Learning to walk in high heels takes practice. Start with low heels and focus on posture and gait. Gradually increase heel height and be aware of walking surfaces. Wear high heels for only a few hours each day and buy shoes that fit well to avoid foot and leg pain.
At one time or another, almost every girl has coveted a pair of high-heeled shoes. High heels are sexy and racy, and while many women have a love-hate relationship with their heels, most still wear them. If you’ve avoided high heels and favored casual shoes for comfort and safety, but would like to treat yourself to a good stiletto, you simply need to learn how to wear them. Learning to walk in high heels is similar to learning any other simple skill: it just takes practice.
If you have never worn a shoe with a heel greater than 1 inch (2.54 cm), start with a low heel of approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm). Look for a shoe that doesn’t have an exaggerated point on the toe, as it can squeeze your toes and cause unnecessary pain. For your first pair of high heels, you can opt for a slightly thicker heel to help stabilize your foot while you learn.
The most important thing to practice when learning to walk in heels is posture. Your gait will seem unnatural at first due to the angle of your foot, but you still walk in a heel-to-toe sequence. Stand up straight with your chest up and shoulders back, but relaxed. Slightly engage your abdominal muscles to help straighten your back. Your knees and thighs should be relaxed as you step. Check your posture in a full-length mirror and practice walking in high heels on hard and soft surfaces at home. If possible, practice on the stairs as well, taking care to hold onto a railing and placing your weight evenly on both the heel and ball of your feet with each tread.
Once you’ve mastered the proper stance and gait, you can safely leave the house. Be aware of the surfaces you walk on when wearing heels. Walking on soft grass, sand, or rough or slippery surfaces will require extra attention. Unusual surfaces can present a tripping hazard to even the most experienced heel wearer, so use extreme caution. When you’re learning to walk in high heels, you may be tempted to unnaturally alter your gait, which is normal, but can make you look and feel uncomfortable. Avoid this taking into account the posture and gait you practiced at home.
Once you’ve learned to walk in low heels, you can move on to the traditional heel, which is usually between 4 and 5 inches (10 to 12 cm). Your basic stance and gait don’t change, but the angle of your foot relative to the surface you’re walking on will. Just continue practicing at graduated heel heights until you feel comfortable in either heel.
While learning to walk in high heels takes practice, it’s easy to learn. While this new found skill opens up new possibilities in foot fashion, it also requires a bit of responsibility. Podiatrists recommend wearing high heels for only a few hours each day and avoiding walking long distances in them. You can decrease your chances of developing foot and leg pain by learning proper posture and gait while wearing high heels and buying shoes that fit well. Although heels are a treat, most foot care experts suggest treating high heels like you would a chocolate cake and other indulgences—enjoy them, but in moderation.
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