Five rules for the perfect stiletto

A great stiletto disappears on the foot. These five rules will get you there. 1. **Last shape over heel height.** A 100mm heel that fits your last is more comfortable than an 80mm that doesn't. 2. **Leather lining, always.** It breathes, molds, and outlasts synthetic three to one. 3. **Heel pitch matters.** A balanced shank distributes weight; a poorly engineered heel collapses your arch. 4. **The right toe spring.** Too flat fatigues the foot; too pronounced bruises the toes. 5. **Break them in at home.** Two evenings on carpet — never debut a heel at a long event.