It’s the price you pay for looking hot. Here’s how to put your sexiest foot forward—without toppling over.
You Will Need
High-heeled shoes
A little practice
Ibuprofen
Step 1: Pick the right shoe
Pick the right shoe. Need to walk on grass? Stilettos will sink, but a wedge heel will keep you steady. If you’re planning to dance, choose something with a strap. If you’re stepping out in mile-high stilettos, take ibuprofen first; the anti-inflammatory ingredients will help keep your feet from swelling.
Step 2: Practice
Practice walking at home in a fluid heel-ball-toe step. The earlier you start, the more likely your success: the day before an event is good, but playing childhood dress-up is even better. Stand up straight! Standard stomach in, chest out posture helps you maintain your balance
Step 3: Tread carefully
Tread carefully on high heel landmines like cobblestones, potholes, street grates, boardwalks, and staircases—especially those without banisters.
Step 4: Watch those stairs
Walk up stairs on the balls of your feet. When coming down, sidestep slowly.
Step 5: Keep flats on hand
Know when to say when. Keep ballet flats or sneakers handy for when your feet are begging for mercy.
You Will Need
High-heeled shoes
A little practice
Ibuprofen
Step 1: Pick the right shoe
Pick the right shoe. Need to walk on grass? Stilettos will sink, but a wedge heel will keep you steady. If you’re planning to dance, choose something with a strap. If you’re stepping out in mile-high stilettos, take ibuprofen first; the anti-inflammatory ingredients will help keep your feet from swelling.
Step 2: Practice
Practice walking at home in a fluid heel-ball-toe step. The earlier you start, the more likely your success: the day before an event is good, but playing childhood dress-up is even better. Stand up straight! Standard stomach in, chest out posture helps you maintain your balance
Step 3: Tread carefully
Tread carefully on high heel landmines like cobblestones, potholes, street grates, boardwalks, and staircases—especially those without banisters.
Step 4: Watch those stairs
Walk up stairs on the balls of your feet. When coming down, sidestep slowly.
Step 5: Keep flats on hand
Know when to say when. Keep ballet flats or sneakers handy for when your feet are begging for mercy.
Did You Know?
Despite their name, “kitten” heels can be vicious—they’re more likely to cause lower back pain than a standard pair of heels!Hopefully after watching this video you'll avoid the ankle sprains and pavement plashes sometimes associated with walking in high heels. But tell us have you ever had a high heel mishaps? If so, what was it? Was it an ankle sprain? Face First Splash Down? Broken Heel?...Etc... Fashionwithfifi.com wants to know.
One winner will be selected at random and will recieve a $75 Gift Certificate
towards any purchase at Heels.com.
Official Rules:
2) To enter you must be Free Email Subscriber or a member of the free to join Fashion Circle.
3) This contest will run from Monday, November 30, 2009 through Monday December 7, 2009. Random Winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 right here on Fashionwithfifi.com. The Gift Card will be sent electronically via email.
4) You must be at least 18 years or older to enter.
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Contests Celeste
I remember a couple years ago I was walking down a flight of steps and unfortunately my heel snapped in half. Good thing there was someone there to catch my fall and it happened on the second to last step. It could have been alot worse. =)
ReplyDeleteWell, Well, Well.. I said i would never tell, but you guys are like family so here it goes... It was about a 4 years ago.. my first day at my new job and i had the cutest boots from steve madden..( with a stiletto heel)I was sooo fly.. you couldnt tell me anything! I went out for lunch with a coworker(a guy) and had to walk over the light rail tracks. Our lightrail goes through the local streets in our downtown area.. Ohhh man.. So I am so busy tryin to be cute because he was a cutie and make sure my walk is smuve and sexy. I tripped in a hole in the track and my heel fell off the shoe!!!! Yes, ladies... OMG!! I have never been so emabarassed in my life..I just wanted to run and hide. My coworker was so nice and tried so hard not to make me feel bad he went with me to the local shoe store and i bought some flats.. Thank God for that.. So Payless Thank YOU!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyes i have definatly busted my behind in heels, it was right after goin out with some of my girlfriends, we went to a local hamburger stand (i got hotwings) im cute feeling myself i make it to the car and bam! the ground was unleved so when my hell went in a hole i went to the ground and in not a small girl, so yea you already know. my knee was busted like crazy bleedin it was a mess, the best advice i can give you is heel-toe heel toe, folllow that and hopefully you wont bust ya booty...
