The Heel Files

The choice of women's shoes can be very overwhelming and confusing for some. They come in many different styles, colours, textures and heel types. The below is a selection of the common heel types available and how to determine what style is what.

Stiletto Heel: This is my favourite heel type. This style of heel is extremely feminine and really elongates your legs and defines your calf muscles. A stiletto is a long, thin heel, usually higher than two and a half centimetres, with a diameter of less then one centimetre at the base. 

Kitten Heel: These are a great style when you're first starting out with high heels. They are also a great style to wear, when you'll be on your feet for an extended period of time but still want the glamour, of a high heel. A kitten heel is, traditionally a short, slim heel, with a maximum heel height of two and a half centimetres.

Chunky/Stacked Heel: This style is fast becoming popular. This is similar to a stiletto heel, with a minimum heel height of two and a half centimetres, however, the diameter of the heel at the base, is more than two centimetres. The chunky heel, can be more comfortable and stable to wear then the stiletto heel, while still maintaining the height.

Wedge Heel: This is a very comfortable style, as it supports your weight over the entire foot. The wedge heel occupies the entire space under the arch of your foot. This shoe style is very slimming for women with chunky legs and clearly defines your calf muscles. There are also many styles of wedges to choose from, in many different materials ranging from casual canvas to more stylish satin. 



Heels are an essential accessory for all women. They are extremely feminine and can do wonders for your self esteem and confidence. 

How to Wear Coloured Heels

We are now leaving winter and heading into the warm, summer months, so it’s time to dust off those bright and bold coloured shoes to brighten up your wardrobe!

When it comes to buying shoes, a lot of women are hesitant to buy coloured shoes. They believe there are limitations, with what you can wear them with and instead, opt for a neutral, versatile style that can be worn, with almost everything. Neutral shoes are a definite “must have”, however there are many benefits to wearing coloured shoes and a lot of different ways to incorporate them, into your wardrobe.

Coloured shoes are a great way to bring your outfit into the current season. During summer, it's easy to throw on a bright pair of shoes with a neutral outfit. And during winter, coloured shoes are a great way to brighten up your dark, winter clothes.

Coloured shoes can be worn in a number of ways. The below are my top tips for wearing coloured shoes:

1.     Add a splash of colour to a neutral outfit. There are many women out there that favour neutral clothing as it's a simple, elegant and versatile. Adding a splash of colour can bring that trusted little black dress, into the current season, with bold and bright colours.

2.     Colour blocking. Wearing multiple bright colours, is a popular trend at the moment, so why not try it with your shoes? Don’t worry about the colours clashing, as this is what colour blocking is all about. Just remember to try and keep the tones the same. If you are wearing florescent coloured clothing and then pair it with a pair of pastel shoes, this will throw off the balance, so remember to try and harmonise your attire.

3.     Match your shoes to your outfit. With coloured shoes, they can be added, as an accent to a funky, statement outfit. If you are wearing a multicoloured, patterned outfit, pick up one of the colours in the outfit and add a pair of shoes in this colour. This will give the outfit an edge and blend it together.

4.     Add another accessory in a matching colour. This pulls an outfit together and adds harmony to your ensemble. Whether you add a handbag, piece of statement jewellery or a scarf, by adding in another matching colour, it will complete the look, without making it match, too much.

Coloured shoes are a great way to personalise your style and add character to a simple outfit.

How to Wear Neutral Heels

I stood in my wardrobe, staring at my discarded pile of dresses, my anxiety increasing, what am I going to wear?

Have you ever had an amazing outfit, but never the right pair of shoes to complement it?

Neutral shoes are an essential "must have", in every woman's wardrobe. They're extremely versatile and never go out of style. Here are some tips on understanding neutral shoes and incorporating them into your outfit.

The term "neutral" is defined by the World English Dictionary as, "dull, but harmonising, with most other colours." It describes a colour, which does not belong in the colour spectrum. Beige, ivory, taupe, grey, black and white can be defined as neutral.

The benefit of neutral shoes, means you can pair them with nearly any outfit. They also do not draw any attention, so you can go for funky outfits, in different colours or patterns, as the statement piece.

Neutral shoes, in reality, go with all colours. However, it is important to consider the tone of your outfit and pair it with the right neutral. For example, if you had a navy blue dress with a black belt and you paired it with beige shoes, this would draw too much attention to your footwear and throw off the balance.

The advantage of neutral shoes, means you can mix and match them with everything and they will never date. Even though you can wear your neutral shoes all year round, there are different neutral tones available during the different seasons.

During winter, there tends to be darker colours available, such as black, dark grey and brown. In summer time, nudes, beige and light greys, are the more popular choice.

