Tips for Walking in Heels on Grass, Gravel, and Other Uncomfortable Paths

A great pair of heels can elevate almost any outfit. They can lengthen your body, accentuate your calves, and even make your derriere look a little more shapely. Heels can also complement any outfit, whether you are going for va-va-voom sexiness or adorable cuteness. 

However, heels can also be a nightmare to walk in. Even the most experienced can struggle to walk across a grassy lawn or navigate a gravel path. What’s a girl to do when she plans to attend an all-day event outdoors? 

There are secrets to walking on uneven surfaces and little tricks you can employ to give your feet a break. Follow these tips so you can still rock your favorite pair of heels without getting stuck in the mud. 

Avoid Spikey Heels on Grass

Yes, your stilettos look gorgeous, but they’re also going sink like golf tees the second you start walking on grass. The last thing you want is to get stuck in the ground as your heels sink deeper or to pick up chunks of grass and clods of dirt with each step. Not only can this ruin your look but you will have to wash your heels when you get home. 

Here are your options: 

• Look for wedge heels. These will spread your weight over the shoe and prevent you from sinking down. 

• Pick up heel protectors. They actually make clear heel attachments that keep your shoes from touching the grass. This is a great option if you also want to protect your shoes from the dirt and mud. 

• Bring back-up flats. Grab a purse that’s big enough to hold your shoes. Switch to cute flats when you are walking on grass and then throw on your heels when you reach flatter and safer ground. 

If all else fails, pack some wipes in your purse so you can clean off any dirt that you accumulate on your shoes – especially before you enter a beautiful reception hall or historic home.

Practice Walking on Your Toes   

There are times when a patch of grass is unexpected and unavoidable. When this occurs, use the right walking style. Lift your heel off of the ground and walk on your toes, almost like you are sneaking from one place to another. 

Most people will understand how difficult walking on grass in heels can be and won’t judge your unique walking style. 

Keep in mind that walking on your toes is a serious calf and quad workout. While this option is ideal for small stretches of grass or posing for group photos, don’t rely on your tip-toes for a day of walking. 

Don’t Let Gravel Fool You 

While grass might seem like the mortal enemy of cute shoes, other uncomfortable surfaces can also make your day difficult. Gravel roads can wear you out quickly while peddle and shell paths can also be difficult to walk on. 

This is another time when packing back-up flats can be a lifesaver. You can quickly and comfortably get where you need to be and then throw on your heels once you reach a safe surface. Another option is to keep a friend or partner nearby to help you. A gentleman’s arm can help with stability and prevent you from falling on sharp rocks. 

Prepare Yourself Ahead of a Major Event

If you know that you have an upcoming event where you want to wear heels, take steps to prepare for uncomfortable ground cover. Here are a few ways you can be ready to take on the day. 

• Break in your shoes. It’s easier to navigate uneven paths in comfortable shoes than brand-new ones. Practice walking in them while doing chores like folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher. You’ll never feel sexier cleaning the cat’s litterbox! 

• Look at photos of the venue online. This can alert you to any potential walkways that will be difficult to navigate. Even historic cobblestones can cause problems for people in heels. You can also reach out to people who have been to the venue to get a feel for their experiences. 

• Pack back-up shoes. Keep an extra pair of heels in the car or in your bag just in case. If you break a heel while walking, you won’t have to limp through the rest of the day. 

During the event, look for places to sit down and rest your feet. This is particularly important for long parties, weddings, meet-ups, or car shows. You might not be tired now, but your feet will wear out after hours of walking, standing, and dancing. Forget diamonds, a well-placed chair is a girl’s best friend. 

Thank Your Feet After a Rough Day

When you return home, give yourself a little treat to thank your feet. Elevate them on the couch while wearing your favorite socks or soak them in warm water with your favorite scented body wash. For the next few days, let them rest. Your feet do a lot for you and self-care is a great way to give back. 

You won’t always be able to avoid a muddy match or grass or a sharp shell walkway, but these tips can help you navigate uncomfortable paths with ease. Be sure to share these tips with your friends – they’ve also been in your shoes.

Bringing new life to vintage underthings!!

As a pin up model we are always in need of  vintage or retro inspired under garments. There are some great companies making reproduction but it can be very pricey. So we search any where and everywhere for that perfect piece at a steal! For me garage sales and thrift stores are my favorite sometimes you can find something for under $5 other times I search ebay and etsy hoping to find something great and in my size. If you thrift at all your familiar with finding that vintage bullet shaped bra or a pretty slip that has seen better days, its yellowed with age or stained. Most people would just put it back or maybe take it home and try to clean it but you really can't bleach these old items with out the risk of destroying them. 

My trick

Idye poly, it is a fabric dye made specifically for dying nylon and polyester. Now there are a few things with vintage items you should know, the rubber on garters and the plastic hooks can only stand so much heat. So boiling your dye bath as directed on the package is not recommend! Instead I fill my dye bucket with as hot as the sink will get tap water, the less water you use the brighter the color. Make sure to really stir your dye bath prior to immersing items otherwise you get streaks and blotchy spots and if you are looking to have matching set you need to put them in the dye bath at the same time. Keep in mind different fabrics will take the dye differently so they may not match perfectly but they will be close. Sometimes the lace will dye a bit darker since it usually has a bit of cotton blended into the fabric. This can make the pieces more interesting and they photograph beautifully. I will put the items in the dye bath and stir, making sure that they are saturated evenly with dye. I will leave them soak them 30 minutes then remove, rinse really well with cold water, then hang to dry. The results are amazing and its so simple to achieve pretty colored vintage lingerie to shoot in!!

 Scarlette  tip ~ always start with a light color, these items can get dyed again at a later date! I usually will do with a darker shade of the original color. Example an orange dye bath will usually give white pretties a pale shade of peachy orange, a second  bath will make for a brighter shade of orange, next time go with a red bath will give a gorgeous  copper red tone, then burgundy etc. 

Always remember that dyed items can bleed so washing them before wearing is usually a good idea. I will throw a freshly dyed item in the wash with an old towel or two to absorb some of the dye in the wash. I do not recommend wearing dyes lingerie under vintage dresses. If you sweat there could be some dye transfer and its just not worth the risk.

Try this, I know you will not be disappointed!