How to Walk in Stiletto Heels: 7 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Stiletto heels are certainly not shoes to wear every day, but they are the footwear par excellence to wear at elegant parties and other formal events. Walking in stiletto heels can be a real challenge the first few times. But do not be afraid, your grace and your confidence will inevitably emerge, the important thing is that you are determined. All you need is a simple guide! Follow these steps to learn.

Steps

Step 1. Buy a good pair of stiletto heels

Don't buy shoddy ones, as they will tend to break easily. Plus, they're not quite as beautiful and can be incredibly uncomfortable - the last thing you need if you're going to have to stand all day. When trying on shoes with stiletto heels, you need to check some details in order to minimize the pain:

• Check the part that comes into contact with your toes. The shoe should not be tight or bother you as you walk. If your toes get into an awkward position since you put on your shoes, the sensation will worsen after several hours of pressing.

  

• Examine the width of the area corresponding to the heel. It shouldn't be too tight. If it is, add a heel pad. The stiletto heel should be solid, but keep in mind that a plastic heel toe can be replaced with a rubber one for more comfortable walking.

  

• Evaluate heel centering and arch position. Ideally, the heel should center under the heel and the arch of the foot should be fully supported by the sole. If an opening is created in the arch area, the shoe is not adequate and will hurt you.

  

• Buy shoes of the exact size. It should go without saying, but sometimes a moment of weakness can prompt you to buy half-size footwear that is smaller than your usual size. Remember it could happen!

  

Step 2. Proceed with caution when starting to walk

The higher the heel, the less stable you will feel, and the more likely you are to fall. When you learn to walk in high heels, start slow and practice taking a few steps. Rest between attempts.

• If you are not familiar with this type of shoe, you may want to try lower heels before you get to stilettos. Having become good at walking at a certain height, she increases the heel about 1.30 cm at a time, until she reaches the desired height.

  

• You may want to stretch before putting on the stiletto heel shoes. This gives the legs a chance to stretch and warm up before the footwear tests the foot muscles.

  

Step 3. Put your shoes on and stand upright

Get used to the feeling of wearing stiletto heels. As everything will seem new and a little strange to you, at first stand for a few minutes, gradually increasing the time you hold them on your feet. You will need to stay in this position for an hour. If it seems too much, grab a book or do something else so you don't get bored.

• Occasionally you can sit down, in fact it is assumed that you will not be standing for the duration of the event. However, try to stay on your feet as long as possible to get used to the shoes.

  

• You may want to arrange yourself in front of a mirror to evaluate your posture and adjust it if necessary. You will likely notice that your body will assume odd positions in an attempt to adjust to the height and movement due to the heel. Small noxious movements will only increase if you stay in one position for a long time, so try to regain your balance every two or three minutes.

  

• The floor surface should not be slippery; this way you will prevent any falls. It shouldn't be uneven either, or the heels might get stuck.

  

Step 4. Begin to practice walking in high heels

Initially, stay in the same area you were standing in. Walk up to the mirror and go back to see how you move. Adjust accordingly, keeping the following in mind.

• Place your heel first, then your forefoot and toes. Follow a “heel-forefoot-toes, heel-forefoot-toes” rhythm as you distribute most of your weight on the forefoot and toes, not the heel. The higher the heel, the more the center of balance will be shifted, so the butt and chest will be pushed out.

  

• Stay straight, even if it causes you to lose your balance. High heels tend to feel this way, so the person wearing them leans forward to compensate. You won't fall backwards if you stand straight, because the heel is your anchor. So, keep good posture and walk confidently!

  

• Place one foot in front of the other. Always lead with the foot that gives you the most confidence, the one you bring forward first for a natural incline. Take short, careful steps, not long ones. Your legs should be close together as you walk, avoid bending over or tilting your head.

  

Step 5. Change different surfaces

Once you feel comfortable walking in the starting place, try to do it on different floors (tiles, carpet, etc.), in order to understand if you can and to learn how to move on various surfaces.

