The festive party season is almost here! If you’re in the process of planning your Christmas party outfit, your shoe choice is no doubt somewhere at the top of the list. Alongside being stylish, how do you ensure that your festive footwear choice is comfortable enough to party the night away without a hitch? I came across these foot care tips from Charles Clinkard which I think you will find helpful.
Invest in non-slip pads
Good grip is essential when it comes to footwear to prevent the risk of falls. A brand-new pair of shoes can be slippery at the best of times if you haven’t had the chance to wear them in yet, never mind in the winter when you’re strolling across wet or icy pavements. Non-slip rubber pads are an easy solution to this. These stick to the base of your shoe to add extra grip, stopping you from going head over heels at the Christmas party!
Similarly, ball of foot insoles can help cushion your feet where you’ll feel the most pressure while also helping to keep them in place. So, you don’t need to worry about your toes sliding forward mid-step. Heel grips can also help to keep your feet secure while preventing any pesky blisters from ruining your celebrations. Personally, I’ve found Compeed anti blister stick rubbed on any potential pressure points works well too.
Tape up your toes
I must admit I hadn’t come across this tip before but it’s certainly worth a try! If you’ve spotted the perfect pair of party heels but you’re worried about discomfort, try taping your toes. While this may seem like a bit of an old wives’ tale, you may find that taping the third and fourth toe on each foot improves your comfort and balance — ready for you to get out on the dancefloor!
The reason this works is that one of the main sources of high-heel-related pain comes from the nerves in between the major bones in your feet (the metatarsals). These nerves get inflamed when your toes are spread apart in a pair of heels, so keeping them together with tape can help relieve some of this pressure and prevent any more inflammation.
For this hack to be most effective, ensure you use skin-friendly microporous tape and have no lotions or other products on your feet before applying. Similarly, while you’ll want the tape to be tight enough to hold your toes together all night, make sure it’s not so tight that you cut off your circulation.
Stick to insulating materials
While warmth might not be your biggest priority when it comes to party shoes, it can make a massive difference to your comfort, particularly if you’re walking to and from a venue. Needless to say, an enclosed shoe or boot will provide more warmth than a peep-toe or strappy sandal. Whether you’ve opted for a pair of stylish flats or a sparkling pair of heels, shoes made from insulating materials such as leather or suede will keep your feet warm whilst still allowing them to “breathe”.
Stay warm and stylish in socks and tights
Whilst style icons like Kendall Jenner may be able to pull off wearing socks with heels, I think the more mature amongst us might want to give this one a miss. Mind you, if you have a quirky, creative style personality this look could be right up your street and, if so, by all means go for it! Most of us though will want to pair our heels with tights or bare legs. If you do opt for bare legs, a pair of no-show socks that stay hidden under the topline of your shoe will keep your feet cosy and help prevent rubbing. I would definitely road test your no-show socks and shoes combination ahead of the event though just to make sure they will stay hidden over time. Liner socks peeping out above your elegant shoes is not a sophisticated look!
Give your feet time to rest
No matter how comfortable you’ve been in your footwear, your toes need some TLC. The day after your event, soak your feet in warm water for about 20 minutes. You can also sprinkle in a little Epsom salt. This should help ease any aches and pains. Afterwards, massage in some moisturising foot cream, paying particular attention to the arches of your feet, and pull on your favourite pair of fuzzy socks. Be sure to let your dancing feet rest for a day or two between events if you can, to help them recover in time for the next party.