High Heels...what's the Secret?

I suggest that because you don't wear them regularly you haven't been able to develop a stride. Walking gracefully in high heels takes practice.

LOL... I don't have an answer, I'm just glad to hear that I'm not the only one who can't do this! I've always wondered how people coud walk in heels so gracefully. It has just never been one of my skills. Good thing I'm tall. I would feel like a giant in heels, so it's a good exuse for me to wear flats. :)

first of all buy comfortable heels - Candie's are comfortable and affordable - then practice, practice, practice!!!

First of all you have to have strong ankles. Try this exercise: feet straight up on toes hold a few seconds 10x-- turn toes out up on toes 10x--turn toes in up on toes 10x. Do this 2-3 times a day and your ankles will get stronger.
When buying shoes ***** it doesn't matter how cute they are -- it matters if they fit*****. When you try on the shoe and you feel that your ENTIRE foot is supported and comfortable in the shoe it is the right shoe for you. I am hard to fit but I still have over 70 pairs of shoes. DSW here I come!!!!

LOVE MY SHOES
56 YEARS OLD AND I CAN STILL STRUT MY STUFF IN 3-4 INCH STILLETTOS!!

Practice!!!

And "center lining"

When you're walking in heels, you don't walk "normally" (or you look like an oaf, gimp, horse, whatever) UNLESS you centerline naturally. Find a straight line, or draw one with chalk. Now walk it (in bare feet to begin with). Like a balance beam. Of course, you don't fall off if you're not perfect, and perfect doesn't "matter". What this does is a few different things:

- Stride becomes somewhat longer (allows heel toe to happen in heels without looking glumph glumph... as well as lengthens your own "lines" and creates a bit of 'flow' in your appearance)

- Figure 8 happens with your bum NATURALLY (so you **don't** look like my friend Brian who overdoes it on purpose, or 1930's cartoon characters/ Jessica Rabbit) . The 8 creates 'loose' hips and legs (so you also aren't stomping like a horse with high knees). Your chest is up and shoulders are back, but the centerline/natural figure 8 (you don't have to try to make it) makes your legs flow. So your top half is "up" and your bottom half is "loose". If you're NOT centerlining you can still do a figure 8 with your bum, but then you'll look like a gay man (it's the whole testicular problem, they can't cross their legs high enough to centerline OR figure 8 without an exaggeration).

Centerlining is the FIRST step in what runway models do. (Steps 2 and 3 are "pushing off" as you finish your stride with your back foot and "stomp" which is striking the ground with their front foot at the beginning of their stride by twisting their foot just a tad and using more force. Step 4 is *intentionally* figure 8ing your shoulders... which isn't natural but IS dramatic).

A centerline walk will NOT look like a runway walk (because you're omitting steps! whew! As a former runway model it always makes me cringe when I see people doing a 'walk' out in public. It's like watching people who aren't in uniform marching. In step, fine. Marching... not fine. Both marching and runway walk / stomp are stylized versions of walking and are NOT what you're looking for to have poise/grace.

So practice centerlining both barefoot and in heels. DO exaggerate the 8 and the shoulders for "fun" because it will make the 'normal' 8 just FEEL better/more normal/natural when you stop oozing about like an eel.

And, as always, chest up - chin down (or you'll look like a snot) - shoulders back.

Oh... and while you DO walk heel toe... your weight is on the BALL of your foot. Ditto.. when walking up stairs in heels NEVER put your heel on the stair itself. Just the toe (so your heels sink below the edge of the stairs). After you've practiced enough, you can even run/ play sports in heels... the ball of your foot will just hurt.

great question! I have never been able to look natural walking in heels either. I even used to practice on my treadmill. I think some of us got it and some of us dont. I hate them. They arent good for your feet anyway, and that makes me not feel so bad. How the girls dance in them is beyond me. I'm sure it takes tons of practice and I know your feet gotta hurt at the end of the day, I dont care what anyone says. It is just not a natural way to walk. They are for attention only.

Practice, practice, practice! Walk around your home wearing them. Walk straight and remember to put your heel down first, then the ball of your foot, not both at the same time. Take long steps, not little bity steps and hold your head high.

Sorry, but yes, people do notice when you can't walk and it's usually men noticing this. :) Nothing's worse than seeing a woman who thinks she's sexy, trudging around in heels! Just keep practicing!!

I danced for all of my young life into my twenties...I wore point shoes day in and day out...I have never been able to go more then an hour in anything higher then two inches.

