Truth be told, sometimes we do need a little bit of a boost in our height. It makes us feel more confident, bolder, and like we’re ready to take on all of the challenges of our day. But the fact remains is that not all of us are skilled enough to walk in high heels such as pumps.

If you are not experienced with wearing pumps, it can be scary, wobbly and potentially injuring. The adventure of higher heels comes with the risk of getting blisters, bunions and not to mention an embarrassingly wobbly walk and falls.

The good thing about pumps is that they come in a variety of heel heights, so you have the freedom to pick from a variety from low to very high. For first time buyers, it’s advisable to choose a lower heel height. You can start by going for a pair of shoes that have kitten heels, and they must be of high quality.

The other option for first timers would be to start with low heel wedges. After getting the low heel you should allow your feet to adjust and get used to the shape of the design. Wear the shoes in the house for 15 minutes and check the reaction of your feet. Let your feet be fully comfortable in pumps before deciding to wear them the whole day.

With pumps, it’s very crucial that you have the correct size. The sizing of this classic design will determine how graceful your walk will be and also the comfort of the shoes. When you have loose fitting footwear it will always be slipping on and off; a very tight fit will make your feet feel suffocated and very painful, and both of these fits will leave you very uncomfortable.

Many brands have their own customized sizing systems that they use when making their footwear so it’s important to read sizing charts carefully when choosing a pair of heels. Also, check reviews to determine whether sizes run large, small, wide or narrow.

As we mentioned before, in this guide you will be able to find the right design for all of your needs. Pumps as such are a very versatile category of footwear, and you can wear them anywhere you want, barring the most casual of situations.

For easier browsing and decision-making, we’ve divided all of the options on our list into two main categories: classic and dressy.

We’ll start with the classic group. Heels that belong here are the Calvin Klein Brady, the Predictions Karmen, the LifeStride Parigi. What makes these designs classic are their elegant lines and their silhouette which withstands the test of time and ensures that you can wear them practically anywhere you wish. The advantage of these heels is that they are suitable for the office and any other occasion where you need to look business-appropriate, but they may not be the most creative when it comes to style.

The group that is creative, however, is the dressy heel group. Here we have the L’Artiste Wondrous Dress, the Hot Chocolate Marie Antoinette, and the striking Badgley Mischka Rouge, among others. These options may be too extravagant, too funky for the workplace, but they will be an absolute showstopper at a formal event, a wedding or any type of gala that you need to attend.

Which style you opt for in the end depends entirely on your personal preference, as well as the purpose these shoes will have. Take a moment to consider the type of situations you will be wearing these in, and whether or not you like something more subdued, or something more sparkly. Whichever one you like best will be the perfect choice for you!

There’s no denying that heels are considered one of the least comfortable footwear options. The reason for this is that the elevated heel puts your foot in an unnatural position, shifting your weight forward and causing strain on the front of your foot. Over time, this results in numbness, cramps, pain, and other unwanted issues.

However, wearing heels doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. There are several things you can look for, which will make your pump-wearing experience a lot more bearable. Let’s see what they are:

• Heel Height: In our Heel section above, we already talked about the best heel options for a beginner at walking in heels. Here, we will expand on this by adding some quick information about heel height.
  If you wish to be comfortable all day long, to be able to wear your shoes from work to cocktail hour to dinner with your significant other, then look for lower heels, ideally three inches or lower.
  Anything over four inches in height is bound to start causing you pain after a couple of hours of wear, and there is pretty much nothing you can do about it.
  So remember: for all-day wear - the lower the heel, the better!
• Heel Shape: We established that blocky, chunky heels are far more comfortable than stiletto ones. This is because chunky heels provide more stability to your steps, and enable you to walk without any risk of stumbling or twisting your ankle. Stilettos, in contrast, narrow all of your weight down to a point and thus make it extremely hard for you to maintain balance.
  If you’re looking for that easy-to-wear experience, thicker heels are your friends.
• Insole: Finally, you may not think that insoles have much to do with the comfort of a design, but we are here to tell you otherwise. A padded insole can make or break a shoe, and with a tricky footwear design such as a pump, you will need all the extra cushioning you can get.
  A padded insole will absorb shock as you walk, and reduce the pressure on your feet and joints, which is why having it might be a good choice if you plan on spending a lot of time in your heels.

In this case, by ‘upper’, we mean the shape of the front of the shoe. Pumps, by definition, are closed-toe footwear, and as such this front area comes in many different versions. We have pointy toes, round toes, and all the variations in between. So what do you have to know about this feature, in order to get the most out of your new shoes?

For starters, if your priority is comfort, you will stay clear of pointy toes. These toe boxes tend to be too narrow and can cause toe pinching or squishing, which is not comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. As in all footwear, it would be best if your toes could wiggle a little, and a round toe option has plenty of room for that.

Of course, you may find that a round toe is not as stylish as a pointy toe. There is something undeniably elegant about a pointy toe silhouette, a sense of sharpness and ferocity that doesn’t come with other designs. Not to mention that pointy toes elongate the leg and make your figure appear slimmer.

Which one you will find comfortable depends on the shape of your foot. Generally speaking, narrow feet can fit anywhere and have little trouble with pointy toe silhouettes, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. It would be best if you could first try on the design before you commit to purchasing it.

Just keep in mind that whatever little discomfort you’re feeling on the first wear will only cause bigger problems later on, so definitely go for a design that feels good to you right off the bat.

Any good pair of shoes that is durable and comfortable is always a good investment for the buyer. Having a pair of classic pumps that are well-constructed will be a good investment in footwear. For maximum durability, you will need to take good care of your shoes.

Pumps are considered to be a preferred dress shoe, and that’s why high-quality material is very important when determining their value. High-quality and natural fabrics will guarantee your comfort and ample breathability. Remember that cheaper fabrics and construction equals a short lifespan on your footwear. Everyone’s taste is different, but when it comes to durability, everyone wants high-quality footwear.

Every design on the market has been created differently. It’s very true that you will find a big difference in the quality of footwear depending on the brand. That’s why it’s essential as a buyer that you can spot a high-quality design and invest in it. When looking at design, there are factors that are used to gauge its quality.

These factors are:

• Sole: Take note of the construction used in attaching the sole to the shoe. The sole can either be glued to the shoe or just stitched; sometimes both might be used to enhance the durability. If it's a glued sole, check for any space that might be at the edges as these are the places where the sole will start peeling off. For stitched soles, make sure the stitching is very secure, and the stitches are evenly done. At the end of the day, your sole must be seamless.
• Heel: The heel is an important part of any footwear. For this type of design, make sure that the heel has an additional layer made of rubber. The importance of the extra layer is that it will prevent any slippage, hence walking will be much easier and more comfortable. Heels without any grip can be dangerous and lead to injury.
• Lining: The lining should be given plenty of attention. Most high-quality shoes have a lining that is made of pure leather. The lining tends to cover the inner section of the whole shoe. Shoes that have lining located at the bottom but not on the sides might prove to be uncomfortable to walk in. Leather is perfect for lining since it’s a natural material and hence will be able to absorb any form of moisture and also permit the foot to effectively breathe. Synthetic fabrics are not able to absorb any form of moisture and might be a little uncomfortable.
• Materials: At the top of the list of the best footwear materials is genuine leather, but then we also have vegan options that are just as good. The market also has synthetic fabrics that are being embraced by many brands and manufacturers. Fabrics like nylon or plastic should be avoided since they get very uncomfortable after being worn a few times, and are not durable.