Latest news with #heels
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
The 5 most comfortable heels to wear this summer
Antonia Saint Dunbar, cofounder of the period underwear brand Thinx, loves the way she feels when she's wearing heels. 'It has a divine geometry,' she says. 'It creates a perfect pitch for your body, elongating your leg, creating an anatomical architectural balance.' Saint Dunbar isn't alone: Even as society has become more casual, making sneakers and Birkenstocks acceptable to wear in more situations, many women still love the way they look and feel while wearing heels. But sometimes this means compromising comfort for style. While running Thinx in heels, Saint Dunbar says she often had to scan the room for a place to sit because her feet hurt so much, and took cabs so she wouldn't have to walk. Part of the reason that heels are so uncomfortable is that many early shoe designers were men. They designed heels they believed would make women look attractive, but had no idea how the shoes would feel on the wearers' feet. Today, women aren't willing to compromise on comfort. This is particularly true after the pandemic, Saint Dunbar says. Stuck at home, women stopped wearing heels and turned to more comfortable footwear. Now painful heels feel even more unacceptable. The good news is that there's a new generation of shoe brands focused on designs that make them more comfortable, including Sneex, Nomasei, and Marion Parke. Saint Dunbar herself is among these founders. In 2016, while still running Thinx, she launched Antonia Saint NY, which creates more comfortable heels. She's taken the silhouette of a classic stiletto and added a layer of padding inside to provide better arch support and toe cushioning. She's just relaunched all of her shoes with a slimmer version of the padding to offer the same level of comfort with less bulk. As we head into summer, we've been testing out the most comfortable shoes for everything from weddings to company outings. Here are five we love. Antonia Saint NY This shoe has a 2-inch heel that gives you just enough lift. It's outfitted with an updated padding system called SoftSurround. There is a layer of cushioning within the entire upper, with a special focus on the toes and the back of the heels. There is also a rubberized outsole for better traction. The outer is made of a soft Nappa leather. It's designed to help you get through a full day without any pain. Sézane Gloria Sandals, $215 These strappy sandals offer the vintage aesthetic that Sézane is known for, featuring an elegant circle design. They're versatile, since they can be dressed up or down, looking just as nice with jeans as with more formal summer dresses. With a 2.75-inch heel, they offer height without leaving you with achey legs or calves. Margaux City Sandal, $375 As their name implies, these shoes are designed for pounding the pavement. They feature a 2.5-inch block heel that is very walkable, and crisscross straps that are placed to make your feet feel supported. The insole features foam padding for cushioning. They come in a wide range of colors to match your outfits. Nomasei Baghera, $450 Founded by former shoe designers at Chloe, Nomasei wants to bring comfort to the luxury shoe experience. The brand's Baghera sandals are meant to provide all the leg-lengthening effects of a high heel, but in a much more comfortable silhouette. They feature a 2.3-inch wide block heel, with an insole made of memory foam, lining made of goat leather, and an outsole made of calf leather. Rothy's Knot Sandal, $189 If you're concerned about the environment, Rothy's is a good option. The brand was first known for its flats, but it has expanded into new silhouettes, including heels. These sandals are made of eight ocean-bound plastic bottles that have been recycled into a knot material. With a 2-inch block heel and a plush footbed, they're designed to be worn all day. And as a bonus, they're machine washable, which extends their life.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Meghan Markle discusses wearing 'pointy-toed stilettos' while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet on latest podcast after her shoe choice divided fans
Meghan Markle has discussed the difficulties of wearing heels whilst pregnant with Archie and Lilibet in her latest podcast after the choice divided fans. Speaking on the latest episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, in which she interviewed Spanx founder and friend Sara Blakley, Meghan, 43, praised the businesswoman's latest foray into the world of comfy high-heeled shoes. Ms Blakely, from Clearwater Beach in Florida, became the world's youngest female self-made billionaire with the success of her underclothing brand before now looking to create a stiletto heel that is not painful to wear. Speaking to the Duchess of Sussex on today's podcast, the pair shared stories of wearing shoes that pinch and 'cripple' wearers, with Meghan describing how she particularly struggled during her pregnancies. 'I gained 65 pounds with both pregnancies,' the Duchess revealed, continuing: 'And you're in these five-inch pointy-toed stilettos. 'You have the most enormous bump, and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels, but all of my weight was in the front, so you're just going how on earth am I not just tipping, you know faceplanting. 'I was clinging very closely to my husband, I was like please don't let me fall.' The Duchess of Sussex did face some criticism for wearing heels so late into her pregnancy, with some doctors warning against the practice due to fear of a fall. Speaking to the Duchess of Sussex on today's podcast, the pair shared stories of wearing shoes that pinch and 'cripple' wearers, with Meghan describing how she particularly struggled during her pregnancies Meghan wore stilettos into her eighth month of pregnancy - and when asked how she coping, she quipped: 'One day at a time'. Experts warn that balance problems during late-stage pregnancy The problem is compounded by pregnancy hormones such as progesterone and relaxing, which as its name suggests makes all the muscles and ligaments in the body relax, making it far easier to turn an ankle. In March 2019, when Meghan was approaching her due date with Archie, now five, midwife Claire Chaubert told the Mail: 'All of your ligaments are softer in pregnancy and your body is not in its usual state of alignment. 