Walking in heels

[GibberTheMonkey]

I never have.
I'm tall and when I was younger just wanted to blend in but now I'm finding it increasingly hard to dress up for events.
Any tips? Is there some weird knack I don't have. What kind of shoes are easiest?

I dunno, I'm crap at it! Very helpful I know I think its practise mainly - so I'd get a good comfy pair and wear them more, not just for 'events', just see how you get on I think.

Most of the women I know who are v good in heels have been wearing them since they were 13.

It's just practice. If you only wear them once in a blue moon they're always going to be awkward. I never wear them nowadays as I have bad joints and they're just bad for me, so when it comes to weddings I feel a bit stumped - heels just look more dressy don't they. But when I put on my only pair of heels I hobble around like a knob in loads of pain, so usually change back into flats after a while.

Anyway, it's definitely just practice, because I used to live in Russia where the fashion is/was a bit more dressy, and I could walk for miles through ice and snow in 4 inch spike heeled boots

Watching with interest would love to be able to walk in heels.

I'd start with a low ish block heel. (Even wedge trainers if really new to heels) These are pretty in fashion right now. They are quite wide so will make your balance a bit easier.

Posture is most important. So, pull yourself up imagining a thread thru top of head, connecting shoulders and back. This pulls ur centre into balance. Look up and forward.

Heels tip ur pelvis forward so u might need to lean back slightly at your shoulders. Walk heel to ball. Don't stomp or you will get a headache/jaw ache. You may need to take a shorter step length whilst u find your balance.

Models practice for a reason. I know, they walk a bit exaggerated and it sounds idiotic not knowing how to walk. But like anything else it's a knack. If you want to get technical, your heels should be on a straight line. To elongate your arms tuck your thumb into your palm.
Try watching videos on asos. They walk quite well. You dont want to look like whoopi Goldberg in Ghost! ;)

If you want a great photo walk up to camera, then turn 3/4 on. It shrinks hip width, shows waist line, bust outline and shoulders off best. It's always used in the 'after' shots of weight loss sites for good reason!

Sitting down you sit on the front edge and slide to back of chair keeping knees and ankles together turning toes in direction of knees. Increases visual view of leg length.

(I went to a finishing school for 8wks at 15. Knew this would come in handy one day!)

I just cannot wear them they kill kill kill the balls of my feet.

I find it easier to walk in high heels if I pretend I am walking on one straight line, as if on a wide tightrope.

If that makes sense!

How do you stop your feet from sliding into the toe and crumpling?

One of my friends always used to walk in new heels in the supermarket. She said if they were bit high/she was a bit wobbly it meant she had the trolley to hang on to

I need this knowledge too. Going back to work soon after nearly 5 years as a SAHM wearing converse sexy flats. I am 5'2" and I need the height heels give to cancel out the width my children gave me.

WishIWas - Really great advice, thank you.

Hairpins - I second your friend, but I use a buggy instead. (With a spare pair of converse sexy flats under the buggy in case it all gets too wobbly).

Hi I walk in heels all day every day - I'm 5 foot exactly and have a job within the legal system that involves me negotiating with people in quite difficult situations so I literally feel I couldn't do my job if I couldn't "stand up" to all the other professionals involved. It is practice, but I also feel if you walk like Marilyn Monroe - that's the best way I can describe it - giving your hips a wiggle, looking up and straight ahead, with a very upright stance, that all helps. I love my heels!!!

Heals start low and work up

Change of gradient / surface is hardest

Wishiwas has great advice above

Couple of other things if you are used to walking in flats etc

Rather than put each foot forward put it towards the middle of your body

So to walk from with the right foot bring it slightly to the left as you move same with the left in the opposit direction

Stand up tall and drop your shoulders

For change in gradient / steps turn onto your diagonal hand on the banister if possible

Most important but good heals turn them to the side and look at the angle of the heal to the shoe the heal would also creat a straight line down from your heal pad

Make sure you have a good quality sole to keep your feet from pain

Make sure the anckle is support and the shoes fit properly

Also remember to give yourself plenty of time out of shoes and in flats

I can spend a whole day in 5inch plus heals and walk miles etc other people will be happy in and inch or maybe two

Always make sure you have flat shoes to drive

Styles wise I would start with a low kitten heal they look the part but are easy to walk in because the sole of the heal is splayed slightly you have more stability

You want more cover of the foot to start with boots are great in the winter in the summer I would go with a court style to start before you go to strappy sandles

Try shoes with the new block heel shape- a kinder introduction to heels. Make sure you buy from a retailer of quality shoes as the footbed will generally be more comfortable. Don't choose pointed toe shapes as these will throw your balance off and be too constricting.

These might be a good starter shoe, they are Marni so a bit costly but this shape is very popular and the heel shape will be seen on closed toe shoes and boots. A heeled ankle boot is an easier way to go higher too. The low 'cowboy' styles usually have chunkier heels.

• pinterest.com/pin/457326537130268698/

However, I love the look of a flat. They are coolly stylish and often trump a heel for their fashion directiveness.

Thinking about it, what made me comfortable walking in heels was starting ballroom dancing. Three inch heels for Latin, and now I can do pretty much anything in any high heels. Probably a bit drastic though

It's probably easier starting in shoes with a strap to hold them in place. I never used to wear heels, but do now when I'm in the office. I've only just progressed to ones without a strap, and they're only about 4 cm tall, so are not huge.