Wearing high heels is not recommended once you have a bunion. Wearing high heels shifts the body’s center of gravity forward and concentrates stress on the first metatarsal head, and with the center of gravity forward, the toes will also be forward, making it easier for patients without bunions to develop them, and for those who already have bunions, making them dramatically worse. It can also lead to aggravation of the bunion bursa, which can eventually cause severe pain and affect walking function. So bunion patients are strongly discouraged from wearing high heels and are advised to wear flat shoes and loose shoes.