Walking in heels often conjures up images of supermodels in towering stilettos stomping down Paris runways with ease. However, how to walk in high heels in real life is much different. 

It can be hard to imagine yourself as another Hadid sister when walking in heels feels more like walking in stilts.

That’s because heels place your feet (and body) in different places. In heels, 90% of your body weight becomes focused on the balls of your feet instead of being dispersed throughout.

This shift is what makes walking in heels so difficult. Imagine having to move around if virtually all of your body weight suddenly shifted to various body parts! (Hint: it would not be a fun experience).

Nope, heels are not usually comfortable (and why we wrote a post on how to make heels more comfortable with a few handy tips & shoe accessories!).

However, if you want to skip the whole how to walk in high heel lesson check out some super comfy heels that won’t even necessitate a lesson on how to walk in them, below:

Luckily, if you have some heels that don’t seem to cut it for you (or just simply cut your feet!) we’ve got tips and tricks on how to walk in heels properly.So whether you just got your first pair of heels or you’re a dedicated shoe collector, it’s never a bad idea to learn (or re-learn) how to walk in heels.

While it may seem silly, investing the time to learn how to walk in heels properly will pay off the next time you’re faced with an event where wearing heels is mandatory. Your future self will thank you when she doesn’t make a fool out of herself at an important job interview or big date! Here are our tips for walking in heels:

Take The Right Step

Walking in heels is similar to making a big decision. You have to take the right step in order to be successful! And the right step in heels is heel-toe with a bit of a twist. Instead of your normal stride length, shorten it. By walking smaller steps, you have more control.

Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better

When you first start experimenting with heels, it can be tempting to start off with a sky-high stiletto heel. But unless you’re a seasoned pro or you have a natural God-given heel walking talent, stay away from them!

Of course, you can still buy them. But keep your feet away from them until you’ve tried your feet in smaller heights.

There’s a learning curve with every inch in heel height. Your body needs time to adjust and remember the proper motions and placements. Walking in three-inch heels after a lifetime of flats is hard enough. Going from flat to five inches is a hospital visit waiting to happen.

Who knew walking in heels was an ab exercise? Well, you won’t actually gain abs from walking in heels, but if you’re feeling unstable in heels, you’re probably not activating your core.

Gently draw in your abdominal wall towards your spine until you feel it start to contract. Note: sucking in your stomach is not the same thing. You should feel your stomach becoming tighter, not just smaller!

Your core is how you maintain balance & stability. A good core means a stable stride. It also helps maintain the proper heel walking posture: shoulders back, head high, and chin parallel to the floor. And who knows? Maybe after walking in heels all day, you might be able to skip the gym