For the sandal fashionista who has worn high heels for nearly all of her days, the thought of switching to flat sandals can look about as comfy as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in this year’s 6″ stilettos. Even though there are a number of genuinely attractive flats available this season – among them the scruffy gladiator sandal – the fact is that for most women wearing flat shoes for even just a couple of minutes is enough to drive sharp pains shooting up their legs. Whereas it is persuasive to see this as reason enough to turn clear of sandals, in truth this searing soreness is your greatest cause to get those legs in a pair of flats quick smart.

The setback with sandals is that they warp your body into an unusual shape by thrusting your pelvis ahead and crippling your lower back. While you stroll in this odd stance your boobs and bottom are strained to jut out at all sorts of angles which can feel all incredibly sexy until you begin to experience the long-term consequences of these orthopaedic nightmares, that can contain constant lower back pain and intervertebral disc impairment. Although you might get used to walking in heels – so much so that everything else feels strange – the reality is that if you find it hard to walk not including being twisted this way, then chances are you’re at jeopardy of serious damage down the track.

Now take a look at your favorite strapless flip flops, ballet flats or even your sneakers and you’ll see that the form of the shoe’s toe area comes to a point. Now take a look at your feet. Recognize the difference? When given abundant space our toes easily sit in an semicircle arrangement so that our feet are a good deal wider at the front than at the heel. Despite this, nearly all fashion shoes get narrower at the front and crunch them simultaneously, which can lead to twisted big toes and aching (not to talk about hideous) bunions. The force on those weak tiny toes is made all the worse when they are lodged into high heels which transfer the heaviness of the entire body from the sturdy heel bone to the frail bones at the front of the feet. Now you know there is a worthy reason to have flat sandals any time you can.