Sky-High in Crack City

Everyone knows how to walk in heels…. or do they?

Not so far gone are the days when every Charlottesville glamour gal knew that wearing stilettos on the downtown mall was a dangerous prospect: for herself and her shoes. Each step involved that sharp intake of breath, that careful concentration… avoiding cracks became more than just a childhood game. Suddenly, the back-breakage issue was real, only this time for mother and daughter alike. Locals sat at restaurant patios, enjoying the spectacle of unprepared tourists running the mall-crack gauntlet and, while it had its funny moments, as an avid stiletto wearer, I can assure you that the recent changes to the surface of the mall are definitely all they’re cracked up to be.

The new ground no longer dictates the necessity of wedges or, God forbid, flats and, thankfully, allows us to prance on in our 6-inch spikes with no fear of sinking in, stuck while onlookers chuckle or, even worse, skinning the leather from the heels as we yank them out from between the bricks, ruining our prize kicks forever.

People may bash it, accuse us of kowtowing to misogynist designers’ bondage fantasies, tarting ourselves up in impossibly high, ridiculously constricting mechanisms meant to keep us women in our place. To that, I say, slip on a pair, just once, with the perfect LBD (that’s Little Black Dress) and a string of pearls. Not only do the shoes give a woman the height she might need to tower above the masses, but they improve her stature, forcing her to throw back her shoulders and walk like she means it. So, to those ladies who would love to wear sky-highs, but just don’t know how (now that it can actually be done in public in Charlottesville) here are a few tips to help you get over your fear of heights.

• One inch at a time: start with a short heel. Avoid going straight for the 6-inchers in those early sessions.
• Keep it close to home: Your training wheels are kitten heels, so practice at home before heading out. A full-length mirror will keep you even more on your toes. Don’t forget to practice on the stairs!
• Bring back-up: Leave the tiny clutch at home for your first few adventures in sky-land. Throw a pair of cute flats into your shoulder bag for long nights out.
• Slip one in: Once you’ve graduated to taller shoes, stock up on insoles, inserts and massaging foot gels. The highest shoes can often use a little extra cushioning.
• Wiggle while you walk: To truly master the sexy spike, you’ve got to stand up straight and let your hips do the walking. Swinging your rear will help you achieve that perfect balance… and look stunning while doing it.
• Don’t be callus: Pampering your feet is half the battle. If you’re not a pedicure kind of gal, a quick rub with a pumice stone at the end of your shower is an easy way to keep your tootsies soft, smooth and happy.

If you find that perfect pair, devise a strategy. Begin at home, graduate to dinner parties where you’re mostly sitting and start out slowly with shorter heels on those first few nights out. The bottom line is that you need to take your time. We all know Rome wasn’t conquered in a day. Well, neither were the catwalks of Milan or Paris, so you might want to give Charlottesville a little extra time before throwing in your shoes.