Check out our top tips for how to walk in heels for beginners.
Listen up ladies, it’s time to break out your heels. Yes, you might have become a bit too well acquainted with your slippers and comfy trainers lately, but walking in heels is well and truly back!
It’s time to dial up the glamour when it comes to your footwear, but if you feel a little out of practice or you’ve always struggled with how to walk in heels, we’ve got you.
Here, we look reveal our tips for walking in high heels and how you can make them a key part of your wardrobe this season. Because no matter how good a pair of shoes is, what’s the point if you can barely make it out of the house in them!?
How to walk in high heels: our top tips
First things first, let’s talk about technique, so you can learn how to walk in high heels with ease. Jot these tips down and practice in your favourite pair of heels. After a few goes, you’ll get the hang of it!
Small steps are better
When you’re learning how to walk in stilettos or any type of heel, don’t rush. Taking smaller steps will help you stay in control and keep your walk looking and feeling graceful. It might feel a little strange at first, but you’ll soon get used to it.
Go heel to toe
With some practice, you won’t need to think too much about this. But at the beginning, remember to step heel to toe, rather than flat-footed. Because of the way your foot is positioned in a heel, it can be tempting to try and put your toe down first, but this will throw off your balance. So, remember, heel first, then toe, straight knee. You’ve got this
The only time this doesn’t apply is when it comes to stairs. With stairs, you want to lift your leg and place your toe down first to make sure you’re securely footed on the step, before you apply the rest of your weight.
Stretch out your ankles
If you always wear flats, your feet and ankles just aren’t used to the position they’ll be forced into when wearing heels. A great way to prepare your feet for this is to stretch them out. Check out some yoga stretches for ankles and feet and give them a go in the lead-up to wearing your heels.
Score your soles
One thing that can make walking in heels even trickier is how slippery they can be underfoot. Tackle this quickly by scoring the soles of your shoes with scissors to add some traction to the super-smooth surface. Just make sure you’re definitely not returning new shoes before trying this technique!
Don’t look down
Looking down at your feet when you walk in high heels is one of the easiest ways to throw off your balance and fall over – and that’s definitely not what you want. So, keep your eyes up and look where you are going at all times.
Practice, practice, practice
When it comes to walking in heels, practice makes perfect. So, while we can serve up all the best tips on how to walk in high heels, you’re going to have to put this into practice yourself
If you’ve got an event coming up, wear your heels at home whenever you can, even for 20 minutes at a time. This will allow your feet, ankles and legs to start to get used to the new positioning, so it’s not such a shock when you take your new heels out for the day.
Other advice on how to walk in heels
Now, we’re not saying you’re going to suddenly find it easy to walk in heels. But, with our top tips and a few extra things to think about when buying heels, we’re confident you’ll be tottering around in your most glam footwear pretty soon! Here are some things to consider:
Are you wearing the right size?
Size is crucial when it comes to heels. Too big and you’ll feel some serious wobble. Too small and you’ll be cursing your shoes before you’ve even had them on for 5minutes. So, make sure you’re definitely in the right size – with heels this can differ between brands so always try them on beforehand.
Remember, you can use insoles to help pad out slightly bigger shoes, while smaller pairs can be stretched slightly by a cobbler to give you a little more room.
It’s all about heel type
Heels are never one-size-fits-all. From super high stilettos to kitten heels, they come in all shapes and sizes and this will affect how comfortable they are and how well you can walk in them. So, try lots on!
As a beginner, it might be worth taking a look at chunkier block heels. These have wider and more stable heels than a stiletto, but still give you plenty of height. A mule is also an on-trend heel option that is slightly lower but still super chic. If you’re very unstable in heels of all kinds and simply want height for your outfit, wedges are always a solid option and offer you much more support with the same style factor.
Think about heel height
It kind of goes without saying but the higher the heel, the trickier it can be to walk in. But, remember your heels don’t have to be five inches high to look the part. A smaller heel is now very on-trend and can offer you more comfort when worn for longer periods. Try a chunky low-heeled mule or a smaller-heeled strappy sandal if you’re just starting out with heels.
Another option is a platform heel; platforms give you lots of extra height with less arch for your foot, offering a bit of extra comfort.
Consider ankle support
One of the things that can make you question whether you can walk in heels is when your ankle feels unsupported. If this sounds like you, try a pair of heels with lots of ankle straps to keep your foot and ankle secure. Go for sandals with ankle straps or even a court shoe with an added ankle strap.
When it comes to learning how to walk in heels, you have to go with your gut. Don’t force yourself to wear shoes that will cause you pain. It’s just not worth it! Instead, ease your way into the world of heels and take it slowly. Try smaller heels and wedges and then, once you’re used to them, explore something higher. You can also learn how to break shoes in and make sure you avoid blisters. Discover this season’s most stylish high heels at Wynsors, shop online or head to your nearest store.
