Louis Vuitton boots with pointed heels (E)
Basic uppers, dramatic soles and heels are the call for this season. Heels that are eye-catching, flirtatious, fun and sexy are the must-haves for any glam goddess today. The attractive array of heeled sandals and stilettoes steals the show at most leading footwear stores. The chunky heels are moving out of the storerooms while erotic heels are being flashed around. As anyone who sacrifices her tootsies at the altar of fashion will tell you, the shoe of the moment is an architectural monument to spindly heels and pointy toes.

What Are The Changes?
Heels are no longer just block or pencil. The choice is massive. Right from conical shapes to ones that resemble stools.
You have authentic Louis heels, which curve at the back and the sides.
Ashley heels, which resemble cubes and have got their name from the famous Ashley shoes.
Then there are the very cute pegged heels that make you wonder how anyone can walk in them!
And of course, you have the comfortable elegant kitten heels, that can be worn throughout the day.
And last but not the least, spiral heels are a rage everywhere.

What Can I Buy?
Invest in a pair of high-heeled stilettoes and reap the rewards: Your posture will automatically improve as your body realigns itself naturally on your heels, giving you the appearance of a real wartime diva. With the right attitude and the right gear, who says you can't feel like a film star? Watch for sleek lines, details on heels, cork heels, stitching and bright colours. The simplest foam wedges are updated with checkerboard or stripe-patterned bottoms. Wedge heels not only give you height but also have the advantage of being comfortable and easy to walk in. Not only are shapes happening in heels this season, but also the material used in making them. We have handmade heels in wood, and acrylic heels, which look like glass and are mostly used in bridal wear. And when there's wood and glass happening, metal cannot be forgotten. Heels covered with a thin layer of steel or metal look very chic and high-tech. The polyurethane soles and heels have also survived through several seasons now.

Any Highlights?
Colour plays an important role. Gone are the days when heels were just black or brown. Today, you can match them to the embroidery of your outfit. From stark stunners to soft pastels, any out-of-the-ordinary tints are easily available. With colour comes texture. In this era of fashion, we have heels finished with embroidery, glitter, denim and lots of other textures too. Flowers will not be the only colourful things on the ground - this season's footwear is more vivid and diverse than it has been in years.

With so much importance being given to the heels, the insole cannot be neglected. The insoles today are sometimes more alluring than the uppers! The hottest insoles are covered in delightfully vibrant patterns that range from classic stripes to ultra cute blossoms and from glitter-coated ones to soft suede. The stylised insoles glamorise the footwear even more and complete the look. So next time you get a compliment when you take your sandals off, don't be surprised!

How Do I Play It Safe?
Some women opt for lower heels for everyday use, saving stilettos for special occasions. The disadvantage is that heels slow you down; tiny steps are easier than strides. Unless you have perfect balance, you'll feel very uncomfortable at first. Keep your back straight, take slow, longer strides and relax into your new height as you walk and see people fall 'head over heels' for you. It is also important to come down on the ball of your foot when you step. Do not walk on your heels, instead walk on your toes. Even though the heels are reinforced, putting your body weight directly on them may cause problems. If it is your first pair of high heels, start with a low heel and work your way up. Practice at home. Remember, spiked heels can dent some linoleum floors. Beware of walking on deep-pile carpet; carpets are uneven and make it hard to keep your balance. Fashion today covers everything from sexy strappy sandals perched on a high heel of about 15.5 cm to sandals as low as a 2.5 cm heel with just as much appeal. Though most of these sculptured heels can be worn straight from the office to an evening of cocktails, the mid heel is for the day and the higher ones for the evening.

No shoe has more erotic impact than those with high heels. So go ahead and make your footwear the focal point of your outfit by dressing your footsies in stunning gear too. Be ready to 'heel the world'. The rules are easy to apply and once you get in touch with your inner shoe vamp, you'll never look back. So put your best foot forward and get set for some serious style!
Rashi Bajaj, Stylist And A Student Of Design, Spoke To Sameera Moledina


For The Perfectly Coordinated Look
• Jeans look cool with spiky heels.
• For a casual city look, go for a bright citrus shade to stay ahead of the fashion pack. Or opt for wedge heels.
• With the skirt, a lot depends on its length and style, you can choose from sandals, boots or classic pumps. If you are wearing knee-high boots, the key is to make sure that your boot length and skirt length meet.
• Stiletto heels work best with calf-skimming and below-the-knee skirts, floor-length evening gowns and short cocktail-style dresses.
• If you are tall, but your date isn't, do remember to leave the 15 cm (six-inch) heels at home and choose a pair of slightly lower kitten heels.
• And for romantic and feminine clothes don't forget to add a touch of rouge!

Tips To Remember
Walking in a pair of high heels is a tricky business that takes a lot of practice. They'll crunch your toes, cramp up your muscles and leave you exhausted at the end of the day - but despite this, many women love heels. This season, once again, women who want to keep in stride with style are slipping into killer shapes. But keep these points in mind before you buy those high heels...
• The comfort of a pair of heels mainly depends on the correct size, fit and most importantly, on the foot arch.
• If your foot arch does not match the arch of the shoe you may find yourself with a severe backache.
• The arch of the foot differs from person to person, so if one heel is comfortable for you, it may not be the same for someone else.
• Be sure that the heel is strongly attached, and that the top-piece is properly secured.
• The thinnest heel should have a metal reinforcement running from the top-piece to at least half the height of the heel.
• If you're sold on high heels, padded insoles make them user-friendly.
• So does wearing them in moderation. And please avoid them if you suffer from severe back problem!