High heel shoes come in a range of different styles, sizes & variations that can seem a little daunting at first glance, as well as intimidating to novice wearers attempting to walk the walk, but this guide will hopefully help shed some light on the topic of heels by explaining the different types and how to walk like a woman.
With so many brands out there, it’s often hard to find the information you need about the shoes you’ve seen before on celebrities or whilst scrolling through tumblr, and as such you might miss you chance to purchase a pair for yourself because no matter how many shoe sites you spend hours upon hours searching through, you just don’t know what to type into google to refine your search.
Luckily someone (source unknown) spent the time creating the following image to help in such an occasion!
Unfortunately the image itself doesn’t get any bigger, so the descriptions below each shoe can be hard to read for those with bad eyesight.
How do you choose the right pair of heels to practice walking in? Simple, start by making sure you have the right size shoes for your feet;
Too large and they’ll be loose, allowing your foot too much movement/to slide around.
Too small and they’ll pinch, cause tremendous amounts of pain, and potentially damage your feet… unless they so small you can’t even wear them, then I’d suggest returning them for the right size!
Next, you will want to make sure the heel size itself isn’t so high as to cause more problems when learning to walk. Starting out in a shorter pair of heels will help you get used to the feeling of walking in high heels, although it is possible to bypass this step and start with a higher heel size depending on the type of shoe;
For most people, a heel size starting from 3 inches onward is easily doable. (note; heels of 2 inches or less, such as a kitten heel, will be too ineffectual.)
Wearing wedge heels or shoes with a thick heel can help with stability when practicing, allowing you to attempt higher heel sizes without as much risk as a stiletto heel of the same height.
Platform heels such as pumps or wedges can add more height without increasing the difficulty of walking as much as increasing the heel height alone.
When it comes to walking in heels there really isn’t that much to it, just a few steps that will either seem obvious, come to you naturally or elude you for as long as you may walk…I say this because there have been countless occasions which I’ve witnessed girls walking around in heels that are too high and failing, often stumbling/falling down, which leads me to believe some girls (including some I’ve known personally for years) haven’t got the coordination or possibly even strength to walk around in those 7 inch, platform pumps they love clubbing in.
So what are the basics needed to walk in heels?
Always step from heel to toe, bending your knee ever so slightly and having confidence that the heel itself can take your weight as you roll your foot from heel to sole.
Take your time and slow down - walking fast in heels looks and feels awkward.
Keep your legs close together for balance and embrace the fact that heels shorten your stride - it appears more feminine.
Look towards the place you want to be when walking and visualize a straight line to your destination, and not down at your feet.
Practice, practice, PRACTICE!
When walking down stairs, place the whole foot down evenly on the step firmly before shifting your weight.
When walking upstairs, put your weight only on the ball of your foot, keeping the heel off the step completely.
It’s obvious that certain muscles are needed so one can walk in heels, such as the leg muscles, which you can often feel in action when wearing and walking in heels, but did you know it’s just as important - if not more so - to focus on strengthening your core muscles as well? A solid core helps improve balance and posture which are both essential when wearing heels and can make all the difference when walking in stilettos. Yoga & Pilates have both been known to help strengthen the core muscles as well as tone the rest of your body, but even a simple exercise plan of crunches and cycling can improve your core strength drastically.
Did you enjoy this article? I hope it provided insight, information or even just moments respite from boredom, and as always I look forward to any feedback!
Thanks for reading!
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