THAT VICIOUS PAIR By: Ayeen Valdezco-Regalado High heels are not the easiest and most comfortable shoes to wear. A pair of high heels, particularly those above three inches, can trigger pain that may go beyond the feet. In a study conducted in a university in Finland, scientists share that apart from pain, wearing high heels may have a lasting effect to women. According to the study, getting used to wearing high heels changes the way women walk in general. That being said, both men and women question why some women choose to wear those towering heels despite the discomfort and probable lumbar spine injury that one can get if things get worse. Those who have a penchant for these vicious pairs of footwear - whether be it stilettos, wedges, platforms - probably have one thing to say, and an ironic one at that: wearing heels make them feel good. I classify this as “vanity pains.” Vanity pains are moments/instances/choices that you make because you like them, they make you feel good, they look good on you, despite the pain, wounds, blisters, awkward stares, and the like that you have to go through. Although hard to walk in and can be extremely painful, heels can make any woman feel more confident. The extra height that it provides can make anyone feel ‘above’ others, if you know what I mean. According to experts, not all high heels are ‘unhealthy.’ It actually depends on the shoes and the longevity of wearing it. Women are suggested to choose shoes that distribute their weight all over the shoes and not just on the balls of the feet. A good example of heels that has this capability are wedges or platforms. These types of shoes give its wearer the much needed height without compromising the leg muscles because of its structure. I have lots of wedges that make me feel like I’m wearing ‘flats’ but only elevated because of how they give an even slant to my feet. Aside from wedges and platforms, another type of heeled shoes that women can enjoy wearing are called “flatforms.” A type of footwear that said to originate from Ancient Greek, platforms are shoes with thick soles. They are also called clogs or disco boots. I remember when I was younger, my mom and older sister would buy clogs. They didn’t look very appealing to me, but in a way, I felt a bit envious because I was a little teenager back then. I always wanted to look taller, but because of my physique and feet size, I didn’t get to wear the clothes and shoes that I want to wear. Fast forward to today, I still have small feet (and I’m still small) but a lot of shoe shops now exist to cater to every woman’s needs. And for my first pair of platforms, I got it from one of the most recognized online stores in the Philippines - VIRTUAL MAE. I remember seeing this pair from VIRTUAL MAE’s website and not minding it at first. I was never attracted to platforms, to be honest. But I decided to get this pair because I kind of visualized how it’ll look when worn. And that visualization is the exact image that you seen in these photos. I love the feminine and ultra chic vibe that this tie-up platforms give. Walking in platforms needs some getting used to, though, but it’s definitely comfier than wearing a stiletto, in my opinion. As a person who can’t run in heels, but love them to bits, I’d suggest to those who experience the same ‘struggle’ in wearing these lovely pairs to know the height that they can trot. Don’t go for super high heel height when you can’t even do a single step in it. Start with low heels first, say kitten heels, then when you feel like you’re used to walking and being kitten heels already, add up an inch to your heel height until you reach that 5-incher pumps! Aside from practicing it, I would highly recommend knowing when to rest your feet. Yes it adds up to your height, it can make you look leaner, but wearing heels for a long period of time may affect your muscles and your lower spine area. Avoid triggering unnecessary pains by resting your feet after few hours of being in heels. It pays to always have a pair of comfortable flats in your bag in case your feet starts to feel tired. To those who are commuting to-and-from work (or wherever), experts recommend wearing flats when doing so and just wear the heels when you get to the destination to avoid common mishaps like tripping and prevent pushing your feet’s capabilities to the limits.