How to Walk In Heels: 9 Pro Tips
For some of us, there's nothing more empowering than wearing a pair of high heels. Figuring out how to walk in heels for long periods of time, however, isn't always as satisfying.
Here, we asked trusted experts who have experience with sky-high shoes—models, model coaches, and fashion insiders—to share their go-to tips in order to teach us how to walk in heels with style and with grace.
Edward Berthelot1/9Test-drive high heels before a big day
An important meeting or interview, a first date, or a wedding is not the place to break in your new high heels. So what is? "The supermarket," says Camilla Morton, author of How to Walk in High Heels and A Year in High Heels. "Get a cart and go for a spin. As you stock up on groceries, use the cart for balance while your feet get used to the new high heel."
Christian Vierig2/9Prep Your Soles
Tweak your soles with a discreet little pad like Grippy Steps, which affix to the bottom of your shoe and help create some traction on marble, tile and carpet. In need of a quicker fix? "Scratch the bottom of your soles with sandpaper," J. Alexander suggests, or—even cheaper—head out to the street and start scuffing.
Streetstyleograph3/9Work your legs properly
"Walking in heels is not an easy task, even for us models who wear them almost every day," says model and runway regular Ali Stephens. "Make sure when you take a step you straighten and extend your leg—it'll help you move gracefully and elegantly. Otherwise, you can look very uncoordinated, and your walk will appear choppy."
Jeremy Moeller4/9Close your eyes while standing still
Getting a feel for where your weight falls in high heels is easier if you try it with your eyes closed first—just don't take a step. "Before you even walk in them, stand up, close your eyes, put your hand on your core and get a good feel for them," Meghan Cleary says. "Then open your eyes a little bit, then a bit more, and start taking a few steps while you focus on that core area." Your body will be forced to readjust and use other muscles to help you balance.
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Kirstin Sinclair5/9Break your heels in at home
When you buy a new pair of high heels, you need to customize them for your feet, says Meghan Cleary, a shoe expert and the author of The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoe Says About You. "Bring them home, wear them for an hour, and anywhere you feel a bit of pain or rubbing, that's where you want to address because it will become very painful after four hours of wear," she says. "You mostly feel it on the ball of your foot, because that's where the pressure has been distributed." She recommends padding them up with Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot Cushions and Rub Relief Strips. "Do it before the first time you wear them out."
Jeremy Moeller6/9Be mindful of when you wear your heels
One little-realized piece of advice: our feet swell throughout the day, so it matters when you buy new high heels or slip into your favorite pair. At the end of a long day, your feet have had enough, so if you're going out in the evening, make sure you rest your feet before strapping on those heels. If you getting dressed early in the morning, your foot won't be swollen at all so you might want to bring a pair of flats for when they do.
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Christian Vierig7/9Take a seat every 20 minutes or so
"Whenever and wherever you can, sit, sit, sit!," says J. Alexander, the former runway coach on America's Next Top Model. "And cross your legs so that all can see your beautiful, fashion-forward, painful footwear. Think of yourself as a model on a photo shoot and stretch from the waist."
Kirstin Sinclair8/9Keep up that yoga
Keeping your balance in treacherous shoes is hard for anyone, even the pros. One model we spoke to who's a regular on the runways of fashion week says regular yoga helps keep her balanced. The more aware you are of your core muscles, the better chance you have of staying steady.
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Kirstin Sinclair9/9Confidence is key
There's no substitute for knowing you look great in a pair of high heels. All our experts agree: "You have to feel good and make it work," says model Ariel Meredith. "Don't let the fear of stumbling keep you from owning these shoes," adds Ali Stephens, while Miss J. suggests you should "think of yourself as a model in attitude and presence."
