There are many different types of high heeled shoes, including pumps, platforms, sandals, wedge heels and heeled boots for women...and there the increasing trend for men to now wear high shoes, this shows just how many styles today's shoe fashion embraces. Heels don't have to be too high to be in fashion and acceptable ...so here are a few tips for helping to choose the right pair of high heeled shoes:

....Choose the correct shoe shape and heel height for your legs.... If legs are too thick, pointed toe heels may seem much smaller and may make feet look out of proportion with the rest of the body. Find a heel that makes the legs look in proportion with the shoes. Many people make their legs appear leaner by choosing a wider design in shoes. Heels that are too sturdy may make your legs look sturdy also.

....Which shoes are the best choice for an outfit?.... Dress length, style, and colour are tantamount to shoe choice, as an example, if very high heels are worn with a very short skirt there is a very real danger of the wrong message being put across. A pair of heels will lengthen the look of long skirts on a shorter person but make note of the height of the heel as the dress or skirt must not appear too long or too short. A full length dress does not require elaborate shoes because they will not be visible. Mid height heels may be more suitable for knee length outfits. Be careful of wearing highly decorative shoes with a longer dress particularly as they may conflict with the dress details. Extravagant shoes achieve better results with shorter dresses. Simple classic shoes are more suited to longer elaborate dresses. Avoid black shoes with pastel outfits unless all accessories are coordinated. If wearing jeans, the shape of the bottom of the jeans can also indicate the choice. Platform heels can be great with jeans and if the jeans are longer the impression is that you are taller which can be a bonus!

....Safety.... Be wary of strappy high heels and stilletos. They can look super sexy but ankles can be twisted easily. Take care that straps are firmly attached and the heel chosen is well balanced. Maybe choose a wedge heel. An additional idea would be to roughen the bottoms of new shoes which can avert a nasty accident on the dance floor.

....Flexibility.... Wedge heeled shoes can provide greater flexibility and can give all the 'leg slimming' and 'extra height' benefits of a heel that's not so high. They are great with middle length skirts and minis and are great for wearing to the office. High heeled boots can also be very flexible and can be worn with almost all outfits. They are great with skirts and acceptable for office wear.

....Comfort.... High heels don't have to mean 'super high heels' or stilettos which can be very painful if not selected properly, and they are also not geared for walking too far in. If heels do need to go hand in hand with comfort, which is a sensible option..then a lower heel or a kitten heel should be selected. Maybe choose a style with squared-off toes or open toes and shorter, chunkier heels instead of stilettos or maybe, again, theversatile wedge heel which slopes the foot gently and supports the whole of the foot area. Wedge heels are good for the office because they can be worn for longer periods of time without too much strain on the foot. Perhaps shop later in the day as feet swell as the day goes on. Also allow a period of time to break them in if one intends to wear them to a special function. Ultimatel the heel height chosen should be determined by how many aches and pains one can allow oneself.

....Sex appeal....Sandals with heels and boots with heels are very, very, sexy, and very versatile as well. In addition to enhancing ones femininity, sandals tied at the ankle, or higher up the leg, will draw attention to legs as well as feet. Most sandals, along with flip flops, some of which do fall under the category of high heeled shoes, have small, delicate heels, called kitten heels, which gives them a look that can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on ones preferences.