Be streetwise in high style

If you're anything like me you'll love the look of sky high heels, but you struggle with the fact that they're not always comfortable enough to wear for extended periods.

Most women prefer wedge  heels. They're super cute for summer and you can wear them forever without pain.

But what exactly is a  wedge heel?

On most shoes, the shoe heel sits under only the heel of the foot, but a wedge heel runs under the whole foot, from the back of the shoe to the middle or front.

HEALTH  BENEFITS

Women wear heels to make the legs look longer and the body thinner, and to improve  posture.

Wedge heels offer more support than stilettos or other high heels. Balance is easier on a wedge, reducing the number of falls that occasionally can happen in high heels.

Wedges offer arch support that reduces foot and ankle  problems.

PROS AND CONS

Height ranges from a slight raise in the heel to several inches.

Worldly and eye-catching, wedges have a cosmopolitan look about them.

They look great with nearly anything.

They add definition and  shape to heavy ankles, making them appear thinner.

On the downside, wedge heels are still heels, with all their pitfalls. So don't be fooled into thinking you can run a marathon in them.

The shoe can look a little clunky, especially when paired with tight-fitting  clothing.

Thick wedge heels will make really skinny ankles appear even thinner.

HISTORY OF THE WEDGE

Wedges have been around since the 1930s.

The first ones didn't have a distinct heel and had cellophane straps.

Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo created the first wedge shoe – the orthopaedic wedge in 1935 and the wedge heel in 1936.

He used cork and wood because of a  leather and rubber shortage. Cork was the more popular option as it was  lighter, as well as sturdy and durable.

Wedges grew in popularity during World War II because of the unavailability of leather and rubber in the US, as  these were needed for the war effort. But the fashion of the time called for height. Wedges offer height and are easier to walk in than skinny heels. Shoulder pads added to the illusion of height and wedges reached up to five inches during this period.

The wedge heel resurfaced in the 1970s.  Designs were louder, more colourful and outrageous. One design  even allowed for a goldfish to live in the heel!

In the 70s both men and women wore platform wedges, unlike during World War II  when it was strictly a women's  fashion – these days men shouldn't be caught dead in platforms.

In the 1990s both regular platform sneakers and wedge platform sneakers were around. The high wedge sneakers could be seen on celebs such as the British pop band the Spice Girls.

Thank God this era has  passed. Those sky high takkies  were rather nasty,  even though I'm guilty of falling for the  trend too.

The wedge returned in the summer of 2006. Heels made of cork and wrapped in rope  were one style option.

Both straps and ankle wraps were used to secure the wedges to the feet. Flip-flop wedges with a small heel,  combined the two styles.

And this year we're loving the espadril wedge – weaved roped soles. Über stylish for the girl on the go.