Style

How-To: Ease Into Heels

Q. I’m 25 and stand a whopping 5’10” in bare feet. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy being this tall (especially at concerts), but when it comes to shoe shopping I usually opt for something boring, masculine or clunky. For the first time I have been curious about wearing heels. I have zero experience walking in them, and I’m not really looking to be taller than my boyfriend (who is 6’1″).

Do you have any shoe suggestions for me?

– Jenny

A. Absolutely!

One great option for you is a kitten heel. Technically a kitten heel is a skinny little stiletto-ish thing that’s 4.75cm or less (thank you, Wikipedia)…but what it really is is a nice way to get a little lift while avoiding the perils (and discomfort) of for-real high heels.

Since warm weather is on the way, try a pair that will give your outfit a pretty pop of color (and if all that brightness makes you nervous, pair the shoes with simple jeans and a white tee for a look that’s fun, but still classic). What’s nice about most of these styles as well is that they have an open toe; the pointy toe that you’ll find on lots of kitten-heel styles may be a little uncomfortable for you if you’re not used to it.

If that narrow heel looks too teeter-y for you, try a low wedge (raffia is great for casual wear, but stick to leather styles for work).

And once you’ve gotten a bit more comfortable with the idea of wearing heels, you may want to invest in a gorgeous, neutral, go-with-everything pair like one of the styles above. (Yes, I consider leopard a neutral.)

Enjoy!

x

J

Product info after the jump.

Top set, clockwise from L: Asos ($63), Michael Perry ($210), Butter ($49), J. Crew ($179)

Middle set, clockwise from top L: Juicy Couture ($198), Jaeger (140EUR), Ash ($184), Bandolino ($60), Sigerson Morrison ($225)

Bottom set, L to R: Rupert Sanderson, Burberry, Robert Clergerie

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