3 stylish alternatives for high heels at work

As you head back into the office and are once again running from meeting to meeting, have you had the jarring feeling that your office building has somehow grown to twice its size pre-pandemic?

There's just no way you could have walked this much before, especially carting around your laptop, water bottle and coffee, all while balancing precariously in heels, when even a single day at the office in your favorite pre-pandemic heels now seems like absolute torture.

After spending the past three years in fuzzy slippers, can you really blame your poor, innocent footsies for protesting against being crammed back into those oh-so-cute but oh-so-painful stilettos?

And it's not just you!

I'm hearing this across the board from my clients and it comes up at almost every style party too! In other words, the struggle is real and try as you might, your feet just aren't having it any more.

What's a girl who wants to wear heels to do?

Try one of these heel alternatives that are just as professional and chic as the heels you still adore (from a safe, comfy distance, of course!).

Try a low block heel

In a high heel shoe, the heel acts as a vital balancing point. When that point is very thin, like on a stiletto style heel, it creates an unstable surface that's much harder to balance on, requiring you to put more pressure on the ball of your foot to increase stability. More pressure on the ball of the foot, equals more ouchie! (That's a technical term 😆)

In contrast, a block heel has a wide, broad base so more surface area makes contact with the ground, increasing stability and giving you better balance overall, requiring less pressure on the ball of your foot. Pair this increased stability with a low heel height (1-2 inches max) and you get a little lift without sacrificing comfort. Can I get a hallelujah??

This high heel alternative is great if you still love heels and want to get a similar look without sacrificing comfort. Or if you work in an office environment with more traditional/conservative attire where heels are still expected and/or more casual shoe options don't quite work.

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Embrace the loafer

In simple terms, a loafer is a shoe that doesn't have laces or any other fastening and is slipped onto the foot.

While there are some high heel spins on the loafer style, generally this is a flat shoe with a minimal heel height anywhere from zero to half an inch. Combine the lack of heel with a toe box that tends to be wider and more forgiving than the typical high heel and the comfort factor is high - as sky high as those stiletto heels gathering dust in your closet!

It was largely sported on Ivy League campuses in years past so it's generally been synonymous with a preppy style. Until now! Thanks to its recent comeback, you can find this casual, comfortable and chic heel alternative in a variety of styles from glam to edgy to feminine. You can even find platform options to give you a little height sans the painful arch of a heel. And even better, it's become a go-to classic for the office making it a great option for business settings in place of a heel.

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Choose pointed-toes

Also called a pointy-toe, this style of shoe is characterized by, you guessed it - the shape of the toe! This can apply to any type of shoe but in this instance, you'll apply it to flats (or flat booties) 'cause we're going for comfort!

Flats with this toe style are a great heel alternative for the office because it takes the sleek, sharp toe style that you'd find on a typical stiletto and merges it with the comfort of a ballet flat. Hence why flats with this toe style tend to dress things up more than a round toe (ie, a ballet flat) so whether you're opting for a chic flat or a warm bootie, it's sophisticated vibe can go perfectly with your knock 'em dead power suit.

If pointy-toe styles just aren't your thing, you can also opt for an almond toe flat. This is almost identical but instead of a sharp point at the toe, it's slightly rounded and still provides a chic alternative to your high heels.

Get more examples + shoppable links when you join Stylistas!

Want specific recommendations for each of these heel alternatives with links that you can use to shop the styles you like? Then you'll want to be one of my Stylistas! A.k.a, a special crew of women that receive tips like these + shoppable links to my top recommendations every. single. month. All you have to do is sign up to be on the Stylistas email list and you're in! Go here to learn more and get on the waitlist now!

How to make heels more comfortable

Is your love for heels still going strong but you just wish they could be more stinkin' comfortable?! Right there with you!

For my ride and die heel girls 🙋‍♀️, here are a few quick hacks for getting the most comfort possible out of a heel:

Go a half size up. This gives your feet a little extra room so when they start to swell by the end of the day (and everyone's feet do this!), your little toesies will be less likely to get pinched or squeezed. Worried about your narrow heels slipping out of a bigger size? Add heel grips to the inside back of your shoe to keep them on your feet.

This platform style minimizes discomfort with a low arch and solid heel base.

Opt for a platform base. A thicker sole paired with a wider heel base creates way less pressure on the ball of your foot, which equals 10x more comfort. If you love tall heels, you can get the same height minus the painful arch. Bonus points if it has a cushioned insole!

Try an anti-blister stick. If your biggest complaint tends to be blisters rather than pinched toes or achy feet, grab one of these sticks to create a barrier between your skin and the heel, stopping the friction that causes blisters in the first place so hopefully you won’t need a heel alternative.

You know what they say...happy feet, happy meet-ing. These heel alternatives and heel comfort hacks will boost your mood and have your feet doing a little (pain free) happy dance at the end of the day!

Pssst! Did I mention that you can get specific recommendations for each option, including links to shop your favorite styles? Yep, when you're one of my Stylistas! A.k.a, a special crew of women that receive tips like these + shoppable links to my top recommendations every. single. month. All you have to do is sign up to be on the Stylistas email list and you're in!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)