It never sounded like a good idea: plastic high heels encasing your feet during a notoriously hot and sweaty summer.
But fashion is pain, and this year the clear heel became the must-have item, championed by Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, Rihanna, and more.
Thankfully, for those reluctant to take the leap, you now have a very good reason not to.
Stiletto-wearing podiatrist Dr Suzanne Levine is speaking up for for fans of comfort – warning the trend could wreck irreparable damage on your feet.
‘You are putting your feet at serious risk by essentially wrapping them in non-breathable plastic,’ Dr Levine, of New York City’s Institute Beaute, told DailyMail.com via email.
‘Without any aeration, the moist environment can exacerbate preexisting fungal conditions or bacterial infections – in addition to increasing your risk for blisters.’
Kim Kardashian has been wearing clear heels since 2016 (pictured), but this heatwave-ridden summer it has caught on to become mainstream. A foot doctor warns there are risks, though

Chrissy Teigen, also pictured in 2016, braved the logistically complicated trend in these heels

In May this year, Kanye West revealed some clear heels for his line Yeezy, which Kim dubbed ‘Cinderella’ shoes
In fact, in the last few months since Kanye West’s ‘Cinderella Shoe’ hit the market in May, Dr Levine has seen a spike in patients with conditions called hyperhidrosis and bromohidrosis – lengthy names for ‘smelly feet’.
For those desperate to try the trend, Dr Levine, who first spoke to Page Six, recommends taking certain precautions to lower your risk of side effects.
‘I would wear with some sort of drying agent for the foot – antiperspirant or spray powder,’ she said.
‘Wear them when the sun goes down, only for a few hours at a time.’
As for Kim Kardashian’s beloved clear, heeled boots, Dr Levine says those are only for the foolhardy.
‘Start off with the shorter pairs. I don’t recommend diving straight into the full boot!’


Both Priyanka Chopra (left, in April in New York) and Rita Ora (right, in December in London) like the trend

Last September, the trend was pegged as a must-have for summer 2018, as it was everywhere during Spring/Summer ’18 fashion week. Here, for example, founder of thecladlife.com Kristen Dodson Smith championed some Yeezy shoes on day 3 of Paris Women’s Fashion Week SS18

Kylie paired her comfy gear with some plastic stilettos for dinner in Hollywood in June


All strands of the Kardashian clan – from Kourtney to Blac Chyna – have embraced the trend

Kylie Jenner opted for some clear heels on a fashion show double date with her sister Kim, brother-in-law Kanye, and boyfriend Travis in June this year
They are strong words from Dr Levine, who is hardly a heel-hater.
In fact, she’s known as the ‘podiatrist in high heels’, and works in a pair of three-inch pumps every day.
‘I can’t imagine wearing anything but a heel. I live wearing heels,’ Dr Levine explained.
She believes they bring all kinds of benefits to your entire body.
But if you’re going to wear them, you need to be committed and prepared.
‘You’ve really got to work in order to wear high heels. Most people aren’t willing to do that, that’s the problem,’ Dr Levine explains.
‘You cannot wear heels and be out of shape. It’s really about exercising. You have to pay attention to your body.
‘If you wear heels and you don’t exercise you will sustain injuries.’