ReplyDeleteMy senior year of high school, our choir had a concert recording in Maryland. Microphones and cameras EVERYWHERE!! We had just gotten the call to line up to get back on stage after the intermission. I had to stand in the back on the very top row. We begin to file in and everything is going smoothly. Half way up the stage, however, the heel of my nine west patent leather pumps got caught in the train of my choir dress and well...the rest was just horrible. Before I even realized what was going on, I tumbled down the platform stairs and right back into the line people who were coming in behind me. I dont think i've seen that many camera flashes in my life as I did at that point. To this day i refuse to watch the dvd recording of the concert.
ReplyDeleteMy first time falling with heels was this past saturday. There was a concert at my church and I am in the mass choir. We got finished finished singing and it was time to get off the stage, I was wearing my highest heels from nine west. I was all happy because we had a great performance and trying to look cute. when I got to the second to last step and I'm guessing my heel was the only thing to touch the last step instead of the whole shoe, so I fell flat on the floor in front of the whole audience. I got up so fast though, and had a couple of bruises from the carpet. One of the most embarassing nights of my life!!! lol. Now I will be much more careful when wearing heels up and down the stairs
ReplyDeletei was once dancing in this frat house that was having a party in the tiled foyer. little did i know that it was slippery and my heels, which i was shaky on all evening anyway, slipped and i fell down and hit my head on the ground. pretty embarrassing!
ReplyDeletei remember i was wearing strapless heels and every time i walked they kept flopping..so i still wore them out and when i was walking up a flight of steps..i stepped out of my shoe..pure embarassment..
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was younger and I thought I was super cute. I had on a really nice outfit and some heels. I went to the grocery store( a really popular one that is always crowded). I walked in and started walking down the main isle way and before I knew it I was on the ground. I don't know what happened. I guess my foot slipped from underneath me and tripped me up. I was so embarresed. To this day I tell people that's what I get for struting around like I was the stuff...LOL!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was 15 and I was heading out to a party with a couple of my friends and as I stepped into the the car my heel got caught in a crack that was in the street and off my shoe came as I got in, it was soo embarrassing because my boyfriend at the time was there as well and caught the whole thing :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I’ve had a heel mishap. I’ve had a heel to break as soon as I stepped out of my car. Luckily I was close to home to make a quick shoe change. I’m sure many ladies have had the dreaded heel to break.
ReplyDeleteit was the morning of my highschool graduation. i was running late getting ready. while getting ready i totally forgot to buy shoes. so i ran to the nearest shoe swtore and bought a pair of high heel. this was a horrible idea because i had never walked in these shoes and they were not broken in. we get to my graduation and to my suprise there was a ramp leading to the stage.i get nervous and start walking as they call my name. i do fine until i get to the principal, i trip over the ramp as i get my diploma and the picture is taken....embarassing.
ReplyDeleteALWAYS PRACTICE WALKING IN NEW SHOES
My heel mishap happened about 3 months ago. I was downtown at a outdoor contest with some friends of mine. I got up from my seat to go use the bathroom which was inside a local bar with a short flight of stairs. I was trying to be cute when I was going down the stairs like my feet were not killing in some stilleto heels that I had NEVER worn before. I miss a step and landed wrong on my heel and it snapped. I landed face front on the bar's nasty floor and managed to strain my ankle but I hopped to the bedroom where I started to cry out of embarassment and pain. I haven't worn heels since.
