To think that walking in high heels is a genetically determined skill? (Inspired by sandal thread)

[Salmotrutta]

Because I have never been able to do it.

I literally look ridiculous walking in them - clumping along like a spectacularly unco-ordinated clown.

I have also turned ankles trying to walk in heels (ouch).

So now I don't even try excepts for very small wide heels!

How do people do it??

[LaurieFairyCake]

I used to be able to do it as a teenager when I was thin and had great balance.

That's a very long time ago now and when I put on spindly heels I can't walk
In them at all and wear them only to
sit down

[Spartans]

I used to wear heels all the time. I could walk in them. When I got to 19 i got fed up of being uncomfortable all the time. I haven't worn them since, so about 14 years.

TBH i would say most people can't walk in them. The majority of women I see walking in heels look ridiculous. They are either walking odd because they are in pain or because they just can not walk in them.

The are very few who can walk in them for long periods and look elegant, imo.

[Salmotrutta]

I couldn't even do it as a teenager!

I just looked ridiculous.

[Salmotrutta]

It actually makes me wince when I see the angles that some women's feet are being bent at with their toes practically at right angles

And I tend to agree Spartans - a lot of people are clumping along in heels.

[TobikkoRoll]

I can walk in heels and used to do a 3 hour commute in them when I was younger. Nowadays not so much, chunky heels for day time or spindly ones to go out for dinner. Flats are becoming more and more attractive as I get older (and everything begins to ache ).

[Birdsgottafly]

I used to be able to and put up with the pain, I am thankful for "Flatforms", being in fashion.

Two of my DDs can, they wear heels all day and dance all night in them.

One of my DDs friends has permanent knee damage (and multiple operations), because of wearing heels when drunk.

[MairzyDoats]

I love love love walking in heels, I feel sent and elegant (and enjoy feeling elongated!) but as I get older I can't stay in them as long, the balls of my feet start to burn. I take flats along with me on nights where I'll be dancing!

[drudgetrudy]

My Mum was 5' 4" and trotted around in very high heels until she was in her late 50s. After age 80 she could barely walk at all due to arthritis.
I am 5' 8" couldn't walk in high heels even in my 20s-had to hold on to things as if I was on ice skates. I thought they made me look like a clumsy giant anyway.

[Salmotrutta]

I feel I missed out as a teen because I just couldn't do it

I was so far from elegant walking in heels - plus I am tall anyway - I just looked awful clumping along.

[Salmotrutta]

Ah now drudge - there is a pensioner lady who walks about town here (must be well into her 70s) who is always in high heels (not spindly ones) and she does look elegant and can walk in them!

[TinyManticore]

It's not a skill I've ever learned, so maybe it's just something people can just do or not do. I look like a toddler wobbling about on her mums shoes when I wear heels, I can't work out whether your foot is meant to move from heel to toe, toe to heel, walk only on the ball of your foot or what. It all looks wrong when I try it.

[Salmotrutta]

Good question Tiny - how are you meant to put your foot down?

[Cocolepew]

I have one pair I can walk in, the herl is a bit broader, but have got a new pair for a wedding and its a stiletto heel. Dont think they will hold my heifer like body

[Salmotrutta]

Are you going to practise walking in them Coco?

In front of a mirror?

[puddymuddles]

I have never been able to walk in them. Wore them now and again as a teenager but hardly worn them since. Plenty of lovely flat shoes - I love ballet type shoes.

[Cocolepew]

Yes Im going to need to, I do look lovely leaning against a wall though

Hopefully there will be carpet at the wedding, wooden floors and heels aren't my area of expertise.

[Taytocrisps]

Never managed it myself. I always looked like a wobbly toddler.

[rollonthesummer]

Can anyone answer that question? Do you land on your toe or heel??

[WoonerismSpit]

Between the ages of 17 and 22 I never owned a pair of flat shoes

I hated them. Would only ever wear heels, normally stilettos. All through uni days, and all day on tiled floor when I worked in retail. I genuinely don't know how I did it, I haven't wore high heels for about 2 years now my fat post pregnancy feet wouldn't fit anyway

These used to be my favourite. 6 inch stiletto heeled bright blue Christian Louboutins. I will have to make do with just staring lovingly at them now

[annandale]

Heel toe when walking, you walk along a line as if on a tightrope. Toe only if running.
Not that I am ever going to wear heels again. I can believe that good balance is genetic, but nothing about 'femininity' is anything other than learned performance.

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

I think the knack is in swinging your hips to get momentum going and taking shorter strides than you would in flats (otherwise you get that awful stomping walk). This may be influenced by the fact my very elegant Spanish friend taught me how to walk in them, but it seems to work!

You're meant to walk heel toe like you would in flats, but this only really works in sensible heels, once you get over 4" it's just teetering around like a spinning top.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

Ive only just managed walking on chunky 2 inch heels... Only rarely now!

several pals who wore very high heels continually who physically cant walk barefoot as their tendons have shortened so much!

[Hexadecimal1]

I used to be able to wear ridiculous sized heels everywhere but a, I can't be bothered really to balance so well anymore and b, they're so uncomfortable to wear all day that I much prefer wearing flats to work

Somehow, I walk much better in heels when drunk...

My boyfriend is considerably taller than me though and loves it when I wear heels. I always wear them out for the evening and now rely on m&s with their insolia soles which is like walking on air and the hidden platform make them more comfortable. Can dance all evening in them!

[Salmotrutta]

Woonerism - whilst I think those blue shoes are lovely I just don't understand how it's physically possible to walk in them?

[WoonerismSpit]

salmo

I second the tightrope line!

And being a young, sprightly teenager sob