How to Wear Extreme Wedges

Let me start off by saying that I actually OWN these shoes. And wear them. They happen to be very comfortable, although very high.

When I say extreme wedges, I mean anything that gives you an extra boost of height than a normal heel. Say instead of 6 inches, 8 inches or more. While I know some of you may think that I’m secretly wearing my stripper heels out and about on the DL, I assure you I am not. Besides the fact that I do not work in that industry, when you see these, you will not think stripper.

In fact, if I hadn’t said they were 8 inches high, you would have thought these were regular wedges. I certainly did. Until I put them on and realized that I was very, I say very, tall.

So here’s the thing. How does one wear shoes such as these, stay standing, walk without looking like a giraffe AND style it without looking like Lady Gaga?

Step 1: The initial test

• Try your shoes on in-store. If you’re struggling to get them on while in the middle of a crowded department store, then you’re going to struggle to put them on at home before your event. And you’re going to be majorly pissed if you can’t put the shoes on, that you just spent X amount of money on. If you’re an online buyer, then you had best have a back-up plan, just in case your shoe doesn’t fit well. 
• Remember that all shoes are cut differently. Try the same shoe on in the same size but from a different pair. It may be a hassle to the sales associate, but if you tell them up front, you’ll feel less guilty.
• Stand. Flex your feet in the shoes. Take in account any uncomfortable spots. If you can’t simply stand without your feet killing you, then put those bad boys back. There’s no point in having a shoe that you can’t wear for at least three hours. Also, because your center of gravity is thrown off, you need to take a moment and assess your body.
• Walk. DO NOT lead with your heels but with the ball of your foot. You’ll not only ruin the heels, but you just may end up on your butt. Keep walking around the store. If you find you’re teeter tottering, or that the shoe is uncomfortable in some way, then maybe they just aren’t for you.

Step 2. Practice

• If you have decided to buy your shoes, then there are a few things you need to do. First, take off all stickers, including size, price and materials. Goo Gone is a great product for those hard to remove items. 
• If your shoe is a material, cloth or suede, then you should weatherproof it. Scotchguard will make sure that your shoes stay as gorgeous as they originally were when you bought them, just in case of a freak downpour.
• Sometimes, the padding inside the shoe is not enough. Walk around the house, on different surfaces, ie. wood, carpet, tile. If your foot feels like you’re barefoot, then get yourself some high heel insoles. Works wonders and I swear by them.
• Keep walking. Up stairs, down stairs. In the kitchen, the bathroom, wherever. You don’t want to go on your hot date, looking sexified in those gorgeous new heels, only to look like a newborn trying her first steps. Nothing quite dampens the mood like that.
• Practice. Practice. Practice. Your walk. Your smile. Your posture. Ballerinas are the epitome of grace and they are literally on their toes. What’s your excuse?

Step 3. What to wear?

• Here’s where it gets tricky. Extreme wedges normally are very in your face. It’s easy to tone them down though. These particular shoes have a very vibrant pink hue. Which is great because they can look great with just about anything.
• Just because your heels are a little higher, have studs or chains or bright sparkly crystals, doesn’t mean you can get away with trying to look like Lady Gaga. As wonderful as she is, she is a performer. Unless you are on the same level as her, which I doubt because then you’d have a professional stylist, then do not attempt to look like her.
• On the other hand. Do you. If you have the confidence to pull off even one of her outfits in real life, then I need to be your friend. And I am serious about this. Do not think I am joking in the least.
• Since I don’t want to, or even think I could, look like Gaga, here’s an idea of how I would wear my extreme wedges: