https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:02:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1492791 Sun, 17 May 2015 15:03:13 +0000 Staysfit 1492791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I want to weigh in and say that not all tall people can wear heels that high! I just thought I would stick up for the Giants among us. My feet aren't all that big given my height, I take a size 8.5. I can barely manage a 3" heel, 3.5" is pushing it. 4" would balance my legs perfectly, so I wish I could do it. That's why I love platform heels. They give the illusion of height but the comfort of a lower heel. </p> <p>I don't think foot length has anything to do with it by the way. It has to do with flexibility and balance more than anything else, oh and of course coordination. </p> <p>Think about a ballerina on point. Need I say more? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1492732 Sun, 17 May 2015 12:44:20 +0000 Jgiamarco 1492732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'0 tall and wear a size 6 shoe size, I love the taller heals I won't wear anything under a 4 inch heal 7 is my max for platforms and that's for sitting events with little walking if you keep practicing you will look fabulous in them! Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050200 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:58:01 +0000 unfrumped 1050200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dunno, depends on how much you want to put into it.<br />There may be a sweet spot on heel height. You could try some on at stores like DSW and see if you can tell a notable difference at say 3" or 2.5 or whatever. Being able to walk normally and confidently is an important part of looking fab, and there are lots of cool shoes with at least some heel, if&nbsp; not 4".<br />Do these fit really snugly at the heel and through the vamp? If not, that will make you wobble. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050191 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:36:20 +0000 Julie 1050191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'3" and wear 4 inch heels all the time. This is with a size 6 also. What works for me is boots. Plenty of ankle support, and not a pair of cheap boots in my closet. You definitely get what you pay for.</p> <p>Cheers</p> <p>Julie</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050130 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 21:43:32 +0000 Irene 1050130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm an average height (5.4") but wear a size 8 1/2 or 9 (Mrs Big Feet here!). I still can't do high heels, not even 3 inches. It's not the length of the feet, or the shoes. It's just me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050051 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:12:03 +0000 CocoLion 1050051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a 6.5 even a 6 sometimes and my Euro size is either 36 or 37. &nbsp;So those are small feet. &nbsp;And, I am just under 5'4". &nbsp;I can easily walk in 3" heels IF they are supportive. &nbsp;That means ankle strap shoes with structured heels or well-made booties. &nbsp;The highest I can go is 3-5/8". &nbsp;If I have a 4 or 5" heel it's got to have a platform. &nbsp;So, I cannot wear a 4" heel if it is single sole. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050044 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:44:44 +0000 Anonymous 1050044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'2" tall. Before my ankle injury, I was able to wear 4" heels if they were platform and had a 1" platform. I had to give them up due to fears of reinjury. My max. heel height now is 3" with a platform of 1/2" or a 2.5" heel height with no platform. I also look for thicker heels that are less prone to turn.</p> <p>And yes, I'm a big Dankso fan. They are sooo comfortable. I love my Dankso Ryders.</p> <p>At my age (52) and with my bunions, comfort trumps style; though it's not difficult to find stylish shoes that aren't 4" high. Just saying'</p> <p>My motto is: Why suffer if I don't have to?</p> <p>As for can you wear them? Certainly! Just keep in mind that the smaller your shoe size, the higher the heels are going to feel. I wear size 7.5W, and 3" is pushing it for me, though I can easy do it if I'm not on my feet all day.</p> <p>Hope this helps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050037 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:38:37 +0000 Mellllls 1050037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really think everyone is different. I am 5'3 and have a couple 4" heels but that is not an everyday shoe for me. Also depends on the shoe..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-1050033 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:35:42 +0000 sherbert 1050033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I can wear 4" heels, anyone can. It is a matter of getting used to it, and while physisically, it is your foot length that matters and not your height.&nbsp; The shorter your foot, the higher then angle that your foot must be at, with more weight focused on a smaller point.