ReplyDeleteMy heels mishap happen my 11th grade year. I was had just brought this cute 4 or 5" red stilettos from sears for the band banquet. My boyfriend at the time came to pick me up. Mind i do live on the second floor. So I'm walking down the stairs taking it slow when my heel get caught in the cuff of my pants leg. I was starting to take a tumble but my boyfriend grab me in nick time. I would have been messed up because those were some concrete stairs. Another time i was at the bishop church before he died and my foot slip walking down the stairs from the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteSo i was 13 years old, in my 7th grade history class and I had wore my black heels that day because i love my walk when i am heels(plus i knew my bf would be looking). See I had this bad habit on walking on the back of my heels a lot and my mom warned me that i could hurt my ankle if ikept it up. BUt yes i had another thing coming. ere i am coming back from the restroom and entering the class. In the middle of the class while walking on the back of my heels, my left heel broke and i fell while everyone busted out laughing. I was so embarrased. I had to walk the whole day limping and looking a plum fool. lol. Never did it again.
ReplyDeleteI WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THERE WE HAVE 3 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS. ME RUNNING TRYING NOT TO BE LATE FOR CLASS. I FELL UP THEN WENT DOWN SLIDING. MY BEST FRIEND AT THE TIME HAD TO HELP ME UP BUT AFTER ALL THAT I STILL WAS LATE.LOL
ReplyDeleteIt was actually today. I was rushing to get to school, and got my heel caught in a crack in the side walk. As I went to step out of it my shoe came off. I didn't fall, but that crack was really deep.
ReplyDeleteit was my 1st pair of heeled boots & they were thin... i was so excited a little young and inexperienced and put them on immediately & as i was doing my 5th bedroom runway walk i hit my bed post & broke the heel of the boot on the 1st day i got them :(... the only up side was they were hand-me downs but only warn 3times i wanted 2 sob all nite or @ least find sum glue... neither happened... i lucked out on a really cute pair of black laced heeled boots
ReplyDeleteMy high heel mishap happened about 4 years ago when i was 22 and i was going on the first date with my now husband, so i put on my little black dress with my 4 inch heels, now i was feeling myself and even more so when all night he kept on telling me how good i looked, the night was going great until it was time to leave the restaurant, i had forgotten about the little step at the door and i was stepping so hard thinking i was too cute and missed that step and BOOM feel right on my behind, LOL....needless to say i was so embarrassed and i had sprained my ankle but good came from my heeled mishap my date had to carry me to the car and to my apartment and he catered to me all that week, so in a way my high heeled mishap go me a husband, LOL
ReplyDeleteJUST RECENTLY MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO A MOVIE AND I WORE ONE OF MY BEST PAIR PLUS NEW HEELS!!! WHY DID I DO DAT I WAS THINKING MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BROKEN THEM IN BEFORE WEARING THEM...BUT ANYWAYS WE WERE WALIKING UP THE STAIRWAY TO FIND A SEAT JUST SO HAPPEN THE THEATER WAS PACKED THERE WAS ALMOST NO SEAT LEFT SO UM WALKING UP THE STAIRS AND I GUESS EITHER UM WALKIN TO FAST OR THE STAIRS STARTED TO WIDDEN OR THEY GOTTEN FARTHER APART FROM EACH OTHER, BUT ANY HOW I WENT TO STEP ON THE NEXT STAIR AND I CAME DOWN TO HARD ON MY FEET NOT EVEN MAKING IT TO THE NEXT STAIR STILL ON THE SAME STAIR AND TWISTED AND SPRANGED MY ANKEL...HOW BAD DID THAT HURT SO OF COURSE I HAD TO BLAME IT ON MY HUSBAND BECAUSE I INSISTED THAT WE JUST GO OUT FOR DINNER INSTEAD...LOL..MY ANKEL IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF HEALING THANXS TO HIM....
ReplyDeleteOMG what woman hasnt had some sort of mishap. My mishap happened last year. Even though I am a novice at heel walking, I still almost broke my neck. LOL. My husband and I went to a Dallas Mavericks game and I wanted to be as jazzy as possible. But since this was my first game I didnt know how slick the bleachers are. I was walking down the bleachers to my seat with my hands full of popcorn and drinks. Before I knew it I slid as I stepped down to the next step. Lucky for me my husband was in front of me and caught my arm. Needless to say I was the focus, for a few minutes, of the Mavericks fans in that section. I am thankful to not have had a sprain but my ego was really affected for a short time LOL.
