Most women love to wear high heels occasionally, but if you know how to identify the most supportive types, you can wear heels without paying the price for fashion. As for those less sensible designs, save them for when you won't be on your feet for long. Here are our top tips for choosing shoes:

1. Ease the burden

Your feet always bear your weight, but when you're in heels the pressure on the balls of your feet increases tremendously. Don't cram your feet into narrow shoes, and make sure the shoes are totally comfortable before you buy them. If they're not, keep shopping around.

2. Go for stability

Look for styles with heels that centre under your heels so your weight is well distributed. And remember, the thinner the heels the more wobbly you'll be.

3. Cushion your feet

Your feet don't have much fat, so extra padding is good. Use shoe inserts, especially under the balls of your feet, if you're wearing heels. With flat shoes, look for thicker bottoms that will act as shock absorbers.

4. Change your shoes

Never wear the same shoes two days in a row. You'll avoid putting repeat pressure on identical areas and causing irritation and possible misalignment problems. Also, by varying your heel heights, the tendons at the back of your heels have a chance to relax.

5. Be well supported

Flat shoes need a heel of about 1.5-2.5cm to prevent the calves from becoming overstretched and weak. It's especially important if you have flat feet that have a tendency to roll inwards. If you're concerned, ask a podiatrist for advice; you may need to wear orthotics in your shoes.

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