In a perfect world women wouldn't be subject to wearing high heels. The world is not perfect and I, for one, love putting on a sexy pair of heels when I can. The problem is that I always have a lingering guilt in my mind about the strain I may be causing to my body.

In case you're like me, even if you're not, here are some tips from The American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society on smart heel wearing:

• Wear a shorter heel. A 2-inch heel causes less problems than a 4-inch heel. A shorter heel will give an elongated appearance if it is a thin stiletto type rather than a thick or chunky heel.
• Try to save the use of your high-heeled shoes for functions where you will not be on your feet for extended periods of time; treat them as a limited-privilege accessory.
• Take your designer shoes to a pedorthist to have them custom fit to your feet. They may be able to stretch the toe box to better accommodate your feet.
• Try wearing a larger size than usual and insert heel cups into the backs for a better or more comfortable fit.
• Wear open toe shoes instead of a similarly-styled shoe that causes discomfort in your toes. Partially open toe shoes have become more acceptable in many work environments, allowing you to further customize your shoes to your feet.
• Remember that however appealing those high-heel, high-fashion shoes are, your feet need to carry you around for a lifetime. Treat them kindly!

Source