Coco Chanel once said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it isn’t luxury.”  She has a point.  

Although we all can't always run around in head-to-toe Chanel (or similarly luxurious labels), comfort should still be a priority.  This does not mean that I'm giving you the "okay" to run around in sandals with socks and a hoodie!  But, I don't think anyone wins if you're fashion decisions leave you bleeding or bruised.  What's the point of looking fabulous if even you can't enjoy it?  There is a happy medium.

On the topic of comfort, I must say that footwear has always caused the most problems and pain for me.  Read on for lessons learned about how to put your best (and comfiest!) Foot forward.

Figure out what heel height suits you best.  I do very well in about a 4” heel.  I’ve learned that anything taller, no matter how striking the Shoe may be, is useless because I basically won’t be able to stand for more than ten minutes.  Gwen Stafani’s brand, L.A.M.B., devastates me because I’m obsessed with her bold, playful footwear but the heels are insanely high.  

If you love height but your feet don’t, look into Wedges and platforms.  The overall distance from the ground is higher, but the slant of the arch is less so.  Many wedges can actually be quite versatile. In the summer, wear them with bare legs, but they'll also look awesome during the colder months with tights.  

These have been my go-to wedges this summer.  At $60 from piperlime.com, they were a steal - especially considering I've probably worn them at least twice a week in the three months I've had them. 

Click here for a list of over 100 wedges for under $50 at piperlime.com right now! 

Remember the brands that work for you.  In my FootwearPhilosophies post, I mentioned that I continuously invest in Guess shoes from Bloomingdale’s because they fit my feet perfectly and hold up very well.  I also make note of brands that I’ve had horrible luck with, like Steve Madden – ouch!  This will vary greatly from person to person because everyone's feet are different.  Make mental notes about which shoes feel great all day long, and become at repeat customer of that brand! 

Dr. Scholl has already anticipated every possible shoe-incited foot ailment you could encounter (read: bring upon yourself).  Using those gel pads makes a huge difference!  They can be a little pricey, so I recommend visiting Payless during one of its BoGo sales which seem to occur once every few weeks.  The “buy one, get one half-off” sale also applied to their foot care items which includes a helpful selection.

There are a lot of options these days for on-the-go Flats that pack up tightly to fit in your handbag or oversized clutch.  I even found these flats in gold, silver and black at the drugstore for only $8.99!  Amazing!

Did you know that Cole Haan was owned by Nike?  Not necessarily an obvious portfolio choice, but one that has led to a life-changing development for comfort-seeking, heel-wearing fashionistas everywhere.  Cole Haan shoes are made with "Nike Air Technology" that give the brand's flats and pumps an extra level of comfort.  Because it’s Cole Haan, everything is of course super cute and classy as well!

For deals, check out DSW, which usually has a number of Cole Haan styles in stock (for both men and women!)

Final Words
There are two last items in my artillery of foot preservation tricks.  First, I always have Band-Aids on me.  I only buy fabric ones because they stick to your skin so much better.  The special blister ones are also a blessing and I highly recommend investing in a box!  Finally, I keep at least one pair of flats at work in case...you never know.

Go forth and be fashionably comfortable!