Another major benefit to wearing neutral shoes is, they can make your legs appear longer. If you choose a neutral colour, similar to your skin tone, it will extend your silhouette.

The below are my tips for wearing neutral shoes:

1. Wear them as a neutral accent to a bold/colourful outfit. This means you can wear a statement outfit and the shoes will complement it, without drawing the attention away. For example, a bright orange and pink dress with nude heels.
2. Wear them with a neutral outfit as a contrast. For example, a dark grey suit with light grey shoes and a matching belt revamps that simple look.
3. Balance your outfit. This can be done by adding a belt or handbag in the same neutral as your shoes, to tie it all together. For example, a pastel pink dress with black pumps might overpower the soft pink tones, however, if you add a thin black belt or small clutch with your outfit, it will balance the outfit and give it a dramatic look.

The possibilities are endless for neutral shoes and I believe these are a guaranteed "must have" for everyone.

How to Walk in High Heels

I always get asked...
"How do you walk in such high heels?"

My response is always the same...
"With lots of practise!"

There are many benefits to wearing high heel shoes. They make you stand tall, your legs appear slimmer, define your calf muscles and they can even make your stomach, appear flatter. Not to mention, high heels are very feminine and can do wonders for your confidence and self esteem. Walking in high heels is an acquired skill and does take some practise to master. 

I'm no expert with regards to walking in high heels, but I thought, I would share my story and tips with you and hopefully you can use some of them, to conquer those high heels!

Working in a shoe shop, I always had to have current season shoes and I always tried to look my best. When it came to buying my work shoes, I chose styles with low kitten heels or low wedges. These were a good introduction into high heels. Still high enough to give my feet a workout, but low enough, to be able to wear them comfortably.

I believe that by starting with lower heels, it conditioned my feet and strengthened my ankles so I could eventually wear the higher heels.

Whenever I bought new shoes, I'd choose slightly higher heels each time, until I was in high heel stilettos, with a 10cm heel and above.

At first, it was very tough working long hours in high heels. I think my feet, were always hurting! I would wear the heels for a few hours and then change into something lower, to give my feet a break. 

I would wear a lot of wedges in varying heights, as this style evenly distributes the weight across the entire foot (making it more comfortable!), while still maintaining the height. This really helped with getting my feet used to being so high off the ground!

Everyday, I noticed I could last a little bit longer, than the day before. The longer I worked there, the longer I could wear the high heels and the better I was at walking in them!

By starting with small heels and working my way up, this was essential to me, being able to walk in high heels. The more I did it, the better I became at it. 

I find it very natural to wear high heels now and I'm even more coordinated then when I'm wearing low heels or flat shoes!

Here are my tips for walking in high heels and what helped me, in acquiring the skill:

1. Practise. The more you do it, the better you'll be at it. Make sure to practise on different surfaces. Walking inside on carpet and even surfaces is much easier than walking on uneven concrete or tarmac.
2. Start with low heels and gradually make your way up the varying heel types and heights. This strengthens your ankles, while getting them used to your heels being so high off the ground.
3. Be confident. Stand up straight with your core muscles engaged and your shoulders back. Don't look down at your feet! The more confident you feel, the more comfortable your feet will be.
4. Always lead with the heel. 
5. Take small steps and keep your legs close together. This looks more graceful while you are walking. 
6. Keep your knees natural. Your knees should not bend any more than when you are in flats. 
7. When going up in heel heights, try a wedge heel as this style is more comfortable.
8. Know the occasion. If you'll be on your feet for an extended period of time, and walking around a lot, maybe choose an option with a lower heel. This will ensure you last longer on your feet. 
9. Break in your shoes first. Wear your shoes around the house, around the office and even while doing your shopping. This will soften your shoes and get you used to wearing them. It will also start scuffing the soles of your shoes, so they aren't so slippery, when you wear them out.
10. Don't rush! When you're wearing your high heels, you'll never be able to walk as quick as you can in flat shoes, so walk slow and controlled.
11. While using stairs, on the way up, just place the balls of your feet on each step. This make the movement more graceful. While descending the stairs, use the railings for balance and support and make sure your entire foot occupies the step.
12. While you're out, don't take your shoes off! When your feet are sore, they will swell and it'll be much more painful, when you try and put them back on. If  you know you won't make it the night in your heels, carry a pair of flats that you can change into, for the remainder of the night.
13. If you want to wear a really high stiletto, choose an option with a platform. The platform takes away some of the height, while still maintaining the illusion of a high heel. The platform, better distributes and supports your weight 

Remember to give your feet a rest from high heels, as prolonged wear can result in irreversible damage to your feet and cause back problems.