You are what you wear, right?

Well, maybe, but I’d rather think there's a bit more to you than that.

Sure, what you wear can help you express yourself. You can certainly say a lot about yourself without having to speak, so choosing the right outfit is a lot like choosing the right words.
We have all seen Wonder Woman Gal Gadot wearing her $150 flat sandals to her premiere. She looked gorgeous, she felt comfortable, and she had the "I couldn't be bothered" statement written all over her. Her shoes rocked. And she rocked, too.

So, how should you choose your shoes?
It may sound basic, but it helps to start from the beginning: think about your daily routine.
Imagine going to a doctor's appointment, sitting in front of a well-known doctor wearing scrubs, and peeking out from beneath the desk is a pair of high heeled studded boots. To each his own, but let’s be honest – it’s not very appropriate, right?
He’d probably be better off swapping for a pair of classic flats and saving his rock star boots for after work activities.
Please keep in mind: certain shoes are meant for specific activities only. 

My second point is more on the practical side.
I believe shoes and clothes should be used for self-expression.
They are essential to our aesthetic, but they should serve us, too.
Our shoes should be flattering, practical, and perhaps most importantly, comfortable.
If your day is full of meetings, and you know you are going to be sitting a lot, heels can be a great option.
But if you are going to be walking or standing all day, you may want to consider wearing flats.
If you are working in a restaurant, or in any place with a high likelihood that you’ll be doing some messy cleanups, you should probably choose shoes that are easy to clean.

Let me share a few little tips that will help you choose the best shoes for you:

• In the summer, your sandals or shoes must match your foot’s measurements. If your toes are hanging over, lose the shoes. 
• Yes, it is noticeable. No, it is not okay.

• If you can’t try on the shoes before buying them, try finding a measuring guide which specifies measuring instructions and a size chart for the specific pair of shoes you are considering.  Here is one example

• If you are not comfortable, lose the shoes. We all have that one painful pair we refuse to toss because it’s just such an amazing pair of shoes, but how often do we really wear them? And how do we feel after? Shoes have such a strong influence on posture. If you walk funny, you look funny (and it’s also pretty unhealthy).
• This point is sad, but true: shoes don’t grow. If your toes hurt too much, that means they are too small for you. Yes, leather does stretch a bit, but only on the sides. Your shoes will not grow longer… even if you ask nicely.
• My final point is about the budget, and it goes beyond just shoes. I believe in having a small wardrobe and in buying high-quality items that I can wear many times. In my opinion, one durable, comfortable, classic pair of shoes that matches your style and color preferences is always a better investment than three cheap and trendy pairs which you are inevitably going to hate next season.

In conclusion, here are six questions to ask yourself when choosing your perfect everyday pair of shoes:
1.       Do they fit?
2.      Are they comfortable?
3.      Are they appropriate? (if not, is there a good reason for them being inappropriate?)
4.      Will I be able to wear them more than once? (if not, is there a good reason for that?)
5.      Will they still look okay after wearing them more than once?
6.      Am I going to like them next year?
 

I hope this helped you in choosing your next shoe purchase, or at least kept you from spending your hard-earned money on an unnecessary or ill-fitting pair of shoes.
We’d love to hear about your best or worst shoe purchases! Sound off in the comments below.