Fashion designers have their models wear high heels for a reason! Super skinny high heels make a model taller, her legs look longer and her body thinner. Popular opinion says the clothes will look more appealing. What isn’t appealing is watching a person who doesn’t know how to walk in stilettos.
A stiletto heel forces you to balance the majority of your weight on the ball of your foot. Your calf muscles tense up and your hamstrings shorten and your rear sticks outward. Walking in stilettos exposes your feet into a very small space of the shoe front which causes blisters, calluses, corns and ingrown toenails. Now, you are precariously balancing on 5-inch spikes, disrupting your posture and putting seven times more pressure on the ball of your foot. This can easily put you at risk for sprained or broken ankles! Obviously, this is all the more reason to learn how to walk properly in your favorite stilettos.
The first question is to ask yourself is “Are your heels too tight, too wide, too narrow or too big for you? If you answered yes to one if not more of these questions, you need to invest in proper fitting heels.
Don’t hesitate to purchase shoe insoles for added comfort. A model’s favorite trick is to apply the anti-slip, non-skid adhesive tape outside of the shoe, underneath the sole. This will prevent you from falling when walking on a slippery surface.
Do exercises to strengthen your calves and ankles. The stronger your legs are, the easier it will be to walk and balance in stilettos.
Learn how to stand without wobbling! A simple exercise is to simply stand tall and straight for a few minutes. Once you learn how to balance your body it will be smooth walking from here on out.
PRACTICE walking! Start out slow with a straight back and shorter step. Walk toe to heel which helps to distribute your weight better. Remember to walk with your toes pointed straight in front of you. Also, it is very helpful to walk on different floor surfaces (carpet, tile, and hardwood, concrete). Wear your stilettos at home so the shoe can mold itself to your feet. You will feel awkward at first but with all things, practice makes perfect.
