The word ‘pink’ comes from the plant Dianthus plumarius, also known as the common, or garden pink. This lovely plant has large circular flowers of the same color as its name and is a breathtaking example of just how vibrant mother nature can be.

Largely considered a feminine color, today’s fashion world eschews such labels. Colors are not gender-normative, and there are plenty of examples where men are not afraid to experiment with their styles and include more than a fair share of this color in their wardrobe.

As you might have gleaned from our list, there is no one precise version of the hot pink. Rather, it comes in many variants, sometimes leaning towards violet, sometimes towards red, and maybe even having a neon quality to it! What they all have in common, however, is the fact that they are bold and eye-catching, and that they definitely make a statement.

You don’t wear this color to blend in, but rather to proudly show off your style, and to make everyone’s jaw drop with your impeccable color coordination!

While you may find some of these color options more attractive than others before you make the final decision we urge you to consider this undertone of the main color. Whether it is more blue or more red because these undertones will make or break your outfit. Take into account all the layers of a hue, and you should have no problems matching your new favorite shoe with your wardrobe!

Given the title of this guide, it is unsurprising that all of the items on our list are heels. However, this is a very broad category of footwear, and within it, we can distinguish between several sub-styles, which we will elaborate a bit more on in this section.

The main distinction is between a pump and a sandal.

A pump is a closed-toe or a peep-toe option that can be worn in practically any conditions, barring the most extreme rain or snow. Pumps have that classic silhouette that we all know and love, and are really a staple in anyone’s wardrobe collection. It is always smart to have a good pump for the office, one for a party, and a formal one, just so you cover all of your bases.

A sandal, on the other hand, is an open-toe style. It comes with straps, across the toes and either around the ankle, or a slingback version. A sandal can also be a slide design, such as the Steve Madden Erin! These are mostly meant to be worn in warm summer weather, for garden parties, chic outdoor lunch meets and similar. If you want your feet to breathe, and want to dazzle with your pretty pedi, sandals are a great choice!

It is important to mention that all of these styles are geared towards a sassy, party setting more than a serious, business one. While there might be some offices which wouldn’t find these too outrageous, we advise against wearing them to work. The color is probably too loud for that, and the styles are also either too high, or too open, or too sexy for such an occasion.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear the heck out of these shoes in your downtime!

High heels are not something we usually associate with comfortable footwear. Too often we find ourselves wincing in pain as we limp around the venue, grateful for a place to sit and breathe out. Maybe we even take off the shoes, underneath the long tablecloth so that no one would notice.

However, it absolutely doesn’t have to be like that. When you’re shopping for shoes, there are some things you can look out for so that your heel-wearing experience is much more pleasant and blister-free.

Let’s look at the features which you need to take into account:

• Height: Quite naturally, first we are looking at the height of the shoe. If it is anything under three inches - then you have nothing to worry about. These heights are as comfortable as though you were wearing flat shoes, and you can expect to be able to spend as much time in them as you wish – they are perfect for going from the office to a cocktail hour after that.
  Heels over three inches – even over four inches – in height are where the pain happens. The difference in height between your heel and your toes is too big that it puts an unnatural amount of pressure on the front of your foot, and thus it is only a matter of time once your toes start going numb and your foot starts to throb. There is no solution here, except to plan to wear these sky-high shoes only on special occasions, when you know you’ll be sitting for longer periods of time and you won’t have to be on your feet for hours on end.
• Type: The second most important quality to consider when it comes to comfort is the type of the heel. Yes, it should be low in height, but there are also noticeable differences in stability and security when it comes to different shapes. The most comfortable type is the wedge. These help your weight to be evenly distributed across the sole of the shoe, meaning that the front of your foot isn’t under too much strain. Your steps are well balanced and stable, and as a result, there are no wobbly movements in the ankle.
  Next, if wedges aren’t your thing, you can always go for a chunky heel. These are square shaped, or half-moon shaped – sometimes even entirely circular – which are blocky and solid, providing you with a good base. In the same way that wedges do, chunky heels secure your ankle and foot while you walk, ensuring your safety.
  Lastly, there is the question of stilettos. These are incredibly narrow and usually, they taper to a tiny point at the bottom. The reason they are the most uncomfortable type is that your weight is shifted forward, to the ball of your foot, which then suffers from added pressure. Even though they are sexy and have a stunning effect, if you are expected to be on your feet for longer periods of time, try to stay away from stilettos.
• Additional Features: By additional features here, we mean extras which could help amp up the comfort levels of the shoe.
  In this category, we include cushioning, as in, extra padding in the footbed. Regardless of how high the shoe is, or its type, cushioning provides much-needed shock absorption. It spreads the force of the impact throughout the footbed and helps reduce the pain and discomfort you might feel.
  However, if you find that the pair of shoes you had your eyes on doesn’t have any cushioning, don’t worry! There are special gel inserts and pods which can be purchased separately, specifically for this purpose – to help make shoes, such as high heels, comfortable to wear all day (or night) long.

This topic may not be of much interest to you, but when it comes to picking out a high-quality design, knowing a thing or two about materials can actually come in handy. After all, the type of materials used in the construction of a shoe determines how comfortable it is, how durable, breathable, flexible, resistant to scuffs and wear and tear and more. A lot of it is hinged on materials, and this is why we will explore them here.

The highest quality designs on our list are made from genuine leather and suede. There is nothing that can beat these two options, really, as they are amazingly breathable, durable, and they take the form of your foot over time, delivering personalized comfort. However, they are not waterproof unless treated with special proofing agents, and they are also quite expensive, so if cost is your concern, maybe avoid these options for now.

The options that are on the bottom of our list, material quality wise, are those made out of synthetic leathers. These are not as good, in any category, as their natural counterparts, and you may find them hard to wear. Of course that this all also depends on how the material is manipulated, but, generally speaking, faux leather tends to be stiff and rigid, and doesn’t change shape over time. Additionally, it is not as breathable, and definitely not as durable and genuine leather.

On the other hand, synthetic materials are also less expensive and animal-friendly, so keep this in mind while you shop.

In the end, while we did say that being informed about materials is useful, it is not something that should keep you up at night. Simply go for the design that you like best, and don’t forget to check if you find it comfortable enough.

What almost everyone wants to know when they’re shopping for new footwear is, how long will this design last? How much can you wear it before it gets damaged beyond repair and you have to invest in an new one?

This is a completely valid question that pops up often in our research. It is a normal occurrence, to want your products to last for as long as possible, and footwear is no different.

So, how durable are these items, exactly? They are all from different brands, with different constructions and made from different materials, so how can you possibly know which one has the longest lifespan?

There are a few common features that you can look at, which will potentially help you determine the durability of a design.

First is the quality of the materials used in the construction. We’ve delved into the topic of materials more in-depth in the previous section, and here we will just recap what we know about their durability.

Once again, genuine leathers are the most durable, especially if they are layered thickly (though, admittedly, in these fancy footwear styles, they are not). Synthetic leather, by comparison, has an unpleasant ability to flake and crease during wear, which shortens the shoe’s lifespan and forces you to throw it away more quickly.

Other than the materials, the construction of the design itself is important. Especially if it a strappy option, with thin, delicate straps which are likely to snap off at some point during the wear. This might not happen soon, but getting a pump over a strappy sandal is a good investment, durability wise.

If you feel like you have settled on a design that you love, but which may not be so durable in the long run, we urge you to get it anyway! If your budget can handle, we are always of the opinion you should enjoy wearing a great pair of shoes for however long you can, than hold yourself back in the hopes of coming across something better in the future. Seize the moment, and treat yourself today!