Our family photos don't look like this either

Over the weekend, the fashion designer formerly known as Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) gave birth to a 7 lb. 10 oz. baby girl named Harper Seven. She joins unusually named siblings Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, but is Victoria and David Beckham‘s first girl.

There’s no word on where Harper came from – though it seems perfect for selling exclusive baby picture rights to Harper’s Bazaar – but Seven is for David Beckham’s old Manchester United jersey number. Or, the Beckhams are big Erykah Badu fans (she has a son named Seven).

Either way, we’re sure Suri Cruise is going to have some fierce competition for best dressed toddler in a few months. The Daily Mail reported that little Harper has a pair of custom made, red-soled Louboutin baby booties waiting for her and a mini closet  full of designer onesies, but the story has since gone missing (you can still read a hilarious recap at DListed). Which means it’s not certain that Harper Beckham will be next in our awkward stages of girlhood trend watch, but when your pre-arrival photos look like this

it’s pretty much a given that stepping up the glamour is a requirement, even if you can’t actually walk.

There is no way we would ever consider wearing a Teva Stiletto, but you want to know something? Even though they’re probably a counterfeiter’s concept product for now, these 4-inch tall Nike Dunks are pretty darn cool. Especially the purple ones. And the red ones. Plus, all of the styles sell for around $100, which isnâ€t too terrible for a Nike or a high heel. While we don’t support fakes, a lot of the styles are sold out which means someone’s buying. Something to take note of for the next sneaker collaboration.

Would you dare wear?

We're not going to even guess at how much surgery these would require.

As the personal owner of really long, narrow feet (US size 12, European size 44, UK size 10) it’s not impossible to understand how someone could get past the initial shock value of broken toes and bone saws for the prospect of escaping the “comfort” shoes that tend to dominate in specialty sizes. In the case of foot pad injections, it’s a procedure that takes fat from a patient’s midriff and transfers it to the ball of the foot. It’s definitely not impossible to understand the appeal of less stomach fat, and more comfortable walking. Crunches and cardio may help with the first part, but they can’t do anything for the balls of your feet.

Still, does this just point to the need for some disruption in how we buy shoes? Shirt makers and dress designers have caught on to the problems that people face in finding a good fit with clothing. Making body modifications to fit an item of clothing isn’t unheard of: lots of women have a dress or pair of jeans they hope will serve as motivation for losing an inch or two, women with small chests may keep a pair of chicken cutlets in the back of the lingerie drawer to help fill out a certain top. When it comes down to it though, we have hunch that more people would rather pay for tailoring than surgery.

While there are stores and services that let you choose the color of your heel, or the fabric your shoe is made in, most operate on standard shoe sizes rather than individual patterns. Even high-end shoe makers don’t offer any couture style services where you can get a shoe that’s a little wider in the toe box, or a bit more narrow in the heel. Or maybe, you’d just like a little extra padding in certain areas and Dr. Scholl’s inserts don’t always do the trick. If for whatever reason flats (which can be easier to customize when it comes to padding, at least) aren’t your thing, your main options are comfort shoes that may make a weird attempt at fashion (ahem: Jimmy Choo, Teva, that’s you), or comfort shoes that don’t really try at all.

For now, if you can’t find cute shoes that fit, it looks like surgery may actually be the easiest option even if it does seem to be one small step backwards.

It was announced this week that Teva has partnered with Grey Ant, a New York City-based designer known for tongue-in-cheek interpretations of old trends, to create Teva high heels. They come in “Natural,” which is tan and has a buckle closure, and “Worlds Unite,” a black and white mash-up with – you guessed it – a Velcro closure. They go for $330. {the gloss, New High (M)art}

You can order the shoes by phone at 323-638-0271. {Daily Candy} They are also available online at New High (M)art, whose product page for these babies says New High (M)art is “proud” to exclusively present Teva Stilettos and includes the following copy:

It’s the classic “Hurricane” style sport mandal re-imagined as a STILETTO. This co-branded effort sees the Teva velcro-strap styling and grip-sole construction on a 4″ stacked heel. They’re calling it the most comfortable, performance high heel on the planet — we call it the most daring mash-up of the decade. This is anti-fashion at its purest. And so good when paired with socks.

A note at the bottom of the page adds, “*Not recommended for actual hiking, gardening, mountain climbing, or Phish concerts :).”

For once, weâ€re speechless. Especially because these things cost more than $300. The Teva Stilettoâ€s availability on New High (M)art seems to be as tongue-in-cheek as the shoeâ€s actual creation, but the high heels do legitimately exist and are for sale online, nonetheless. And we have a feeling there are people out there crazy enough or determined enough to be anti-fashion that they will purchase them. Hereâ€s the only silver lining to this situation: New High (M)art has limited quantities available. (Phew!)