'But Meghan is clearly comfortable in her heels, and it's something she is used to. My advice to any woman who does wear high heels in pregnancy would be not to wear them past the level of comfort.' She added that due to Meghan being a fan of yoga, this could have helped her to keep tottering around in heels longer than the average mother-to-be. She said: 'People who do quite a lot of yoga tend to have a much stronger sense of balance, as well as better muscle control and strength.' The College of Podiatry recommends that pregnant women wear 'comfortable, supportive footwear', preferably with an adjustable fitting such as Velcro or laces and avoid wearing high heels as they can place 'unnecessary pressure on your joints at a time when they are already under strain'. During the conversation with Ms Blakely, Meghan also revealed that Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, who have been mainly kept out of the public eye at their home in Montecito, California, are doing well. She promised to send Ms Blakely family pictures, adding: 'They are so grown.' The pair also discussed starting businesses in a male dominated world, with Ms Blakely stating: 'There were very few women that I could go to, I really didn't have any... I didn't really even have other female founders that were in my network that I could bounce my approach to business.' Describing her time in boardrooms surrounded by men, she jokingly added: 'I'm like Jane Goodall but instead of observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat I get to observe men in their natural habitat. They totally forget I'm there.' Meghan added: 'There's a misconception that you need to go to Harvard Business School and have a lot of money and get all the best people behind you [to be successful in business]... So you talk yourself out of it. 'So many women especially, we're taught to not even talk about money and there's lots of guilt mentality surrounding having a lot and then at the same time there's a scarcity mindset that's easy to attach to of I'll never have enough.' She also described her relief at finding a partner in Netflix, after MailOnline revealed in recent days that the streaming giant had confirmed a new deal with the Duchess, including a third series of her show With Love, Meghan. The second series is said to have already completed filming. Meghan said: 'I have a partner, I was going to do it all by myself but took a complete U-turn because I really believe in what Netflix and their CPG department are doing.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Real Housewives star urges fans to buy Amazon heels that ‘look rich' & a great dupe for Louboutins costing £635 more
A POPULAR Real Housewives star has fans running to get a pair of Amazon heels. Bethany Frankel, who was a fan favourite when she appeared on the Real Housewives of New York, has now become a social media star sharing her top buys. 3 And her most recent find has left fans rushing to Amazon. Taking to TikTok, Bethany revealed she found the perfect pair of heels for summer and they look a lot like Louboutin's Me Dolly sandals. She said: "Amazon shoe announcement. I want to gatekeep." While the reality star wanted to keep the buy to herself, she decided to share it with her followers. The peep toe shoes come with a super high, sleek heel and are from the brand TNYNFBEB. The top leather has a smooth, low-cut style to elongate the legs and adds a retro touch. The shoes come in multiple colours and the price starts at just £55.30. Bethany added: "They're comfortable. They look rich. They're just it. These are Amazon shoes. "You're not welcome because I don't want you to have them because my whole team copies everything I do and it's irritating, but I can't keep it from you. "I'm going back on now and buying every color so you can't have them all. You can only get the ones you get. I get first dibs." Primark drops 'stunning' £20 flower heels that are perfect for summer and dupe for £895 celeb-loved designer buy The shoe looks super similar to Louboutin's Me Dolly heels which come in a patent calf leather and cost an eye-watering £690. The dupe Bethany found from Amazon were a fraction of the price and could save you £635. Fans of Bethany's were quick to thank her for sharing the designer dupe in the comments. One person wrote: "Yes Beth, the actual Lord's work." Why you should always buy a dupe over designer... Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it's time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys. Bargain US supermarket Walmart became a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès' Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral. Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: "Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it's not, because who the hell has the money to spend on the real Birkin? Not me.' Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that's a different story). Plus, if I splashed that much, I'd feel I was being ripped off... We've all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world. But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity. Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000. So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash. Dupes — not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go. I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower. And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have. Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a 'heritage piece' and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we've been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades. If we can buy a bag that's the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn't mean you have to remortgage, why not? Another commented: 'Thanks Bethany for sharing." "I LOVE them! Gorg!" penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "I need them." "I literally want them in EVERY color!! Ordered the light green and I can't wait,' claimed a fifth.
News24
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Heels on decks with Uncle Waffles
Uncle Waffles isn't just turning tables, she's turning heads. The Swazi-born DJ and producer, known for setting global stages on fire, has also been serving serious heel game. From fierce boots to stilettos, she's proving that the decks aren't the only place she brings the heat. Take a look at some of our favourite heel moments from the ever-iconic Wadibusa and Peacock queen. 1. Lethal in lace These heels bring the drama without saying a word. With a sleek pointed toe, delicate ankle strap, and a stiletto, they add instant edge to the lace fit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waffles (@unclewaffles_) 2. Hot pink power play This fun pair has attitude, like your favourite playlist turned into shoes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waffles (@unclewaffles_) 3. Zebra nights in motion Animal print says untamed energy. Paired with neon and confidence, they're made for fashion rebels. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waffles (@unclewaffles_) 4. Classic red-soled elegance You cant go wrong with a classic red-bottom sole. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waffles (@unclewaffles_) 5. Furry platform glam boots The thick fur trim delivers a cozy aesthetic while maintaining high-fashion energy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waffles (@unclewaffles_)
