I also try to wear heels that are 3" and lower! I can do heels ok, but I definitely feel like I'm trying to overcompensate for my height when I am in a 4" heel. So while most fashion advice says petites should wear heels, you might also look like you're trying to hard to look tall, or like the shoe is out of proportion. I'm actually 5'4", close to average. Sometimes too-flat flats give me problems too, there's just no support and my feet really start to feel sore quickly. I do like wedges, they feel more stable and avoid the horse-sound-effect, but can't have them over 3" because I tend to roll my ankle! Unlike Linda above, I actually find closed toed shoes more comfortable, but it's true that they don't give your toes space to spread out the way strappy heels will.

When I'm in Asia, though (my Dad lives in Cambodia, and he and my mother spend a lot of time in Thailand) I'm in a shoe daze. I am considered a tall girl over there, with really big really wide feet, and many of those women LIVE in heels. So sometimes I feel a little weird wearing flats (I feel like a tourist in sneakers), but then in heels I feel like a giant sequoia. Most of the women I've talked to just live through the pain and blisters and the dirty feet (Bangkok is a wonderful modern place but the sidewalks are not exactly manicured), because they like the look of heels. I've observed a lot of women with totally wrecked toes, though, all curled up and splayed and hammertoed and that's one reason I avoid wearing heels daily.

I was anti-high heels until about a year ago... but even then, I don't own any pair above 3". The reason why high heels are not my best friend is that I have a ridiculously wide forefoot and narrow heel, so many styles of high heels are off-limits (Looking at you, Ann Taylor, Cole Haan, and basically most brands). The lack of structure in flats is not a problem since my feet are well.... flat. But yes, I have heard of flats hurting ppl's feet.

Whether you wear high heels or not is up to you.

I do think, however, that business casual and business attire do look more professional if you wear shoes with a bit of a heel (about 3/4 to an inch). I think it's healthier anyway to choose a shoe with a little heel than completely flat or high heels (3 inches and up).