Very high heels? The best advice is probably to wear while seated.

These are all great high heel walking tips, and we thought surely there must be tons more floating around cyberland. Want more tips for walking in any pair like InStyle offered? Weâ€ve compiled the best ones (and the worst) here for a complete guide to stiletto steadiness:

• Keep good posture: Youâ€ve heard it before – shoulders back, head up. But what is even more important here is keeping your abs tucked and tight for balance, especially if youâ€re teetering on 8-inch spikes.
• Buy the right size: Seems too easy, but having enough room for your foot, while ensuring your foot is correctly distributed over the shape of the shoe can vastly improve the comfort of heels.
• Step lightly: If you stomp down on every step, the greater impact will just wear your feet out faster, and could potentially lead to more friction and blisters.
• Land on the ball of your foot: Walking on your heels or toes will only further throw your balance.
• Practice: Walking around in a pair of high heels at home before wearing them out will help you get accustomed to the extra height and shifted balance. Itâ€s also smart to try dancing in them at home before hitting the floor at a wedding or club.
• Avoid socks and tights: If youâ€re an experienced heel walker or you can find the kind of tights with grips on the soles, go for it. Otherwise, adding a slippery fabric between your foot and the shoe can be disastrous. Proof: Back in 2008, models for Prada stumbled on the catwalk from wearing socks in their heels.
• Use those thigh muscles: If you can feel them contracting while you walk, youâ€re getting it right.
• It always helps if your high heels actually have heels. If you aren’t Daphne Guiness, you’ll probably end up on the floor. Lady Gaga can attest to this.
• If you canâ€t walk in the shoes, donâ€t wear them: The best advice of all.

And here, just for funsies, some terrible advice for walking in heels we found while searching the Internet:

• Cling to a friend for extra stability
• Wear your heels only when you can avoid walking altogether.
• Walk like you are on a tight rope with both arms outstretched to maintain your balance.

Sources: StyleBinge, InStyle, About.com, Howcast, Times Online, The Coveted

Image via Gawker

Without going through the usual warnings of the dangers of heels – often foisted upon 4″ or 5″ heels, which seem flat in comparison, don’t let the Daphne Guinesses and Gagas of the world fool you. While heelless shoes that place their wearers on platforms of anywhere from six to eight inches may be eye catching on a runway, red carpet, photo or video set, trying to bring the trend into everyday life is more likely to leave you looking more fashion victim than fashion forward. Unless you have bodyguards to carry you up and down stairs, in which case we say kick up your heels

But if you have to actually do your own walking, just remember ladies:  the shoes shouldn’t wear you.

If High Heels Just Aren’t High Enough, There’s Now a 12″ Shoe to Fix That

Romanian shoe designer Mihai Albu has created a shoe that will raise you up an entire foot.

What woman wants to be a whole foot taller? And talk about hard to walk in – they’re a lesser version of stilts (albeit much better looking)!

The tall shoes seem to come at a tall price, as well: $1,525, which is approximately 3 times the monthly wage in Albu’s homeland of Romania. {BayAreaLiving} And from the picture, it looks like you’ll definitely have to pull off a balancing act.

That said, Alexander McQueen’s 10″ armadillo heels found a few fans in Daphne Guinness and Kelis among others, and the former has stepped gingerly around town in heelless Nina Ricci shoes that mere mortals would have broken necks or ankles in. And some of the custom heels in Lady Gaga’s Alejandro video don’t exactly look like they’re made for walking, so maybe there are more potential customers than we think.

When Tiaras Aren’t Enough: Parents Fear for Teetering Toddlers in Heels for 3-year-olds

They may have a celebrity spokesperson in Suri Cruise, and a potential customer in New Jersey Housewife Teresa Giudice {Dlisted} but it turns out not all parents are so excited about the idea of heels for tots.

Mumsnet, an online community for UK moms has launched a campaign called “Let Girls Be Girls” in response to UK retailers GapKids, Asda and Next selling heeled shoes for children as young as three years old. {Daily Mail}

While the group fears that the shoes will sexualize girls at an early age, a podiatrist chimed in with fears of safety. “Any heel above 2cm increases the risk of twisting you ankle,” says podiatrist Gregor McCoshim (wonder what he’d say about Mihai Albu’s shoes).

The companies rebuffed the claims though. Next responded that the popularity of the shoes “suggests many parents agree we’ve come up with a look that’s special without seeming inappropriately grown up.” Asda said they hadn’t had any customer complaints about the heel size, and GapKids said the tiny heels had been tested to ensure safety.

Continue to the next page to read about the world’s first Electric Shoe Guitars

Read the full story {NY Times}