Local fashionista solves heel dilemma

Finding the perfect pair of heels can be a chore. And keeping them in near-perfect condition can prove almost impossible.

Terri Andrews (born and raised in our very own Kansas City, MO) knows this issue all too well. And she seems to have found a solution – Heelskinz.

Heelskinz are like a trendy jacket for your heels. They wrap around your ankle and drop down over your heels to protect them from average daily wear and tear.

“I wear Heelskinz every day,” Andrews, Heelskinz creator, said. “My favorites are the animal prints.”

And the one day she left home in a hurry without her Heelskinz, she returned with sadly scuffed heels.

For a good pair of shoes (or a decent amount of damage) it can cost nearly as much as the original shoe price just to have it repaired. But with a minimal investment, Heelskinz can prevent a majority of the damage from occurring in the first place.

Each pair comes in a cute little embellished bag. (As someone who makes headbands and scarves out of leftover material after shortening a dress, I have already begun planning what else I will use this new accessory for).

My initial reaction to Heelskinz was confusion – they look a little odd. But I gave them a go anyway. Once on, they are still slightly strange, but they do look a little more at home once placed over a high-heeled shoe.

Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle only a day into my Heelskinz adventure (no, not while wearing heels). Although I am quite skilled on a set of crutches, even I know better than to attempt crutching around in a pair of heels (no matter how fabulous they are!)

Rather than giving up on my endeavor, I recruited a friend to continue testing the Heelskinz. This particular friend happens to be fairly rough on her shoes in general, and doesn’t wear heels too often. She seemed to be a perfect candidate.

After wearing the same heels (paired with black Heelskinz) for an entire week, we discovered two noteworthy benefits.

First: they do, in fact, protect your heels from daily wear. My friend (who has remained anonymous for this particular reason) confided in me that, on more than one occasion throughout the week, she tripped in her heels. She also confessed that she stepped in a puddle of muddy water, which was a nonissue because she simply took off the Heelskinz and rinsed them in the sink. You would never know she wears heels as if it’s an extreme sport.

Second: though this isn’t mentioned in the Heelskinz marketing plan, they provide a significant amount of ankle support. Don’t get me wrong – I couldn’t replace my ankle brace with them. But for those with weaker ankles who opt out of wearing heels for this specific reason, Heelskinz could be a solution.

Overall, Heelskinz seem to be all that they claim. My only issue with them is they cover up my heels, which I guess is the point. But if Katy Perry and Jennifer Hudson approve of them (as we will find out in the near future since they received them in their Grammy gift bags) then I guess I could give them another shot. After all, something that keeps my shoes - and feet - looking fresh while I'm on the go has to be great.