Walking in heels conjures up images of supermodels strutting down Paris runways in towering stilettos. However, how to walk in high heels in real life is a completely different story.
When walking in heels feels like walking on stilts, it can be difficult to imagine yourself as another Hadid sister.
This is due to the fact that heels place your feet (and body) in different positions. In heels, 90 percent of your body weight is concentrated on the balls of your feet rather than being distributed evenly.
Walking in heels is made difficult by this shift. Imagine having to move around if virtually all of your body weight suddenly shifted to different parts of your body! (Hint: it would not be a pleasurable experience.)
No, heels aren’t always comfortable (which is why we wrote a post about how to make heels more comfortable with a few helpful tips and shoe accessories!).
If you want to skip the whole how to walk in high heel lesson, here are some super comfy heels that don’t even require a lesson in how to walk in them:
Why can’t I walk in heels?
You’ve now donned your high heels and taken a few cautious steps around the house. Instead of looking like a supermodel strutting down the runway, your wobbly gait suggests a newborn foal rather than a graceful gazelle. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry—we weren’t born with stilettos growing out of our feet! The reason you can’t walk in high heels, or find it extremely difficult, is that high heels throw us off balance. Elevating our heels puts more pressure on our feet, propelling our bodies forward and altering the way we balance and walk. This can put strain on body parts and muscles that aren’t used to being strained, and it can make you feel awkward or clumsy. What’s a determined girl to do now that we’ve established why walking in heels can be difficult, and that you’re not alone in your struggles?
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How To Walk in High Heels – 12 Solutions
While it may appear silly, taking the time to learn how to walk in heels properly will pay off the next time you’re required to wear heels.
Your future self will thank you when she doesn’t embarrass herself during a job interview or a big date! Here are some pointers for walking in heels:
Take The Right Step
Walking in heels is akin to making a major decision. To be successful, you must take the appropriate action! In heels, the proper step is heel-toe with a slight twist. Shorten your stride instead of your normal stride length. You have more control by taking smaller steps.
It also implies moving slowly. You’re not wearing running shoes; you’re wearing heels! Take your time getting places unless you’re being pursued by something or you’re running dangerously late for an event. You have more control over your stride if you take your time.
Taller Doesn’t Mean Better
It can be tempting to begin experimenting with heels with a sky-high stiletto heel. But, unless you’re a seasoned pro or have a natural talent for heel walking, stay away from them! Are you wondering what stiletto heels are? Check out my post where I explain what stilettos are and more!!
Of course, they are still available for purchase. However, keep your feet away from them until you’ve tested your feet at lower heights.
Every inch of heel height adds a learning curve. It takes time for your body to adjust and remember the proper motions and placements. It’s difficult enough to walk in three-inch heels after a lifetime of flats. Going from flat to five inches is a recipe for disaster.
Engage Your Core
Who knew that walking in heels was an ab workout? Walking in heels won’t make you gain abs, but if you’re feeling unstable, you’re probably not activating your core.
Draw in your abdominal wall gently towards your spine until you feel it begin to contract. It is important to note that sucking in your stomach is not the same as sucking in your throat. You should feel your stomach tightening rather than shrinking!
Your core is where you keep your balance and stability. A strong core means a steady stride. It also aids in the maintenance of proper heel walking posture: shoulders back, head high, and chin parallel to the floor. And who knows what else? You might be able to skip the gym after walking in heels all day.
Confidence is Key!
Walking in heels isn’t difficult. Don’t overthink it! Excessive concentration can cause your walk to appear robotic. Worse, it’ll be like a newborn calf. Instead, consider walking to the beat of a drum. The imaginary rhythm will aid your natural rhythm in a variety of ways.
- The first method? It calms you down. When you’re overthinking or feeling self-conscious, you tend to stiffen up. And stiffness is not your friend when it comes to learning how to walk in heels. You want to appear to be as natural as possible.
- Second, it helps to loosen your hips. If you’ve ever seen a woman walk in heels, you’ve probably noticed that she sways. Whether intentional or not, that sway makes it easier for women to walk in heels.
It contributes to the overall momentum. And, perhaps most importantly, A woman who sways in heels is one who is confident in her ability to walk in heels.
Size Matters
Despite the fact that women’s shoe sizing is far more precise than women’s clothing sizes, your shoe size can change. Not even the daily half-size swell from morning to evening. Your feet may become flatter over time, resulting in a wider width, or your weight may change, causing your feet to grow or shrink.
A properly fitted shoe is essential for walking in heels correctly. Your heels will slip out of your shoes if your shoe is too big. Every step will be painful if your shoe is too small. If you are experiencing either of these issues, be sure to read our tips on how to stretch out shoes and how to make shoes smaller!
