hints about wearing shoes

[Leslie Mary S]

Hint: Please DO NOT start with 5" heels. your calves will quickly tell you of your error. Start with maybe a 1 inch heel so that you start to slowly stretch the calf. Add a half inch about every 6 months of wear of at least 60 hours per that period. Also some of us will never master those stilettos. It took me 4 years to really master those things.

Want a challenge?
Try walking on soft earth with/without grass in high heels. If you tend to walk with your heels (long steps do that) they will quickly sink into the ground. take shorter, more lady like steps, and keep most of your weight on your toes.

HINT: if you are going to wear hose, do NOT use any nail polish with a rough surface. i.e. large glitter chunks. They can and normally will put holes and runs in your hose.

[AlyssaJ]

So funny story, my first set of women's shoes were a pair of ankle boots with a 4.5" chunky heel. My next pair, 5" stiletto pumps with an ankle strap (see my profile pic). I had to learn the hard way and I agree it would probably have been much easier to have learned in lower heels. My problem with wearing lower heels though is that they make my feet look like battleships. Wearing higher heels helps me mask the overall size of my feet.

The key here is practice. Whatever you start with and however you move up, you need to practice walking in your heels A LOT before you think you're going to venture out in public. As you mentioned, shorter steps, push your butt out a little, chest up and out. It's a completely different posture that takes time to master. Learning to do that while ultimately letting your body (your hips in particular) swing more loosely is key. For many, it's hard to learn how to walk with your legs together. Most CD's that start out in heels walk like a sailor or construction worker. You've gotta ditch that macho stride.

Finally, your point about walking on soft ground is a bit confusing to me. Yes when walking on soft ground, you need to put your weight on the balls of your feet, but that's only on soft ground. When walking on regular surfaces, you should always be putting your heel down first then the toes. If you try to put your toes down first in your regular stride it makes you look like your stomping on egg shells or something (and not in that cool super-model way either). Now the point about soft ground is very true though, I learned that lesson the hard way last year on halloween. Wore those same pumps mentioned above and lost a heel pad and broke the ankle strap when the heels started to sink into the ground. Very sad, but luckily I was able to repair both :)

[dolovewell]

I don't wear any heels above 2 inches. I don't wear heels that often anyway, but I am already 6 feet tall and don't need the extra height. I am more of a boot girl.

It's tough to blend in and look natural when you are wearing high heels out to normal places like a mall. The only place I would wear higher heels would be a bar or club but I don't go to places like that dressed.

[docrobbysherry]

Coincidently, the first pair of online heels I ordered were 5". That was when I was about 60. I'm 73 now.

And, I disagree with your advice on heel size, Leslie. I still nearly get cramps when I first put on hi heels cold. The secret is to stretch your legs and feet by bending your feet as far as u can while seated. Just a couple minutes prepares my feet and legs for even my killer bondage boots!:eek:

[Teresa]

Leslie,
I have a thread open in beauty and shopping section referring to the correct size of heel to wear and also the reason why some people can't wear heels at all. It's titled, " It's official I can wear heels !".

Another interesting point I found was from a web site instructing how to walk in heels. Again it mentioned a comfort height for different people and the correct way to measure heel height is not the back of the heel , which is what most people think, but the point through the centre of the heel . I know some styles don't fit that rule , the type with a heel attached at the very back of the shoe, but most experts don't recommend them because they distribute the weight wrongly from the foot.

As far as the guide is concerned my suitable heel height is 3-3.25" I will admit that must be correct because I do find them the most comfortable.

The most difficult surfaces I've found to walk on are wheelchair ramps and deep course gravel, you can't tip toe on gravel like you can on soft grass.

[Lana Mae]

I am with Dolovewell. My limit is 4". Generally you will find me in flats. I still practice with the heels around the house, but my flats are so comfortable. My 4" are with a 1" platform and the other is a chunky heel(I think they are 4"?) During shopping at transformation, I plan to try heels out and about, but I seldom see women out in heels except after church on Sundays. Hugs Lana Mae

[sometimes_miss]

Great advice if you can find the different shoes that fit. At a size 16, the only things that I found I could keep on my feet for any length of time were flats and several shoes/boots with a 4 1/2 inch heel.

[DIANEF]

I have 4 inch heels which I am quite comfortable in but at 5'8'' am not particularly tall so they look okay. I wouldn't go any higher and for going out probably 2 inches would be my max.

[MelanieAnne]

Hi heels change the shape of your feet, even when you are sitting down. And it takes some getting used to. I personally have no interest in 5 inch stilettos, except for photos. But I can walk all day in 3 inch heels, as well as any woman. And let's face it. When do you ever see women wearing 5 inch stilettos? I wear 2 or 3 inch heels almost every day around the house, just to keep my feet used to them. It just feels normal to me now.