How to Walk in Heels on Rainy Days
There’s nothing quite like the drama of striding down a rain-slicked pavement in a killer pair of heels, unless, of course, you’re slipping and sliding your way to soggy disaster. Rainy days can put even the most seasoned stiletto wearers to the test, but darling, a bit of weather is no excuse to sacrifice glamour or confidence. At Walking in Heels, we’re here to make sure you turn puddles into a catwalk, without a single wobble.
1. Choose the Right Wet-Weather Heels
Let’s start with your arsenal. Not all heels are created equal when it comes to rain. Save the delicate suede and paper-thin soles for drier days, rain is the moment for sturdy, sensible glamour. Autumn is the perfect excuse to reach for your:
- – **Block Heels:** These beauties offer a wider base and better balance, which means less chance of toppling over on a slippery pavement. Think chic Mary Janes or a bold, patent block-heel boot.
- – **Ankle or Knee-High Boots:** Heeled boots are an autumn must. Opt for styles with a grippy rubber sole for traction. Patent leather and faux croc finishes are as rain-resistant as they are glam.
- – **Platform Heels:** A little lift under the ball of your foot keeps you out of puddles and gives extra stability.
- – **Low-to-Mid Heels:** Trust us, sometimes less height is more, especially if you’re dashing between taxis and parties.
2. Prioritise Grip and Traction
The key to not making the evening news for spectacular tumbles? Sole power! Heels with rubber or textured soles are your best friends in wet weather. If your favourite pair has slick leather soles, pick up some non-slip sole pads (they’re cheap and stick on in seconds).
- – **Rough Up Leather Soles:** If you must wear smooth soles, scuff them up gently with sandpaper to give yourself a fighting chance on wet ground.
- **Look for Lug Soles:** Some fashion-forward autumn boots come with lug soles (those deep, chunky treads). It’s like off-roading, for stilettos!
3. Keep Those Toes Dry (and Cosy)
Closed-toe styles are a game-changer when it’s pouring. Not only do they keep the rain off your pedicure, but they also protect feet from cold splashes. Leather, vegan leather, and certain synthetics repel water better than satin or canvas. Add a pair of thin, sheer socks or tights for bonus insulation.
4. Mind Your Step: Slow and Steady Wins
Channel your inner catwalk model. Shorten your stride, keep your steps deliberate, and avoid rushing (even if you’re late). Keep your torso tall, core gently engaged, eyes ahead, not on the puddles, and use your glutes and thighs for stability. Think ‘statuesque strut’, not ‘Olympic power-walk’.
5. Edit Your Route
Rain is not the time to take the scenic route over cobbles or uneven paving stones. If possible, plot a path with smooth, flat surfaces. Enter buildings carefully, marble floors and wet nothing is a treacherous combo!
6. Essential Kit for Rainy Heel Days
- – **Umbrella:** Obvious, but vital, one hand holding an umbrella, the other free for balance.
- **Waterproof Tote or Shoe Bag:** Keep your party shoes pristine by travelling in boots and swapping once you’re inside.
- **Mini Towel or Wipes:** For drying soles and cleaning up any splashes mid-event.
- **Heel Caps:** Protective caps can be lifesavers for stilettos on rain-soaked pavements (and they preserve your heel tips).
7. Show Your Shoes Some TLC
Post-romp, wipe down your shoes to remove splashes and dirt. Leather needs regular conditioning during wet months, keep them hydrated but avoid storing them next to radiators, which can dry and crack the material. Invest in shoe trees if you’re fancy; they’ll keep the shape and expel moisture.
8. Quick Style Picks: Rainy Day Glam
If you want to sashay through storms without slipping, consider these autumn essentials:
– Chunky-heeled ankle boots in patent or vegan leather
– Block-heel Mary Janes with a rubber sole
– Knee-high platform boots for puddle escapades
– Low-heeled court shoes in water-resistant finishes
Let the weather be your excuse to experiment, rain-ready heels can be just as chic as their strappy summer siblings.
Final Word: Step Out, Don’t Sit Out
Heels and rain can coexist, as long as you approach them with strategy and a touch of sass. The next grey day, channel your most glamorous, no-nonsense self and strut on. Even the dreariest weather can’t dim the confidence and cheeky sparkle of a Walking in Heels devotee.
Ready to nail your walk, rain or shine? Book one-to-one or group tuition with Maribel for all the seasonal tips and confidence boosts you’ll ever need. Wet pavement? Darling, it’s just a runway waiting for your entrance.