"Give A Girl The Right Pair Of Shoes and She Can Conquer The World" - Marilyn Monroe

Footwear Tips

While choosing your pair of footwear, make sure the size is correct. It is always recommended to check the size of the chosen footwear by wearing them while standing. Get the feet measured always as the size may vary with brands and styles. The texture of the footwear also needs to be smooth. Any outgrowing of leather or exposed seams can rub on your skin and lead to skin rashes. Proper material and construction of the footwear is necessary for healthy foot care. Buy footwear based on your foot type. If you have a flat foot, it is recommended to have shoes with a good arch support. There are shoes which offer that. Even some of the high heeled shoes have cushioned arch support. If you have high arches, go for shoes that have cushioning on the ball points and the heels. Foot care is essential while selecting the footwear. The comfort and the fit of the shoes need to be a priority over style and colors. Shoes are meant for protecting your feet and the best ones are those that offer you style, color and fit without compromising on comfort and care!

It is best to shop for footwear in the later half of the day. This is mainly because the feet grow larger by end of the day owing to natural swelling. For people having a flat or a wide foot, it can turn out to be a headache to find footwear that's a tailor-made for them. Major departmental stores usually have footwear with different sizes and textures. They can even be made to order the way the customer needs. While picking up the style to wear, go for a shoe that is comfortable. Round shaped toe box are the best suited for toes as it provides the maximum breathing space for toes. The pointed, oval and square shaped toe boxes may look good but may lead to disfigured toes on constant usage.

Tips before your next footware purchase

Let your next footwear purchase be your foot's best friend. These tips may help you choose the right pair of shoes

• The size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Most of us have one foot larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
• Don't select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your feet.
• Select a shoe that is shaped like your feet.
• During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (1/2 inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
• Don't buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
• Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping i.e the shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend sometime walking on carpet to make sure the fit is a good one.
• The upper part of the shoes should be made of soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surface.
• Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer and less damaging than high heeled once.