Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Am I the only woman who is incapable of wearing heels? Can I change this?

28 replies

AboardtheAxiom · 27/09/2009 18:36

I have never got into wearing heels, but when I go on a night out I always wish I cold wear them.

I feel all clumsy and unstable in them, and they hurt {wimpy emotion}.

Is there any hope for me becoming someone who can wear a nice pair of heels gracefully?

OP posts:
HeadFairy · 27/09/2009 18:38

You aren't... I can't wear them. I have huge size 9 feet so can never buy them anyway, and I'm 5'10" so I look ginormous in them, hence I never wear them. On the odd occasion I do, they throw my posture so far off I look like I'm walking with a bustle on as my arse sticks out and I end up leaning forward.

I can only manage about 2" and chunky heels, on boots for example, skinny sky high heels are impossible cos I'm just not used to them.

HeadFairy · 27/09/2009 18:39

That's not very useful if you want to start wearing heels I'm afraid, sorry!

bronze · 27/09/2009 18:40

I can't either. Makes posh outfits very difficult to do.

I'm another who's tall and always felt too gangly to wear them when I was younger when I guess all my friends were getting practised

wingandprayer · 27/09/2009 18:40

Me too. I own some truly beautiful high heels but I rarely wear them because I am in constant fear of falling over in them and feel like a new born giraffe.

Is there some sort of high heel training scheme we can join do you think?

whoingodsnameami · 27/09/2009 18:41

Will watch this thread as I cant wear them either, I have loads too, I put them on, then take them off 10 miutes later

VerityBrulee · 27/09/2009 18:42

Try mary janes with a strap, they're much easier to wear. Something like this

Practice around the house first!

cookielove · 27/09/2009 18:43

i also can't wear them, they hurt to much, and i just can't stand the pain, i own a few pairs but very rarely wear them unless i know i'm going somewhere wheni know i'm going to be sitting down i hvae no advice but can reassure you, you are not the only one.

whoingodsnameami · 27/09/2009 18:43

Apparently on sky, channel 182 fitness channel I think, there is an exercise programme on often called the high heel workout that shows you exercises I presume to do, in order to wear stilletos, not seen it though.

bronze · 27/09/2009 18:43

that high?

Ewe · 27/09/2009 18:44

Practice, practice, practice.... Pretty much anyone can learn to walk in heels, it's not something you are born with, you have to learn and practice.

Can you do high boots? They are a good place to start as they are supportive.

whoingodsnameami · 27/09/2009 18:44

£95 for a pair of shoes!!!!!! Think I will stick to my flats

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 27/09/2009 18:47

Wow lots of replies, I am 5ft6ish feel like a midget when out as every other woman seems to wear heels. I live in flat shoes ballet pumps, flip flops and converse style plimsolls.

Is it possible to learn then? New born giraffe definately a good way to describe it when I put heels on!

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 27/09/2009 18:50

I can't wear them and I'm 5'2" so would really like to be able to.

Tidey · 27/09/2009 18:51

I have a few pairs of heels for proper going out occasions, but I totter along and look daft. I blame my mum - she's not a heels person either so I never learned as a small child by walking around in mummy shoes

Ewe · 27/09/2009 18:51

Just wear them around the house for a few days, build it up from wearing them for half an hour to a few hours. Do your housework, walk up and down stairs etc - don't just sit on the sofa in them!

Ewe · 27/09/2009 18:52

Oh and walk normally in them, be confident, nothing worse than doing a special high heels walk. It makes balance and posture worse if you don't just walk in them!

nappyzonecantrunfortoffee · 27/09/2009 18:53

ive tried and failed - failed last time at a wedding last year, actually sank into the mud at photos then walked out of them and feeling the relief stayed out of them for the rest of the day. Everyone was sniggerign at my inability to wear them anyway! flats rock!

ilovesprouts · 27/09/2009 18:54

ooh i dont wear high heels at all much prefur to waer flats !!

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 27/09/2009 18:56

Tidey you may be onto something there, my mum never had heels for me to totter in either. Nappyzone I always end up taking heels off too, gave up on them a few years ago.

I do usually just wear flats when I go out, but it does make it harder to look glam I think.

Makes sense to practice each day in the house, will actually need a pair to practice in though!

OP posts:
moondog · 27/09/2009 19:08

Thick heels or a platrofm help trenendously. Also ,a thick sole.

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 27/09/2009 19:19

Good thinking moondog.

I guess I should buy an appropriate pair and practise.

OP posts:
SofaKingSpecial · 27/09/2009 19:44

I buy heels and then end up not wearing them I own some lovely shoes that sit in their boxes in my wardrobe.

I have arthritis in my big toe that means I can't bend it properly to get in heels

kateecass · 27/09/2009 20:31

Am rubbish with high heels too!! Have got flat feet and dodgy ankles too. Do have a pair of Per Una shoes tho that have small chunky heel that are fine. Have also borrowed shoes off my sister that are high Mary Janes with chunky heels which are ok (ish!)

Small heel and chunky is the way to go. Will try and link to some

these don't really like those tho and expensive if dunking your feet into high heels.

Off to find some nice ones. If I find some nice Mary Janes I might actually get some for myself.

suiledonn · 27/09/2009 20:38

Another flats-only girl here. Only 5'2 as well. Two of my close friends are around 5'8 and it isn't too bad when we are dressed casually but when we go out with them in heels and me in my flats they are towering over me. I feel like their little sister.

I am 35 soon and I am beginning to think walking in heels is a skill that has passed me by.

GeneHuntsMistress · 27/09/2009 20:53

Ewe is absolutely right - you need to practice! the reason is that you have to learn to walk completely different in heels. Normally one walks toe to heel but in heels you need to walk heel to toe (or is it the other way around gosh i'm helping lots here aren't i

also as Moondog says, a platform sole really helps comfort-wise, also i would say a peeptoe - recently discovered this summer that they make heels so much more comfortable.

saying all that, i rarely wear heels these days other than actually inthe office or on a night out. you just can't walk fast enough in them and always in hurry nowadays.....