ReplyDeleteboy do i know about pain i was in some 5" heels going to the club and wasn't aware i'd be walking about 10 blocks =( about time we all made it back home I was nick named "The hunch back of downtown" I was in so much pain i was hunched over walking. lol But that's the price you pay to look sexy.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a Cat 5 Splash down, but I have broken a heel. It's really embarassing if you don't have an extra pair at your desk or in the car to fall back on.
ReplyDeleteI remember being late for work and rushing to get in the building to clock in. I usually would wear flat boots to walk in with it being winter time and all, then change my shoes. I wanted to make it to the staff meeting on time, without putting my stuff away, so I just threw on my heels thinking I'd be fine from the car. As I'm quickly walking towards the door, I hit the corner, and BOOM...I busted my butt on a huge patch of ice. I did the quick look around to make sure no one saw, got up, and shuffled myself into the building.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I went to a Halloween party at a lounge dressed as a "Pimptress named Candy." My costume inspired by "A Pimp Named Slickback" on The Boondocks is complete with a purple pin stripped suit, ridiculously large purple furry hat and 5 inch purple heels. A few hours and many drinks later, my friend and I are walking down the street. Unbeknown to me my heel gets caught in some crack in the sidewalk. I go to take another step and my body lunges forward but my shoe does not. I start yelling "Pimp down, pimp down" in true Kat Williams fashion and my fried, who just so happens to be dressed as Alicia Key's character in the Smoking Aces (when she's dressed like a prostitute) and she comes running to help me. She helps me shimmy my heel out of the crack and we continue walking down the street laughing hysterically.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the bridesmaids in my Aunt's wedding a few wear back and she forced us to wear these 3 inch heels. At the time I wasn't a big fan of heels and hadn't had too much experience walking in them. I did alot better than expected during the dress rehearsal, but when it was time for the real deal I crashed and burned. Not only did I fall, but i made my escort tumble down with me...who also happened to be my crush. The whole wedding was filmed, including my fall so my family pulls it out whenever they want a good laugh. lol
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased some killer high heels for an event that went perfectly with my outfit. The day of the event after putting on my dress and smell goodies I slipped on my shoes and was ready to walk out the door, until I realize I was falling foward. The shoes were too big and too high and I could not stand up straight and walk at the same time. So needless to say I didn't wear the killer shoes being that I love living so much, but before taking them back I had a personal photo shoot with them on :) Note to self, don't try on high heels with thick socks on.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh...I remember, about 3 years ago, me and my boy friend at the time where on our way to at concert. Now if you don't show up early to the house of blues you have to stand at the very back (the noes bleed section), and we paid to much money for tickets. So basically, once we finally found a parking spot, we where running to get in, and some how my ankle buckled and I can feel myself getting closer and closer to the ground, before I hit it. Lol, my boyfriend was just dieing laughing, I couldn't even enjoy the concert knowing that every other minuet, he'd crack a joke about it smh :/ But hay, at least we didn't get stuck standing in the noes bleed section :)
ReplyDeleteOmg. well my story it was back in college and you know how they have the cages with the bars that you can go dancing in, well i thought i was fly the nite n took my crack at it, i went in fine, but when the song was done n i was coming out my heel got stuck n the cage, n as i tried to pull it out in broke n i fell n riped my pants down the butt crack talk about ashamed,ontop of that my dorm was like a mile walk n it was cold n snowing, (Cortland) i never went back to that club. so sad but its in the pass right..
ReplyDeleteWell..Thankfully I can not recall a high heel mishap..lol..However when wearing heels I always try to remember my mother's advice.."Walk the heel, don't let the heel walk you!"
ReplyDeleteThis happen last yr! I had just purchased a beautiful pair of heels for ALDO and the first time I wore them was at church. I was performing in front of the church and I got heated in the spirit and stomp on my heels, (oh did I tell you they were stiletto and gold my I add!) where I broke an inch off my left shoe. Good thinh ALDO had a ninety day policy for shoe repair. Even though the shoes aren't the same height when I pruchased them; the repairs on them looked as if nothing had ever happen to them.
