Updated on July 10th, 2023 at 04:27 pm
You’ve read about (or even seen) how a woman’s walk oozes sexiness when she’s in heels, showing off a firmer butt and calves. You want all this for yourself, but you’re hesitant, wondering, can I wear heels if I’m fat?
High heels are often made with an average-sized foot in mind. If your feet are wide and chubby, you may experience discomfort wearing them as they’ll squeeze your instep and feet. This discomfort is directly proportional to your weight. So rock those heels when you find a comfortable pair to accommodate your chubby feet.
Finding an appropriately fitting heel is key to avoiding discomfort and pain. Be careful, as overweight women in heels run the risk of stress fractures. With that said, let’s take a look at whether heels are a ‘fit’ for you.
Is it harder to wear heels if you are overweight?
You can never be too heavy for heels, but as you gain weight, wearing heels could become more uncomfortable. When you wear heels that are more than one and a half inches tall, your mobility immediately becomes uneven, which is made worse if you are overweight.
This can result in significant heel discomfort, in addition to a few further medical conditions with lengthy recovery times. Obesity affects your hips, back, ligaments and joints by altering motion and causing individuals to move in unusual ways.
Plantar fasciitis, a type of inflammatory condition affecting the connective tissue of the plantar fascia ligament, is a common condition. This foot condition is a leading cause of heel pain that is closely associated with heavier people. Plantar heel pain can be excruciating and may require treatment and surgeries.
This may be saddening news to those who love wearing heels, but if you are overweight, and you walk a lot in your daily routine, you may be better off wearing a pair of flat shoes with a pair of cushioned socks or shoe inserts. Your foot muscles will thank you for it!
Is there a weight limit for heels?
High-heeled shoes are not subject to weight restrictions, unlike the kayak weight limit or the Peloton weight limit. Based on your foot anatomy, ankle flexibility, and preferred style, many plus-size women may even perform superior in heels than slimmer folks. The choice to wear heels is subjective based on your particular aesthetic and convenience needs.
Wearing heels can make some of us feel unsteady and uncoordinated since they compel us to change our natural gait. If you are heavier, it will be more challenging to handle and balance the additional weight.
If you wear heels daily, you may not have an issue. But if you wear them once every so often, you will be more likely to experience foot pain and discomfort.
Wearing pointy heels becomes more difficult when you are carrying extra weight. Chunky heels may be easier to move in, but if they are particularly tall, it will still make your life a bit more difficult.
If you are overweight, you are more likely to have chubby feet, longer feet, or a wider foot structure, meaning your shoes will pinch a lot more due to the weight, causing further discomfort.
Why is wearing heels more painful for overweight individuals?
If you are not accustomed to wearing high heels, you are at risk of ankle sprains, or torn ligaments in your calf muscles or shins due to being off balance and walking on uneven surfaces. These types of injuries and painful and can affect your daily routine.
These factors are also risks to those who wear heels for long periods of time, perform physical activities, or do repetitive activities, whether they are overweight, or not.
So, while it is more likely for a heavier person to become injured while wearing heels, it is also possible for a thinner person to experience the same injuries if they are inexperienced.
When a person is overweight, they are more likely to experience a loss of elasticity. This makes it harder for them to move around while wearing certain types of footwear that are more difficult to walk around in, as it can be harder to keep balance.
The best thing anyone can do, no matter their weight, is to ensure that they are wearing proper footwear that is not at risk of breaking under pressure.
Cheaper heels will be more likely to break, whereas properly made shoes will not, no matter how heavy the wearer is. Wearing proper footwear will also support a healthy foot arch.
Final thoughts
The choice of footwear can affect any person’s health, whether they are overweight or not. However, heavier people are more likely to have heavy calves, chubby feet, high-risk diabetic feet, and even claw toe deformity, all of which can impact a person’s ability to feel comfortable.
Obviously, a person shouldn’t perform high-impact activities while wearing heels, but as a larger person, even just walking for extended periods of time can cause just as much damage to your feet and legs. To feel more comfortable, we recommend wearing sneakers.
If you ever receive an injury from wearing heels, an ice pack and a couple of days rest should help until you have recovered. However, to completely avoid these situations, we recommend avoiding inappropriate footwear daily. If you fall awkwardly, you may end up with broken bones, which will require further treatment, and even surgeries, to get back to normal.
Whether you are taking part in high-impact, weight-bearing activities or you are going for a simple walk, we recommend avoiding heels unless you absolutely need to wear them, e.g., on a special occasion, for your own comfort. For more information, be sure to check out the rest of Extra Large Living.