With athleisure taking over many women’s wardrobes and an increasingly casual attitude toward workplace attire, it’s no wonder high heels are falling out of favor. Plus, there’s growing awareness of how stilettos can destroy posture, cause back problems and deform feet—all issues firmly at odds with the health and wellness craze.

After years of suffering in five-inch stilettos, women are finally speaking the truth: Their feet hurt. A survey found that the most popular women’s shoe styles do not have a heel, and sales of high heels dropped 12 percent in the past year, while women’s sneakers sales jumped 37 percent.

While stiletto heels are a classic part of a woman’s wardrobe, flats and athletic styles are running ahead.

Comfort is trending. It’s the No. 1 thing. We will be seeing women wearing sneakers, two-inch kitten heels or mules with their suits as well. Pencil skirts and dresses with flats or trainers will be a huge trend in Manila sooner than later.

Many women don’t want to be measured at work by their heel height. It’s a cultural shift, driven in part by millennials and money.

The price of shoes can be really, really high these days, and for women to get the most bang for their buck, they want a shoe they can wear all the time.

And being practical can still be pretty. You can be absolutely comfortable and cute. That is what it’s all about nowadays. Women want to look beautiful and still stay true to how they feel.

Many women still love their heels and aren’t rushing to throw them out. They’re just wearing them less and saving them for special occasions. —CONTRIBUTED