Look Good Walking in Heels

Heels are one of the prettiest types of shoes you can wear--they’re elegant and can dress up any outfit. However, they’re not always easy to walk in, which can undermine the most important part of any look: your confidence. By picking out comfy heels that suit your style, standing with impeccable posture, and walking with a relaxed but determined stride, you can make any pair of heels look even better.

Steps

Picking the Right Shoes

Start off slow. If you’re new to wearing heels, you probably don’t want to go for a six-inch stiletto pump right off the bat. For one thing, you want to build your balance up to shoes that are trickier to wear; for another, you’ll be more mentally comfortable if you feel like your new shoes aren’t a wild diversion from your normal style.^[1]
- Short heels (from 2-3 inches) are much simpler to walk in than tall ones.
- Chunky heels are easier to balance in than thin ones.
- The general structure of the shoe matters, too: the more fabric or leather covers your foot, the better it will stay attached to it. Go for boots or mary-janes over strappy sandals for an easier time.^[2]
Choose comfort. If you’re grimacing in pain, it won’t matter how hot your shoes are--you just won’t look as good. Heels don’t feel the same as flats, but you can still find a pair that fits your feet perfectly. Don’t wear shoes that pinch your feet or dig into your ankles if you want to look your best.
- Instead of buying shoes online, try them on in stores so you can see how comfortable they are.^[3]
Dress for the occasion. To look your best wearing heels, wear them at the right time and place. Rules of dress aren’t as pronounced as they used to be, so don’t worry too much about ettiquette--just make sure your heels won’t get in the way of whatever you’re planning to do, and you’ll probably be fine.
- Some good places to show off dressy heels like pumps include: cocktail parties, weddings and business formal settings.^[4]
- Brunch, daytime parties, and more relaxed workplaces are good places for casual heels, like wedges or lace-up boots. In some of these settings, you can also use more formal heels to set off a simple outfit.^[5]
- Use your judgement to figure out when it’s a bad time for heels. In general, any setting that requires running or mud--or both--is not the best place to wear your fancy shoes.
Pick heels that complement your outfit. Again, there is no fashion police, and no one is going to arrest you if you wear combat boots in the summer. Still, your excellent shoes can add a lot of flair to your outfit, so match them intentionally.
- In the summer, wedge sandals can handle shifting sands, and look nice with a sundress.
- Close-toed stiletto pumps work well with a pencil skirt or rolled-up relaxed-fit jeans.
- Chunky platforms are excellent with skater dresses. As a bonus, they’re comfortable for going out and dancing up a storm.
Make your heels more comfortable. Sometimes you find an excellent pair of heels that are deeply on sale, and you must have them, even if they're half a size too small. While it's ideal to buy shoes that fit perfectly--they are comfier and easier to move in--there are ways to adapt an almost-right shoe to your foot.
- If a shoe is slightly too small, stretch it. A cobbler can do this for you, or you can try it yourself by donning some thick socks, sliding the shoes on top, and heating them with a hairdryer for several minutes.^[6]
- Insoles and insets can make shoes more cushy and supportive.
- If your shoes are chafing you, fix them with moleskin. Buy a pack of the adhesive material at the drugstore, and trim pieces to fit the spots on your shoe that are rubbing you raw.^[7] (Don't worry: it's made from cotton, not real moles.)
Practice. Don't save your new shoes until a big event. Once you've brought them home, you should take steps to make sure they're properly molded to your feet. Wear them around the house or to the grocery store to break them in a bit and get your body used to the feeling.^[8]

Correcting Your Posture

Stand up straight. Good posture is the key to looking good at all times, no matter what you’re wearing. It makes you look confident and tall, and helps your clothes fit better. It’s especially important if you’re trying to look good in heels, as you should be hyper-aware of how your body is balanced when you are getting used to a new movement.
- Lift your chin and bring it forward a bit. Don’t stick it in the air--just imagine it resting on a shelf that runs parallel to the floor.^[9]
- Relax your shoulders instead of pulling them up to your ears, or artificially thrusting them back. Let your arms hang loose so they have a natural swing to them.^[9]
- Don’t lock your knees. Some people think locking your knees will make you pass out. It probably won't, but it can cause you pain and make you look unnatural.^[10]
Look at your feet. Some people turn their toes in a bit, while others splay them out a bit. Focus on doing neither! Your toes should be facing straight ahead and your feet parallel and close together.
Lean back a bit. If you trip, you’ll naturally fall forward. Try to counteract that by leaning your upper body back a bit beyond its normal position. This may feel a little unnatural at first, but the presence of the heels will balance you out so you look like you’re standing up straight.^[11]
Tighten your abs. Any time you need to balance, engaging your core will help you center yourself and feel secure. This is especially true in heels! Not only will it keep you from falling, but it will also improve your posture (and make you look a bit slimmer, if you’re into that).^[12]

Moving With Grace

Move heel to toe. If you're used to wearing flats, you might be accustomed to putting your whole foot down at once with each step. Shoes with high heels need a different movement. Imagine yourself gently setting your heel down, then letting your toes settle after. This will keep you from stomping.^[8]
Lead with the pelvis. You’re already leaning back a bit, but when you take your first steps in your heels, imagine yourself being led by the hips, not by the shoulders. This will also help to further enhance your posture. No need to pull your shoulders back too much--this is a subtle movement.^[13]
Put one foot in front of the other. When you walk, imagine that you’re walking on a tightrope or a straight line. Place the heel of each foot directly in front the toes of the other. If you keep your feet apart when you're walking, you end up with a bit of a waddle. If you cross your feet over too much, you might look a little tipsy.^[14]
- To add to the straight-line visual, focus on your goal and simply walk toward it. This may keep you more naturally focused than you would be staring at your feet.
Walk with shorter steps. Long loping strides are not going to look graceful. For most, a higher heel means a shorter step. Experiment until you find a step length that comes naturally to you, and then practice until it becomes part of your muscle memory.^[15]
- Some find it helpful to watch videos of models walking for inspiration.
Let your hips swing. Heels are known for being attractive not just because they make you taller--they also encourage your hips to move more than they might in flats. Don’t fight the swing! If you’re trying to figure out how to replicate a high-heel swagger, try subtly moving your hips in a figure-8 pattern.^[15]
Don’t rush. Take your time. Your heels are great, and with some confidence and practice, you’re sure to look great in them. However, they’re just not built for running, so try to walk with a measured step if you can.^[1] This will make you look more purposeful, too.
Watch yourself. Practice! Wear your heels around the house to get them used to your shape, but also to get you used to theirs. Check yourself out in the mirror, or ask a swaggery friend for feedback. Be aware of how you are walking until your heel-wearing gait becomes natural to you--which it will.

Tips

Walk in front of a mirror. Get a friend to watch you walk and give you feedback. Use a video tape and watch yourself walk. It may seem narcissistic, but it will help you look hot in the long run.
If you can find a floor with straight lines painted on it, use it to help you keep your steps in line. Sidelines of basketball courts are a great example.
Walking with your feet one in front of the other is something you can practice without heels too. If you get so this is your natural way of walking, you're going to look just as hot walking in tennis shoes as stilettos.

Warnings

While it's good to check yourself out when you're practicing, don't do it when you're out on the town.
Don't drive in high heels. Wear flats, and change in your heels later if you're going to drive in them.
Don't wear your high heels every day. You'll end up causing problems for your feet when you're older, so just wear them once in a while.