To a recent high profile party, event MC Patrina Paynter arrived in the sexiest pair of black stiletto heels she could find. She left wearing a pair of flip-flops. All the other women stomped their heels in frustration.

Like many women, Mrs Paynter has a love-hate relationship with high heel shoes. They look good in the store, but often feel terrible on the feet after an hour of use.

“I had on a cute dress,” she said. “My hair was done and everything. I got there at 11pm and by 12.15am toes hurt. I was on the mic and walking up and down.”

Before the event she was wise enough to smuggle in a pair of flip-flops wrapped in a coat.

“I said, do I want to look sexy or comfortable,” she said. “I am close to 40 years old, I don’t have time for aching feet anymore.”

The subject of heels often comes up at weddings. Nobody wants to walk down the aisle in pain, but how do you pull off a dress that cost thousands without a pair of heels?

“We do have a lot of brides who are not comfortable in heels,” said Khaliah Nisbett, owner of Occasions Bridal and Formal. “We do sell shoes at our location.”

She said one alternative was to wear a ballet slipper, but it wasn’t always the “cutest” option.

“The cute shoes are always two or three inches high,” Ms Nisbett said. “A heel does complete the look. Go for one inch or two inches and you’ll be fine.”

She said a shoe with a wedge heel was good for people who have back problems. She also sells a gel sole product called ‘Little Smiling Feet’ to put in the back of the shoe to stop sliding.

There was a mixed reaction to the gel cushioning products. The Royal Gazette spoke to some women who swore by them, while other women were less enthused.

“I used them for a few years but they didn’t help when I wanted to run,” said Ashleigh Holland. “Finally, I went to Bermuda Podiatry and they made me custom sole inserts. It changed my life!”

Dr Natalie Bennett of Bermuda Podiatry said women who wore high heels basically kept her company busy.

“Absolutely everybody has pain in high heels said Dr Bennett. “There are a lot of problems we treat that are caused by frequent use of high heels.”

For example, Metatarsalgia, is an inflammatory condition where the bones at the front part of the feet become inflamed through the use of high heels. If ignored long term it can turn into stress fracture.

“Getting some cushioning inside the shoe is important,” said Dr Bennett. “We make custom insoles. Ballet flats might be an alternative to heels.”

Some women, however, have taken the courageous (some might say outrageous) step of forgoing high heels altogether, even at events like their own wedding.

“I wore flip flops to my wedding,” said Tina Nash, executive director of Raleigh International. “High heels make no sense to me. I have no idea why women do that to themselves. I’ve never worn them and I never will! For parties and ‘dress up’ events, I have a few pair of ‘nice’ shoes that children would probably call ‘school shoes’.”

Some women stick to heels, though, no matter what the pain, willing to suffer for the sake of beauty. “I just grin and bear it,” was the reply from one 32-year-old woman.

“There is no alternative to heels,” said university student Britanni Fubler, 24. “I’m only 4ft 11ins so any time I can wear heels, I will. I admit that pain is sometimes involved, especially when my friends are in flats, because they’re normal height, and I’m the only one in heels. I’ve found that open toed heels can be more comfortable. A thicker heel has also been a lifesaver because you’ve got a bigger surface area. Wedges and bootees have also been in fashion so they can ease your feet up a bit.”

Ms Fubler also suggested putting some vaseline on your feet before hand.

Kim Dismount Robinson, Bermuda Folklife Officer, was disappointed when health issues forced her to give up high heels.

“I love the look of high heels so much that I have actually purchased beautiful pairs and never worn them,” she said. “I’m 39 years old, and I had an ultrasound done on my knee last year because it was paining me as a result of Zumba and my knees on a scan look like they belong to someone 20 years older. Knee replacement surgery is probably in my future, so other than low-impact exercise, I try not to stress my knees out. That means, no high heels.”

Instead she chooses to invest in flat sandals in the summer. Her favourite pair are pink with jewelled seahorses and funky, flat boots in the winter.

“I sexy the boots up with things like knee socks and leg warmers,” she said. “This might not work for everyone; it helps that I’m tall.

“But I think the worst fashion choice is when a woman is tipping (or trudging) along in ultra-high heels looking like every footstep is agony, striking fear into those around her that they’re about to witness a spectacular tumble. I think being able to glide along with confidence and sure-footedness in flats is a much more attractive way to go.”