High heels can be a girl's best friend - they help you be taller, look slimmer and feel more confident. However, walking in super high heels can be a little tricky, especially if you're not used to it. Don't worry though, learning to walk fearlessly in high heels only takes a little practice. Follow these helpful tips and you will be able to walk like a model.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Improving your Technique
Step 1. Take smaller steps
Walking in higher heels has nothing to do with what you learned as a child, so you have to do a few things that you might feel counterintuitive: measure small, slow steps, being careful not to bend your knees any more than you normally would.. You will notice that high heels tend to shorten the stride a bit. The taller they are, the shorter the stride will be. Don't try to fight by adopting a wider gait - stick to small, gentle steps that will make your walk more natural and help you feel more comfortable.
Step 2. Walk from heel to toe
The goal is to walk normally even in heels. First put your heel on the ground, then your toes. Once your weight is on the heels, shift your weight forward as if you are walking on your toes and push forward for the next step.
Step 3. Improve your posture
Walking well in heels depends on good posture. If you walk slouching, there is no point in wearing high heels - the goal is to look comfortable and confident! To achieve perfect posture:
- Imagine the presence of an invisible piece of string that holds the head upright - the head should be in line with the spine and the chin should be parallel to the floor. Avoid looking down when walking in heels!
- Put your shoulders back and down and keep your arms relaxed at your sides. Swing your arms slightly as you walk to stay balanced.
- Keep the abdominal muscles engaged by pushing the navel towards the spine. This will help you have a straighter posture while making you look slimmer at the same time.
- Bend your knees slightly - you should never be stuck when walking in heels. As you walk, keep your legs close together and your toes straight forward.
Step 4. Imagine you are walking along an invisible line
Runway models often place one foot slightly in front of the other to give the hips more sway. Many women wear heels to look sexy, so it's a good idea to add a little swing to your walk. The best way to be able to sway while walking in heels is to pretend to move along an imaginary straight line or a tightrope.
- One foot should move directly in front of the other, with the toes pointing straight. This walk will take some extra practice before mastering, but the results will be worth it.
- Watch some supermodel videos to see how professionals do it, then try to emulate what you see. Be aware that on the catwalk they tend to emphasize walking, so it is advisable to reduce the effect a bit to be able to apply it to real life!
Step 5. Practice wearing heels around the house
Wear them for a day indoors before wearing them outside. This exercise will not only get you used to wearing them, but will also create scratches on the bottom making the shoes less slippery. Make sure you practice doing all the movements you normally do on a walk: stand, stop, swing and turn.
Step 6. Soften the heels with use
If you can't get rid of the stiffness the first time you put them on, by unmolding the shoes with your foot, you will be doomed to blisters. It should be enough to wear shoes around the house, but you can also try this:
- Use heels on different surfaces. You will surely have to walk on tiles, carpets and slippery wooden floors, so try to try with every surface.
- Dance: If you're planning on wearing heels to a nightclub or party, practice dancing in the privacy of your home until you're comfortable rocking your heels.
- Go down the stairs. This is a skill you will definitely want to master, as they are the place where most heel accidents happen. Place your entire foot with each step as you come down the stairs, but only put your sole on when you go up. Hold on to the railing gracefully if needed.
Step 7. Put your heels on the outside
Walking in heels indoors is very different from wearing them outdoors. Without the cushioning effect of the carpet or the flat surface covered with wood or linoleum, using them outdoors can be ten times more difficult.
- Minor surface defects in the asphalt or cracks in the pavement will also put you in trouble, so try walking up and down outside your home a couple of times, taking extra care to avoid uneven surfaces.
- A good place to practice is the supermarket. Use the cart to keep your balance!
Step 8. Practice standing on your heels
Not only do you need to learn to walk in heels, but you should also be aware of how you can stand up. It may sound simple, but many women don't know what to do with their feet when they pose for a photo or hang around chatting at an event. In these cases, having comfortable shoes becomes very important, if you don't want to spend the evening dragging yourself step by step.
- To stand correctly, you need to touch the middle of one shoe with the heel of the other, creating an angle.
- Load your weight on the toe of the back foot and, as soon as you get tired, shift so that your weight is on the other foot.
Part 2 of 3: Keep Your Feet Cool
Step 1. Use gel pads and insoles
Add a cushioning effect wherever there is a lot of pressure and / or friction. There are pads made in various shapes and different materials to be attached inside the shoe to walk more comfortably, thus avoiding bunions and blisters. If the shoes are a little too big, put on an insole that can make them half a size smaller, adding some comfort. Make use of these innovative elements generously - there is really no need to feel discomfort!
