Comments on: Achieving style AND comfort in retail footwear

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:46:12 +0000

Thank you! I just happened upon this blog and this post (late, obviously), and I finally feel like I am not alone. I’ve written to different style experts, asking to know what people with chronic foot pain should do if we refuse to give up on being stylish. No response. Because there’s essentially nothing we can do! Any shoes advertised as “comfortable” are either too ugly for anyone who cares, or the heel is still way higher than anyone should ever really be wearing if they care about their feet and body’s health. How could a former orthopedist really advise women to wear a shoe like this?:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7563100/color/3

Even though I have spent a fortune on the (always expensive) most-comfortable-cute-enough shoes in the world – Dansko, Clarks Unstructured, Aerosoles, Taos – I still find myself in pain by 2/3 of the way through my day. Orthotics don’t really fit into these shoes. It’s so disheartening to read a fashion magazine tossing off advice like “just pair a pencil skirt with strappy heels.” What if you can’t wear strappy or any other kind of heels?

I wish the aesthetics of style would come closer to matching with a woman’s right to feel good in her body. A sad state of affairs, but maybe if enough people cry out in frustration, some shoemaker will realize the gold mine available for making TRULY comfortable beautiful shoes.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:20:02 +0000

Enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. Am in agreement with this situation of fashionable shoes. Why can’t the manufacturers make the same gorgeous shoes in a 2 or 3 inch heel? Also, a stronger heel, like for example: wedge-like but still stylishly sleek looking…color can add thickness or color can also help make a shoe look more slender as color does for the entire body structure of a person. I have argued these same points that all of you have mentioned, for many years.
Now we need to actually do something about these issues RE: Shoes. The amount of people who are distressed about this situation is profound. I had thought it was just me or those like me. See, I am an amputee. I had lost my leg just below the knee. So, I have been writing and researching these issues. There is something we can do about it…so who would like to join with me? I am currently looking into “Proposal Writing” but I could use some help. From just the little that I have research and learned about in just the past 30 days—main thing now is getting a team of us and just do it, instead of commenting, ya know? I am taking it seriously especially due to my physical situation–I really am passionate and compelled to change/improve my shoe wardrobe. Please if anyone is interested in assisting in anyway contact me:
Patti Irelan (989) 317-0618 leave a message…and/or just say “Shoes”
This can happen. PS What can the Pres do? We need it all on paper, first.

By: Someone

Someone — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:07:13 +0000

I was going to post about my shock over the stylishness of some of Aerosoles’ more recent efforts (and their even more fashion-forward branch, A2) – I see Joelle has already mentioned them.

I have had 2 pairs of Aeros and one A2 by Aero over the past few years or so and they even have comfortable heels! I too have little patience for foot discomfort anymore as I am 45 and a Realtor who has to be on her feet all day. At size 6B (or 5-1/2 in many lines), my small feet just can’t handle the concentrated downward force of some of the cruel shoes out there for extended periods.

My fave Aeros are some metallic silver strappy heeled sandals…with a cushy thick sueded crepe-like footbed. Sexy and comfy at once, who’da thunk it!

By: Brainstorm: improving the world of retail fashion | youlookfab

Brainstorm: improving the world of retail fashion | youlookfab — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:16:47 +0000

[...] of clothing, footwear and accessories. The area I feel most passionately about is footwear and in a blog entry last week I dreamed about an online shoe store that would achieve style AND comfort by providing shoes that [...]

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:45:12 +0000

How to improve the state of retail footwear? Get rid of high heels! Or at least make flats the norm and heels the fringe fashion. Our feet would thank us!

By: I tried something new: bag & bracelet | youlookfab

I tried something new: bag & bracelet | youlookfab — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:22:36 +0000

[...] first area I visit as the new retail season unfolds. I seldom come home with new footwear because finding fab shoes is a tall order, but I usually do come home with other [...]

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:59:32 +0000

I find Cole Haan shoes are very well made, stylish and really comfortable. I spend more now on shoes, but do buy them on sale.

By: Joelle

Joelle — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:50:30 +0000

Those poor models! But I’m not surprised given the shoes they had to wear. I have been known to fall flat on my face in much less extreme shoes.

Footwear is also a huge shopping hassle for me. I wear size 11’s in N or M width and styles tend to be limited and not often on sale. But I know my feet pretty well, so even before I try them on I know which shapes of toe box I can tolerate and which I can’t (they have to be rounded or only slightly tapered–no pointy toes!). I’ve had good luck with Aerosoles, Naturalizer, Sesto Meucci, and absolutely love White Mountain sandals. I bought 4 pairs of White Mountains at an outlet last year for $10 a pair and they’re the only shoes that were comfortable to me right out of the box and that I can wear all day even if I walk a lot.

By: B

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:56:29 +0000

OMGosh that was hard to watch! Yea! Jeanne Beker is Canadian (a little national pride right here!)

By: Wanda

Wanda — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:20:26 +0000

Uncomfortable shoes are my pet peeve! Not to mention shoe salespeople that push improper fits on me by saying “they’re leather, they’ll stretch”. THEY DON’T!
I have wide feet and need some arch support, I like heels. This is a nearly impossible retail find! I’ve had good luck with several styles of Franco Sarto, but if anyone has suggestions I’m all ears.