ReplyDeleteI never broke a heel but when I was younger I went to a celebration and didn't think to bring any other shoes. I was in these shoes for hours and at the time wasn't used to wearing heel. Well after hours of walking, standing, and running I was sore from my hips down and LIMPED all the way back to the car. I never told anyone that I was in complete AGONY because I'd been told that a lady never tells that she in pain from trying to be beautiful and it should look effortless. Anyway, it was an outdoor event and it started to rain so I was soaking wet AND limping b/c I had no umbrella! It also didn't help that my father took the long way to the car. When I got home I completely collapsed!
ReplyDeleteI still feel sore just thinking about it!
I've become pretty good at walking in heels since high school but I remember falling down stairs from way back when. I had gone to the mall with some friends after church and I thought I was oh so cute in my black patent leather open toes. I knew the shoes didn't have much grip on the bottom but again I thought I was oh so cute. Anyway, there were three stairs in the mall that I slid right down. I thought I had it under control (not holding the banister - it was only three stairs) but I was obviously wrong. The great thing about the situation is that none of my friends laughed and people around were asking if I was okay. This made the accident way less embarassing. Besides, they probably experienced something similar before in their lives. Fortunately, nothing was broken or sprained just a sore butt.
ReplyDeleteYes I've definitely had a few heel mishaps in my day. One in particular that I recall is I had on a 3.5 inch heel and the soles of the shoe did not collaborate well with the semi-waxed floor I was walking on. I took a step and my foot slid right from under me. I had went from standing at 5'6" to having my butt on the floor and people gawking at me :-\
ReplyDeleteI cant think of any butt busting falls right now, but I have had plenty of slips. Like last night me and the boo went dancing and there was a spill on the floor where I was standing good thing I was standing close to him cause I would have been doing a split.
ReplyDeleteso I went on a date with my future boyfriend ( he just doesn't know it yet lol) and I had these fantastic suede over the knee 4 inch boots on. You couldn't tell me I wasn't the ish. I didn't break them in like I should have so I thought I would do a crash course that whole day. When it was finally time to go out we went to the mall to kill some time until our table was ready at the restaurant. Oh My gosh by the time we made one round in the mall, I was walking on the side of my ankles trying to make it to a bench, it was horrible. I've been trying to do ankle exercises ever since lol
ReplyDeleteI can say that i've had any mishaps, but boy do I know the pain after walking and dancing in heels all night. Plenty of us know how it feels to lean on someone for support to take some pressure off of the feet,lol. I always try to keep my flip flops handy at the end of the night.
ReplyDeleteAnother story, this past Halloween I was an old school playboy bunny;fluffy tail, bustier teddy, stockings, pumps the whole nine. Well I waited til the last minute to find some pumps, and when I found some in the style i was looking for they were a little too big, but I just bought them thinking it would be fine. Halloween night, my friends and I are rushing towards their car so we can pick up more people in time for the party. I'm struggling trying to keep up because I'm slipping and sliding out of my heels. I'm almost to the car and my heel gets caught in the sidewalk, my shoes went one way and I went the other. So glad only my friend and I saw it lol!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePROM NIGHT: I can remember on senior prom night I was looking gorgeous with my floor length red and silver sequence dress and my silver sequence high heels. What started out to be an exciting and pleasant night became a nightmare. The moment I got to the prom with my date and proceeded to step up on the curb leading to the entrance of the hall where the prom was being held, I misstepped and to my surprise my heel detached from the bottom of the shoe. I was sooo upset at the situation until I was ready to go home. My date talked me into talking pictures and staying a while. Needless to say the evening was a bust because I stayed focused on the heel instead of enjoying the evening with my date and classmates. So we left 30 minutes into the prom and I told my date to take me straight home, which he did. Looking back on that night I was being really selfish and not considerate of others. Hey what can I say that's just how youngsters can be at times and plus I pride myself on appearance and everything has to be in order or nothing at all. I hope you chosen, I will be so happy.
