Walk in Style

by PRAVAT J GURUNG & SUBEKSHA POUDEL

FROM ISSUE # 167 (November 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Pumps
How to Wear: Team it up with cropped pants or dresses for an elegant touch and make sure that you closely match the colour of your shoes to that of your pants as the even tone will give a flow to the outfit.

How to Buy: Opt for bright hues as they will add a splash of colour to any dull outfit.

What to Avoid: Stay away from shoes that contrast with the colour of your pants as they usually break up the look, giving a blocky, divided appearance.

Booties
How to Wear: Pair them with any neutral or basic outfit and completely transform your look into something special. Looks stunning with skinny jeans, tights, dresses or leather leggings.

How to buy: Go for a dramatic bootie, studded or buckled.

What to Avoid: Be careful if you are very short or have stocky legs as booties chop off your legs at the ankle.

Platform heels
How to Wear: Retro works best for plats, like a turtleneck or 70s style sweater, topped with a vintage blazer or leather jacket.

How to Buy: The secret to making platforms work is to keep them a bit on the understated side as the style itself is wild enough; a basic black is a good colour.

What to Avoid: Thin, slender, or tall people should avoid platform heels.

Over-the-knee boots
How to Wear: They look best with oversized tunics, long boyfriend jackets and mini-dresses. Wear thigh-high socks in complimenting colours to give a leggier look or simply tuck in your skinny jeans inside.

How to buy: Colours like black, grey, or purple are the safest as they suit all shades of outfits.  And make sure that the boots you wear stick to your legs.

What to avoid: Don't succumb to the urge of purchasing over-the-knee boots with very high heels; while you might like the extra inches, you risk looking tacky.

Flats
How to Wear: The rule is to show off your legs when you wear flats, so pair them with skinny jeans or shorts or pretty dresses.

How to Buy: Oxford flats are a fresh alternative to shake up your wardrobe this season, especially in wine hues. Studs, ruffles and buckles also add oomph to these simple shoes.

What to Avoid: Girls with moderate height and small feet are not recommended to wear flats as they will make them look shorter.

Strut like a Pro in Killer Heels

Start small: If you've not walked in high heels before, start with heels no higher than two-inch or in wedge heels and get used to the feeling.

Walk heel to toe, not toe to heel: While it might be tempting to put your whole foot down at once, don't do so; it makes your walk look strange. The trick to balance and appear natural is to put your heel down first and follow it by your toe.

Step as if you were walking on a straight line: When you walk with one foot in front of the other, it gives your hips the sway that models are known for, so pretend like you're walking on a line on the ground.

Watch how models do it: Down load a video of a fashion show on You Tube and watch the professionals strut in their high heels. Learn from their walks and tone it down a little.

Practice, practice, practice: The only way to become a pro is to do it as often as you can. Practice on an actual straight line at a basketball court or on a line in the floor or even in front of a mirror until you get it down. And walk high wherever possible - carpets, slippery floors, up stairs, down stairs, outside.