Walking

[Sarah_new]

Walking - a simple task that we all do. But walking in girls shoes without drawing attention to ourselves is not the same as walking in male shoes.

Basically I believe there are two issues.

One the sound; the heels on girls shoes sound different, and to me when I'm wearing them very loud. So loud in fact that I wonder if everyone is looking - but are they?

Second, walking in 5" heels and looking comfortable is a hell of a lot different to walking in my usual male shoes. I suspect it's a case of practice, but where do I practice. I mean walking around my lounge is not exactly that useful, I feel I need to be walking outside on the pavement, and that brings up a whole host of issues. O.K. I could try, and am doing, my 3" heels which should be easier to master, but still, do I look awkward?

Any comments or tips from others?

[Carole]

if you could find something to cover the heel tips then practice up and down your garden path. Only practice will prevail after all RG's have to learn to wear high heels as well.:)

[Amanda.D]

Hey Sarah,
I walk the dog early in the morning. As for 5" heels, get used to 2 or 3" first and gradually increase the height. Stilletoes are difficult in any height, but again, practise makes perfect. As for the noise, I love the click/clack as I walk the street, I find it almost hypnotic.
Hugs,
Mandy

[Leelou]

Practice, practice, practice! I'm sometimes amazed at how well I can walk in heels now. Don't be afraid to move your hips, too. Makes for a more fem appearance and actually makes it easier.

[Shikyo]

Hey Sarah,
I walk the dog early in the morning. As for 5" heels, get used to 2 or 3" first and gradually increase the height. Stilletoes are difficult in any height, but again, practise makes perfect. As for the noise, I love the click/clack as I walk the street, I find it almost hypnotic.
Hugs,
Mandy

I love the sound as well. Sadly in some inside locations the sounds just echoes way too much for it to be really comfortable to walk in there.

I also agree with Amanda. You should learn how to walk in lower heels first and step by step go over to higher heels. Otherwise you might hurt yourself when you train. The pain from walking in too high heels suddenly is not that nice if you still have few miles to walk back to home.

[TSchapes]

a treadmill. I've been wanting to try it (my foot is healing and can't right now). But, yea try some lower heels. Not too many GGs wear 5", 4" is usually the highest that most gals will wear, with 2-3" being the average.

-Tracy

[Miranda-E]

I don't even own a pair of 5" heels

[Carly D.]

In a building of any kind I can hear heels being walked in.. outside is trickier.. I was wearing my heels out to a few stores a while back and when I walked across the lot didn't think twice about how loud the heels were.. then I got into the store and all of a sudden that was all I could hear.. there is a way to tone them down and that is to walk more on your toes.. or you could do what I was doing accidently, I was walking on my pant leg.. while that can be dangerous for slipping or keeping your balance, it does muffle that clopping noise.. by the way that clopping sound is a badge I think.. a show of pride in what you are doing.. but it is so unnerving when you are trying not to be that loud all the time.. I do notice heel sounds everywhere but I don't think the shoes are as loud as I think they are, I just notice the sound because I want to..

[Sarah_new]

Over the past few days I've been observing how GG walk (discretely of course) when wearing high (4"+) heels, and to be honest some haven't looked that much more comfortable than me. However they do have the advantage that if you look at them they look hot, whereas I don't.

Anyway this makes me feel reasonably pleased with myself as I am probably getting there on the walking front. I did post a few short videos on youtube a while back which you may or may not have looked at, so I'm still interested in feedback, so I've repeated the link to the main one here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvT09kw5T5Q

All comments/views welcome.

[Diane Smith]

I bought a couple of pairs of shoes -- very short booties actually -- with rubber soles and about 3" semi-chunky heels, specifically so I could practice while wearing them in boy mode. This started as an experiment, but they have become my preferred daily footwear over time. I go all over and do everything in these heels and have never received a comment about them, good or bad. Although these are by no means the same as my preferred 4" pointy-toed stilettos, they have been a great help in toning my calves, ankles and feet to make it easier to walk in even higher heels when I am able to get out in girl mode. I'm probably averaging 10 - 12 hours a day in heels, now.

So if you see a skinny guy walking down the street in heels, give a holler, might be me.

- Diane

[Bev06 GG]

if you could find something to cover the heel tips then practice up and down your garden path. Only practice will prevail after all RG's have to learn to wear high heels as well.:)

Yep and we still can't do it without getting aching feet, bad back, blisters and a whole host of other ailments. Are we mad or are we mad.
Bev

[rebecca_morris_75]

Practice, practice, practice! I'm sometimes amazed at how well I can walk in heels now. Don't be afraid to move your hips, too. Makes for a more fem appearance and actually makes it easier.
If I'm dressed around the house I leave my heels on the entire time, and it's helped me get used to them. Practice makes perfect!

[Marisa_M]

Walking in heels are just a matter of practice until you feel really comfortable.

My advice is to start with not so high heels, let's say 2 or 3" until you feel confident wearing them. Anyway even I have lots of miles :) walking in heels I don't wear heels higher than 3".

Regarding the sound...there is no better sound than your own heels clicking on a hard floor...I loooooooooove it!:love:

[Melinda G]

Womens shoes are designed to attract attention. How many times have you instinctively looked around when you heard that tap tap tap, only to see some obese behemoth, and then think, "what was I thinking".:D
It's not just the height of the heels. Even womens flat shoes make a loud noise on any hard floor. Women would not buy a "silent" pair of shoes, even if they could!:eek:

[StaceyJane]

I always have my heels on when I'm dressed. I feel so much more comfortable wearing them now.

[MichelleP]

Once you've mastered your walk with 2-3" heels, you should practice on stairs going up and down. Climbing or descending stairs in heels is a totally different experience and can throw you off if you are unprepared.

