How to Walk Gracefully in High Heels
Image reference: Courtesy of Pixabay
Walking in women’s high heels is no easy task and it takes some practice to master.
From buying the right type of heels in the first place to knowing how to carry yourself, there are a lot of things to consider if you really want to get it right.Below we have outlined some expert tips and tricks to help you master the high heel stride.
Quite often, we can be blinded by the beauty of a shoe and forget that we actually need to be able to walk in it too. When buying heels it is vital to ensure that they fit well; a size too big can cause slipping at the back of the shoe which can put increased pressure on the balls of your feet, while a size too small can result in painful blisters. It’s important to remember that the best time to go shopping for shoes is at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen from walking and at their biggest. Always try on both heels in the store and take a walk around– if you don't find them comfortable there, then it‘s unlikely you ever will. Quite simply, if your high heels don’t fit comfortably, there is no way of hiding it and your walk will suffer as a result.
Also, if you’re not used to walking in high heels then it probably isn’t a good idea to select a pair of four inch heels. Start small and work your way up. This will allow your ankles to develop the strength they need to walk gracefully in high heels.
Take Smaller Steps
High heels can shorten your stride – basically, the taller the heel, the shorter the stride ends up being. With this in mind, it is advisable to take smaller steps and in turn, your walk will appear more natural and you will feel more comfortable.We’re not recommending baby steps by any means, but definitely avoid taking your usual long strides.
Image reference: Courtesy of Pixabay
Walk from Heel to Toe
Perhaps the easiest way to look like an amateur in high heels is to put your whole foot down at once when walking. This is never a good idea and it will make your walk look incredibly awkward. Always put your heel to the ground first, followed smoothly by your toes. Once your weight is on the balls of your feet, slightly shift your weight forward and then push forward for the next step. Don’t step toe first, but at the same time don't rely on your heel to take all your weight either. If you feel yourself slipping at any stage, then arch your foot slightly to put pressure on the inside of your shoe. This will make your shoe fit closer to your foot, making it easier to move.
Improve Your Posture
An important part of walking in women’s high heels is knowing how to carry yourself or maintaining a good posture. The idea is to look as comfortable and confident as possible. To get the perfect posture: look straight ahead, put your shoulders back, keep your arms relaxed at your sides, bend your knees slightly, keep your legs close together as you walk and point your toes directly ahead– and you’ve nailed it!
Practice
As with any new challenge, the more you train or practice for it, the easier the task will get and eventually, it will no longer seem like a challenge anymore! Before wearing your new high heels to a special event, take the time to walk in them on all types of surfaces and especially practice going up and down the stairs in them– the stairs tend to cause problems for a lot of high heel lovers so dedicate the time to mastering them. In addition, make sure you practice doing all the things you would normally do while walking, such as stopping, pivoting and turning around. Practice really does make perfect and your efforts will make a huge difference in developing your high heel stride.
Continue to Progress
As you grow more confident walking in high heels, you can try the more daring catwalk runway walk. This involves crossing one foot slightly in front of the other in order to give the hips more sway. The best way to achieve “the sway” is to pretend that you're walking down an imaginary straight line. One foot should fall directly in front of the other, with your toes pointing straight ahead. Of course, there’s no need to exaggerate your walk to the extent that catwalk models do, a toned down version of the hip sway will work just as well and probably, will look more natural! It may take a little extra practice to get the hang of this walk, but the results will be worth it. Be assured that with our tips and tricks, you’ll be on the road to the high heel walk of fame in no time!
