How to walk in high heels?

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#181
laurayuki: good idea! I have high arches, so I have some arch support insoles I can use.

cindy05: being 5'2" tall I can't say I can relate LOL...I wish I was that tall! I don't think you're ever too tall for heels - just look at Nicole Kidman. She's 5'10.5" tall and she's always rockin some sexy sole :tup:

alexis77: I don't think I would even be able to stand up in 4" heels :))
 
#182
couture--you could do it! This is my first venture into 4 inch territory. I'm still trying to "walk naturally." So far, it seems like I'm not bending my knees and I look like a robot!
 
#184
I think you're off to a good start because you can walk into a restaurant! I can walk in heels up to 3 inches but I just bought a pair of Choos that are almost 5 inches and I'm trying to learn how to walk in them. I can barely walk around the house in them, and I'm pretty sure I don't look very graceful either! Just keep practicing and I'm sure one day it'll be second nature to you!
 
#186
wear your heels outdoor & take some *emergency* flats or fliplops with you ... If your feet starting to hurt, just switch into those comfortable flats. after a while you can walk further and further with heels and you don't need the flats anymore :tup:.

I do it all the time with new shoes.
 
#187
Thanks for the tips everyone!

So today I start day 3 of my training. Yesterday my feet were SO sore that I wasn't sure I would be able to wear them today...but actually this morning it's not so bad!

My problem is that I seem to have a tendency to lock my knees up a little to keep my balance. I've kinda learned to compensate by using my hips to balance instead of just relying on my knees. One thing I do know, I am definately not a natural at this LOL I hope I don't look like a duck when I walk :sad:

I'm definately going to have to check out that you tube video...
 
#188
I find that practice makes perfect when it comes to heels. I used to wear heels all the time when I worked in an office and then when I started to travel a lot for business I wore comfy flats. After a while I missed the look of heels and started wearing them again, but I had gained some weight so my balance was different and I had to relearn on lower heels. Now I can wear 3-3 1/2" with no problem.

I'm mostly ok in 4" heels too but they have to be balanced well - I have some 4" Tod's heels that are so comfy it barely feels like I'm wearing heels and some 4" Chloes that I have to be more careful in. It feels like my center of gravity is more towards the front in the Chloes so I have to consciously remember to use my hips and posture to adjust my balance. The Tod's just feel like I'm walking on air. Just taller air. :p
 
#190
couture_addict said:
Thanks for the tips everyone!

So today I start day 3 of my training. Yesterday my feet were SO sore that I wasn't sure I would be able to wear them today...but actually this morning it's not so bad!

My problem is that I seem to have a tendency to lock my knees up a little to keep my balance. I've kinda learned to compensate by using my hips to balance instead of just relying on my knees. One thing I do know, I am definately not a natural at this LOL I hope I don't look like a duck when I walk :sad:

I'm definately going to have to check out that you tube video...
Click to expand...

This reminds me of learning how to skate :rolleyes: it might help if you just tip yourself back a little ("lean back.. lean back..") :jammin:

You know it does help if you have something in your hand.. (this is probably why purses and shoes are great combos:roflmfao:) i know it could be a bit hard when you are just walking free-handed.
 
#191
Practice, practice, practice! That's all it takes. Well, almost - there are a few tricks to it, that will probably come naturally eventually, but are good to keep in mind from the start. They're simple:
Don't lean forward.
Relax your knees.
Relax your hips.
Start the movement of your feet from your heels and with toes pointing outward at a 45-degree angle.
Try to relax the muscles in your feet when your foot is in the air to avoid cramps and ease pain.
You can't take long steps at first without looking goofy, so don't even try. With experience you'll be able to walk faster with longer steps.

I can walk miles in comfy (not new and stiff) 4" heels. Can't do 5" yet, but getting there!
 
#193
i think you also have to commit to wearing heels at least every 3rd day. Just think of other exercise...if you dont exercise again within a short amount of time, you lose that additional muscle that you may have just acquired. same with shoes. I love higher shoes (3.5 is perfect for me), but i find that if i dont wear them for two weeks, my feet/ankles are so sore after wearing them again. its a lot of muscle (both in ankle/lower leg/torso that you need to use when wearing these).....so dont let that muscle memory die!
 
#194
I think I am one of the most insane heel wearer (haha... prob not a word), I've been wearing heels since I was 14 (that's when my parents allowed me to) and before then I would always wear my moms shoes for fun. I wear heels 95% of the time and all my heels are around 4" and above. Most of my going out shoes are 4.75"... anyways, when I started I was young so I had little 2" training heels, when I got older and wanted to wear the tall heels, I had issues with them giving me blisters and stuff. I think the best solution is if you are learning to use heels, start with expensive ones. Its such a difference between nice and cheap shoes. Designer shoes go on like a glove. Do pumps instead of strappy shoes and wear them half a size bigger. Once you are used to them, you will be able to wear any size and any style, at least that's how it was for me.
 
#195
Also, if you are practicing on carpet with new shoes it will not be fun. I can walk with new heels on ice (I know, I'm crazy), but I can't do it on carpet. You can scrape them on your sidewalk. It should make it easier to have better posture.
 
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