There is no greater fashion confidence booster than walking out of the house in a pair of killer heels. However, I’m not one for wearing Louboutins, because a) they’re too frigging expensive and b) I honestly don’t know how people can walk in them without toppling over. But a good heel that I find comfortable to walk in can be a huge confidence booster for me. However, one drawback of wearing high heels all day is this – the somewhat inability of my feet being able to survive in high heels for long durations.
As I said, I love high heels. Whether it be a highish stiletto, a block heel, a wedge or a thigh-high boot, heels are my guilty pleasure. In my early twenties, I would love to wear heels for any going out occasion. From a birthday to just having a quick drink in the pub, I’d wear a heel of some sort. Nowadays, I do opt for the flatter shoe, purely for comfort reasons. I find this quite sad in a way. The confidence high heels bring out in me is second to none. I want to start wearing them again and be able to wear them for longer periods of the day.
Now, I’m not saying that I’m going to start wearing them to hospital appointments or to put the washing out. Just when I go out out. After everything with the pandemic, going out out for me is now a coffee catch-up with friends. Can you blame me after isolating for so frigging long?!
So yes, surviving in high heels is a physical skill for the feet, core and even posture. Your feet are put through the mill when wearing heels. So it takes time and practice to get your feet trained to wear that killer heel for more than five minutes.
Here is a little guide to surviving and bossing wear high heels all day:
1) Get the plasters on standby
Buy some decent plasters. Wearing new high heels in particular is a monumental task at times. You’ve got to wear them in and that means a little blister or two forming on the toes or by the bunion area. Have some plasters to hand, I use these gel plasters from Amazon in particular as, for me, they provide the best comfort for my poor little blistered toes.
2) Make sure you break them in
New heels need breaking in. Simple as. Never wear new high heels outside before breaking them in first. You’ll be so apologetic to your toes and feet if you don’t. When you buy new heels, wear them around the house. Wear them while loading the dishwasher, hoovering or even feeding the dog. Even walking around your back garden in them to practice walking in them on concrete or grass.
3) Start off small and work your way up
If you’re looking to start wearing heels, start with a smaller inched heel and work your way up. Don’t start off with a 6″ stiletto. You’ll never want to wear heels again otherwise. Go for a heel of 3-4 inches to start with and once you get used to them and can walk in them all day without fail, go for the 5-inch heel (that’s if you want to have the higher heel). Working your way up is key.
4) Know which type of heel will suit you
Stilettos are hard to walk in for long periods, so don’t be afraid to go for a smaller or block heel. Block heels are so easy to walk in for me. The thicker the heel, the easier it is to walk in them. You’ll have greater balance with a thicker heel. Stilettos are hard to find that balance in, that’s why I suggested before to work your way up.
5) Try heels in different sizes
We all know sizes differ in some shops when it comes to clothes, but the same applies to shoes too. I know for a fact that when I’ve tried on shoes in different shops, sometimes I have to size up or size down from my normal size. Even flats. So try on three sizes – your normal size, a size up and a size down and see which fits you best.
6) The heel on the ground first trick
To be able to walk in high heels with great confidence and provide better balance, put your heel on the ground first. Heels have the ability to make you walk differently. I know they do for me. One trick I learnt online is to walk in them with some success, place the heel on the ground first, then the rest of your foot. I know that sounds weird, but it works, trust me.
7) Practice makes perfect
Plenty of practice and you’ll be bossing wearing heels and wearing them all day. Please don’t give up, the practice will be worth it, I promise. Next thing you know, you’ll be heading off to London Fashion Week wanting to walk on the catwalk. Just don’t overthink it. It’s easy for me to say relax when wearing heels, but that’s easier said than done. But honestly, you’ll smash it once you practice!
I need to point out though, that wearing heels is to everybody’s individual tastes. If wearing heels isn’t for you (because of comfort or disability) please don’t feel like you need to wear them. If you feel more comfortable wearing flats, then that’s more than ok! This post isn’t a forceable piece to make you feel you have to wear heels next time you go to Tesco!
