin tone.
In addition to heels, there are also wedges and platforms. But many fashionistas don’t like them too much, so designers have developed so-called combined models. In these shoes, only the front part of the shoe has a platform. And at the back it turns into a heel.
The most popular among such models are “Louboutins”. They are named after the French designer Christian Louboutin. These shoes have a platform in the front, and then go into a stiletto heel. The main differences of this model are the very high heel and red sole.
Another type of high-heeled shoes are shoes for teenagers. At 14-15 years old, girls especially want to look stylish. How can you do this without high heels?
Naturally, wearing adult models with 15-centimeter heels is still very early and harmful for a fragile body, but shoes with a comfortable heel of 4-5 cm will be just right.
You should definitely pay attention to the comfort of the pad and material. You shouldn’t save money and buy leatherette shoes. Such models can injure the delicate skin of young girls.
Styles
IN modern world There are a huge variety of heel styles. We will tell you about the most popular ones.
High heel. This is what they call a heel of 8 cm or more. It makes your legs longer and slimmer, and your gait easier. But only if you know how to walk in heels correctly.
Stiletto heel. It is considered the most feminine and sexy. Not the most comfortable option and unlikely to be worn every day. It's better to save these shoes for a special occasion.
Brick heel. Low and square. Previously it was used only in the manufacture of men's shoes. Now it is one of the most popular in the women's wardrobe. Standard height is from 2 to 4 cm.
You'll love these shoes tall girls, athletic build and those who do not like stiletto heels because of their inconvenience.
Wedge heel. Despite the fact that in appearance such shoes resemble a platform and are in no way associated with heels, they are still a type of heel. Wedges are loved by girls who value convenience more, but at the same time do not want to go down to models without heels.
Such shoes can be from 4 cm to 15 cm and higher. Low models are perfect for walking, and taller ones are perfect for romantic dates.
Stacked heel. This option has a completely different shape and height. It consists of so-called flicks - stripes layered on top of each other. The most commonly used materials are wood, leather and even cardboard.
Viennese heel. Is the lowest. Its height is only 2 cm. And thanks to its interesting shape, it seems that it is not there at all. Of course, this style is considered the most comfortable.
Wedge heel. Its peculiarity is that the back of the heel is longer than the front. This style is universal and suits all girls.
Cone heel. The shape resembles an inverted cone. The height ranges from 5 to 14 cm, which is ideal for short fashionistas.
Heel glass. It has an interesting shape - a wide top and a thin bottom, reminiscent of a stiletto heel. Outwardly it looks very much like a glass. It can’t be higher than 7 cm. But, despite this plus, it is still completely uncomfortable to wear.
Column heel. Absolutely straight and wide heel. It is extremely popular. Its height starts from 5 cm. This style is very stable and reliable, which is why it has earned the love of women.
Popular colors and prints
In the coming season, black shoes are fading into the background. Brightness is in fashion now. Just five years ago, gold, silver and red shoes were considered extremely vulgar and unwearable. This year it's the other way around. Designers advise not to choose boring monochromatic options, but to play with color schemes while fashion trends allow it.
So, you can safely buy shoes in an acid color or gold with a silver tint. You can wear shoes that combine several colors. But! There is important rule. Although such shoes are among the top fashion solutions, you should not overuse them. Let your sparkling shoes be the highlight of the outfit, and choose other things in a calmer color scheme.
Just like last season, shoes of all shades of nude remain fashionable. Shoes in sand, beige and gray tones will go perfectly with any look. This season is also rich in prints. In the Dolce&Gabbana collection we can see shoes embroidered with flowers of various shades. Particularly popular are shoes with plastic inserts in other colors or completely transparent ones.
Ties, laces, metallic inserts and military colors will also be fashionable this season.
Fashion trends
This season the following models of high-heeled shoes will be fashionable:
- Pointed toe. For a long time this style remained in the shadows. But for two seasons in a row, fashionistas have been buying pointed-toe shoes.
- Massive heel. No matter how strange it may sound, such a heel makes the image more feminine. The massiveness of the shoes emphasizes the lightness of gait and the slenderness of the legs.