&nbsp; I agree your foot is small, size 5.5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Factors for comfort:</p> <ul> <li>Shoe size/Foot length</li> <li>Heel height</li> <li>Platform to ease heel height</li> <li>Weight (mostly all focused on ball of feet)</li> <li>Foot width (a narrow shoe would hurt,&nbsp;and create corns,&nbsp;but&nbsp;may help with weight distribution?)</li> <li>Misc. shoe factors- fit, cushioning, straps (don't have to hold the shoe in with your foot)</li> <li>Misc. foot shape factors, issues (bunions, corns)</li> </ul> <p>I&nbsp;wear 4" heels every day, or 5"-6" heels with a platform, on a consistent basis (walk miles in).&nbsp;&nbsp;I have just gotten used to it because being short, I am forced to wear heels or look like a child.&nbsp; I am 4'10":</p> <ul> <li>Size 4 1/2 foot</li> <li>Very wide feet, width&nbsp;is Medium if my foot were a size 11. This means I have short, wide "duck-feet" that I must cram into heels (usually narrow), pressure points building on each side. because it's the ball of my foot being stepped on, making my foot wider.</li> <li>Shoes are too large - Being so short in foot length, I typically have to buy shoes 1 size too big.&nbsp; Sometimes my foot even slips out when I am walking.&nbsp; But if they have a strap or fit, I can run in them.</li> <li>Heels are 4"-6"</li> <li>Almost overweight for my height sometimes (fluctuates), lots of muscle.</li> </ul> I have been wearing heels since I was 13 and I am 32 now.&nbsp; I don't have any foot problems from heels, I wear 4"&nbsp;heels every day, even walking to and from work.&nbsp; Sometimes it does kind of hurt, but usually I am OK.&nbsp; My friends say they are "an extension of my feet."&nbsp;</p> <p>At first I thought the question was whether it would look appropriate, as Modgirl says: "I feel like if I can measure the heel height as a significant percentage of my own height, then they start to look clownish instead of appropriate." I would like to know too, and it is a matter of opinion. I'm short, and we can't win - wear no heels and look/feel ultra-short/get towered over, wear ultra high heels and look ridiculous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-769401 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:15:09 +0000 cinnamon fern 769401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with BJ - just return them! </p> <p>Seriously, you can find other shoes you love as much that are actually wearable. If you're used to birks and danskos, start with something lower and work your way up. Four inch heels are too high to ever be comfortable for lots of women (including me, 5'4" with size 5.5 feet) - I would start with something lower and if that gets comfortable you can work your way up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-769261 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:10:21 +0000 Scarlet 769261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, of course, but if you were used to comfort shoes before it would be pretty hard to suddenly jump into a 4 inch heel. If you don't have anything in an in-between height, I would recommend lots of practice at home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-769196 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:30:17 +0000 modgrl 769196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5' tall and I wear heels. For a while I was wearing 5" heels all the time. Happily the trend has passed. I am also over the look for me. I feel like if I can measure the heel height as a significant percentage of my own height, then they start to look clownish instead of appropriate. These days I mostly stick to 3" heels, with one or two pairs of 4" heels for really special times. I think the 4" heels you posted are classy and I don't see a problem wearing them with the right outfit. The heel looks nice and stable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-769186 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:24:47 +0000 Anonymous 769186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'2" tall and wear a size 7.5 shoe. The only 4" heels I wear are platform sandals that have a 1" platform. A 3" heel is as high as I feel comfortable wearing, and that's only for occasions where I don't have to be on my feet much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-769179 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:20:13 +0000 HeleenH 769179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, I can't. Recently I bought booties with a 5 cm heel, which is about 2 inch. Those are sitting shoes for me. I had to buy myself another pair of shoes with 3 cm heels for daily use (about 1.2 inch). I am 1.58 m which is about 5"2 and wear size 4,5 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768677 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:27:50 +0000 Aida 768677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Short answer: Yes. Slightly longer answer: Yes, if your foot shape is accommodating I'm 5'3" with asize 7.5 shoe, and my foot shape is such that I am MUCH more comfortable in heels than flats. 4-4.5" was my primary heel height until recently, when I decided to drop it down to 3" so that I could walk for longer distances (4" is like a 1.5-2 hour shoe for me, 3" jumps to 4+). I also do NOT prefer chunky heels, quite like my little stiletto heels, and am very much anti-platform for myself. But everyone's feet are different! I also echo what Elisabeth said </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768666 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:21:20 +0000 bj1111 768666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>seriously, just return them. or if you shop with a nice sa, ask if she will do a price adjustment to the current lowest price.