Which shoes give you a perky posterior? As fashion bible British Vogue endorses kitten heels, FEMAIL looks for the best footwear to achieve the perfect bottom lift 

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Last week, fashion bible British Vogue issued an intriguing style diktat. Deputy editor Emily Sheffield, the sister of Samantha Cameron no less, declared that the kitten heel is the perfect shoe.

The reason? Not just because it’s more comfortable, but because it gives ‘just the right amount of lift to the derriere’ without ‘hampering swift movement’.

But can the height of your heel really transform the look of your posterior?

To find out, we tested eight pairs of shoes on one model, and asked consultant podiatrist Emma Supple to explain how each affects everything from bottom lift to bunions...

TRAINERS

Wearing trainers makes the bottom look larger, but this reflects a strong posture

Wearing trainers makes the bottom look larger, but this reflects a strong posture. The feet are well-supported — particularly at the heel, where the larger bones of the foot are located — and weight is evenly distributed between heel and toe.

Trainers allow the foot to move freely through its whole range of motion, which means that the bottom is flattened as you walk.

But engaging the gluteal muscles through exercise results in a firmer bottom in the long term by counteracting the effects of sitting down for long stretches.

An Israeli study has shown that prolonged sitting makes it more likely you’ll store fat in this part of the body.

Basically, the more you sit, the bigger your bottom will become.

FLATS

A flat shoe may be comfortable, but it can have the effect of making any saddlebags more evident

A flat shoe may be comfortable, but it can have the effect of making any saddlebags more evident.

The bottom consists of the three gluteal muscles: the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus.

But unless you automatically clench when standing, the gluteal muscles are relaxed, so the bottom effectively droops unattractively off the base of your spine.

Many women will find a 2 in or 3 in heel is better. Because of the structure of the foot, I call this the perfect heel height.

The other problem with a flat shoe is that any architectural issues with your feet will be highlighted.

The effects of a flat foot, a high arch or one leg longer than the other will be exacerbated.

This will also impact the look of the bottom, which may appear asymmetrical — with one side tilted higher than the other.

In addition, many flat shoes have pointed toes, which may cause pain and, ultimately, corns and bunions.

BLOCK HEELS

There’s far more stability in a thicker block heel, so your body weight is better distributed

There’s far more stability in a thicker block heel, so your body weight is better distributed.

It’s obvious that our model is standing more comfortably, and her entire posture is better than in the kitten heels.

But, because of this, her bottom isn’t pushed out and looks flatter, which is less attractive. A pert bottom clearly doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with physical comfort!

This is a great shoe style if you naturally stand with your weight on the outside of your feet because it gives support to the ankle as well as the foot.

The round toe is also better for the feet, and the legs are aligned in a near-perfect position.

If you suffer back or knee pain from a block heel, experiment with the height (this pair pictured are 2.5 in, but block heels vary from 1 in upwards). It could be that you’re wearing the wrong one.

KITTEN HEELS

This is the most comfortable heel height for many women and — in the short term at least — it results in higher, firmer-looking buttocks

This is the most comfortable heel height for many women and — in the short term at least — it results in higher, firmer-looking buttocks.

You can see that the posture instantly changes. Unless the core muscles are totally engaged — which is unlikely in most of us, unless you are very fit — the body compensates by pushing the bottom out, with the pelvis tipping forwards to balance.

After a while, that’s probably going to give some pain in the lower back, but it definitely makes for a perkier rear.

The leg muscles are in optimal position, which is why the vast majority of us are most comfortable with a small heel — although a pointed toe, which compresses the foot, may cause pain.

You can also wear a kitten heel for longer than a higher one.

Although not many of us could run in high heels, you might just about manage in their little sisters.

STILETTOS

These shoes create the perfect peach — the model’s legs look longer and her bottom is high and looks taut

These shoes create the perfect peach — the model’s legs look longer and her bottom is high and looks taut.

But before you throw out all your flatties, according to a study last year, prolonged wear of stilettos over a period of years may eventually lead to weaker muscles and poorer balance.

Adjusting to the uneven weight distribution puts pressure on the knees and lower back because the pelvis is swung into an unnatural position. The domino effect is that the whole body is out of kilter, with the spine in an unnatural curve.

The weight of the body is pushing on the toes, which will eventually cause discomfort and may even lead to conditions such as hammer toe because of the effort of staying balanced. So wear stilettos with caution — and not every day.

WEDGES

The leg-lengthening effect of a wedge can’t counteract the fact that the hips may be skewed and the buttocks uneven

The leg-lengthening effect of a wedge can’t counteract the fact that the hips may be skewed and the buttocks uneven. This is because the mobility of the feet is severely restricted by the shoe, making the body tense and rigid.

Many women assume wedges will be more comfortable than a thinner heel, but the foot is effectively immobilised, as the shoes don’t bend. As you walk, the foot can’t go through its full range of motion, so you stomp slightly, slamming the foot down, rather than gliding.

Having to change balance from one side to the other means the hips and bum cheeks are out of line and the waist looks less defined.

However, if you have arthritis in your big toe and genuinely want to block some movement, this style might be appropriate.

HIGH HEELS

A high stiletto such as the pair our model is wearing means you are effectively standing on your tiptoes

A high stiletto such as the pair our model is wearing means you are effectively standing on your tiptoes. The bottom looks smaller because it’s been raised by the heel height.

But standing and walking on the balls of your feet will shift the centre of gravity, forcing the spine to arch and leading to back pain.

The model’s entire body is working very hard to maintain this totally unnatural stance. While her legs look long and her bottom tiny, every step will be agony.

These are limo shoes, not walking shoes — the lion heel to the kitten.

The tissues of the foot would probably start to hurt within half-an-hour or so of simply standing, leaving the feet feeling as though they’re burning. Long term, shoes this high will lead to bunions, corns and calluses, as well as backache.

PLATFORMS

This style pushes the bottom outwards, as well as lengthening the legs and lifting the cheeks

This style pushes the bottom outwards, as well as lengthening the legs and lifting the cheeks.

But, again, foot flexibility is compromised. Although the slope of the heel is offset by the platform at the front, the shoe doesn’t bend.

The model looks surprisingly comfortable, which shows in the confident stance and sexy curve to her hip, as well as the wiggle when she walks.

However, her entire body is tilted forwards and she’s putting far too much strain on her knees. The wider impact of this can be pain in the back and even the shoulders.

There is probably less pressure on the hips than you’d get wearing a stiletto heel of a similar height.

But, although the model’s bottom looks good in these shoes, it’s not worth the leg and back pain that will ensue from wearing them because the body is so distorted.