Ohh, the feeling of wearing a good pair of heels! I love it! It makes me feel feminine, empowered and stylish. But it can also be a bit daunting or even intimidating at times.
“Am I too overdressed for the occasion? Are people staring at me?”
I hear you, but don’t worry! Once you know how to style heels casually, you can wear them daily without ever looking too dressy!
So.. Can you casually wear heels then?
Well, yes!
Be confident and in charge! You wear the heels. Don’t let the heels wear you. Walking in heels is all about posture, so make sure you are comfortable and in your element.
I’ve got some tips that will help you gain confidence as well as the ability to style heels in a casual way!
“When I’m feeling a little low, I put on my favorite high heels to stand a little taller.”
Dolly Parton
How to wear heels without looking dressy
From styling the look to actually owning it. Let’s go over the steps!
This article contains affiliate links.
1. Pick the right shoe
As you know, there’s shoes in all different shapes and styles, and the same goes for heels. There’s your fancy stilettos, classic pumps, wedges, block heels, peep toes, plateaus and on it goes! They might seem similar, but they all have a different vibe and purpose. For example if you’re going for casual, I would stay away from plateaus. Instead, opt for a classic pump, strappy heels, mules or heeled ankle booties / high boots.
Now let’s talk about the color choices! Obviously you don’t want your heels to be the center of attention, at least not when you want to look casual and laid-back. So avoid any colors that really pop, like neons, reds, hot pinks and other vibrant shades. My advice is to stick to blacks, nudes / beiges or – if you’re feeling confident – perhaps a clean white!
The material also plays a part. A sequin, metallic or glittery finish is a bit too much for what we are going for here. Pick a matte or suede shoe, and you’ll be fine!
Type of heel
The most casual heels are block heels, classic pumps and wedges. They offer more support and stability, so they’re easier the walk in without feeling awkward or looked at. But you can definitely get away with a stiletto or a peep toe as well if you know how to dress them down!
And don’t forget that heels come in all sizes. You don’t have to grab the tallest 5″ stiletto just to be part of the ‘women wearing heels’ club! I LOVE the look of a 2.5″ mule under a summer outfit. So cute and stylish!
2. Style the outfit
The most fun part! Styling the outfit just right it what makes or breaks the casual vibe.
A business suit or a cocktail dress will make the heels look glam, whereas jeans and chunky knits will do the opposite and make you look effortless and casual.
The trick is to work with a statement piece of clothing, preferably nice and oversized. This will draw the attention away from your heels and soften the overall look.
Think of a pair of ripped mom jeans, a cable knit sweater, a chunky turtleneck, a flowy t-shirt, a cozy teddy coat or an oversized camel coat. Speaking of casual, don’t be afraid to wear heels under a comfy pair of joggers! I absolutely LOVE the look of that!!
Suggested: What to wear when you have NOTHING to wear?
3. Be confident
The biggest asset to your wardrobe is not something physical or tangible.. It’s not a cute LBD or a designer bag..
It’s the ability to walk in heels! Something you can be taught!
Being able to wear heels elevates the style of all your outfits, because how elegant do women look when they walk confidently in their heels? You don’t even notice the heels, you just look at how she radiates with every step she takes. That’s what you want to achieve! That casual, effortless look!
Practice makes perfect! Wear your pretty heels around the house a lot before you go out. Feel how you can best distribute your weight and where your center of gravity should be.
Film yourself walking around the room and analyze your gait.
Are your knees too straight? Or too flexed? Are your hips swaying or do they look a bit stiff? Where do you place your foot with every step? By looking at footage of yourself you will get great visual feedback that you can apply! Keep practicing!
Personally I feel most confident in heels with an ankle strap or heeled boots. The fact that they feel more secure helps you walk easier. I don’t like the feeling of your heels slipping out of your shoe with every step. It makes me clench my toes, which might feel a bit awkward.
My trick to make large shoes fit also works to stop your heels from slipping!
4. Stick with it and make it your aesthetic
People are creatures of habit. If you are a daily sneaker wearer and you suddenly show up to work in a pretty pair of pumps, co-workers will notice and might say something. It’s usually meant as a compliment, but when you want to be casual, you usually don’t want people to notice or make comments at all. You just want the shoes to blend in with your outfit!
So, make heels your aesthetic. Change the vision of you that people have in their minds. Once they are used to the fact that you wear heels frequently, they will stop noticing.
So stick with it! Wear your heels often and make those babies part of your personal brand, style and aesthetic!
“I’m not afraid of heights. Have you seen my shoes?”
Carrie Bradshaw, SATC
Is it weird to wear heels everyday?
Nope, not at all! As I mentioned earlier, the more you wear them, the more people will get used to the idea of you in heels. It’ll become part of your personal style, and people will stop commenting on it.
So go on and wear your heels every day! Nothing weird about it!
I do think it’s important to realize that wearing (high) heels every day might be a bit hard on your feet. To prevent any injuries, make sure to stretch your feet and calves daily. Do this by stretching your knee all the way and pulling your toes up. Hold for at least 40 seconds per side and repeat daily.
Is it ok to wear heels with jeans?
Oh my goodness, yes! It sure is ok to wear heels with jeans!
I’d even wager to say that the easiest way to wear heels casually is with a good pair of jeans. Especially a distressed denim will make your look more laid-back and relaxed. It’s such a simple way to dress down an outfit, and I’m pretty sure everyone has at least one pair of jeans in their wardrobe.
The idea of wearing jeans will make you feel more casual instantly. Seriously! Close your eyes and imagine you’re walking in public in heels and a skirt. Feels a bit bold, doesn’t it? Now imagine the same, but in jeans. Feel the difference?!
Okay, but how to make heeled boots casual then?
Easy! The boots are doing the work for you!
Heeled boots look so much more casual than a strappy heel or stiletto pump. So tuck your pants in, or roll the denim up and layer it over the boots. Perfect for fall and winter!
I love the post! I always wear sneakers because I’d love to walk to work everyday. I guess I will think about having a pair of heels left at my office.
Thank you for your kind comment!