Anyone who knows me knows that I am ALWAYS in a pair of heels. My friends hear my coming before they see me, that tell-tale clicking that tells them Ella and her impractical shoes are arriving.
However, heels can be a bit painful or tricky to walk in so I have developed some top tips that keep me tottering around Cardiff without needing to keep my feet on ice for the next week!
The Walk
Bend your knees ever so slightly, not in a way that makes you look like you’re desperate for the loo, but in a way that gently takes the pressure off your calves, which are lifted and straightened by the shoes.
The Pressure
If it’s a long time in heels or a particularly killer pair, taping your 3rd and 4th toes together will take the pressure off and keep you going for longer. There’s definitely some science behind that but I have no idea what it is, I just know that at my friend’s wedding, this high heel hack saved me from keeling over onto her cake!
The Pain
So if you are wearing heels and it’s been a while and you’re starting to feel the pinch, a great way to ward off the pain is to run to the bathroom and run your feet under cold water for a bit, dry them and rub on a small dollop of hand cream. This will keep you going until you can get home and put your slipper on.
The Difficult
If you struggle to walk in heels, a good place to start is with the shoes you buy. Go for slightly lowered heels (about 3 inches is a good start…work your way up to 6!) and choose heels with a strap, which can keep your foot more firmly in place, making it easier to walk. A strap that wraps around your ankle will lend the most stability. Also, thicker block heels will be far easier than stilettos, practice with them!
The Breaking in
When I get new shoes, I have two ways of breaking them in. Firstly, I wear them around the house and on short journeys, or on outings where I won’t be walking much. My church is about 5 minutes’ walk from my house, so I often wear my new shoes there (lots of people to show my new shoes to as well!). Secondly, I wear my heels with big fluffy tights and skirts, this makes for a cute outfit and the tights shield my feet from blistering. If you do get a blister, use both a plaster and some tape over it, to keep it in place or it won’t stop the rubbing.
The Tools
Pack your bag with some sneaky extras to make high heels more comfortable. Gel Pads (always by the tills in clothes stores) and massage socks work the best, as they cushion your feet as you walk.
Now go girls, strut your stuff in some newly-made-comfortable heels!