</p> <p>for me, with a chunky heel, a design element that cuts off the the right angle at the back heel base helps with a more graceful leg extension in preparation for the next step. see the back of the heel here, for a subtle example.</p> <p><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418075&#038;PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446461768&#038;R=8058966686372&#038;P_name=Miu+Miu&#038;N=306418075+1553&#038;bmUID=jHsB3DN" rel="nofollow">http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....ID=jHsB3DN</a></p> <p>otherwise, it's clump city. i am 5'2" and i can wear shoes max 3mm shy of 4 inches, if there is no platform. my feet just don't flex that much and i'm too unstable to walk safely. so no alexander wang or ingelmo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768658 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:17:13 +0000 Day Vies 768658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely. To my eye platform heels give that impression of "dress-up" you talk about. These mary janes are fabulous, chic and sophisticated. I say go for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768640 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:05:35 +0000 Kim 768640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My 4'11" friend rocks the 4 to 6 inch heels and with platforms too! I am constantly amazed! I can barely hobble around the room in 2 inch heels without tripping over my own two feet and I'm 5'6". </p> <p>I think it's a skill you can learn and it's not related to height. (Well, maybe it is a little bit as my short friend thought she *had* to wear heels to be taller, so she learned how. I thought I *had* to wear flats to not be TOO tall so I never learned the art of the high heel...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768627 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:58:47 +0000 EmilyC15 768627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristin, we're height and foot size twins. I too am 5'2" with 5.5 feet. For me, my maximum heel height is 3 inches, to get around a dinner party or cabaret night smoothly. I emcee burlesque/cabaret and because I'm short I max out my heel height for stage wear, so I'll be in those 3 inch heels for 3 - 4 hours without sitting down. Supportive pantyhose/tights (so old school) and toe pads help.</p> <p>I get higher heels shortened all the time, but they can only be shortened by about a centimeter before throwing the whole shoe off. This does make a difference. </p> <p>I also find that a high wedge has more support than a high stiletto...that said, the heel you picked is very sensible looking, except for the height! </p> <p>Right now I am breaking in a pair of 2.75" heeled semi-wedge high heels, in an irresistible orange. 2/3 of the way through the first day my feet are feeling OK. So, try the middle ground! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768601 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:41:14 +0000 Kristin SF 768601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay!!! Thank you Elisabeth!!! Your stats are virtually the same as mine, so you give me hope! I will continue to practice! Maybe I can actually wear these to work some day, woot woot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768573 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:27:08 +0000 Aziraphale 768573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angle schmangle. Of course you can! And you don't have to start in your teens. I didn't own my first pair of truly towering heels -- that is, more than 3" -- until I was 36. Or maybe 37. I've got two pairs of 4" heels (both Fluevogs; it helps to have good shoes), and while I wouldn't go hiking in them, I have learned to walk confidently around a cocktail lounge without looking awkward. And I'm 5'1", with a shoe size of 5.5 or 6. </p> <p>The trick is to stand up tall and use your hips. The heels will force you to angle your pelvis backward, which pushes your backside out a bit, which shifts your balance and causes you to thrust your chest forward to compensate (no wonder guys like 'em). They will also cause you to shorten your stride, so as you walk you have to slightly exaggerate the swing of your hips to give yourself a little extra length with each step.</p> <p>When I first got a pair of 4" heels, they felt pretty darned high. To practice, I wore them around the house, up and down stairs, while I did housework. Then I wore them for a short trip to the grocery store, to make sure I could wear them in public without falling flat on my face. After that, I was finally ready to wear them out with friends -- but just to the pub for dinner, nothing too ambitious! Just keep practising. You'll get the hang of it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768493 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:51:23 +0000 lyn* 768493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The people I see wearing 4" heels are usually ladies around your height; actually - I think practice will help you get only so far - but I don't think 4" is an