Also, several places sell these little pads that stick to the bottom of your shoes and prevent slips. They're kind of like little pieces of sandpaper with glue on the back. They help when your out strutting in your killer heels.

[Ruth]

I don't own a pair higher than 3", and I don't wear the 3" often. It's generally agreed that it's difficult, and it doesn't do your feet or your back any good, to walk in high heels. This goes for women as well as men.
Still, if you like the effect, go ahead, and I'm sure practice will help. It's really down to how much you want to suffer for the sake of beauty.

[bobi jean]

Fortunately for me, walking in heels seemed to come naturally I suppose. I've been doing it for so long it is second nature now. The sound, while wearing hard souled shoes designed for females, is forever present, except on a soft surface. I think they are designed that way and I do not see any way out of it. (not that I ever looked for a way out, because I like the sound) As for walking in heels, I stongly suggest starting in lower heels and working up, but don't rush it. 5' heels are tough even for GG's and the best of us, If worn for any length of time and especially on hard surfaces, be careful. I have never broken my ankle because of wearing heels but I have sprained them (both) on occasion and that hurts like HELL (for a long time).

[TeenTG]

yeah you just have to practice i feel really comfortable in heels at this point

[Melissa Rose]

It takes practice to walk smoothly in high heels. I strongly recommend staying with 2-3" heels most of the time. I have some 4" heels, but they are on special occasion shoes and not ones for daily wear.

[Eve_WA]

Interesting.... I started in 5" heels. Never had any problem with them. I practiced walking around the house and up and down my stairs. Just start slow and work your way into it.

As far as the heel height issue... I hear a lot of women dont wear 5" heels... BUT... you also have to consider that the larger the shoe size, the taller the heel needs to be to keep the same angle of foot. (Hypotenuse of a right triangle) So in reality, a womens size 8 shoe with a 3 1/2" heel is about the same as a size 13 with a 5" heel. Its all in the angle. So dont get hung up on heel length. Its how it feels, and how it looks. I have several 5" heels that are FAR more comfortable than some 2" heel shoes that I have. It seems to have to do with how they transition from the angled sole to the flat part on the ground. And then, I have a 5 1/2" set that I cant wear to save my life!!

Also, keep in mind, that the higher the heel, the smaller your feet look. I have a pair of ballet shoe style flats, that look like river barges on my feet. Where a 3-5" heel makes my feet look fairly normal in size. I just wont wear flats, unless they are sandles.

Eve

[kfsteve391]

I would start with a pair of 2 to 3 inch inch heels. Make sure the fit is as good as possible. That is why I get my shoes from a shoe store rather than mail order. Then wear them as much as you can around the house to get used to them and to break them in. Take it very easy at first. Don't forget to practice everyday. Always have a good positive attitude. Keep your head up and shoulders back. Look confident.

["Mary"]

Lots of good advice here - I'll add that video taping yourself is a real eyeopener. Try it.

[Phyliss Hdson]

I started out with 4 inche heels and adjusted fairly quickly.The more you walk the easier it gets, I used to walk out to the mail box and back late at night, and out on my patio during the day every chance I got. My first time out in heels was a Holloween Party years ago, we told evryone that I lost a bet and this was what I had to do. Though none of the people at the party know I dress a couple of the wives commented on how well I walked in heels and looked a little surprised at the end of the evening when they asked if my feet hurt and I said no.:D Keep trying and dont take as big a step as you normally would, that will help with balance and some of the sound.
Hugs Phyliss.

[Jaclyn NM]

I wear 5 inch heels around the house almost every day, to the point that I feel very comfortable walking in them. I also make sure I practice walking around in my garage, to get used to walking on hard surfaces, and it has worked. I also have a pair of six inch stilettos that I like to wear from time to time, when I feel a little naughty, and I've gotten quite good walking in them. I take a female size 13, which is why I like the higher heels, since they do make your feet look smaller.

[Midnight Skye]

I think I posted something on this before. But a good way to learn is to start with ~3inch wedges. They're very easy to walk in, and you can build a proper feminine gate. After move to 3inch heals with a chunky heel. After you have gotten comfortable dressing and walking in those, move to higher heals or lower stilettos.

Key point, gradually move between easier to harder. If you jump right up to something too difficult you'll find a way to walk, but more likely than not you'll develop a poor gate and bad foot posture.

I also strongly recommend checking some women's articles on walking in high heels such as:
http://www.wikihow.com/Walk-in-High-Heels
http://shoes.about.com/od/fashionfootwear/ht/walk_high_heels.htm

They often have good tips on things to look out for, how to go up steps, etc.

[JenniferR771]

And do not forget! Sneakers allow your ankle to flex. With heels you have to balance different. When you go around a corner--you have to remain upright. You cannot hug the curve and lean-in like on a motorcycle. A very slight bend at the waist puts your weight over heels and the balls of your feet so you can move almost with ease.

[HalloweenDragon]

Heels draw attention no matter what. At that point enjoy the attention! At night when I'm walking around, and the grass is slightly moist, I LOVE taking my heels off for a moment and frolicking through the grass. Just make sure you have a napkin ready to clean off your feet before putting those heels back on!!!

[Rianna Humble]

walking in 5" heels and looking comfortable is a hell of a lot different to walking in my usual male shoes. I suspect it's a case of practice, but where do I practice.

I began with 4" stilettos around the house, then wore them to work. My problem came with going down a steep hill ;-)

Now I'm more comfortable with a heel than in drab or even flip-flops.

Must admit to sticking with my pink 3" for everyday wear and definitely like the sound they make.

May go back to a stiletto later, but probably with less bling than the first pair.