A Podiatrist Thinks This "Classy" Shoe Is Horrible for City Girls

Comfort and style do not have to be mutually exclusive (yes, despite the age-old concept that beauty is pain). This is all particularly valid when it comes to footwear. With the rise of “comfy trends” thanks to the athleisure movement (hey, sneakers), you can now get away with kickin’ it in more-practical shoes that don’t hurt your feet for just about any occasion. Think trainers for going out and chunky block booties for the office. However, according to a doctor, there’s one seemingly “comfortable” elevated shoe style that might not actually be that great for your feet, and that’d be ballet flats.

We caught up with Benjamin Tehrani, DPM, of Kings Point Foot & Ankle in Los Angeles to spill on why this specific shoe silhouette might actually be horrible for your feet (despite the fact that they’re flats)—especially for city girls on the go. “Ballet flats may look classy, but there’s nothing classy about having little to literally zero arch support,” he explained. “This can lead to heel pain, known as plantar fasciitis, as you’re dumping all your weight on an unsupported shoe.” While Tehrani mentioned he’s made custom orthotics to help redistribute the weight while his clients are wearing the shoes, he believes that overall, "they’re not ideal for doing a lot of walking around in the city.”

What do you think? Have you experienced foot pain wearing these flats around town? If so, and you’re looking for a sophisticated alternative, we’re showcasing a range of more-comfortable shoe options below that offer more support—but don’t skimp on style.

Next, check out the shoes we'll be wearing to work in 2019.