How To Walk In Six Inch Heels

Editorial Disclaimer: the heels pictured above (Nine West) are only 5 inches high. They're my equivalent of "kitten heels," while my 4 inch heels are "sensible shoes" and my 3 inch heels are my version of flats. This leads to a predictable set of questions: "Who do you think you are, a drag queen?" "What are you doing in heels that high?" "When you're in the hospital with two broken legs, you don't think I'm going to visit you, do you?" "Where did you even find heels that high?" Or my favorite, "Why in God's name are you wearing 6 inch heels?"

The short answer to the last question is that they make me feel powerful. Walking in 6 inch heels is a somewhat rare talent and I love to make jaws drop any way I can. It's not always easy. Recently I almost gave up my 6 inch heels when they came between me and getting backstage at Badgley Mischka. But the truth is they're one of my signature style items and I can't live without them. So...to answer Stevie's question, following is the secret to getting away with 6 inch heels:

1. Pick platforms if you can. The heels pictured above are actually harder to wear than my 6 inch ones, because the 6 inch ones have a 2 inch platform. Therefore, my calf muscles think that they're 4 inch heels.

2. Make sure the shoes are otherwise comfortable. Even I CANNOT handle 6 inch heels plus a strap that rubs, or 6 inch heels with pinchy toes.

3. Develop a purposeful stride. Walking in 6 inch heels is like flying in a dream. If you think about the fact that you're doing it, suddenly you won't be able to do it anymore.

4. This last one is the most important. The real secret to walking in 6 inch heels is sheer stubbornness. I could follow all of the other rules and still not be able to do it if I weren't so intent on proving everyone else wrong. The main reason I can walk in 6 inch heels is because everyone else thinks I can't.