- Sculpted heel. Some models are real works of art. In such shoes you will never go unnoticed.
- Low heel. Everything new is well forgotten old. The return to fashion of low heels and the glass style is another confirmation of this. - straps and clasps.
- Velvet shoes. Velvet is the most fashionable material of 2016-2017. So you absolutely can’t go wrong by buying shoes made from this material. The only thing is that you will have to walk very carefully in them, because velvet is not the most practical material.
- Metallic shades. You should be brave and try to wear gold or silver shoes, because this is a real must-have of the season!
Fur trim. If previously you could only afford fur trim in house slippers, now girls in fluffy shoes can safely walk around the city. Moreover, the decoration can be not only on the top of the shoes, but also on the heel.
The relationship between most women and shoes is the subject of a great novel. Over the centuries, women and shoes have had a long love story. Even a story of passion, as some psychologists and sexologists believe.
But these feelings can cause a woman to seriously suffer if, like Andersen’s little mermaid, she, walking with beautiful legs in graceful shoes, experiences pain, as if she has to walk on sharp blades.
Fashionable shoes are often selected without taking into account the peculiarities of the structure of the foot, the condition of the blood vessels of the legs, etc. But even wonderfully beautiful shoes, if they are chosen incorrectly, immediately reveal the torment of their owner - with an awkward, heavy gait.
Going through life is easy
Our women can run bravely in high heels from the very morning - whether they are taking their child to kindergarten, whether they are standing in a crowded subway car, or whether they are doing a shopping marathon.
Danger, fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, headaches - what meaning can all this “nonsense” have when we see a real miracle of shoe art in the window?
Warnings from specialists do not change the situation, but meanwhile it is noted that 75% of urban women have problems with their feet due to incorrectly selected shoes.
We forget that our shoes should adapt to the shape of our feet, and not vice versa. In addition, it is not only the feet that suffer from improperly chosen shoes - high heels increase the load on the knees and spine, causing pain in the back and neck.
It turns out that our feet inevitably take revenge on us for our love of stilettos, and when in the evening you literally fall off your feet, nothing makes you happy. No matter how much time you devote to your appearance, if you have, you will not be able to look and feel good.
Heels and everything connected with them
There are three types of heels in height. A low heel is considered to be up to 4 centimeters high, a medium one is from 4 to 6 cm. And a high heel is from 6 cm and above. Pay attention to the thickness of the sole under the toe: if its thickness is 2-3 cm, then the actual height of the heel is considered to be exactly the same amount of centimeters less.
Why are heels dangerous? With a heel height of only 2-3 centimeters, the load on the toes and forefoot increases by 20% compared to the norm. When the heel reaches 6-7 cm, the load doubles. It is not surprising that staying in high heels for a long time leads to many unpleasant consequences, such as...
- Corns that form on the forefoot due to heavy load on it and impaired blood circulation. As a result, the skin of the feet thickens and becomes rough.
- Deformation of toes. Those who constantly wear narrow high-heeled shoes are identified by a change in the shape of their toes: due to constant compression, the toes become flatter and their pads become wider.
- The appearance of a “bump” on the heel can be caused by high-heeled shoes with hard backs.
Conclusions: shoes should not be too tight and squeeze your toes. Tight shoes interfere with normal blood circulation, which increases the risk of varicose veins, and constant friction leads to calluses. The toes of your shoes should be wide enough to allow your toes to move freely.
Choose “your” heel: put on your shoes and try to rise on your toes so that the heels come off the floor at a distance of at least 2 cm. If it is difficult for you to do this, it means that the heel is too high for you.
15 minutes to rest your legs
What woman, in the midst of a party, doesn’t dream of replacing her super-fashionable high-heeled shoes with old ballet flats, at least for a while? But if it is not always possible and appropriate to take off your shoes, then when you return home, you must definitely give your feet a complete unload. In addition, it is useful to do such stretching exercises at least once a day. Perform each exercise 4-5 times.
