Marilyn Monroe was quite right when she claimed that all women owe a lot to the person who invented high heels. Ask most women and they’d tell you that they cannot function without their heels. It's not just those wanting a little elevation, although that's certainly a factor. High heels can offer class, confidence and character to any woman wanting to look effortlessly fabulous. But effortless is one thing that high heels are not.

You may beg to differ based on how easily Beyonce sways on stage or how Jennifer Lopez does jumps and lunges in her music videos wearing stilettos. But the fact is, high heel walking is an art, one that requires tactics and practice to master. Following are a few tips and tricks to help you make strong personality statements by walking tall in high heels:

Buy the Right Heels

In order to wear the heels correctly, the first thing you need to nail down is the right purchase. A lot of times people end up compromising on size simply to get their desired look, however, high heel walking is greatly affected if the heels don’t fit perfectly. Make sure that the centering of the heel and your foot’s arch placement are correct. This may seem like a small glitch, but in the long run it can lead to a lot of pain and discomfort.

Choose The Right Heel Height

Effortless high heel walking for you might mean 2-3 inches, whereas someone else might consider heels above 4-5 inches doable. Don’t let someone else determine the right heel size for you. Always start with shorter heels and then increase the size with time. A good way to determine the most comfortable heel size is to stand on your toes with the back of your foot at least an inch above the heel of the shoe; if you can easily do that then the heel is the right size for you. High heel walking is all about practice and time. With practice you can gradually increase the size of your heel to as long as is practically possible. You may find that you need to purchase shoes with broader heels or wedges at first as they are easier to handle.

Practice, Practice and More Practice

Now that you have understood the level of your high heel walking incompetence and found the right pair of heels, it is time to get down to business. Follow these steps and you will be gliding in 6 inch heels in no time!

• Start by standing in your heels. Stand for a few minutes and then sit down. Gradually increase the time to about 40-50 minutes so that you can get used to standing for prolonged periods of time. Try standing in front of a full length mirror so that you can observe your posture and adjust it accordingly. Be sure not to bend your knees while standing.
• Take small steps at first at a slow pace on a non-slippery surface like a carpet. The stride tends to get shorter with higher heels, so don’t try to take long strides initially. Make sure that your knees don’t bend too much.
• Gradually increase the speed and practice turning, sitting, stopping, changing directions and dancing as you would do all these things without heels.
• Try wearing heels on different surfaces inside the house as well as outside. Many people only practice at home and then cannot hold the same stride and posture when wearing heels outdoors. High heel walking is even more difficult on outdoor surfaces like grass and gravel, so make sure that you practice on them too.
• It is very important to learn walking on stairs with the heels on. Make sure that your entire foot is on the step when coming down the stairs. When going up, place the ball of your foot on every step, and don’t forget to hold on to the railing!
• It is a good idea to practice several days before the event so that the sole of the heels will become less slippery and you can get used to the shoe.
• One of the best ways to practice high heel walking is to wear them when you go out to do normal errands like buy groceries, after you’ve had ample practice indoors, of course. Generally the floors are a little slippery, but you will have the cart for balance, so it will be a great way to practice.

Whether it is the red soles of Loub’s, Carrie Bradshaw’s fetish for Blahnik’s or sheer love that's got you hooked to heels, with regular practice and determination, you, too can “run the world” like Beyonce in no time!

 What do you make of a 16 year old wearing a leather jacket, a few piercings and blue dyed hair? A middle-aged blonde wearing a polo shirt and pleated slacks? Or how about a woman in a little black dress with bright red high heels?

Fashion is a statement that divides an individual from another in the most profound way. Fashion can speak volumes about a person, their lifestyle, personality, preferences, likes and dislikes and many a times the social status.

And when it comes down to fashion, everything matters: the right color, the right length and the most appropriate shoes. It goes without saying that shoes can make or break a dress. Choosing the right shoes for the right dress is like pairing wine with the right meal, it needs an acquired taste, experience and above all an extended palette.

You wouldn’t go to the gym wearing a pair of trainers with 4 inch heels would you? It is very important that you wear dresses with high heels that compliment and accentuate the entire look. There are generally four types of heels, high and low heels, platform heels, wedges and stilettos. All of them have their own advantages, disadvantages and individual presence that can help not only elevate you but elevate the entire look.

Dresses with Heels

Stilettos

Stilettos are undoubtedly one of the most sought after type of high heels when it comes to formal events. Stilettos can work with almost everything as long as you choose the right pair. Traditionally, stilettos have worked much better with long and voluminous full length dresses. However, these days, stilettos can also work with short dresses. You typically don't want to pair stilettos with short day dresses or shorts. You can pair stilettos with short formal glitzy dresses, (Beyonce-style) for clubbing, birthday parties etc. but not for day events. Stilettos can get quite uncomfortable so many prefer not to wear them if the event is more than a few hours long.

High/Low Heels

Where low heels can almost work with all silhouettes, sizes and dresses, including casual as well as formal wear, high heels have slightly more support than stilettos, so they can easily be worn throughout the day. Pumps are quite the rage these days, including the infamous nude LK Bennet’s that the Duchess of Cambridge cannot have enough of. You can pair heels and pumps with short dresses, casual jeans, pencil skirts and even formally, if you choose the right ones. You can wear dresses with high heels including peep-toe heels and pumps to work, casual or formal events.

Platforms

Platforms are another style that looks good with almost anything. Platform heels are more on the funkier side, and yet can easily be pulled off with a short dress as much as a full length gown. Platform heels are a celebrity favorite; they offer the height and the stability to prevent those much-dreaded and publicized falls. If you are just starting out or are looking for fancier alternatives that at the same time offer stability, then opt for platforms.

Wedges

Wedges are basically like flip-flops on heels. They are most preferably worn with casual summer dresses, to work or other daywear. Wedges make your legs appear longer, so they look much better with shorter hemlines.

Conclusion

In the end, there are no hard and fast rules, so if you find a good pair of stilettos that go well with hot pants, then there is no fashion police that can stop you from doing so. The one rule that you should keep in mind, though, is to wear dresses with high heels that compliment each other well from a color and style standpoint.

It was a week filled with celebrity happenings, like the Cannes Film Festival and a plethora of premieres, finales and upfronts. With a spring in their step and a twinkle in their eyes, fashionistas are continuing to lead the rest of us on the journey to their fashion haven, where everybody wears great shoes and flats aren't allowed.

Nicole Kidman downright sprouted like a tulip in the spring wearing this floral, strapless number from Christian Dior to the Cannes Film Festival this week. Her heels were a lovely shade of pink with a hint of orange, also from Dior.

Image Source: Getty Images

 On the tails of her announcement that she'll be authoring her first book, Lea Michele attended the Fox Upfronts event this week donning an off-the-shoulder pink number. Michele looked quite summery with her olive tan, lighter hair, and mettalic pointed toed stilettos. 

Image Source: sofeminine.co.uk

Minka Kelly made the LBD pop with a blue pair of Jimmy Choo's at the Aqua Star Pool redesign launch at the Beverly Hilton in L.A.

Image Source: People.com

 Zoe Saldana was in New York this week premiering her film Star Wars: Into Darkness. She stopped by the Sirius XM headquarters wearing this printed suit from Antonio Berardi. What we love most about the ensemble is her pairing with the Christian Louboutin Paulina Pumps.

Source: FashionBombDaily.com

ABC's show Scandal is all the rage right now, and it capped off its second season with the finale party this week. Actress Kerry Washington sported a bowed number from Giambattista Valli and looked flawless. She matched the dress with a rosy-nude pair of platform heels from Lanvin.

Source: People.com