It's been said that "diamonds were a girl's best friend." While that might be true for some, if you ask vertically-challenged girls you'll find that high heel shoes receive that honour. Heeled shoes, including phallic stiletto heels, can add more to a woman's stature and confidence than many carets ever could.

Sexy shoes and comfort
You might think those are exclusive of one another but you'd be wrong. You can find comfortable high heel shoes if you know what to look for. The first rule of high heel shoe shopping is "The higher the heel, the more you should spend." That doesn't mean you can't find a comfortable pair of sexy heels for under '30, you probably won't find a pair of stilettos or platform shoes in that range, though.

When you've found a pair of high heel or platform shoes you really love, wear them around the shoe store for a short while. If your feet don't hurt after a few minutes, take them home but keep your store slip.

Wear them around your home for an hour or two. The reason for the home wear is two-fold; first, you won't hurt yourself as much should you fall or stumble. Second, you won't wear the soles or the heels should you need to return them. If you have blisters or discomfort in any way, you should return them to the shoe store straight away.

Heel height should be about 5 centimetres. More than that and you might begin to feel wobbly. You don't want to catch a man's attention as you stumble and fall. It can not only be embarrassing, it can be very uncomfortable.

Thickness is another aspect of high heels that can effect comfort. Thicker is not always better and the trend for thick heels comes and goes. A stiletto, with a heel about 1 centimetre in diameter at the point it hits the pavement is always in vogue. Stilettos, the epitome of sexy shoes, are typically 46 centimetres tall and look fabulous on a tall woman as much as a shorter one. The thicker the heel is at the base the more stability, and in turn comfort, it will provide.

Platform shoes can be more comfortable than some common high heels because the soles are available in flat styles, relieving pressure from the balls of your feet. They are, however, an acquired taste as they raise your centre of gravity considerably.

The soles of platform shoes are often made of wood, cork, plastic or rubber. They will elevate your physique and confidence, a fashion statement that's been sexy since the 1930's, when platform shoes came onto the market.

How to wear heels
Before leaving home for a night out, practice wearing your high heels by walking around your home. Keep your legs straight and close together. Point your toes in front of you. Start off with slow, short steps, placing your heel down first then rolling onto the flat of your foot, the ball then your toes.

As you become more comfortable with your high heel or platform shoes, practice on various surfaces, like carpet and wood floors. Don't forget to work on stops, turns and even slow dancing.

Sexy shoes will round out any ensemble. You can wear stilettos with denim jeans and platform shoes with mini skirts. Regardless of the style of your dress, your high heel or platform shoes will help keep your back straight, your shoulders back and make your legs look longer. This is a sexy, seductive look no matter where your shoes take you.