These shoes are meant for walking!

Learn all there is know about what sort of footwear with heels suits you. Get to know about walking with heels, without tripping up or looking awkward.
Learn all there is know about what sort of footwear with heels suits you. Get to know about walking with heels, without tripping up or looking awkward.
Learn all there is know about what sort of footwear with heels suits you.Get to know about walking with heels, without tripping up or looking awkward.
doweshowbellyad=0; ON CLOUD NINE: Learn to walk well in heels (AP)
Learn all there is know about the sort of footwear with heels that suits you. Get to know more about walking with heels, without tripping or looking awkward.
Here's listing out heels that aren't just hot and stylish and catered for you, but hopefully also comfortable (yes, it’s possible!)
HAPPY FEET
Shopping for your shoes
Right size
If your size is correct, your heels will be comfortable. Even a slight half-cm difference can matter. Have your feet measured every time you shop.
Walk around
Before deciding on a particular pair, wear them and walk around the store – particularly on the non-carpeted area, to test the comfort level.
First timers
If you’re a newbie, don’t step into pencil-heels right away. Opt for smaller heels and look out for a wide base – this lends more support to the heel and puts less stress on the base of your feet. Platform, kitten or Louis heels would work.
FOOT FORWARD
Finding what suits you
Too tall
If you’re a heel lover but you’re too tall to totter around in stilettos, opt for kitten heels. These aren’t more than three inches tall, yet allow your legs to look slender (which is a big part of wearing heels anyway). You can also opt for wedges, pumps or spool heels. Stay away from pencil heels; they’ll only make you look lankier.
Somewhat short
If you’re short and a good pair of heels is always on your wish list, don’t compromise with comfort. Try wedge heels. Wedges give you an illusion of height while also providing your feet with a larger area to balance. Most short women prefer stilettos – luckily, if you’re short, you can pull off any heel.
Heavy calves
If your lower body is plump, then stilettos are ideal as they create an illusion of height. Thin heels will hide your chunky calves and make your legs look slim. Avoid strappy and platform sandals as they make your legs look chunkier.
Skinny legs
Heels can help add volume to your legs. Try out thigh length boots with heels – they will cover your thin feet till your knee and give it mass. A good pair of platforms can also help create an illusion of volume. Avoid strappy stilettos.
Whether your legs are fat or thin, you can’t go wrong with pumps or ‘court shoes’. Flat ballerina pumps aside, pumps can have between one to five-inch heels. While round-toes or pointy-toes work, it’s peep-toes (with a little gap right in the front, on the toes) that are hot right now.
WHEN IN DOUBT
Pointers for shoe seekers
Perfect fabric
Keep the weather in mind while choosing heels.
Pink strappy open-toe stilettos will look great in the summer while brown leather high-heeled boots will be a complete fashion misfit in the monsoon.
Remember, heels come with an expiry date. Most fabrics, excluding leather, are easy to maintain. You just need to protect them from dust and moisture. During the rains, wrap up your leather goods in brown paper and stow them away.
Dancing heels:
If your search for the perfect dancing shoes ends with the thought of backache, then opt for heels that have some padding at the base — this reduces the pressure on your lower back.
Pumps or stilettos with an inbuilt cushioning look stylish and, at the same time, score high on comfort. You can also experiment with tie-ups. They look great and are easy-to-wear since the strings, literally, wrap around your legs.
Sling-backs (shoes with back straps) are ideal.
ETIQUETTE GUIDE
Walking in your heels
Just wear your new heels and stand in front of a full-length mirror. Walk a little in front of the mirror and make sure you feel comfortable.
Always keep both your legs close to each other. Taking big leaps is only a fool’s job. You don’t want to end up with a ligament fracture.
Gradually try walking in the same room, but with a faster pace this time. If possible, make your self comfortable with different floor surfaces. Do this also when shopping for heels.
If you’re a first-timer to heels, try the old balancing act.
Keep a book or any flat object on your head and take a few slow baby steps. This will help clear all your apprehensions about heels.
In case you trip in public, brace yourself carefully and start walking again. Remember, it’s just your first time.
As you build confidence and experience, your walk will become much more natural.