Flats or Heels: Deciding on the Right Shoe Height for You

The so-called battle between flats and heels is a tale as old as time. But that doesn’t make it any easier for you to decide between these popular types of shoes. 

Should you prioritize comfort over style? Should you look tall instead of feeling relaxed? Should you alternate between sandals and stilettos throughout the week? These are just a few of the questions that jump to mind with this footwear dilemma. 

To help you make the right fashion decision, here is a quick comparison between flats and heels. 

Are Flats Healthier Than Heels?

First things first, let’s get the basics out of the way. While heels do put more pressure on your feet and spine, you do not have to stop wearing them altogether in favor of flats. If you’re looking to improve your personal style while taking care of your health, wearing heels now and then can help prevent unwanted foot pressure.

But here’s the kicker: It all depends on the size of the heels that you wear. For example, choosing stilettos with a very high heel can actually alter your gait or walking pattern. On the flip side, if you put on very short heels, it might cause foot pain. That is why you should typically opt for medium-sized heels that are 2-3 inches in height. 

Does Height Influence What Type of Shoes You Wear?

Whether you like the look of women’s loafers or stilettos, your height does have a say in what type of shoes you may want to wear. But the concept of the “right height” is subjective. What looks like the ideal height to someone else may still leave you wanting to add a few more inches to it. With that, you also need to think about your comfort while wearing very high or very low heels. 

That is why it’s good to start by wearing 2-3-inch heels and see how they make your feet feel after a long day. You can also choose between different types of heels to see which ones feel the best to you. Besides checking yourself out in the mirror, you can also use a selfie stick to take close-up shots of your feet and decide which shoes look perfect on them. 

What types of flats are the best?

Once again, the definition of the “best” flats varies from person to person. For example, styling tips for moms may recommend slip-on as the best flats. But if you work in a professional environment, loafers might be a better fit for you. To find your match in flats, you can start by learning about different types of flat shoes, including slip-ons, loafers, Mary Janes, and ballet flats.  

After you have tried out a few types of flats, you can learn which ones tend to your inner comfort and outer style the most. Whether you use a mood board app or a fashion scrapbook, you can put together your style discoveries in one place to enjoy them for a long time to come. 

What types of Heels Will Suit You?

There are many types of heels out there, with stilettos, wedges, and platforms being some of the most popular options. But if you don’t like the high height that these types of heels typically bring to the table, you can also go for smaller heights in kitten heels. The new trends in heels can also lead you to holographic boots for women that come with platform heels. 

As a rule of thumb, you might want to have different types of heels in your closet and shoe storage box sets to get some variety in your footwear. You can do this after choosing your ideal height of heels and figuring out how many hours a day you can wear them without weighing down your comfort. 

You Should Wear Both Flats and Heels for Flawless Style

While it might lead you to invest in a lot of footwear, having a mix of flats and heels in your wardrobe can help you build head-turning outfits. As long as you take care of your personal comfort, you can wear both types of shoes with unmatched confidence. At the end of the day, it helps to remember that looking pretty doesn’t have to hurt.