Why can't I walk in high heels (surely it's not just me?)

[SomewhereNow]

They hurt my feet - kill the balls and scrunch up my toes - and I always feel like they're going to fall off unless they have an ankle strap (even the right size). Instead of improving my posture they make me totter - I can't do long graceful steps as I feel like I'll fall over. And don't get me started on trying to negotiate the tube, uneven pavements and the sort of shiny slippery floors you get in posh hotels, stations etc.

Where am I going wrong? I do carry flats whenever possible but there are times when it'd just be nice to look like an elegant grown up instead of a kid dressing up in their Mum's shoes .

I can walk in heels no problem but only if they have a strap.

Slip on styles just slip off me and the heel grip things make no difference.

I think it's something to do with the height of your arches or instep. It's very annoying though.

I rarely wear flats as my back gets sore in them due to constantly wearing heels since I was 15/16. I'm only comfy in 4/5 inch heels. As a pp said my weight is always on my heels and I never lean forward when I walk. Have you tried wedges OP?

This is an interesting thread. I read a similar one a year or two back when I was looking for "how to walk in heels tips". I love the look (to a point) but I always feel like I am struggling to stay upright in them. I've bought some ankle boots which are easier to wear and walk in and some heels with an ankle strap which I managed a whole day in.

The thing is I've read this thread and lots of posters are stating they don't or can't wear heels and I often feel like that myself, being a jeans and trainers type person, but outside I see, what feels like, lots and lots of women wearing heels and not stumbling around. It seems such a contradiction to me. Why do they appeal so much when we can see right through the magic iyswim?

Where are the smart flat (ish) shoes for women which are really considered okay to wear instead of heels?

I happily wore heels until I totally dislocated my foot from my ankle and fractured my leg in 8 places 😱
I wouldn't even try antyping over an inch heel now!

I wear heels when am giving a talk/on a panel or for interviews. Or when I need to look down on someone (usually a condescending guy) in a meeting as decent heels make me 5ft11.

I love standing in them - I feel vixenish and powerful. However, when I try to stride/ walk long distances I quickly realise just how non-powerful they render me!

I wear a lot of pencil skirts/blouses and very tailored skirt suits... heels just look great with that kind of outfit.

• atyping? Wth is that? Anything fhs!

In terms of flats, I aim for pointy toes (but not so pointy that they disfigure the bones in my feet!) and still feel pretty smart and professional.

Also think there is something wonderful about smart, mannish brogues (though probably not with most of my work wardrobe)

Yeah I love brogues with those mannish trousers that are back again (Hurray!).
My idea of elegant is striding down the street with my hands in my pockets, whistling (except I can't whistle).

Absolutely, Floisme. Love that image. With an oversized crisp shirt and a blazer for me - this is my current casual look. Feels so good. Perhaps I should downsize the shirt and take it into the office...

At least those 16thC platforms served the purpose of elevating the feet above the crap in the streets.

Has there ever been a male fashion for high heels? (Not a blocky cuban or platform)

Oh that x-ray of the food in heels summed up why I cannot wear heels, the bone right st the front of my foot pops out and it is PAINFUL (mild understatement) to have it put back plus knackers even further the already knackered tendons and ligaments in my poor foot. Max 2" block heel for me for the rest of my life

I can't wear heels and just don't bother. I prefer to be comfortable. The only downside is smart dresses need heels really so I struggle into them for weddings and stuff. If I could wear flats instead I would but it just looks crap.

Thanks all, glad to know I'm not alone. I agree wedges, platforms or shoes with straps can be easier but sometimes only a classic stiletto finishes off an outfit - I'd love to know how other women pull them off! Fortunately I rarely need to so I'm going to seek out some funky flats and stick to my trainers the rest of the time :).

When I was young I used to wear 3 to 4 inch heels and could walk and work in them
I can still walk in them but prefer 2-3 inch max and choose most of the time to wear flats
I feel the pain in the ball of my foot most and was hoping that this may improve when I lose a bit more weight
I'm quite lucky in that I've got quite small narrow feet (skinniest bit of me!) and can wear quite pointed shoes which I think look smarter than pumps

I think the key is not to have them too high - more than two inches and you're game is over.

I'm wear heels all the time for work.

To answer your actual question, if it’s walking that hurts rather than standing or sitting, then you can be more comfortable if you change your stride. Step forward and on to the heel of the shoe - lots of people don’t as it can feel to spindly and liable to break but it won’t. If the heel is the first part to hit the ground, then you’ll walk much more easily.

All the other tips apply - a shorter and blockier heel will be easier etc. A decade ago, a “high” heel would have been 3 inches or so, not 4 or 5 isn’t unusual. There is a certain height past which you won’t be able to cope I think. (I also think that same point is where the look goes from elegant to, well, less elegant)

I can no longer wear heels for medical reasons (blood circulation problem rather than any heel-related incidents!) but I do miss them. For those in office jobs extolling flats, any suggestions of stylish professional ones?

I can do 3" heels no problem but anything beyond that is a no. I have a pair of LK Bennett patent nude sandal type things with a 3.5" heel that I just cannot walk in but they're so pretty I can't bear to get rid of them.

Thicker heels are much easier and heel grips are a must.

I love the look of high heels I'm just so uncomfortable walking in them so try to avoid as much as possible. Some outfits and occasions just require them though! If I have to wear a heel I try to go for a max of 3 inches with a small platform and a slightly thicker heel. I agree that an ankle strap helps but I suffer from cankles so...,.

There you go, OP:

I usually wear flats but if I want to dress up I'll carry heels and change into them.

When I was younger (20s/30s), I used to be great in heels. Running for the bus/tube in heels was not uncommon. But as I've got older, I've found that less padding as you age under the ball of the foot means my feet hurt sooner, and then my soles starting getting sore from friction. It felt like the balls of my feet were on fire.

The final nail in the coffin of high heels was when I moved to Asia for work. I'm 5'9 in my bare feet so already taller than almost all the locals. Adding high heels to that was never going to go down well, especially as I was trying to integrate rather than intimidate! So I sold all my heels and started wearing flats/low heels all the time. What a revelation! Now I have a fabulous collection of (mainly) comfy flat/low shoes. I've found designers that make super-stylish but comfortable flattish shoes such as Tracey Neuls, Neous, Yuul Yie, Paul Smith.

I just have one pair of heels that I never sold - some beautiful satin evening shoes by Christian Dior. They hold a lot of memories for me but if I ever have to wear them again for anything other than sitting down to dinner, I'm so f*ed.

For me, the real question is, why do we have this idea that women can only look elegant or smart in heels? Why are so many women's clothes apparently designed to look crap with flats? I do wear pencil skirts with brogues and it took me an awfully long time to get used to the idea that it actually looks fine, but there certainly seems to be a fashion rule that you're supposed to wear teetery little stilettos with that kind of skirt. Sadly, spinal issues and arthritis mean that I will simply have to carry on breaking that particular rule.

I can’t stand them. I used to live them and always wear them but as I’ve gotten older I can’t stand the pain anymore. And as all trends go, I think they look really old fashioned now. A small block heal is much more modern

The soles of your feet are the main or only part of your body where the fatty deposits thin with age, so everyone saying they can't manage heels with age is just adapting to their new reality.