I had bought I pair of Jessica Simpson stilettos heels..I am talking freaking high. I wanted to wear them to an interview I had with Nordstroms. Note to anyone out there..do not buy heels, to wear on an interview if you dont know what you are doing. I probably looked like a noodle trying to find its footing.

I wish I had a trick of the trade to give you. I think heels look super great on. I will just keep it to those who know what they are doing.

The trick? DON'T FALL!!! And if you think you are going to fall, don't be afraid to cling to your man/friends. That is the only way I can walk in heels... My arm tightly attached to my man. He left me standing in the middle of a wal-mart isle once, just because he knew I couldn't go anywhere without him. Grr.

Now... How to look graceful WHILE not falling? No idea. :)

I grew up in heels ... I was one of the only girls in highschool who wore them nearly daily ... I only had gym shoes b/c it was forced for gym class. So, basically like the others have said ... practice, good fit & posture.

You might tend to walk toe first in high heels (that's more natural, to maintain balance, when you're tottering) but the proper way is to walk heel first, the way you do barefoot. The thinner the heel, the harder it is for your ankles not to wobble. I think there's a certain amount of inborn grace required, but you can find some "chunky" high heels to really practice in.

I had some awesomely high heels for my wedding and I wore them around the house constantly for weeks beforehand, just to get comfortable in them. (THEY were not comfortable at all...but oh so cute!!)

Nowadays I don't wear heels...I wear tennies, mostly, or sandals. I put on a pair of heels for church the other day, and found myself doing to "toe walk" while carrying my daughter...so I switched back to flats. I'll try again when she's totally, independently mobile. :)

Start with kitten heels and work your way up till your at your tallest height heel that you'll go. That way you slowly build your "skill' in walking in heels. I view it like any new talent, you have to start as a beginner and work your way up to the stilettos.
And yes, heel toe, heel toe, heel toe.

Hmmm...I think it's just practice. Maybe start with a lower heel or something with a wider base (a stacked heel), wear those regularly until you're comfortable and then work your way up? I've been wearing heels almost daily since college so I don't even think about them. My faves are a pair of red croc-embossed pumps from Talbots that I splurged on last fall. No joke the heel is 5 inches tall! Awesome!

ETA: Riley J what a great response! I bet it's helpful to anyone who is not comfortable doing this. I'll have to pay attention when I'm walking tomorrow and see if I do the "centerline" thing.

Practice- really. I wear heels every day b/c I'm 5' tall on a "good day" and truly it's only from daily wear that I am comfortable in them.

Make sure that you have a good "stacked" heel- not a stilletto style and good cushioning on the ball of the foot. If not, you will be limping and hurting within an hour! You should also try to look for a heel that has a slight "platform" at the toe- you will get the visual illusion of a higher heel without the increased angle on your foot.

Pumps are not the same thing as heels... pumps are shorter and typically easier to wear. Heels jack your feet up and throw your posture off, hence the need to practice.

Wear them around the house and make sure to keep your shoulders back to balance out the posture alignment!

Imagine yourself as a Gazelle.
Balance.
Don't hunch.
Take longer strides.
Don't drag your heel, as you walk/take a step. Many people do that.

Imagine you are walking on air.

Me, I can sprint in them and run up and down stairs in them.

Buy heels that fit well.

Heel-toe, heel-toe! That's the only trick I know and it works! Also make sure the little heel pad things on bottom of the point are there, if they're not they can cause slippage!

So glad you asked this because I feel the same way. I wear them anyways but I'm cursing under my breath half way through the day haha. I may just wear my wedges (there SO easy to walk in) til I get used to it and go from there. Lots of good advice here too. I want to be like J B. and wear heels and not even notice it lmao.

Practice :) Wear them at home for an entire day. Walk heel-toe. And then practice some more :D

Last time I wore high heels was to a wedding. I volunteered to be designated driver because I couldn't drink in those anyway! Up until five years age (my oldest daughter's age..hmm....coincidence?) I wore them all the time.

Chest up to shift weight away from legs, core and waist engaged, relax through hips and legs so you can glide.

