If you struggle significantly to fit your feet into the heels, the heels are probably too small. In this case, you most likely need to go up a half or whole size. If your feet slide into the heels too easily, and there is a lot of room between the insides of the heels and your feet, the heels are probably too big. In this case, you most likely need to go down a half or whole size.
Try inspecting how the shoes look with the help of a mirror. A mirror can give you an added perspective.
If the heel of the shoe is cutting into, squeezing, or scraping the skin of your heel, the shoe is probably too small. Wearing heels that are too small can give you cuts and blisters on your heels. If your foot is sliding or lifting out of the back of the shoe, or there is more than 1 cm of room between your heel and the heel of the shoe, the shoe is probably too big. Wearing heels that are too big makes for too much movement in the shoe. This movement creates friction between your skin and the heel that can also give blisters.
If the heels clearly feel too tight and uncomfortable in the toe area, they are probably too small. If your toes are hanging off the front edge of the shoe, or have too much wiggle space (as in you can move your toes around significantly), the heels are most likely too big.
If your foot bulges out from the heel in any way, or exceeds any of it’s natural parameters, the shoe is most likely too small. If there is excessive space between the sides of your feet and the inside edges of the heel, the heel is probably too big.
Most often, uncomfortable rubbing or noticeable spacing becomes evident while walking around with the heels on. That is why walking in the heels before you buy them is so important.
Getting the proper measurements of your foot will allow you to pick out shoes that fit your foot best. An accurate shoe fitting can improve comfort, security, and appearance.
Lined notebook paper may work best for tracing your feet since it has straight lines to take measurements from. However, any sheet of paper will do.
