My feet hurt just looking at these shoes! Although stylish and festive, these shoes worn by my relative at a Christmas party are on the what not to wear list and here’s why:

1. The toe box is too narrow: The front of the shoe is so narrow and pointy, causing the toes to all get squished together. This can aggravate and contribute to problems such as bunions. (Which, in case you’re interested, this wearer has had surgery to correct and has been scolded by me on many occasions for wearing such footwear.)

2. The heel is too high and thin: In addition to risking an ankle sprain on icy walkways, prolonged and frequent wearing of high heeled shoes causes tightness in the calf muscles. This can contribute to problems such as Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis.

I’m not suggesting that orthopedic shoes be worn to social gatherings, but selecting a shoe that offers style with room for the toes, arch support, and a wider heel that offers more stability would be preferable.