Walking Tall, How to walk in heels

How to walk in heels

I have seldom met a shoe I did not love. And I mean LOVE. I have loved the artistic architectural fashion wonders that elevate our stature, elongate our legs, lift our butts and puts a switch in our steps forever. Since the first time I put my 5 years old foot in my mother’s taupe high heeled men’s tailored lace-up oxfords.  I was hooked even though I didn't understand what a heel did for the female form I did understood that high heels, pumps, stilettos...  they were all incredible gifts to femininity, they made a little girl feel like a big girl and a woman feel like a lady. I could not wait until my mother and grandmother agreed that I had reached that magical age when I could done my first pair of 2 inch black patent leather Mary-Janes.  It was then I understood my grandmother’s correction of my “hard walking” in my lil’ girl dress shoes. “Big girls done walk so hard. Let the boys stomp, you step.” But walking in my heels I understood my steps were to be careful and not exaggerated.  There are rules to this lady thing.  As I watch women show off their shoe game, I realize not everyone had my grandmother.  Not every little girl was prepped by reminders to not walk so hard and let the boys stomp. Or stand up straight. Or to stop pushing her behind up in the air. Or to stop leaning so far forward when I walked all of me should get there at the same time. Here are some other rules for walking like a lady in heels.

If the shoe fits… Rule 1: Start with a good fit

The first thing you must do to get your strut right is getting a proper fit. No matter how high or how low the heel the fit is everything.  A shoe that gaps, flops or slips will negatively affect your posture, balance and is more likely to rub blisters and calluses. Not to mention the potential falls. Shoes that pinch or bind can make stepping out in that killer shoe, absolute murder. Your foot should fit comfortably. (and I admit that this is a relative term) You should have a fairly even distribution of pressure on the whole foot. You should be moderately on the ball of the foot with some support at the arch and heel. If you feel like you are constantly on your tiptoes, that shoe is not your friend. Do not wear it again. The heel and shank should feel stable and solid not wobbly. Yes, this takes ankle strength and balance but it also takes solid well-made shoes. (Don’t confuse solid or well-made with expensive. Well-made and good fit can be found at varying price points.) The heels should be well attached to the shoe, no collapsing at the arch or unusual curvatures. Your toes should not feel as though they are being forced into a fist. You actually want enough room to spread your toes a bit for added balance.

Get low… Rule 2: Do not start too high

It took you months to learn to walk, years to perfect your stride; what makes you think you can strut in 5 inch spiked heeled peep-toed stilettos simply by slipping them onto your foot?  If you are new to the shoe game, start out low. Understand what the slightest inclination means to your ankles, calves, knees, hips and back. How does it affect your posture? Can you stand up straight? Are you toddling so much that you are suffering from motion sickness?  Then come down until you find your balance and are confident in your stride. There is no shame in a 1-2 inch kitten heel, think Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face. The tapered footing of this small wonder forces you to sway your hips and hold your posture just so, centering your spin, hips, knees and ankles, it does take short deliberate steps and balance to avoid tittering and twisting your ankle.

 Learning to sashay like a catwalk diva in 3 inches or more is about careful foot placement not striking the floor to exaggerate the heels on the floor. You should cross one thigh just slightly in front of the other to keep your stride feminine instead of widening the hips and looking to masculine. Hold you posture upright head up shoulders back and no looking like the daring young woman on the high wire trying to catch your balance with out-stretched arms.  Stroll, take it slow, you are not racing to get there first you are strutting to be seen. I know this seems like a lot to remember in a your stride across the floor but with practice like all things it will come naturally.

Practice makes perfect. Rule 3: The best way to learn

Practicing on the right surface makes a huge difference as well, hard wood, ceramic tiles, concrete,  vinyl, carpeting… they each feel differently and learning on carpet only will not at all prepare you for strutting your stuff down the street. When first learning to tackle any heel, new shoe, new heel height or new sole start on a hard surface but practice on as many surface options as possible.   Practice stops, starts, changing directions, climbing stairs even just standing still. Make sure you are able to maintain straight upright posture with straight legs and no hunching forward. It may feel like you are balancing but tilting forward or forcing your behind out or even slight bends in the knees can lead to possible injury.

When all else fails… Smile Rule 4: Confidence is key

Starting with a good foundation and solid technique is all any of us needs to best insure success and enjoyment in most activities. When hot stepping your stilettos you need one more thing. Confidence, it separates the amateurs from the pros. Imagine walking in with your head high, assured in each stride grabbing attention and reaping all the benefits of a great pair of heels, elevating your stature, elongating your legs, lifting your buttocks and putting a switch in your steps. That doesn't happen with shrinking violets.

Don’t be a slave to fashion Rule 5: Know what you can work

Now, I caution you, a pro knows her limits. If you are fabulous in 3 inches, Great!  But if you feel that 4 inches is nose-bleed territory and you are getting dizzy; well come on back down and own the heck out of your 3. Stumbling and stomping is never attractive, just because 5 inches is “in” does not mean you trade in your graceful stride or seriously dangerous strut for a less confident gait. We all have our limits I can kill 5 inches but half and inch more and I can’t even stand.  Trust spiked, block, wedge, platform in 2 inches or 6 shoes like us come in all shapes and sizes and all are beautiful.

SN: Men love what heels do to our physiques, they have no care for trends. On trend and tittering gets you pity but confidence in a classic gets you attention. My best attention getters are the 5 years old 5 inch sculpted heeled strappy beauties that make even other women notice.