STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

How to walk in heels?

calichic · Dooney & Bourke

My only suggestions are: "heel, toe, heel, toe" and LOTS of practice. You will get a hang of it. I also strongly suggest taking normal strides, when you take short, choppy little steps you will look silly, IMO. HTH.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

1) Practice with a book balanced on top of your head, so it will be easier when you take the book off.

2) Practice by walking up and down a ramp, if possible. That's the biggest challenge you'll face.

3) Balance on your heels without letting your toes touch to get a feel for which muscles are holding you steady. Practice walking on your toes to get a feel for which muscles that uses. (I honestly do this to get better. Sad, huh?)

4) Like Calichic said, don't change your stride or try to walk differently. Just try to walk as comfortably and smoothly as possible.

5) So what if you stumble. I slip all the time wearing flats. And god knows how many walls or doors or counters I've walked into. I've kind of given up trying to fix it, too. Most people find clumsiness endearing, and if they don't, screw 'em.

Kitty · Hermes

Just practice - everyone is always amazed that I can run in heels, but it comes from years of wearing them.

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I worked my way up from kitten heels to 3.5" heels by gradually increasing heel size over time. At first I could wear 2" heels if the heel was really wide. Then I transitioned to 2" skinny heels, etc.

Also, maybe wearing 3" wedges would help you deal with the height better than a skinny heel.

p.s. Kitty, I can run in heels too

i often have to chase down my boss at work when he has an important call

Kelly · Hermes

everyone was amazed I can run in heels, too! I'm always surprised by it, still. In high school we mostly wore heels every day (very strict dress code, we weren't all being hoochies!), and so I guess wearing them every day and running around to classes and stuff I just got used to them. So when I first went away to college and I'd run somewhere in heels, everyone would try to warn me not to run because I'd fall, and I thought they were being so silly

I could see how heeled boots could be harder, maybe just wear them around the house for a while and see how you feel about them, and you can get comfortable in them.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

A lot of people have trouble walking in heels, because they are afraid to put pressure on the heel the same way they do in gym shoes.

The heels can take a lot more than you think, but your stride does change. Just put on your new shoes, and go about your business around the house, and you'll get it because you aren't thinking about it, and over thinking it.

Before you know it you wan't feel like a 6 year old in your moms pumps.

-gd

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

greendiamond wrote:

A lot of people have trouble walking in heels, because they are afraid to put pressure on the heel the same way they do in gym shoes.

Greendiamond, that's how I feel! I feel like if I put any pressure on the heel, that it will snap right off.

A BIG thank you to everyone who responded! Those tips were great, and it's nice to know I'm not the first person to feel intimidated by heels. I'm in awe of those of you who can run in heels! Small steps, I guess.

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

It's all practice, practice. I had a strict dress code in high school too and had to get used to heels then -- at first, I felt like I was a bug clompy elephant about. For me, I still sometimes have to remind myself to stand up straight when I have on heels.

atlgirl · Gucci

Walk slowly. Pay attention to how your body feels differently in heels. Remember that you're a woman and you're wearing some hot boots. :)

Practice around the house a bit until you get used to them, and then wear them out for short jaunts to get used to different surfaces. I do think your stride naturally changes because heels affect everything - your feet, legs, torso.

I rarely wear flats because my feet / body actually feel better (flats make my back hurt *and* I have to wear orthotics in them), and my stride is definitely different in heels vs. flats. And I feel sexier in heels anyway. IMO they're one of the best things about being a girl. :)