Test-drive high heels before the big day
An
important meeting or a hot first date is not the place to break in your new
heels. So what is? The supermarket, Get a cart and go for a spin. As you stock
up on groceries, use the cart for balance while your feet get used to the new
high heel.
Sign up for yoga
class
OK,
so being naturally stunning is one half of the whole modeling gig—but keeping
your balance in treacherous shoes on a slippery runway is the hard part! The
more aware you are of your core muscles, the better chance you have of staying
steady.
Take a seat every
20 minutes or so
Whenever
and wherever you can, sit, sit, sit!, And cross your legs so that all can see
your beautiful, fashion-forward, painful footwear. Think of yourself as a model
on a photo shoot and stretch from the waist. So don’t be afraid to give your
tootsies a rest every now and then—you’ll last longer with breaks and
give people a better view of your incredible shoes.
Customize and
cushion your shoes
When
you buy a new pair of shoes, you need to customize them for your feet. Bring
them home, wear them for an hour, and anywhere you feel a bit of pain or
rubbing, that’s where you want to address because it will become very painful
after four hours of wear. You mostly feel it on the ball of your foot, because
that’s where the pressure has been distributed. Do it before the first time you
wear them out!
Straighten up—from
legs to spine
Walking
in heels is not an easy task, even for us models who wear them almost every day.
Make sure when you take a step you straighten and extend your leg—it’ll help
you move gracefully and elegantly. Otherwise, you can look very uncoordinated,
and your walk will appear choppy.
Slice and dice the
soles of your shoes for safety
A
slippery surface plus sky-high heels spells inevitable disaster. Prep your
soles with a discreet little pad like Grippy Steps, which affix to the bottom
of your shoe and help create some traction on marble, tile and carpet. In need
of a quicker fix? Scratch the bottom of your soles with sandpaper, or—even
cheaper—head out to the driveway and start scuffing.
Focus on your core
Yup,
getting a feel for where your weight falls in high heels is easier if you try
it with your eyes closed first—just don’t take a step! Before you even walk in
them, stand up, close your eyes, put your hand on your core and get a good feel
for them .Then open your eyes a little bit, then a bit more, and start taking a
few steps while you focus on that core area. Your body will be forced to
readjust and use other muscles to help you balance.
Be confident
There
is absolutely no substitute for knowing you look amazing in a pair of
stilettos. You have to feel good and make it work! Don’t let the fear of
stumbling keep you from owning these shoes. Think of yourself as a model in
attitude and presence. When you wear high heels, you look good and you feel
good!
from
Tracey
Lomrantz
