High heels used to terrify me. I thought stilettos were the standard but the instant I tried them on, my otherwise normal feet suddenly looked blundering and oafish. I didn’t understand what was happening, so I came to a wistful conclusion that I think is rather common: I would be able to wear this if I was just a little bit more beautiful.
My dear. This. Is. False!
It’s not your feet. (Or your anything else!) You have THE correct feet, the ones that are a perfect match for your hands, your height, and everything else about you. They are your best possible feet!
Not only that, but there is something neat about your feet. (And your hands. And your eyebrows.) Sally’s are neat too, in a different way, and so are Jane’s. And all three of you deserve shoes that showcase what is awesome about your particular pair.
So when picking out pumps, allow yourself this luxury: Choose the shoes that match your feet.
“But how can a shoe match my foot? It’s not like my foot has sequins or bows.” No no – I’m not talking about the color or details of the shoe. I mean the shoe’s basic structure: are the heels thick, or thin? Are the toes pointy or round? That fundamental architecture right there should align with the architecture of your foot.
So how do you know what to look for? First, remember that feet can be either short or long, and either wide or narrow. So the four basic types of feet are:
- Long + Narrow
- Short + Narrow
- Short + Wide
- Long + Wide
Scroll down to find yourself!
Long, narrow feet:
- Heel: Super-thin
- Toe: Pointy
These feet are sharp and graceful. “Long and narrow” sounds like the point of a sword, and that’s the kind of shoe these feet need – pointy heel, pointy toe. No such thing as too pointy here! The overall effect is sheer elegance.
Short, narrow feet:
- Heel: Thin
- Toe: Pointy or round
These are the consummate Cinderella feet and they simply sparkle in a delicate shoe. The heel should be thin, but not necessarily as ice-pick thin as we saw above. The toe can be either round or gently pointy.
Short, wide feet:
- Heel: Chunky, but tapered
- Toe: Round
These feet are as adorable as kitten paws! A cute tapered heel is simply enchanting here. Round toes only.
Long, wide feet:
- Heel: Chunky, block
- Toe: Round or squre
These are badass feet, ready to kick down doors or run a marathon barefoot, and they need powerful shoes that can keep up. Round or square toed. The heel should be a straight block.
What if I can’t tell what my feet are? Believe it or not, you can look to your hands. If you get frequent comments about your long piano-player fingers, etc., it’s more than likely that your feet are the same.
What if my feet fall in between two types? Rock them both! For example, if your feet are narrow, but not short or long, then both the Long + Narrow and Short + Narrow guidelines will work for you.
One last tip: Consider wearing colorful shoes instead of the usual black or brown. Even a serious color like burgundy or navy blue will make your outfit look instantly more put-together.
And remember, these are just examples of shoe structure. The colors and designs you prefer will be as unique as you are! I love solving clothing conundrums, so if you have any questions, post them to the comments!
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