Walking like a female

[Jenny22]

I spent some time in Las Vegas, and had ample opportunities to watch females walk. Virtually all did NOT walk heel to toe! Their strides were with feet apart, just like guys would, but in a more feminine manner. This really surprised me, based on what I've read on this site! Even most in heels walked this way!

This tells me that too much emphasis has been placed on our girl-types needing to walk heel to toe, even in heels! My girl walk is going to be more comfortable, now, with my shorter stride.

Anyone else notice as I did?

[Stacy Darling]

Walking to me is a staple, Having to walk in Debutants Balls and on Parade grounds in Male mode has given me the knowledge of being capable of clicking my heels past each other as I step. One benefit of being a male!
I practice my stride whenever.
Stacy

[Teresa]

Jenny,
Not many GGs are catwalk models, most don't sashay about like supermodels.

The main point is they turn their hands uppermost and tuck their elbows in, you will find that induces some sway in the hips.

Many these days do have larger than normal upper legs which will make them walk splay footed , it also forces them to wear flat shoes.

Most guys have fairly shapely legs , which don't look bad when shaved and wearing stockings and heels, all they have to do is take smaller steps and we can usually get away with a reasonable walk.

The point is don't overdo it otherwise you will come over as camp , most CDers aren't like that , it's the media that has presented people with that impression .

I will add that our walk is affected by the comfort of our shoes, either if they are too tight or too loose, I'm not sure which is worse but being too big is easier to remedy.

[Pat]

Not meaning to offend, but CDs walk like women in the same way that they dress like women. That is to say, they're performing against some internalized model of what an ideal woman would do (probably based in the 1950's.)

If you plan to be out and about en femme I would say test any advice from CDs by watching actual women out doing actual living and see if they do what you're being told they do. At various times I've read that women cross their ankles when they walk (they don't,) they lift the backs of their hands when they walk (they don't,) they tuck their elbows (they don't really -- they just don't throw their elbows around like guys do.) For the most part, a good first approximation of an actual woman's walk is to walk naturally with good posture and relaxed lower back.

[NancySue]

From my observations, I would agree. It's all in the hip movements, smaller steps and a lot of practice. My wife has been a great help.

[Robertacd]

Walking heal to toe is not how a GG walks, it is a way for a GM to walk when trying to emulate the hip movements a GG makes naturally when she walks.

[Tahoegurl]

I just tried the smaller strides last night in 5inch stiletto sandals...what an improvement...so much more comfortable and stable...still working on narrowing my walk...but progress. Thanks to all for the tips.

[Rachael Leigh]

The biggest difference I've noticed is the way they sway their arms, more dramatic than guys.
I usually try to do the same and yes I do notice some have their hands on the up position, I think a lot do this by habit
because they carry their purse across their arm with hand up. I find I do it that way too even if I have a shoulder purse

[jemima_bates]

Hey,

This could be useful: Biomotion Lab Walker

In fact, I'm sure I first saw it from a link on this site. Apols to the admins if it's a double-post!

As the illustrations show, as with everything, there's a sliding scale.

For me, I steer more towards the glamorous (not quite) drag end of the spectrum when dressed, so try to accentuate that hip swing and out-turned arms as much as possible. Knowing full well that I'm not gonna, nor want to, pass.

Jemima
x

[jennifer0918]

I noticed the same. But when in heels it's fun to walk heel to toe,o don't dress often so I like walking like a runway model.

[Tracii G]

The bio motion lab walker is just the programmers opinion and by watching actual women walking it bears little similarity to actual women.
When guys/CD's try to walk like women its just not a natural movement and you can tell.
Just walk in smaller steps and try not to walk like a monkey.

[priyasweet]

I love walking in my heels. Getting better slowly but I feel amazing in them

[Stephanie Nicole]

I like to go to the local malls and just people watch. I usually sit there for a hour or so and have a cup of coffee while I just watch people walking around. I get to see a lot of different people and the styles of dress that is out there. One thing that I have noticed about most of the women that I see is that they are rarely, if ever wearing heels. Mostly it is sneakers, sandals or ballet flats. The only time I see them in heels seems to be the higher up store mangers/executives or people that are dressed to the nines for a special occasion. So when I do dress to go out I usually forgo the heals and wear the flats or sandals. I also find that when they walk in the flats compared to the heels there is a slightly more relaxed gait or pace to them. I guess it is from the way that their feet are positioned that cause that. Most of the time the women don't walk that much different than a man except with smaller steps and more grace, women seem to have sort of a fluid motion about them when they walk.