There are tons of demos on youtube if you google "How to Walk in High Heels" Here's one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usrs6cm2vQg

I suck at heels too. I usually try to get a thicker heel as opposed to those tiny stick heels. It helps.

walk on the balls of your feet when you are in heels. take nice even strides. I do not like traditional heels but I like boots with heels and clogs with heels. It does take practice and you will get better with time,

Updated

walk on the balls of your feet when you are in heels. take nice even strides. I do not like traditional heels but I like boots with heels and clogs with heels. It does take practice and you will get better with time,

We had to practice in high school (girls' boarding school), and we were taught to walk in heels by walking with books on our heads. This forces you to walk with your head up, shoulders back, hips leading. Imagine that you're walking on a line, each foot coming to that line as you step. Practice in flats, and once you can glide around and not let the book fall, then move on to sturdy heels, then once you're really brave, strappy heels and stilettos. Then walk up and down stairs. Just like in ballet, if you've ever done that, this is all about ankle and foot strength. Work your way up to it and use proper posture and you'll be stalking the catwalks soon enough. ;)

Check out this link for instructions:
http://www.caphillstyle.com/capitol/2011/5/25/tales-of-a-...

I love heels. My family jokes that if I cant do it in heels I cant do it at all. I have chased down kids and dogs, danced the mexican hat dance with girl scouts, and much much more in heels. My hubby and kids are big into skateboarding and I joke that I cant do it cuz I cant wear heels to do it.
You have to have comfortable heels! Try everything on and walk around in them a while before buying. And do not go by shoe size...try them on. I have heels in every size from 6.5 to 8. Depends on the shoe. If the pumps you have are comfortable than it is just practice you need. I notice I walk on my tiptoes (not always but sometimes) when I do not have heels on so maybe try tiptoing barefoot around the house for a few days. Then wear those shoes every chance you get. Go out to get the mail, clean house, etc. I do not walk heel toe in my heels (I dont think). I have learned to walk without the clip clop clip of the heels hitting the floor.
I have been told by many people that I walk fantasticly in heels. Grace,confidence,smooth,effortlessly and with style. I never thought a thing about how I walked in my heels just enjoy wearing them so I do. But it is nice to be told that you dont look like a kid playing dress up with moms shoes in heels :)

Proper sizing, proper fit and good arch support are all musts.
Gel insoles increase comfort (careful though, some of them have super sticky adhesive that will rip your insole out when removed).
Oh, and don't wear heels that are too high because they will make you lean forward like you've just bitten into a York Peppermint Patty. :o)

I wear a size 11,,or more, I dont buy high heels.
I had foot surgery,, I dont wear high heels.

The shoes must fit you very well or your stride will be thrown off and your feet, legs, and back will end up hurting. The most important part of the fit is that the arch of your foot fit on the arch of the shoe exactly, and that your heel does not slide up & down in the shoe. Your toes should not be cramped either.
I love heels, and can wear 4" heels with ease, but only if they fit well. If the shoe does not match my arch then I cannot walk well and my feet hurt within an hour.
If the shoe fits your arch and your heel isn't sliding up & down then I suggest practice walking. Put them on at home and walk around. You'll eventually get the stride right and feel comfortable and confident.

Practice makes perfect!

PS: I don't know how it took me so long to get into wedge heels, but I LOVE them! All of the fun and height, none of the pain. WIN!!

Hi, S.:

Stand tall with a book on your head.
Practice
Practice
Practice.
You'll learn.
Good luck.
D.

It's a lost art that began when you were young at home. As others have said, start by wearing the shoes at home for several hours a day every day until you have them broken in (foot shape is visible) and continue to wear them. Do buy quality shoes as they have better support.

Nothing like seeing a young woman trying to wear heels that does not know how or has not had them on long enough to get comfortable clomping along in bad posture.

Oh dear, where is the etiquette class when you need one? Stand straight, head up book on top and practice so that the book doesn't fall off.

Good luck to you.

The other S.

PS remember when I used to run/walk around New York City in heels from 42nd to 36th and 6 Ave to 41st Street (Macys to bus terminal) in an hour. Lots of hustling and window shopping and walking to catch the bus home. That was a long time ago.

Walk on your toes or ball of your foot. Place one foot directly in front of the other, like you're walking on a balance beam. Practice at home?

The quality of the shoes matter. I had some pumps from banana republic and they were so wobbly. I thought it was just me but then I tried on shoes from Nine West and there was a WORLD of difference. Maybe bc Nine West is primarily a shoe brand so they know what they're doing more?? They were just a lot more stable so I wasn't wobblng all over the place. Plus, lots of practice. I, for one, can't wear high heels for too long. I just like being comfortable too much :)