I can't even handle wearing a one-inch heel

[blossom]

I tried wearing women's shoes with a one inch heel and feel excruciating pain in one of my toes that I never felt with flat shoes. How will this affect my transition?

[PrincessButtercup]

It may just be that the shoe is too narrow or that you need round/open toe shoes instead of the pointy or tapered ones. Lots of women have to wear different kinds of shoes. You could always try Dansko brand. They aren't inexpensive, but they are quite comfortable.

[Dena]

On my right foot, the second smallest toe bends up slightly more than any of the other toes. It never bother me in the past but I bough a pair of ballet slippers and that toe kills me if I wear the shoes for more than a few hours. My solution is to put a bandage on the toe before I wear them to stop the rubbing and that solved the problem.
Another issue is keeping the nails properly trimmed. Sometimes when my toenails get long, shoes that were once comfortable will become very uncomfortable.

[blossom]

princessbuttercup, but if it's cold i can't wear open toed shoes or can i?? I"m still new to this part of transition, the whole clothing part.

[KyleEdric]

I never got the hang of heels myself and only tolerated them for wearing at fancy functions or celebrations and even then I only liked flats. I agree that the pointy shoes tend to squish your toes like sardines.

[Marienz]

princessbuttercup, but if it's cold i can't wear open toed shoes or can i?? I"m still new to this part of transition, the whole clothing part.

I'm not sure where you are located, but I wear open toe heels all year round... My feet are to wide for closed toe and my toes and entire foot starts to hurt:(
Definitely try again with a wider heel or open toe:)


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[PrincessButtercup]

princessbuttercup, but if it's cold i can't wear open toed shoes or can i?? I"m still new to this part of transition, the whole clothing part.

If you can tolerate the cold, then it's definitely fashionably acceptable to wear open toe shoes year round. Think about, how many women do you see in strappy sandals at Christmas & NYE parties? I would wager quite a few. I myself have been known to wear them when there's snow on the ground. It's all about the look, cold feet be darned!

[Mariah]

The width or size of the style and brand of she you had issues with I'm sure is why. I would either change, styles, brands and or the size. This should solve your problem. I have had that issue especially with my small toe in some shoes. Hugs.
Mariah

[Debra]

lots of girls don't wear heels. It shouldn't affect your transition persay but if you 'adore' heels then it will be tough to not be able to wear them.

You might try as some have suggested....non-pointy toes (more rounded toes) instead.Also sandals and wedges and ballet flats, etc.

[Emjay]

I don't wear heels very often.  I just never have a need to being nearly six feet tall.  I do like wedges though from time to time, just not platforms.

As others have said:  It could very well be that you were trying a narrow shoe and need wide or it's the shape of whatever particular ones you were wearing.  I know if I try narrow ones my feet are killing me by the end of the day!  I can do it but I'd rather not.  Have you measured your feet?  Most shoe stores will do it for you, if you're uncomfortable having them measured some places just leave the measuring devices laying around and you can use it yourself. 

In addition to Dansko shoes, I really like Clarks brand shoes.  They're good quality but less expensive than Dansko.  These are what I wear to work and I'm on my feet walking on concrete floors pretty much all day (and I have to wear dress shoes to work since I'm in management).

[blossom]

Thank you everyone for your help.

[elle’s bells]

Every shoe is its own challenge. My favorite and most comfortable pair of pumps have pointy toes and I can run all day in them. Sizing differs by style, width, brand, heel type and material. The best advice I have is to reject outright ill fitting or uncomfortable shoes and keep trying until you find a pair that meets your comfort and fashion needs. You'd be surprised by how many women double down on a cute (but painful) pair of strappy sandals for a wedding or a party and then ditch them an hour in. I'm partial to Chinese Laundry and if I want to float in a pain free world, Born. I also suggest going with a thicker, but not necessarily shorter, heel if you're starting out. Chunky heels are in again this season so you'd be right on trend to boot.

Edit: Careful of cheap synthetics with bad or obtrusive stitching. They can wreck you fast. You may need to consider additional padding if you go that route.

[Ashey]

Heels are painful. I have a few four or five-inchers, and while they look awesome and I can walk just fine in them, no matter what they become painful after some time (maybe two hours more or less for me). Beauty is pain. But then again, heels are by far not a requirement for being female. I find myself rarely wearing mine anymore. I'd rather walk comfortably. It's not as if heels are the only attractive feminine footwear available.

[WallabyWallop]

Most girls I know rarely wear heels, aside from two outliers who wear them all the time. Flats can be perfectly fashionable, as are pumps and wedges.

[whereto]

i don't think it affects your transition in anyway. shoes are shoes, and heels are heels. they're just footwear preferences.
if they're uncomfy, you don't have to wear them. i'm speaking on my previous experience before my transition along with my own experiences working in the fashion industry.

our bodies vary from individuals to individuals, some of us are very lucky with the body fat distribution a little bit different. it makes it so much easier slide in some heels and walk around in them. i don't say it'll be comfortable though. most heels are nowhere near comfy, especially the pointy toe/open toe ones. i find pumps are not bad actually, they have tons of varieties you can choose from. the higher the front of your feet is, the better. because it won't make your feet look like you're on some ballet performance for hours. if the weather is cold, try some chelsea ankle boots.

though, if you really want to start breaking in some heels and like to wear them often, it'll take some time getting used to. first five times were horrible i remember ;/ and whatever you do, invest in some good material shoes. so your feet will have some cushion and the pain is less.

[treeLB]

Heels, shoes...have nothing to do with transition. 
If your shoe hurts get a different pair or don't wear heels.

[blossom]

Well, I do feel a little better now, but I feel sad and left out that I won't get the chance to feel pretty wearing heels.