Avoid surfaces where you can leave marks, such as cork surfaces. The heel will mark them permanently. You can also challenge yourself a little more by carrying a bag, cup of tea, book, etc. Move around the house and just get used to the feeling of wearing heels. Try to correct your posture

Step 6. Take a walk outdoors

Get used to walking on asphalt, gravel and other outdoor surfaces. You will find that on some, such as grass, you will "sink", so avoid them, or learn to step on them using only your toes (it can be difficult, therefore, in principle, better to keep away from these places).

• Outside the house, you need to be more careful to avoid cobblestones, steel grates, grass, dirt, holes and wooden walkways.
• And to go up the stairs? Doing so requires a separate technique. When you step down, place your foot on each step with a lateral movement; the foot should step on the entire step at once, so the movement of the heel, forefoot and toes should be uniform. When climbing, use only the sole (flat) area of the shoes.

Step 7. Join the party by showing off your shoes and have fun

By now you've done the hardest part of the job, so it's time to have fun!

• A trick that will come in handy for many budding stilettos wearers: bring an extra pair of shoes with you in case your heels start to really hurt. They can be changed to a discreet place towards the end of the event, so you can dance or go home in comfort.
• Pack the extra pair of shoes into a discreet handbag.

Advice

• Always try on a new pair of shoes before putting them on for a party, especially if you have to dance or stand for hours.
• Calf strengthening exercises can help you if you plan on wearing stilettos regularly.
• Get some stiletto heel shoe pads; you can place them in the forefoot support area. They give a "cushioned" effect and won't slide your foot forward, so your toes won't hurt.
• Good posture is absolutely essential for wearing stiletto heels well. It must be maintained in any case.
• If you need to wear a long dress in addition to stilettos, try the dress as well. Evening dresses and trouser suits can be walked on by heels, so they run the risk of getting damaged. It is important to be able to walk while wearing these garments and stiletto heel shoes.
• Practice a lot.
• Pack some painkillers in your bag, to take if you can't take the pain by the end of the night.
• Over the course of the day, vary the heights of your shoes so as not to strain your legs and feet. Leave stilettos for short-lived occasions, such as a cocktail party, and always carry spare ballet flats. It is also advisable not to wear them every day.
• Experts advise not to wear heels that exceed 2-2.5 cm. Choosing lower shoes can make the figure more harmonious, without running great risks of falling and getting hurt. However, stilettos can be as tall as 6 inches, so recognize that the higher the heel, the more precarious it will be to walk.
• In some places, posture lessons are given with high heels. Do an online search or question around. You could also ask a friend or someone who sells footwear for help.

Warnings

• It is not recommended to run in stiletto heels. You could try, but it is unlikely to succeed.
• Never drive in high heels, whether they are stiletto or otherwise. Always keep a pair of shoes for driving in the car, and put them on before starting the engine.
• Don't try your shoes on when you wake up or after a long day on your feet. These are the worst times for the feet.
• Not everyone can walk in stiletto heels. If you have tried and are only in pain, or if you are totally lacking in confidence and don't think you can do it, don't insist. There are so many alternatives in the world, numerous equally wonderful shoe models. Take the shoes that have disappointed you and give them to a friend who will know how to put them to good use. It will be a good excuse to go out and buy a pair of chic shoes with a suitable heel. If stilettos aren't your thing, it's not worth stubbornness.
• According to some people, looking great is very important, so it is possible to endure some pain. On the occasion of a great event, this attitude is ideal, but it should not be taken to extremes. In fact, having balance should be the norm in most cases. High heels can cause pain in the feet, calves, hips and back.
• High heels can damage your feet and legs if you're not careful. See a doctor if you feel pain after wearing these shoes. Several problems can occur, such as a DVT (deep vein thrombosis), broken bones or fractures caused by falls, pain in the forefoot (metatarsalgia), cracked skin, and other unidentifiable pain.