unreachable goal for that dinner date w/ valet parking </p> <p>6" just looks painful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768462 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:36:26 +0000 Kristin SF 768462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Natalia, it's not so much the look of the shoes. (They do look adorable on, lol.) It's more that I can't seem to get the hang of walking in them, argh! ;-)</p> <p>I suppose, like Mo says, it's the shoe size vs. heel height that's the issue. With such small feet (like petite women usually have), I'm not sure it's possible for me to really walk smoothly in 4" heels. </p> <p>But....some women can walk superbly in 6" stilettos, right, so I am holding out hope and will continue to practice, practice, practice. Maybe one day I will be able to confidently wear them to dinner (to a restaurant with valet parking, haha). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768453 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:29:29 +0000 Anonymous 768453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Cciele I never thought about stature &amp; heel... Like the shoes, maybe we need to see a picture of you wearing them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768450 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:27:53 +0000 Mo 768450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I think a 4" on such small feet is like a 5" heel on the average size 8 foot. Precarious, and for sitting events only! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768448 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:26:46 +0000 Kristin SF 768448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a 5.5 size shoe. I think these will be those kind of shoes, Mo - dinner and a date type of shoes only. So sad - they are such cute daytime shoes for work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768446 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:25:12 +0000 cciele 768446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those shoes are really cute -- I can see why you are hanging on to them!</p> <p>I've never really thought about stature in relationship to heel height... very interesting.</p> <p>For a data point, I'm 5'3" and wear size 7.5 or 8 shoes. My comfortable heel height is 2.5" or below (mostly because I have knee issues.) But I can/could walk in heels over 3" and even 4" -- but only if they have a platform to bring the effective heel height down. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768444 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:24:18 +0000 Mo 768444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What size shoe do you wear? I agree that the angle gets higher and harder the smaller the foot, but not so much by how tall you are. I wear size 7 or 7.5 and I don't go over 3 1/2" in my shoes. I can wear 4" but only to totter to dinner from a car, not to walk several blocks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768443 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:23:59 +0000 Lisa 768443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 5'3" and used to wear heels all the time. For me the walkability of the heel really depended on how much bend the sole had. (for example aerosoles bend a lot in the sole and come in 3 1/2 inch heels) When the sole is rigid, I can't walk in them very well. This is one reason why I personally stay away from platforms for anything other than a sitting shoe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-a-52-woman-ever-wear-4-heels#post-768441 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:21:19 +0000 Kristin SF 768441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Background: I've worn the same pair of Birks, and the same pair of Danskos, for 5 years. Only branched out into Orthaheels about a year ago.</p> <p>Well, now I'm starting to look for fun and stylish shoes. I fell in love with these shoes a few months ago and bought them on impulse -- before the sale, of course! </p> <p>I tried them on in the store - they felt comfy enough - and decided to take the plunge after the saleswoman assured me that I would get used to walking in them.</p> <p>Flash forward to a few months later, and I still can't get the hang of the darn things. Granted, I only take them out once in a while to ooh and ahh over them, and do a little practice walking. But, I'm starting to think that -- given my short stature -- maybe it's a physical impossibility to really walk in these high heels. In other words, the angle that these shoes force my feet into might not ever really enable a smooth walking gait. </p> <p>So, I'm curious - for all you petite women out there, have you mastered the art of walking in 4" shoes? (This is not as much of an issue for taller women, or women with longer feet, because the angle is not as sharp, right? So I think this is an issue for us petite gals, only.)</p> <p>I can't return these babies because I did buy them a few months ago and I wouldn't feel right, even though Nordstrom would probably be OK with it. And I won't ebay them because, even if I can't ever wear them, I still want them (weird, I know). </p> <p>But, I would like to know if there's hope for me to actually wear them out and not look like my 5 year old walking in Mommy's shoes! Thanks in advance for your response! </p>