UK Celebrity News, Fashion Tips, Gossip and Pictures

Gwyneth Paltrow has been hitting the headlines recently because of her various red carpet appearances wearing a short skirt and stilettos. The press coverage of this is fascinating, with journalists debating about the state of her marriage simply because she’s chosen to step out at each event in sky-high heels.

So what’s all the fuss about? I put it down to the fact that the shoes she’s been wearing are so impractical. She looks great in her poses for the photographers but I bet her feet were really killing her. Why put yourself through the agony of it all I hear you ask? Well, it’s simply because the most wonderful looking shoes are extremely uncomfortable.

The cute little ballerina pumps that everyone is wearing may feel like slippers, but unless you’ve got the legs of a racehorse, they will make you look dumpy.
There’s something about a three-inch heel that elongates the calf and adds a wiggle to your walk. It’s a simple fact of life that when you slip into a pair of elegant stilettos you become a goddess, slip on a pair of Crocs or flip flops and you become anything but.

As little girls we were always told the story of Cinderella and her beautiful glass slipper. I doubt that prince charming would have been so keen to find her had she left one of her Ugg boots behind!
There’s even more good news for those of us who love high heels. They may actually be good for your health and your sex life. Italian Eurologist, Dr Maria Cerruto, has undertaken a recent study of 66 women under 50. She found that those who held their foot at a 15 degree angle to the ground – the equivalent of a two inch heel – had as good posture as those who wore flat shoes, and crucially showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles.
This suggested the muscles were at an optimum position, which could well improve their strength and ability to contract.

So if high heels can indeed make us look and feel better, how on earth do you walk in them, especially if you live in an area where there are hills and uneven pavements?

Here is my essential guide to walking in high heels:

1. Image an invisible string running through your head down to the base of your spine. Envisage that someone is pulling the string upwards so that you keep your weight back, back straight and head up to stay balanced.
2. When you walk, step with your heel first then roll onto the ball of your foot.
3. Use small steps rather than striding forward.
4. Never forget how gorgeous you look and this will help you push on through the pain barrier!