Play it safe

As with any good thing, it's easy to go overboard. Wearing too-high heels for too long can result in lower-back pain, sore knees and heel damage. "Don't walk more than two miles at a time in high heels, and try to keep them around two to three inches," suggests Suzanne Levine, M.D., a New York podiatrist who caters to the fashion set (she's also the proud owner of more than 300 pairs of Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choos and Pradas). There are a few steps you can take to minimize high-heel discomfort: Make sure your shoes fit, nine out of 10 women buy shoes that are too small for them, Levine says. Always try on the next size up, just to be certain. Also, vary your heel height during the day by keeping a pair of flats at work or in your bag.

Work it

Try these exercises from Levine to stretch and strengthen your feet and to help stave off high-heel pain:

• Sitting in a chair, use your toes to trace out the letters of the alphabet with each foot.
• Roll a golf ball under the ball of each foot for two minutes.
• Place a small towel on the floor. Curl your toes and use them to pull the towel toward you.