How to walk in high heels like an A-lister
THE Oscars is the highlight of the awards season, and every celebrity guest primped their hair, make-up and wardrobe for Sunday night’s ceremony. But while they arrived at the Academy Awards in chauffeurdriven limousines, many still faced the challenge of navigating the red carpet in high heels. So, what tricks do celebrity stylists have up their sleeves to help the stars cope?
CLAUDIA JOSEPH asked podiatrist Dipesh Raja to assess their tips and reveal what’s best for you to try on your next night out.
THE FOOT SPRAY
TIP: Barbie star Margot Robbie flew around the world promoting her hit movie, posing for the cameras in a succession of Manolo Blahnik stilettos to complement her sugar-pink outfits. But, before she leaves her hotel room, the star reportedly uses $20 Still Standing foot spray to prevent swelling.
TV producer and writer Lyn Butler created the spray, which is a combination of cooling menthol, arnica, aloe and ilex, which are ‘time-tested natural anti-inflammatories and pain relievers’, together with vitamin E and tea tree oil, to give your feet a magic ice bath.
It can be hard to find Still Standing in Europe, but Haute Heels Soothing Foot Spray, with arnica, aloe and ilex, is an alternative (€8.95, hollywood fashionsecrets.co.uk). VERDICT: Clearly some people are getting comfort by using this spray. Certainly, it contains anti-inflammatories, which are time-tested and could mitigate soreness and aching feet. But that does not negate the problems of wearing high heels regularly. 6/10
THE INSOLES
TIP: As one of the most photographed women in the world, Kate Midleton, the Princess of Wales, knows that she has to spend a lot of time on her feet. So, she has invested in a pair of €22.95 leather insoles from Alice Bow (alicebow.com), which are designed to mould to the shape of her feet.
Rachel Bowditch, a graduate of shoemakers’ college Cordwainers, created the brand because she couldn’t find a pair of black patent heels that ‘looked good, fitted my feet and had padding’. VERDICT: I think these are a good idea if you are wearing high heels. They are a happy compromise between wearing custom-made orthotics — which are obviously better but too bulky for stilettos — and wearing nothing. 7/10
THE BUNION-BUSTERS
TIP: When Julia Roberts stepped out in New York City last December, she picked a pair of €290 bunion-busting Ronda boots by British brand Sole Bliss. She also has its gold €235 platform sandals.
A-listers Helen Mirren and Olivia Colman are also fans of the five-inch Sole Bliss Remy sandals.
Mirren wore a silver pair to this year’s Golden Globes, while Colman walked the red carpet in hers at the premiere of Great Expectations.
Designer Lisa Kay created the brand for people who have bunions — bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe. VERDICT: If you do have to wear high heels, these are a good choice. Their construction will accommodate your feet. However, that doesn’t give you carte blanche to wear them every day. 8/10
THE LARGER SIZE
TIP: As a former actress, the Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex knows many tricks of the trade and she often wore shoes that were too big for royal engagements. Pop icon Jennifer Lopez and Twilight star Kristen Stewart also upsize to avoid blisters on the red carpet.
But, since the shoes could slip, they insert silicone pads in the heels or stuff the toes with tissue or cotton wool. VERDICT: You should not go for width by adding length. You will get movement of the foot inside the shoe, no matter what you stuff it with, and there’s a chance you will walk out of the shoe or do yourself an injury. 1/10
THE MEDICAL TAPE
TIP: An unusual catwalk trick comes from supermodel Marie Helvin, who tapes her third and fourth toes together with medical tape to alleviate pain.
Apparently, there is a nerve that splits between those toes, which causes pain when you put pressure on it, and the tape removes thestrain. VERDICT: I don’t recommend it. It goes back to the age of foot binding and look what happened there! Don’t do it. 0/10