When you're at the age that all your friends are getting married, there's not enough money or mental energy to plan an outfit for each wedding. That's how my sights were set on a pair of dress shoes that fit any dress code, feel decently walkable, and aren't so orthopedic-looking that I try to keep them hidden in photos.
My fellow style editor Samantha Crozier has worn her Inez Camilla platforms to three weddings so far. "I've been wearing shoes from the brand for years, and each pair has held up beautifully in both construction and style," she writes in her Inez review.
After breaking mine in on a night out in New York (with no blisters!), I've decided these are the pair I'm bringing to a Rhode Island wedding next month (and the many more nuptials sure to follow).
This miraculously wearable platform heel has quickly become one of our holy grail pieces for weddings. It's a towering four inches, but you won't feel the height at all.
What we love: Shallow pitch, "dancer's fit" toe box, hidden arch support, and surprisingly walkable considering their 4-inch heel.
Skip if: You have extra wide feet or bunions (though Inez does offer similar styles in roomy fits)
There's hidden arch support and a subtle lift to prevent toe overhang
Samantha and I discovered we both have second toes longer than our big toes (AKA "Morton's Toe" or "Greek Toe"), which has caused an unflattering cliff-hanger effect when I've worn open-toe heels in the past.
This shoe tilts ever so slightly upward in the toe box, so those with longer toes ("statuesque," as my mom assures me) won't feel themselves being shunted forward over the edge. This effect is called a toe spring, and Inez designed the Camilla heels with just enough to counterbalance a downward sloping heel.
Why pitch matters when it comes to wearing heels
Heels with a steep pitch, like stilettos, force your foot onto a more pronounced incline. This puts the bulk of your weight on your metatarsals (which is already a sensitive area for people with Morton's Toe).
A high heel with a shallow pitch is naturally more comfortable. The flattened slope and platformed forefoot means the Camillas distribute my weight more evenly, creating a visible difference in my posture. This is key especially with a shoe this high, as the incline is putting more stress on your joints than your body is used to.
They're not for extra wide feet or bunions
We love Inez shoes because they offer plenty of high heels in wide widths. Unfortunately, this excludes the Camillas. And while the toe box is spacious like a dance heel, the strap isn't flexible enough to stretch around bunions.
I spent seven hours in these heels and they were definitely wearable, but that's not to say I didn't kick them off as soon as I got home. The cushioning isn't as responsive as the Vivaia heels I've tried. Expect at least some stiffness by the end of the night, and if you're really wary, try adding some ball of foot cushions.
The bottom line
If you're staring down a calendar of weddings and feel pressed for a do-it-all heel, the Inez Camillas are a worthy investment. Their construction is excellent, and they make you feel tall without any threat of toppling over.
By the way: If you're among the roughly 30% of the population with Morton's Toe, I suggest you pay no mind to the anti-classical beauty standards set by Big Toe. We can rock peep-toe heels, it just takes finding the right pair.
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