High heels are part and parcel of many women’s wardrobe. The sheer variety of options gives women a great backdrop for choosing how and when to bring their high heels into use. Heels can be matched to any occasion too.
With diverse options, they can be paired with an elegant event, office wear, evening occasions or even keeping the look casual. Not only that, but they’re good at emphasising specific features including lengthening the leg and helping to aid in better posture.
But, not everyone finds it easy to walk in a pair of heels. While heels can look very stylish, they can also be quite painful to wear. Many new heel wearers find them hard to walk in depending on the heel type, as well as quite painful to wear. And this is unsurprising for those that don’t know the proper techniques to walk well and stay comfortable.
Practical Tips for Walking in High Heels
If you’re one of the many people who has difficulty walking in high heels, fear not. With some specific tips in place, you can be walking like a pro in the highest heels out there.
- Think about your walk
Now, this may sound obvious, but learning about your walk is a great way to get started with being comfortable in heels. You should always think about walking from heel to toe, rather than concentrating your weight on the toe — this is where you can start to feel more pain. Walking from the heel first will help your walk look more natural and graceful, even as a beginner. To help out, lean back a little more than you would normally, as this will balance out your weight and force that heel-toe action.
- Break in your shoes
Though it might be an obvious step for other shoes such as walking boots, breaking in shoes is often neglected when it comes to heels. You should never simply buy a pair of heels and then head out to the party the same day. Always make sure you wear them around the house a little bit before hand. Adding a pair of socks when you wear them, will help the breaking-in process, allowing you to walk in them the first time you go out. Wearing them in a little will also prevent blisters and unsightly hobbling about on your night out.
- Walk slower
Many of us tend to sprint about the place or speed walk around when in flat shoes. But it’s not a good idea when you’re in heels. Try slowing down, though be aware that you might feel a little bit awkward at the start going at a different pace than you’re used to. Slowing down helps you maintain your balance though, which means you’re not going to be hobbling. And, you can also add a little elegance and poise when you walk too. No one will know you’re a beginner.
- Choosing the right heel
You should be careful when choosing the right shoe for you. Consider looking at ones with adjustable straps or cushioned toe areas. Look at the type of heel too, so instead of opting for stilettos, choose a chunky or block heel which still gives you the height but more stability too. In fact, the current heel trend is for blocky, oversized shapes making this the perfect time to practice with heels.
Better still, there are many retailers offering a variety of styles when it comes to look, heel type and colour. For instance, sites like Asos, Yoox and Schuh have an enormous array of choices, allowing you to filter options for width, colour, style and height. Not only that, but you can benefit from online promotions and coupons, such as the Schuh discount codes available on Discoup, which mean getting some high-quality shoes for better prices.
Having good quality heels is a must, as you don’t want them to break the first time you set foot outside. Not only that, but they will already be more comfortable to wear as you can select more options based on your foot shape. Toe padding is also prioritised in better quality shoes, helping you to avoid the burning sensation at the end of the night in the balls of your feet.
Wearing high heels can be very comfortable and confidence-boosting, if you know how to get the right shoe. Learning how to walk in heels is key too. So make sure you prioritise comfort and quality when wearing your heels, using the most popular online shops to search for affordable, stylish options.