[Lana Mae]

Watch the ladies walk! I have observed all kinds of variation in the way women walk! Some even walk like men! They do not cross over their center line when they walk! I have seen them walk with steps that bring the feet from 3-6 inches apart but not cross the center line! Lucille Sorella(probably spelled wrong) has some instructions on walking like a female and one is that high heels tend to make us walk like a woman! She also has some exercises that are supposed to help! Get out there and observe! Hugs Lana Mae

[leannejacobs]

I have to say I walk very naturally in 4 to 5" heels, it's not an effort at all, I'm a manly man but when dressed I just change, my fem cousin couldn't believe how well I moved in heels, stating that I can walk better than her, it is a dead give away when you watch some videos on YouTube, I cringe when I see some.

[docrobbysherry]

It's been said here umpteen times that, "Women come in all shapes and sizes". By those wishing to explain their shape. So, why wouldn't they walk differently, too?

However, some of us prefer to resemble the idea fem figure more than others. And, when wearing hi heels, (4" and higher), prefer to walk more like a model than a cowboy in heels. I've learned to throw my hips when I walk dressed. But, I can't do that unless I cross one foot in front of the other. With even more exaggeration than heel to toe.

[alwayshave]

I'll agree with Traci, just take smaller steps. I have a naturally large stride, so smaller steps help, especially when wearing heels.

[Krisi]

I don't know what it is, but men walk differently than women. Just this weekend my wife and I were watching someone at a distance and wondering if it was a man or a woman. "It" started to walk and my wife said "He walks like a man."

For the most part, women sway their hips when they walk. That's the difference most easily noticed.

[Ressie]

Heel to toe seems natural to me. it may appear that women (or men) walk more flat footed, but the heel usually falls first by a split second. Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with being female or male? I had a male friend once that walked more on his toes.

The one time I captured video of myself practicing walking like a woman in heels, I had to laugh at myself. I tried swinging one arm as I've seen women do. I walked heel to toe with arms close to my sides. I still looked rather ridiculous! I'll have to try this again sometime. And maybe I should observe more women walking.

So far my conclusion is to walk less like a man rather than trying to walk like a woman.

[Kate Simmons]

Not heel to toe as much as one foot in front of the other. Works for me.

[ClosetED]

I also watched how women in heels walked - they put down the ball/toe area just slightly first as that is more stable than stiletto heels or other non-chunky heels. men often put the heel down first and roll onto ball. As to distance apart, if you want to go over the top, cross your legs across midline which forces a great rear-end sway, such as catwalk strut. GG can get their usual sway from their different hip alignment and CDers can approximate this with coming closer to midline (one foot in front of the other). Making it all the way to midline may be too much for blending.
Hugs, Ellen

[Sarah Doepner]

A couple of years ago I was at an open house for the local LGBT+ center and the news people were there. I thought I'd avoided getting in any of the shots but on the news that evening I watched myself from behind lumber down a hallway. No doubt the person on the screen was me and it was obvious from my stride that I was a male in a skirt. I'm just glad that was all they shared. If they had shown my face I would have been mortified, but it turned into a close call and learning opportunity.

Since then I've attempted to improve on what I saw (breaking my foot in the meantime didn't help). The key factors have been; 1) stand up straight, it's easier to be a knuckle-dragger if you stoop. And if you stand up straight your chest looks better anyway. 2) take shorter strides, and take those strides from the hip since your back is straight with that nice posture. 3) Walk straight ahead with your legs together, you don't need to cross the center line with each step but with legs not splayed out ready to take up two seats on the subway when you sit, you present a better line and silhouette. 4) practice with the shoes you plan to wear and do it on multiple surfaces, it's much easier to look relaxed and comfortable if you are relaxed and comfortable.

Posture, swinging your legs from the hip and stride length can all be done to some extent in guy mode without attracting too much attention to how you are walking.

[Mgreenva]

Not really sure how I walk but 3 ggs have told me I walk very well in heels in the last 10 days. I wore heels into my favorite store today (9west) the SA asked if my purchase was a gift and I said no they are for me. she said I'll put a gift receipt in the bag. I said no ma'am they are for me. She said ok ...paid and etc. as we were walking toward the door she says I didn't notice your shoes but they look nice on you and you walk very natural in them. I told her most people don't notice unless they know the sounds. Of heels. I do put my heel down first but I think control of how fast you let your front half down. A lot of women struggle in heels also

[Becky Blue]

From a lot of observations I would say that there are many women who walk more like men are supposed to and many men who walk like women are supposed to. But a lot more women walk with smaller strides and with their hips swaying more than most men. As for arms for each woman who moves her arms more there is one who hardly moves her arms at all.. Naturally high heels effect how women walk.

[Ressie]

And some women don't sway their hips when they walk. Now I see that Jenny22 is referring "heel to toe" as something different than I am.