Step 2. Give your feet a break
When wearing high heels, the best advice to prevent pain is to sit down when possible. This will give your feet a break, stopping any pain or discomfort and keeping them cool.
- Remember to cross your legs, sitting straight and stretching your legs from the waist down. This is also a great opportunity to show off your fabulous shoes!
- Do not try to take off your heels if possible: your feet swell and it becomes more difficult and painful to put your shoes back on.
Step 3. Wear shoes with laces and wedges
Shoes with straps to fasten securely around the foot and ankle are more comfortable to wear because they prevent the foot from slipping too much inside the shoe, reducing friction and pain. Wedges give you all the benefits of extra height, without the discomfort of pressure on your fingertips. With the wedge the foot is parallel to the ground, which makes this shoe optimal for dancing.
Step 4. Avoid wearing high heels too often
They are fabulous, but they will be more impressive when you just wear them on special occasions. If you wear them too often, you will likely suffer from blisters and bunions and put excessive pressure on your back. Your feet (and the rest of your body) need time to recover.
If you need heels every day for work, at least try wearing shoes of different heights. This prevents too much pressure or friction from focusing on a particular spot and keeps your feet feeling cool
Part 3 of 3: Choosing the Right Heels
Step 1. Buy smart
Not all high heels are the same and the ability to walk well depends on how you choose the right shoes. Go buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen. Choose the ones that fit the shape of your foot - making sure the shoe is larger than your bare foot. Always try on both shoes in the store by taking a few steps - if you don't find them comfortable right away, then they probably never will be.
Step 2. Make sure you practice higher and higher heels
It's probably not a good idea to choose a pair of 12cm stiletto heels if you're not used to walking in high shoes - it's best to get used to it slowly. There are many different types of heels to choose from, varying in height, thickness and shape. Starting with minimal height will allow your ankles to develop the strength they need to walk safely and gracefully.
- Start with a low heel of about 5-7 centimeters. Try to use thick ones rather than spiked ones, as they will provide you with more balance. It may be easier to walk with closed shoes than lace-up sandals, as they can also support the foot around the heel and ankle.
- High wedges are the easiest shoes to walk with, as the heel is fully attached to the sole of the shoe, giving you more balance and comfort. This is a smart choice if you want the height of a high heel, but don't feel ready for a pin. They are usually worn in spring and summer, at work, on vacation or for a summer wedding!
- Wear stiletto heels, called "stiletto", ranging from 10 to 12 cm in height. Once you learn to walk in these heels, you will be ready to conquer the world!
Step 3. Get the right size
Choosing the right shoe size is absolutely essential when they have heels. You must understand that the size may vary according to the brand and type. Consequently, you should always try on shoes before buying them.
- If in doubt, buy them large rather than small. You can always make them smaller by adding gel insoles and pads, but you won't be able to do the opposite. Shoes that are too small will be terribly uncomfortable and you will probably regret buying them.
- Remember to check your foot size regularly, as it can change over time, especially as you age. The feet tend to lengthen and widen with the arch of the foot.
Advice
- Make sure you always have confidence in your demeanor. If you are not, you will be more likely to fall.
- Focus on every single step.
- It may be easier to start with high-heeled boots. They give more support to the ankles.
- The bigger your foot, the more comfortable you will feel in high heels. Therefore, do not think that you too can use the same shoes as the models: their feet are bigger precisely because they are in proportion to their height!
- If you have open toe sandals, try to put gel pads around the area where the toe meets the shoe, especially if you have small or thin toes / feet that tend to slip out.
- Buy quality shoes: in addition to being more comfortable, they will last you longer. If you are taking a dance class and need heels to dance, go to a specialized store or ask your instructor for advice.
- Wear heels as often as you can. This will help your feet and ankles get used to the feel of heels and allow you to stay balanced. The more hours you spend in heels, the better your feet will feel.
Warnings
- Be careful when walking. Grass, pebbles and grates or drains are your enemies. Even a crack in the sidewalk can ruin your shoes. Check your pace and don't think you can walk for a long time or jog in those heels.
- Don't wear heels every day, as much as you like them. This type of shoe, in fact, could cause you health problems in your feet and back.
- Do not drive while wearing high heels: bring a pair of sneakers or ballet flats and also avoid flip flops, which could get stuck in the pedals.
