In my opinion, there’s nothing more powerful than a woman in high heels.
In undergrad, my favorite professor always dressed impeccably. She wore professional clothes, but with pops of color and her personal flare. And she finished every outfit with edgy, colorful heels. I imagine her closet looked something like Carrie Bradshaw’s. I still think of her when I think of professional style.
I was unable to wear high heels for a good part of my young adult life. I loved wearing them, but anything higher than a 1-inch heel caused me severe pain. I had surgery to help, and that also meant I couldn’t wear heels (and instead had to wear a medical boot) for more than a year. So when I was finally able to wear them, I couldn’t wear them enough.
Now when I think of what I want my powerful style to be, I think of high heels. There’s something about the posture they give me and the way I feel walking in them. Maybe I’m just proud that I can walk in them without falling down.
You might have a completely different perspective on heels. Perhaps you view them as an archaic, male-invented torture device, which is fair. You might also be unable to wear them without extreme pain, so they’re just not worth it.
If you do think that heels will make you feel more powerful, you have options. And your most versatile tool is a nude heel, whichever form you choose. They are chic without being distracting, and they will elongate your legs. Sorry, but black heels do not go with everything.
If you love the posture heels give you but you can’t stand how they feel, try wedges. Be sure that they’re made out of soft material. Patent nude heels (like these) tend to be rigid, which will either cut off your circulation or give you blisters. Go for natural leather or another softer material.
If you want a more traditional heel but without the sharp pain, opt for a rounder toe and a block heel.
And if you’re looking for the classic stiletto, perhaps for situations when you need an extra boost of confidence, these Sarah Flint heels will make you feel powerful without also making you feel like you need a stretcher to get back to your car.
