02 / Heels guide
How to Walk in Heels Like a Model: 3 Steps for Beginners
Learning how to walk in heels comes down to three things: shorter steps, heel then ball, and one line. Get those right and the wobble goes.
Save this guide to Pinterest3 steps for beginners
- 01
Take shorter steps
Heels tip your weight forward and shorten your natural stride, so fighting it makes you lurch. Take steps about a quarter shorter than in flats and keep the beat steady. Short and even looks graceful; long and uneven looks unsure.
TipThe higher the heel, the shorter the step.
- 02
Heel, then ball
Land lightly on your heel, then roll through to the ball of your foot before you push off. Landing flat-footed clacks and jolts; landing on the toes makes you tip forward. It is the same roll as a normal walk, just more deliberate.
TipListen. A good heel walk sounds like a soft tap, not a clack.
- 03
Walk one line
Imagine a line on the floor and let each foot land close to it, one in front of the other, without crossing over. This narrows your base, brings your hips into a gentle sway and keeps your ankles stacked over the heel.
TipPractise along a floor seam or a strip of tape before you try it without one.
Posture first
Heels change your balance by pushing your weight towards the front of your foot. Your body’s instinct is to lean forward or bend at the knees. Do the opposite: stand tall through the crown of your head, keep your shoulders back and down and let your knees stay soft but straight. Your core does more work in heels, so gently draw your lower belly in as you walk.
Your eyes matter too. Look at a point at eye level ahead of you, not at the floor. Your feet will find the ground; your peripheral vision is enough. For more on this, see head and gaze.
Pick the right first heel
If you are a beginner, start with a lower, wider heel: a block heel of 5 to 7 cm is ideal. It gives you a stable base while you learn the heel-to-ball roll. Move to a thinner or higher heel when that feels automatic. See stilettos, block heels and mules for how each one changes your walk.
A ten-minute heel practice
- Put on your heels on a hard floor (carpet hides mistakes).
- Stand for one minute with your weight evenly over both feet.
- Walk ten slow steps focusing only on heel, then ball.
- Walk ten more with shorter steps and a steady count.
- Walk ten along a line.
- Put it together and film one walk from the front and one from the side.
Do this for a week before you wear the heels anywhere that matters. For a full routine, read how to practise walking in heels at home.
When it still feels wobbly
A wobble usually means one of two things: your steps are too long, or your weight is too far back on the heel. Shorten your step first. If the ankle still rolls, try a lower heel for a few more days. Heels are a skill, not a test. Everyone gets there with practice.
Questions
How high should my first heels be?
Start with a block heel of about 5 to 7 cm. It is stable enough to learn the heel-to-ball roll without fighting for balance.
Why do my heels click so loudly?
You are landing too hard on the heel. Shorten your stride and roll more quickly onto the ball of your foot. A good heel walk sounds like a soft tap.
How long until I’m comfortable in heels?
With short daily practice, most people feel steady in about a week and confident in two to three.
Common mistakes
- Walking on your toes to avoid the heel hitting the floor.
- Long strides from flats, which make your knees lock and your body tip back.
- Bent knees and hunched shoulders from fear of falling.
- Looking at your feet. Your chin drops and your balance goes with it.
- Starting with your highest, thinnest heel.
Défilé · Walk score
Film your heel walk in Défilé and see your walk score.
Film a walk and Défilé scores it out of 100, shows you the one thing holding it back and gives you a short drill to fix it. Your video never leaves your phone.
On Android? Défilé is coming soon to Google Play.
