A Fashion Editor's Refresher Course on How to Walk in Heels

Photo:

@mimi.orere

Need a reminder on how to walk in heels? We’ve got you. 

Photo:

@bettinalooney

The easiest way to look ungainly in heels is to put your whole foot down at once as if you’re wearing flats. It may seem obvious to many, but when wearing a high shoe, put your heel down first, followed by your toe. This will make your walk look more natural. 

Photo:

@emilisindlev

Wearing heels makes your stride shorter than normal, so you’ll have to take an increased number of small steps to go the same distance. Take your time, and don’t overstep—that’s how slips and falls can happen. 

Photo:

@jeannine.roxas

Trying to walk quickly in heels can not only look awkward but also end in a disastrous trip or two. Between the smaller steps and the compromised balance, it’s best to take your time in heels. Besides, walking slowly gives off an air of confidence. It’ll encourage you to improve your time-keeping skills, too. 

Photo:

@mimi.orere

You may find you want to walk faster than your heels will allow and end up craning your neck to compensate. So allow yourself to lean just the slightest bit back when walking in heels, as this will counteract your inclination to push your torso forward. 

Photo:

@laurennicolefk

When you want to draw a straight line, you’ll get better results if you look at your end point as you draw rather than looking at your pencil as it moves. Similarly, when walking in heels, you’ll walk more gracefully if you look at your goal point (the café at the end of the street, for example) and visualise a straight line going toward it rather than staring down at your toes as you walk. 

Photo:

@threadsstyling

As you take each step, or if you feel yourself slipping, 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 manoeuvre. 

Photo:

@bettinalooney

If your shoes are ill-fitting, it makes the difficult task of walking naturally in heels almost impossible. If your heels are too big, use shoe pads for a better fit. If they are too small, consider having them stretched by a local cobbler.

Photo:

@pernilleteisbaek

Truth is, if your shoes feel too high to walk in, then they probably are too high for you. But that doesn’t mean all is lost—so many midi and low heels exist these days you can still feel the shoe love. In fact, they’re more on-trend than ever.