Flats and pleats, pretty please
I finally did it. I gave away all my high-heeled shoes.
For years, those towering three-inch (and higher) symbols of glamor filled my closet—each pair promising elegance, but demanding pain. I clung to them through weddings, work events, dinners, and countless social outings. The rule was simple: the higher the heel, the dressier you looked. And for a long time, I subscribed to that rule—willingly enduring the aching arches and sore toes that came with every fashionable step.
But that chapter is closed now. That relationship with heels, with discomfort, with the idea that looking glamorous required suffering is over. And what a liberating breakup it has been.
Today, my shoe closet tells a different story. Where stilettos once stood, you will now find rows of sneakers, sandals, and ballet flats. There is a quiet pride in this new collection—a sense of grounded confidence that comes not from height, but from harmony between beauty and comfort.
These days, life looks a little different. My children are grown and independent, which means more space—mentally, emotionally, and physically for me. And that space has invited adventure. Traveling has become a part of my rhythm. And if there is one truth every traveler learns quickly, it is this: you need shoes that love you back.
No more blisters, no more limping through cobblestone streets, no more cutting evenings short because my feet are pleading for mercy. I now pack with purpose and pleasure. My trusty Hermès Chypre sandals, timeless Chanel ballet flats, ON sneakers that feel like clouds, and my newest discovery, MUJI walking shoes, are the stars of my wardrobe.
Love at first wear
And since we are on the topic of comfort, let me introduce another newfound love: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake. Thanks to my sister’s influence, I have started collecting pieces from this brilliant line and I am hooked! The clothes are incredibly comfortable with their garterized waistbands and they pack like a dream—taking up almost no space in my luggage. My inner neat freak insists on washing everything after each wear and this fabric makes that easy. It dries overnight, requires no ironing, and always looks put together. Best of all, it is effortlessly chic. The vibrant colors and versatile styles mix and match beautifully, so you can travel light and still look fabulous every single day.
This shift is not just about shoes or clothes. It is about self-respect. About dressing for the life I have now—not the expectations I once felt pressured to meet. It is about embracing a kind of elegance that does not come with a price tag of pain.
Science is on my side here. A study published in Foot & Ankle International found that wearing high heels for long periods can seriously mess with your posture and put way too much pressure on the lower back, knees, and the delicate bones in your feet. Honestly, it is no wonder they hurt so much. Over time, this kind of stress can lead to issues like osteoarthritis, joint degeneration, and charming foot deformities like bunions and hammertoes. No thank you.
On the flip side, switching to supportive, cushioned shoes helps keep everything aligned, reduces inflammation, and protects your bones and joints for the long haul. Comfort may not have the drama of stilettos but it is far more sustainable.
Because comfort is not laziness. It is wisdom. It is the reward for years of putting others first and now, finally, choosing myself. And that wisdom is not limited to shoes alone. It is in every piece I choose to wear, every fabric that moves with me, and every outfit that lets me live fully without compromise.
So here is to walking taller than ever, even without the heels, and to dressing like we mean every step.