A well-fitting shoe will keep your feet in place without squeezing them. The best tip for finding stability in your heels is to get a good fit. So, if your ride-and-die heels are getting tighter or looser, it could be a sign that your size has changed.
It’s just as important to know how to buy heels correctly (as it is to know your size) as it is to know how to walk in them!
How To Walk In VERY High Heel
Now that you’ve mastered the art of walking in heels, it’s time to move on to the big leagues: pencil-thin stilettos. Or maybe just any heel taller than 5 inches! This section is for advanced heel wearers who need extra tips on how to walk in high (HIGH) heels, regardless of the shoe.
Part 2 of Take the Right Step
You’re well-versed in the heel-toe and short stride. When it comes to sky-high heels, however, there’s more to stepping than just the basics. When you place your foot on the ground while walking, spread your toes slightly.
This ensures that the weight is distributed as evenly as possible. It’s especially important if you’re prone to developing calluses on the balls of your feet.
Taking the proper step also entails not always keeping your feet in a straight line. It may help to turn your legs and feet slightly outwards so they don’t point straight ahead. This helps to open the hips, which gives you strength and, in turn, helps to stabilize the ankles.
Weak Knees, Strong Core
As with the previous point, having a strong core is essential when walking in heels. While you can get away with letting your abs relax in smaller heels, the higher you go, the more difficult it becomes. You must be able to maintain a strong core otherwise you will fall.
However, if your core is strong, everything else, including your arms and, most importantly, your knees, can be free. When walking in heels, it’s easy to get tense in the knees. However, if your core is activated, you will be able to relax and any stiffness will be reduced.
Gliding Across Strutting
Save your strut unless you’re hoping for a callback to the Victoria Secret Fashion Show. Strutting is actually quite unnatural and puts a lot of strain on your feet. Try gliding instead.
The basic heel-toe rule still applies, but don’t put so much pressure on the heel that your toes hit the ground with a deafening clack. Experiment with going down evenly on the heel and ball of the foot.
The key to good gliding is to make as little noise as possible. And if you have downstairs neighbors, they will appreciate it. Can’t stop clicking your heels on the way down? Check out this clever high heel protector that also reduces heel noise!
Best Walking Heel Height
If you can’t quite take the plunge into walking in heels taller than five inches, but still want to walk in heels, there are alternatives! There are numerous shoe types and styles just waiting to be discovered.
You can have the added height of heels while still having the most comfortable heel height. Because comfort is essential!
I keep my heel height to no more than 3.5 inches, or no more than 3.75 inches if I’m feeling la-di-da. In a thinner heel, a 3.5 inch heel can appear much taller than people think! Alternatively, a 4 inch heel with a slight platform will help to distribute the heel height weight.
Lower Heel Heel Heights
The best heel height for walking is usually between 2-3 inches. It’s enough to give you the height you want without causing too much pain. Because the lower the heel height, the easier it is to walk in.
One of the most comfortable heel heights is the kitten heel, also known as the “sensible” heel. It stands 1.5-2 inches tall and has a distinct vintage appearance.
Kitten heels are an excellent beginner heel due to the small height difference. That doesn’t mean they have to be dull! There are a lot of cute kitten heels to choose from these days. Look at the image below!
Straps
Perhaps you aren’t ready to give up on your stiletto dreams just yet. And that’s perfectly fine! There are ways to wear stilettos comfortably, and one of them is to use straps!
Straps, as the name implies, keep your feet in place. While it does not add any additional balance, it does make you feel more stable. You feel like you can conquer the world when your foot is strapped into a shoe and not slipping and sliding.
Various Heels
Every heel does not have to be a stiletto. Heels come in a variety of styles, including chunky, platform, stacked, and wedge. Because they help distribute weight more easily than stiletto heels, each of these heel types will be more comfortable than stiletto heels.
And, in most cases, heel height isn’t as important, making most non-stiletto heels a safe heel height.
If you’re not a fan of heels in general, the wedge is a great alternative! Unlike other heels, it does not have a separate sole. This non-separation provides more stability and aids in balance while walking.
A great option for those looking for height without sacrificing comfort. Check out our post here to learn how to make heels more comfortable!
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tricks and tips on how to learn to walk in heels have been helpful. Walking in heels can be difficult and time-consuming, but these tips should make the learning process go a little more smoothly.
And who knows what else? Perhaps once you’ve mastered walking in high heels, the Paris runway will come…err…running.
What were your thoughts on our list? Did you learn to walk in heels or did you know how to do it already? Do you have trouble walking in heels and need some assistance? Please let us know in the comments section below!
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