ReplyDeleteI was rocking some cute stilettos with my jeans rolled up to about my ankles. I was walking down some stairs and as I was walking down, one of my heels got caught in the roll of my jeans, and I proceeded to lose balance and fall down the stairs. Luckily my best guy friend was walking in front of me and broke my fall, but i cringe when I think of what would have happened otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI have had high-heel mishaps. I had a broken heel, trips and falls, and sliding and tripping on slippery floor. It was very embarassing moments...so I do try to practice in the heels before I start to walk in them. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHeel spur or something like that. Walked with a limp for about a week.
ReplyDeleteI use to wear stilettoes all the time to work until I started having problems with my knees. When I went to my doctor she told me that stilettoes are for sitting and looking cute; not for standing and walking. So now when I wear stilettoes, I walk to where I need to be, charm a man out of his seat, and sit where you can see the hot heels that I'm rockin.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I was an elememtary school teacher when I was wearing these stilettoes ALL day.)
I use to wear stilettoes all the time to work until I started having problems with my knees. When I went to my doctor she told me that stilettoes are for sitting and looking cute; not for standing and walking. So now when I wear stilettoes, I walk to where I need to be, charm a man out of his seat, and sit where you can see the hot heels that I'm rockin.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I was an elememtary school teacher when I was wearing these stilettoes ALL day.)
i was out one night at the club walked out and bam right on my face. i didnt get hurt but still was not fun. and i had some random girl taking pics of me after it happened and put it on facebook saying this is the girl that fell on her face. WOW
ReplyDeletei was out one night at the club walked out and bam right on my face. i didnt get hurt but still was not fun. and i had some random girl taking pics of me after it happened and put it on facebook saying this is the girl that fell on her face. WOW . (i posted this once but forgot to put my username. SORRY)
ReplyDeletewell once i was at an event somewhere and i was wearing shoes without any grip on the bottom..i thought id be cute while walking around and ended up taking too large a step and almost busting my tail..those who saw my lil mishap chuckled at me and then it was over thank goodness...remember that all surfaces are not your friend...also i have had a friend who was walking down a hall with some backless shoes on...she walkes with her feet out so it was no shock when she actually stepped out of the shoes and fell flat on the floor...i was embarrassed for her..lol also another friend who is quite heavy was walking down some stairs and she broke her heel stepping down on one foot and then tripped and fell omg! ae..
ReplyDeleteoooh one more. i was in hs and wore some heels to school bc it was spirit week and i dressed as a teacher...lol well i was leaving chorus and i had my 15 pound booksack on my back and was walking down the stairs to leave and made the stupid mistake of stepping down on one foot without holding on to anything...so of course i lost my balance and went careening into the chairs beside me..i knocked over 3 rows...and landed with my face on the carpeted stairs below...needless to say i got carpet burn on my face and my booksack landed right on my back..ouch!!!! i never wore those killers again lol! ae....
ReplyDeleteWell I was in a fashion show for my school last semester and like usual, they were unprepared the day of. So we had some stuff that we were not able to try on until the actual show. I saw the shoes that they wanted me to wear and was like Okay, a little high and wobble but I should be able to maintain. So the scene next, was suppose to be odd and weird voguing weird expressions and body shapes. So I go out their and as I walked my heels just wobbled, wobbled, no Fall. so I get to the front of the stage strike a pose which send my ankels into kills mode so I vogue into a shaking position like Missy Elliot in the Supa Dupa Fly Video. I mean go watch the video now of her in the ballon suit and thats exactly how i posed. So im twisting and turning trying to make it look like Im not struggling with the heels! On the way back my ankels get weak again but my knees hold up, and I supa dupa tic like Im doing the robot all the way off the stage. rIDICULOUS! LOL..of course my friends laughed at me when we got home!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high school, I particapated in a debutant ball. We had to have a father daughter dance. As I was coming down the stairs my shoe slipped off and I almost fell down the stairs. Lucky my shoe got caught in my dress so no one else tripped over it and no one knew I lost my shoe til the program was over! :-)
ReplyDeleteOne thing I hate about wearing heels is walking in rocks, theres like no way to stay balanced so you have to walk as slow as careful as possible.
ReplyDelete