SF Image Consultant Michele Benza 5 Tips to Walking in Stilettos!

How to Walk in HIGH HIGH HEELS!

Shoes appear to have replaced bags as the driving force in the fashion accessories department and Extreme Stiletto Heels are THE Fashion Statement of the Season. But how do you walk in them?

By Michele Benza, San Francisco Image Consultant

Michele Benza

I have a love-hate relationship with stilettos. I love them because they make women look sexy and powerful. I hate them because I can’t wear them as often as I wish and that makes me feel nostalgic.

They certainly enhance our legs and help make us look slender and taller. And as we all know, they seem to impact men’s libido and elicit many more compliments from the male of the species.

However, these perilously high heels make it hard to walk with ease and without breaking an ankle. Even the professional models find these stilt-like heels difficult as evidenced at the recent fashion shows.

Balance, Poise and Confidence!

Wearing high heels is all about femininity. When you walk in these heels think about a giraffe, not an elephant. Stand tall and upright. Elongate the waist, relax and rotate the shoulders towards the back and drop them down. This will open up your chest and help lengthen your neck. Make sure the chin is parallel to the floor.

Following are 5 more pointers that will help YOU feel more confident and balanced when wearing those fabulous high, high heels!

1. Buy the proper size. I so often see women wearing high-heeled shoes that are too big. There should be no space between the heel of the foot and the shoe.

2. Be aware that when wearing hosiery, the foot will easily slide out of the shoe and very likely lead to a fall or twisted ankle.

3. No matter how high the shoe, take extra caution to keep your balance. A graceful or sexy shoe is pointless if it causes pain or makes you walk in an ungainly manner, or worse, makes you fall.

4. Practice at home before venturing out in your heightened state!

5. Take small steps. Place your heel down first then your sole. Pay attention to your foot alignment. Toes should be pointing straight forward. As you walk be sure your legs are parallel and close together. Try to walk a straight line. And for a more sensual walk, move your hip slightly forward as you take a step. WALK SLOWLY AND GRACEFULLY.

In Spite of a Broken foot…I still love High High Heels!

I must confess I have been known to buy a pair or two of super high heels just to own and admire them. Once in a rare while I’ll cautiously wear them in my studio or at parties when I know there is valet parking. And I mean cautiously because a few years ago, I twisted my ankle in a pair of high heels and broke a bone in my right foot! Bummer! Since then I’ve been wearing mostly flats, which do not match my usual feminine style.

However, I am happy to report that those of us wary of extreme heels will at last be able to find moderately high heels that are attractive and très chic. The latest trend among shoe designers is to make the same shoe available in two, sometimes three, different heights. Prada seems to be the originator of this long-overdue sales trend. Our feet will thank these designers for many years to come.

Viva la femme!

A la prochaine.

Michele

Now, let me take off my hat and thank you all for the wonderful support you have given me since I opened my image-consulting studio in 2004. My grateful thanks for making my progress possible.

BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Michele Benza is the founder of “Michele Benza Image Consulting and Posture” a program that focuses on enhancing one’s personal and professional image. She is certified in image consulting from European Institutions and her niche is European style and elegance. Michele is a member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and is the only American member of the Association Francaise pour L’image Professionnelle et Personnelle (AFIPP)!

Michele Benza is San Francisco’s best kept secret! To learn more, please visit her website at MicheleBenza.

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