How to Party All Night in Killer Heels

Have you ever wondered how Carrie Bradshaw's character on "Sex & the City" managed to traipse up and down the streets of Manhattan in her 4" Manolo Blahniks, without missing a beat-or even wincing for that matter? Like Carrie, I've spent the better part of my "adult youth" in a pair of heels, while out on the town. Because of this, I have had to find various ways to protect myself from owning a pair of what I like to call "Gorilla Feet": the hideous result of wearing ill-fitting shoes, for too long a period of time. But you need not sacrifice fashion for comfort. It just takes a little creativity and practicality to successfully pull off an evening of heavy partying, in your favorite pair of Christian Louboutins (or Nine Wests).

If the Shoe Fits...

Anyone will tell you that the best time to go shoe shopping is at the end of the day, when your feet are the largest, since they tend to swell during the day. This way, you will buy a size that fits your foot when it is at its fullest. Consider also, that most people who tend to go out at night, have been on their feet all day anyway.

Traditional stiletto heels are wildly popular. But the delicious shoe options out there these days include styles that you might not have considered in the past. You may have a more comfortable fit with a platform or wedge heel. For instance, the Miu Miu Suede Wedge heel ($395) has all the height you'll want for a night out. But the wedge heel offers more support for feet, and is much more comfortable than a wobbly stiletto heel. Additionally, the platform heel adds the desired height; but since the platform raises the actual shoe, the incline of the foot is lessened, thus alleviating pressure from the balls of the feet.

When shopping for shoes, try to find heels in textures that breathe. Though it may be tempting to choose sexy slingbacks in a synthetic material like vinyl, you will find much more comfort over time in a shoe that is made of genuine leather. Leather of course, lasts longer. But it also "breathes" better, allowing the shoe to become better molded to the shape of your feet-whereas vinyl shoes tend to retain their stiff outer veneer.

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