For the past month, I’ve attempted wearing high heels five times a week. I’d be lying if I said I did this challenge for a straight month since I took a break when I was feeling sick in early September. However, I did spend at least two and a half weeks giving the challenge a good ol’ college try.
5 Lessons Only High Heels Can Teach
1. Be comfortable with being taller. Since I’m 5’5″, I’m used to being as tall as or shorter than my peers and co-workers. So when my heels made me taller, I felt awkward. That was something I had to get over. If you can learn this lesson, you will always be comfortable in heels.
2. Walk from your hips. During the first few days of my experiment, I found that my knees and ankles were doing most of the walking, which lead to the proverbial “pounding of the pavement.” If you walk like this, high heels will never be comfortable. Instead, imagine the motions of your walk coming from your hips instead of from your knees. This will help you look less like you’re stomping around, and it will also be more comfortable since it’s easier on your joints.
3. People will notice your heels. Construction workers, co-workers, your partner. Try to take feedback, both good and bad, you get with a grain of salt. Obviously dealing with street harassment is a topic too big to cover at this moment, so we’ll get to that another day.
4. Wearing heels will hurt, but eventually it will be OK. Blisters, peeling skin, broken nails. All side effects of breaking in your feet for heels. After a week, your feet will probably toughen up and it will be better.
5. Hells will make you appreciate your flats. I used to throw on flats and sneakers without a second thought. Once I started wearing heels, I actually got more excited about putting on my flats and appreciated them more.
What Are Your Thoughts on Heels?
Love ‘em? Leave ‘em? What do you think about them? Any tips for me or others wearing heels? Share your advice!
Yes, my huge feet do eventually get used to walking in heels, but unfortunately when you stop wearing them for more than a week it’s almost like I have to retrain my feet again which is a big hassle! I’d say if you want to wear heels, do so often and keep your sneakers handy for when the pain is too unbearable. Wearing heels speaks empowerment, but it’s okay to walk around in flats to ease the burden! Lol
I totally agree with that sentiment about sneakers! I almost always carry flats for comfort when I have on heels, but also to make sure my favorite shoes don’t get dinged up along the way.
My feet are in a constant state of blistered.
xo
Kara
http://www.thebostonista.com
Kara @ Bostonista recently talked about Bostonista Give-a-Ways: InPink Jewelry!
Ouch!
Such a cute blog and YES your feet DO get used to heels but rule number one with heels is: always pack a a pair of flats to change into just in case!
Xo Erin
Thanks Erin! And yes, I totally agree about carrying a backup pair!
I love heels and wear them nearly every work/school day. I don’t like to not wear them because my figure is curvy and I’m short, so there are butt-lifting benefits.
I know some heels are better than others, but I have gotten choosing beautiful but comfortable heels down to a science (almost anyway!).
I buy one half size larger and wear an insert with them. I have a pet peeve about heels that cause the toes and foot to slide forward in the shoe and leave a gap in the back. I don’t do them. If my shoes are fitting well, and they have some give and flexibility I don’t usually experienced foot pain wearing them
Love, love, love beautiful heels.
Lisa Walter recently talked about Catch up and…..OH! Dinner with Tiffany!
Ooo that’s smart about the inserts! I too dislike then people where shoes and it looks like there toes are hanging off the front–not a good look!
I think you’re right–it’s all about finding beautiful and comfortable heels. It can be done if you’re willing to wait and look.
my only advice would be – don’t be afraid to pack a pair of flats in your bag for when you can’t stand the pain anymore or if you have to run off somewhere in a hurry!
Veshoevius recently talked about Sevilla
That’s a good one! I take the train to work and I never torture myself by walking to and from the train in heels. Why bother? I need to get myself a pair of those ballet flats that were really popular awhile back. The ones that folded up and fit into your purse.
Courtney recently talked about Teaching My Dress to Dance
Thank you for that first tip. As a gal on the cusp of 5’7, heels make me tall. Like, way tall. Taller than most of the men I know and, coupled with being plus size, I just feel Amazonian. It probably doesn’t hurt I’ve known many 5’2 women who wear them to be taller– my height. It creates this conundrum, because I love heels, but don’t want the height!
Ashe @ Ash in Fashion recently talked about Slick Rain Boots & Clean Water for All
You just gotta push through the awkwardness, but I might feel similarly to you if I was a bit taller.
I think you can totally pull it off, though, especially being in theater!
I’ve been doing my own sort of heels challenge (I probably wear them two or three times a week, not five), and I’ve come to a lot of the same conclusions. I had a lot of trouble walking in them at first, and feeling like I looked like Bambi on the ice, but I pushed through my self-consciousness, and started to feel more confident. I love wearing them sometimes now, and I’m looking forward to wearing REALLY tall ones next weekend at my best friend’s wedding!
Kristin recently talked about A Much Too Short Weekend: Montpelier, VT
I might be breaking out my 3 1/2 inch heels, too, but I’m a bit scared, I have to admit!
Once I got over the awkwardness and uncomfortableness of wearing them, I really loved them just like you. I don’t know why it have to be so painful (literally and figuratively) in the beginning.
Courtney recently talked about Teaching My Dress to Dance
I Love heels, personally. They make me feel pretty and feminine – and powerful. I hate seeing children in heels, though. They are intended to be sexy and you have to be old enough to handle them (I’d say 16+). The purpose of them is to lengthen the legs and accentuate the calf muscle as well as push the butt out when walking. This is why men respond to them so viscerally. We have to be aware of our power as women and use it wisely!
Laura Connell recently talked about Fashion Flip for Sheena’s Place
I’m with you on that–kids in heels is just wrong.
My husband said the same thing about heels. They make the butt and legs look good!
Oh wow, I’ve never done that much heel-wearing. They are pretty, though, on people who know how to walk in them! When I wear heels, I’m taller than my husband, which I do find a little odd–and to me, that’s a good incentive to ignore them for the most part, but I do break out my heels occasionally.
Rachel recently talked about Cemetery Date
Me neither until recently! I had a lot of heels, but didn’t wear them. I’m glad I turned it around because I really enjoy wearing heels now!
Luckily my husband is a lot taller than me so I would never run into that issue, but I can definitely see how it can be awkward or uncomfortable.