How to Wear High Heels

Now, I make no claims at being an expert on heel wearing. I can't wear mega heels for hours and I still feel pretty unsteady walking downstairs in heels. But, I do wear heels a lot. It's a question I get asked a lot by friends. How on earth do you wear heels like that?

The answer is pretty simple. Practice. It sounds obvious, but trust me. Buy a pair of heels with a relatively small heel. Wear them at home, just around the house. You might feel a bit silly, but getting comfortable in a pair of heels makes all the difference. Once you've worn them around a bit, you'll start to find walking in them easier and easier. The more you wear heels, the easier it will get and the higher you'll be able to go.

I used to be barely able to totter in the stumpiest of heels. These days, I wear heels to work most days, and regularly strap on 4inch heels for nights out. I still use this practising trick. I put on my shoes a few minutes before I go out, which helps me get used to them, so I feel much steadier footed when I actually leave the house. I'm also wearing some beasts of heels a lot at home, training myself for an even higher heel.

Start yourself off easy. Keep heels chunky until you feel stable. Wedges are meant to be good, although personally I find walking in wedges harder than regular heels, the motion feels a bit unnatural to me! Straps hold the shoe on better, which can help with getting used to them. If you're gripping your shoe on, your feet will hurt much sooner.

Don't cheap out on your heels. It really is worth spending a little bit more for a better fitted, more comfortable shoe. Personally, I swear by Marks and Spencer's shoes. They're always sturdy, and lots have nice cushioning inside, which makes them lovely to wear. Most of my M&S shoes I can happily wear all day.

Fit your shoes to your plans. If you're going to be sitting at a desk all day, you can get away with a higher heel. Much the same if you're planning a night out where you know you'll be sitting in pubs. If you're going to be walking a lot, or standing up lots, don't go for your highest, thinnest heels. You'll be in agony after a couple of hours. Pick something tried and tested that you know is comfy, even if it means going a little lower.

As for walking, don't over-think it too much. Just walk. If you think about it, it'll feel unnatural. Watch it on slippery surfaces, your grip won't be so good. If you're coming steps, get as much of your foot on the step as possible. This usually means coming down at a slight angle, so your foot is sideways and all on the step. It's slower progress, but at least you won't end up on your face!

Hope these little tips help some of you who are less confident in heels!

What do you do to get used to new heights?