Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I bought my first shoes at the weekend. They have a moderate heel of 2 inches which is taking a bit of getting used to when you have always worn flat shoes. I have been wearing them round the house to practice and I'm starting to get the hang of them but stairs are a bit of a challenge.
going up is ok but coming down is a different matter. I find myself coming down sideways but there has to be a better way or is it just a confidence thing.

Sideways and hold the rail

As Kellie says. Feet pointing side ways and hold the rail and go slow. Imagine you are walking down making a grand entrance! If you go fast you will end up in a heap at the bottom. Don't ask me how I know!

Quote from: PhilippaRees on March 18, 2026, 05:29:22 PMI bought my first shoes at the weekend. They have a moderate heel of 2 inches which is taking a bit of getting used to when you have always worn flat shoes. I have been wearing them round the house to practice and I'm starting to get the hang of them but stairs are a bit of a challenge.
going up is ok but coming down is a different matter. I find myself coming down sideways but there has to be a better way or is it just a confidence thing.

That is about the max height for heels I have too.  I prefer shoes that are comfortable and stable.

I can handle 3"-3.5" for when dressing up glam but normally around 2.5" for things like boots. You need to work your way up as you won't have the ankle strength to cope with the bigger heel. I have tried 5" heel before but that was very tricky and totally impractical.

Thank you all for the confirmation that I was actually doing it the right way, and the warnings because I'm too used to being able to run up and down stairs.

Chrissy I'm with you on the max height, anything higher is too scary and out of my comfort zone. Plus I need a new hip so have to be careful.

My new shoes are inexpensive pre-loved shoes just to see how things go but I really love them already.

And Stottie Girl, I won't ask but I hope it didn't hurt too much.

Driving in heels is also a thing to learn. Not easy!

Quote from: Jillian-TG on March 19, 2026, 06:45:29 AMDriving in heels is also a thing to learn. Not easy!

A lot of women have flats that they pop on for driving and slip their heels on when they get to where they are going. Could be safer.

So I practiced all week and it suddenly clicked so became quite confident.
I went to a party as Philippa yesterday tripped over a single step, not even stairs, and discovered a heap on the floor with my name on it.
And I wrecked a perfectly good shoe.

Quote from: PhilippaRees on March 22, 2026, 04:51:59 AMSo I practiced all week and it suddenly clicked so became quite confident.
I went to a party as Philippa yesterday tripped over a single step, not even stairs, and discovered a heap on the floor with my name on it.
And I wrecked a perfectly good shoe.

Ha ha ! At least I'm not alone! Hope you didn't injure yourself!

You have to seriously watch where you are putting your feet in heels. Laminate, tiled or wood flooring becomes like an ice rink in heels so be warned, get used to walking on these surfaces! Take smaller steps. Stay away from grass too if you're wearing stillettos. And drain grates can be ankle breakers.

I find that walking towards a full length mirror with your head up straight looking ahead can help you with your gait, try for one foot in front of the other inline. It can give you a bit of a feminine sway but it's trickier than it sounds.

Also standing is different in heels. Most women go feet together with one foot pointing out. There will be photo's of what I mean online somewhere as I'm not descibing it very well.

I was ok, I thought I had twisted my ankle but it only ached for a few minutes, so I think I got away with that one.
I think the problem in this case is shoe fit, They are my size but are a fraction loose. The difference between tights and socks I guess.
What happened was that the step had a protective metal edge and my heel caught on that.

I seemed to navigate Birmingham city centre last night in my heels ok although they are only kitten heels. This included the big new street station steps and driving into my local town. You hust forget you're wearing them. The bigger ones will me more risky, besides I'd then become over 6ft tall which I don't really need!

Charlotte

Quote from: Charlotte Kitty on March 22, 2026, 05:44:03 AMI seemed to navigate Birmingham city centre last night in my heels ok although they are only kitten heels. This included the big new street station steps and driving into my local town. You hust forget you're wearing them. The bigger ones will me more risky, besides I'd then become over 6ft tall which I don't really need!

Charlotte

Nicely done! narrow stilletto type heal or block heel?

I like to wear strappy heels or court type heels and I never forget I have them on as the straps start to hurt after a couple of hours and the courts are always in danger of flying off when I'm walking! They look the part though! I also love my ankle boots with a 3" stilletto but they are easy to walk in, I do forget I'm wearing those. For casual dress though I wear wedges or sketchers trainers.