stickyisaslut asked: Miss DBN: I'd love for you to reflect on your mastery of the stiletto heel. You run around the city in them, wear them on flights, wear them ALL DAY at the office. What's your secret?! (Or is it simply genetics?)
Well, bless my mother’s heart, but that woman still can’t walk in heels, so let’s blame it on dedication and practice.
The Shoe: Know what kind of heels you can walk in. Strappy is my enemy, even when it’s chic. When my heels are higher than 4”, it’s usually accompanied by a platform at the ball of the foot. I prefer a sturdier heel as well. Pull the heel in the store first like a wishbone - too much give and you’re going to snap you’re ankle if you’re outta practice. Make sure to get inserts for the balls of your feet. Your weight is actually all on the ball, hence why Lady Gaga can wear those hooves.
The Maintenance: Get a cobbler. Any heel that’s worn down to the nail is going to be extremely difficult to walk in. You need a flat base or your ankle will be doing double-time. Pack a pair of throw-aways: those roll-up shoes you can grab at CVS/Walgreens/Duane Reade. Not every shoe can make it from my apartment to my office. That’s 20 minutes of walking on New York pavement in total; I’d either destroy my shoes or destroy my feet. The right kind of sock can save a boot and there’s also cushion tape available that can be placed along the back of the shoe to save your heel/ankle from blistering.
The Walk: Focus on forward motion. Like riding a bike, you need to peddle or you’ll fall over. When seated, do ankle rolls and calf-stretches. Wearing heels every day can shorten the muscles in your calf. Practice pivoting on the ball of your foot and always walk with purpose. A sure fire way to trip in heels is shuffling.
Saying that out loud sounds absolutely insane, but few things make me feel sexier than really killer heels. Worth it.
