Recently I was involved in a collaborative art project themed Carnivorous Possessions. The item most discussed and portrayed as the worst perpetrator was and is the high heeled shoe or any shoe that attacks your unsuspecting feet. I usually look quite frumpy on the job because most often I wear sneakers--pain free and quiet. When I wear "real" shoes I keep my sneaks in reserve. Many the blister or chewed heel has made me a fashion non-statement. Yes, but my feet feel goood!

I think it's a combo of hot weather + sweaty feet + swollen feet = eaten feet. I found this awesome pair of very thin, flesh-colored fishnet socks (you can't even see them until you get right on my foot), and those are great when I wear pants, but oh, it is hard to find decent shoes to wear with a skirt in the summer.

I can only imagine that if I had to walk farther than from my car to the office door that I would be even worse off.

I have this problem, too (and even with flats, I might add!), but take a look around the subways... so does everyone who wears even half-stylish shoes and walks/takes public transit in NYC. I discovered during a week in Connecticut when I walked far less than normal that the same shoes that ripped my feet to shreds in an hour in NYC were perfectly suited for the demands of walking a hundred yards at a time, max.

I haven't found a solution to this problem... and I see you've already discovered the special blister band-aids.

What seems to help me the most is conditioning the ever loving hell out of the edges of my shoes. Even if they aren't leather I still rub leather softener on them. (I buy the stuff to use on equestrian leather, but I'm sure they sell this stuff outside of tack stores.)

I also tend to wear trouser socks or thigh-highs with shoes that are closed-toed. And now I'm going to be desperately looking for fishnet socks!

I've just come to know my shoes and bandage my feet preemptively. As this morning, with the two band-aids on the backs of my feet.

That was really weird. I just posted this to the wrong post! Definitely just carry the shoes and wear sneakers. That's what I do (and because I can be a slave to fashion when it comes to footwear I have my stylin Pumas that go nicely with dress pants and skirts). That way you're even more comfortable (than if you just wore comfortable dress shoes) when walking to commute, but then you can slip on the dress shoes when all your doing is going from desk to desk or sitting all day.

i think the sweat might be an issue. and lots of walking, feet expand, etc, etc.

you should get some nude socks or something.

They call them "peds" and you can get them anywhere they sell stockings. The material can be like cross between stockings and a thin cotton sock, or more like the sock or more like the stocking... and they only cover the foot up to where an average shoe would. The options these days are really quite creative for those that hate to wear any shoes without socks (like me).

i find it easiest to just avoid the whole situation by not wearing heels at all. uncomfortable feet make for a very bad mood, at least for me. i'm always amazed at those girls who can wear heels all day.
my solution: clogs. always comfortable.

I have had this problem since approximately 10th grade. Plus, I walk with long strides, so I feel it gets me even more than the average person.

A tip of mine- as soon as you see a shoe will rub in a certain place, put a band-aid IN the shoe to create a cushion where it's rubbing your skin. It helps until the shoe stretches.

I find that many kitten heels are comfortable!

phc-- you are also on your feet all day! i have clogs, but they don't work so well with a suit :)
then again, i don't really need to wear suits anymore.

peds do work, but they look mighty silly with open-backed shoes.

The heat is definitely a factor in getting hurty feet. Also, the more you wear a certain pair of shoes, the more likely your feet are to build slight calluses and just get used to them. Of course it help to apply bandaids when you first notice a rub (before it becomes a blister or cut). And finally, I find the best time to break in a pair of shoes is when you'll be a bit drunk and won't care that your feet kinda hurt.

Discussions like this are why it sometimes sucks to be a girl. You'd never see a 15 comment string from guys agonizing over how to wear some horribly uncomfortable garment.
I have NEVER been able to survive in fancy shoes for an entire day in this city. We just have to do too much walking here.
I like Liz's drunk-shoe-breaking-in advice.

I did the drunk breaking-in once. You see those scars on my feet. Yeaaah.

I am a fan of heels, on the weekends. I am always cold in my office, I even keep a space heater under my desk, cause when it is hot outside, it freakin' freezing in my office. Anyway, socks and loafers for work and incredible high heels on the weekends. I am a runner and a former flight attendant so my feet have taken a beating. Seriously, one's butt looks best with a nice pair of heels. I don't care what my butt looks like at work with my friends. Only wear heels, in the future, when you are with you husband, or husband-to-be, and a little tipsy, you don't feel you feet then, so it doesn't matter.

It never fails to amaze me how women can wear shoes without socks, as that normally results in instant feet destruction for blokes.

Flip flops. Pretty much all I'm wearing these days.

It's all about conditioning the shoes also, choose your shoes wisely.

I'm addicted to shoes and with my short stature, I usually wear 4 inch pumps.

But on days when I have to go crosstown, I wear lower heels or shoes that I've conditioned more.

I also keep a cute pair of Steve Mad sneaks in my bag for unusually long walks.

Remember your feet expand in the afternoon so if they are comfortable in the am, they may bind more in the afternoon and during the evening commute.

Oh, and don't forget to break in your wedding shoes so you're nice and comfy.

Hey, try to break them in by putting on medium thickness socks and the new shoes, wear them walking around the house and doing chore stuff. When they begin to hurt take them off. Do it again until they're shaped to your feet.
Those shoe you have on look pretty stiff---are they?

Yes, very stiff. My feet are fucked beyond belief. I could barely wear flip flops today.

Oh my. Owy. Ow. And people wonder why I wear the same shoes (Brooks Beasts) to work every day, day in and day out. See, as it turns out, I really like to walk without feeling like my knees are going to collapse from underneath me.

Oh my, it happens to me all the time with brand new shoes. Unbearable suffering :-(

Make sure to buy all leather, flexible-soled shoes, & break in during winter with socks or hosiery, if necessary. Good quality shoes, well broken-in, can then be worn comfortably w/o socks or hose, especially if they have some ventilation ports, or are open-toed. It is always beneficial to rotate your shoes, so each pair can have a few days to fully dry out prior to being worn again. Shoes will last far longer, and will not develop odors, even when worn on bare feet.