These Shoes Are Made For Walking
1. Start small.
If you are not used to walking in high heels you should start out small. I remember when I was 16-years-old and bought my first pair of high heels, a pair of black ankle boots with a 5 cm heel. The first time I wore them to school I was walking so carefully because I was afraid that I was going to fall and embarrass myself. Then the next pair of heels I bought had a 7-8 cm heel and the ones after that was around 10 cm. So step by step I got used to the height of my shoes, and now, 8 years later, the highest pair of heels I own are 16 cm. So start out with a small heel, and increase the height as you grow used to them.
2. Practice.
Practice makes perfect, so when you buy a pair of heels practice walking around with them at home. Actually, vacuuming your home and wearing your heels at the same time is a good idea, you move around a lot so you really get to use your shoes compared to just walking back and forth on the floor, and a bonus is that you get a great leg workout.
3. Some shoes are easier to walk in than others.
Just because a pair of shoes has a 10 cm heel it doesn't mean they are easier to walk in than a pair of shoe with a 15 cm heel. When shoes have a heel over 10 cm they tend to get a platform in the front part of the shoe that makes them more comfortable to walk in. Also shoe with a thick heel is more stable and comfortable to walk in than a stiletto heel, and a rounded toe shoe is more comfortable than a pointed toe shoe.
- Making your shoes last longer.
1. Rotate between different pairs.
One (fun) way to give a longer life to your shoes is to rotate between different pairs. Wearing the same shoes day in and day out is going to take its toll on them, so make sure to wear an other pair every other day.
2. Shoes after weather.
There is nothing that can destroy a pair of heels as much as bad weather. Sometimes it can’t be helped when surprise rain suddenly starts falling from the sky. But if you have the opportunity, try to pick your shoes after the weather. If it is icy outside go for a more stable shoe and if it is raining do not wear your suede shoes, suede and rain is never a good combination.
3. Maintaining your shoes
Clean them off from time to time and hand them in for repair when needed, it makes a huge difference. Shoes you might have thought were a goner suddenly gets a whole new life.
- Taking care of your feet.
1. Wear the right size shoes.
There is nothing as painful as walking around with too small shoes. So even though you have found the shoes of your dreams, but in a size to small, don't buy them! You will wear them once and never again.
2. Change to flats.
Wearing heels for a longer period of time can be very tiring and even painful, so try as often as you can to switch it up by wearing some kind of flats. If you know that you will be walking a long distance or standing for a long time, you will save yourself some pain if you put your heels in your bag and put them on first when you get to your destination.
3. Stretch
If you have been walking a whole day in heels the first thing you should do when you get home and kick the shoes off is to stretch your feet. Stretch out your feet in the opposite direction of how it has been bent while wearing the heels and give the sole of your feet a massage by using your thumbs.
4. Pedicure and lotion.
Considering how much our feet has to go through each day, we really don't show them enough love. Give them a good scrub now and then and cover them in lotion to keep them nice and soft. Also to avoid any unnecessary pain, make sure to trim your nails, and while you are at it, why not add a splash of colour?