Sit on the floor, facing the wall (or support), with your legs extended so that your feet rest against the wall (or bedside table). If you wish, you can sit on a pillow for greater comfort. Lean forward as far as possible, feeling the muscles in your calves and thighs stretch.
Stand as if you are about to step forward with your right foot, while keeping your left foot behind you. Curl your left toes and press them to the floor. You should feel the front thigh muscles stretch, then relax them. Repeat the same exercise on the other leg.
Sit on a chair, place your left leg on your right knee. Interlace the fingers of your right hand with the toes of your left foot to separate them. Try to spread your toes as wide as possible. Hold this position, then repeat the exercise with the other leg (and arm).
4. "Victory" stretch
Lie on your back a few centimeters from the wall, spread your arms to the sides. Spread your legs along the wall in a V shape. Gently stretch your inner thigh muscles. Then relax them. This exercise also reduces leg swelling.
Shoes with heels visually make your figure slimmer, help straighten your back and tighten your stomach, give you self-confidence and turn an ordinary gait into a sexy one. But only if you know how to choose and wear such shoes correctly.
What types of heels are there?:
Viennese heel.
A small (1.5-2 cm) heel that increases the longitudinal arch of the foot. One of the most comfortable and beneficial for the foot.
Brick heel.
A small (2-4 cm) stable heel, shaped like a square. Ideal for girls 180 cm and above.
Wedge heel. Wide and high heel. Its back is much longer than its front. This form suits absolutely everyone. Because the contrast of the leg with such a heel makes it look slimmer.
Cowboy.
Heel with a bevel at the back. Looks tilted, but very comfortable. Shoes with such a heel look slightly rough, making your feet look more elegant in them.
The heel is cone-shaped at the base and strongly tapered at the bottom.
Height can vary from 5 to 12 cm.
glass.
Wide at the base and narrowed at the bottom, like the stem of a glass. This heel is not too high (no more than 7 cm), but also not very stable.
Column.
A fairly wide straight heel (from 5 cm and above). It is very stable, so it gives confidence to your gait.
Wedge heel.
Chopines (stumps), or walking footstools. Japanese geta, Greek buskins, Venetian zoccolo - perhaps the most ancient type of heel. Shoes with solid soles made of wood or cork, sometimes without instep, from 4 to 30 cm (or more). Very stable, but inconvenient for driving a car.
Stiletto heels.
A high (8-12 cm) thin heel, which is based on a metal rod (a model where the rod is not covered with anything is called a stiletto). The sexiest heel option.
HOW TO CHOOSE?
- Keep in mind, every two centimeters of heel height increases the pressure on your toes by 25%
- First, try on your shoes while sitting, and then stand up and walk around. Because when you sit, the length of your foot decreases by 0.5-1 cm.
- If you buy shoes without a heel, but with a heel, choose models with straps or ties and a tight-fitting front part, otherwise your foot may roll.
- Place the model you like on a flat surface (without putting it on); if the toe lifts up too much, the shoes will be uncomfortable to wear.
- For every day, choose shoes with heels up to 6 cm.
- Check how the heel is attached; if you can move it a little with your hand or loosen it, then you should not buy such a model - its heel or instep support may break.
- The heel should be nailed, not glued, and the arch support should be made of metal.
- The difference between the height of the heel and the height of the supporting part should be at least 0.5 cm.
BEWARE:
Constantly wearing high-heeled shoes (above 5.5 cm) is harmful. This impairs blood circulation and deforms the calf muscles. The optimal heel height is 1/4 of the length of the foot. And it’s better to do fashion shows with stiletto heels 2-3 times a week. Shoes without heels are also unsafe: they don’t have arch support, and this makes the ligaments that support the arch of the foot very tired. In platform shoes it’s easy to twist your foot, so for long walks and uneven It's not suitable for roads.
Any heel will be uncomfortable if you walk incorrectly. Learn to distribute your body weight evenly across your feet. To do this, you need to keep your back straight, but not tense, and be sure to straighten your knees when walking. Try not to put pressure on your heels, but don't try to walk on your toes, otherwise your feet will quickly get tired and hurt. It is better to choose lower heels, but walk beautifully.
