Walk around in the shoes before you buy them. Okay, a no brainer, but worth mentioning. You should do some laps around the shoe area in the shoes before you even think about buying! And remember to shop at stores that have good return policies – every shoe is going to be comfortable at first, but maybe not after an hour! Buy shoes somewhere with a decent return policy so you can wear them for a while and see they stay comfy before committing.

Quality High Heels: What To Look For

All heels are not created equal – in fact, there are huge differences in quality from one brand of shoe to the next. Learn how to spot high quality shoes and you can invest in heels that will last you forever!

Shoes by Christian Louboutin, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Note how the sole is attached to the shoe. If the sole is stitched on, make sure the stitches are even and look secure. If it’s glued on, check to make sure that there is no space around the edges where the sole could start to peel off. You want a sole that’s seamless and isn’t going anywhere.

Look for shoes with a layer of rubber on the heel – this will help prevent slippage and make it easier to walk in the shoes. Some heels don’t have rubber or any kind of grip, and these shoes will be difficult to walk in and possibly even dangerous!

Pay attention to the lining. In high-quality shoes, the insole lining is usually made of leather, not a synthetic material, and goes all the way around the inside of the shoe. If the shoe only has lining on the bottom but not the sides, it won’t be as comfortable. Similarly, natural materials like leather absorb moisture and allow your foot to breathe – synthetics like vinyl won’t absorb moisture and will be much less comfortable.

Material matters. Leather is the most popular material for high heels, but if you love animals and don’t want to contribute to cruelty, there are fabulous vegan options out there as well (try Natalie Portman’s shoe line or Stella McCartney!). Either way, make sure that you buy shoes that aren’t made out of synthetic fibers like nylon or plastic. These will be extremely uncomfortable after a few wears, and won’t last nearly as long as leather or good quality vegan shoes.