Ask Angie: Comfy pumps - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Comfy pumps

Maya

Veteran

I just feel like there are some times when I want a heel, even if it's a small one. Do you have any recommendations? I looove your Fly London shoes but they are no longer available in my size and too expensive. But that style really appeals to me. It's okay if they aren't 8 hour shoes, but of course the comfier the better. Not being able to shop online, however, is a problem. I forgot Monday is a holiday so they won't come in time. Any ideas?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Kari

Veteran

Maya, I know this question is directed towards Angie, so I hope you don't mind me jumping into the discussion.

I haven't tried them myself, but have you tried out the Sofft brand of shoes? I've seen so many people who swear by them due to having super comfy foot beds. I know your feet are wide at the toes, so I thought of you because I remember Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen/My Wardrobe Today sporting Sofft pumps throughout & after pregnancy, and she said she has wide feet. The brand is pricey, but I've often seen them marked down on 6PM, and I know they have some low-heeled styles.

(Sidenote - I also just ordered a pair of Sofft boots that was WAY marked down on 6 PM, so in a week or so I should be able to vouch for their comfort level!)

Maya

Veteran

Kari, I have only tried two Sofft styles and didn't really find them comfortable. I don't know if they were just the wrong styles for my feet or what. One was a pair of flats that were waaaay too stiff, and the others were sandals that wouldn't stay on my foot. Maybe their pumps are better. Whatever shoes I get have to be available in a B&M store though. I know The Walking Company has Sofft though. I might go there, since it's in the same mall as both Nordies and Macys.

cciele

Veteran

How about Clarks or Ecco? You can find them at Macys and Nordies.

Anonymous

Maya, for the imminent interview, if you don't find other heels, could you take your red kitten heels and change into them just for the interview? At least you would be confident in the way they look with your outfit.
Have you tried any MeToo heels? I tried some of their low heels at DSW last spring that I should have bought. They were amazingly comfortable. I can't remember the name.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Are we trying to put the interview fire out, Maya?

bella

(website)

Veteran

Maya - you are absolutely right. I tried the Soffts as well and did not find them comfortable at all.

Maya

Veteran

? I'm not sure what you mean Angie. I would like to have these shoes in time for my interview on Tuesday. Sorry if I'm being dumb.

Bella, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I keep hearing raves about their shoes but have yet to experience what all the fuss is about.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I didn’t know if you wanted pumps for the interview on Tuesday, or for after that. Do you think you can get pumps delivered by Monday?

You have a super sweet selection of pumps. Why can’t you wear walking shoes and pop on a pair of your old pumps just before the interview? After that we can concentrate on comfy pumps. Or have I missed something?

Softt seems to be a hit or miss. I have clients who love them and clients who can’t wear them. So far, I have not been able to find a pair that does not rub, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen! All brands get a fresh start each season. We do not leave a retail stone unturned :0)

What is your weather like?

Maya

Veteran

I only have the red ones (which hurt), the gray ones (which I really only like under pants), and my black FS ones (which don't seem to fit as well anymore). I don't know if that's super sweet.

I'm going to have to tackle this eventually, so I may as well try now, and if I can't find anything, then I'll just switch shoes. But I would like to at least give it a shot. No harm in that. Currently my only comfy shoes are my Brulees, Cons, and my boots. So basically I would be switching between an uncomfortable pair of shoes to a slightly less uncomfortable pair of shoes. This is what I did last time. I may as well have worn the uncomfortable red shoes since the other pair hurt anyway.

Weather is between the upper 70's and lower 80's.

Maya

Veteran

Also, Angie, Monday is Labor Day so no delivery I could call Zappos tomorrow morning and see if they do Saturday delivery (and if that will work for me), but that means I need to make my choice tonight!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Got it! Where there is a will there is a way.

Have a look at these:

http://www.zappos.com/indigo-b.....ic-leather

http://www.zappos.com/product/.....?zlfid=111

http://www.zappos.com/product/7345992/color/4827 ( I know they are expensive)

http://www.zappos.com/product/7415866/color/149998 (Tsubo is supposed to be comfortable)

http://www.zappos.com/product/7416282/color/150135

http://www.zappos.com/product/7566341/color/208307 (just for fun: I want these - bet they aren’t comfortable)

elpgal

Veteran

Maya, If I remember right, you also have a wide forefoot like me, right? I have tried several styles of Sofft shoes in DSW and found none of them comfortable. The foot bed is cushioned but the forefoot is not proportionally wider.

I'll be watching this thread for suggestions.

elpgal

Veteran

Maya, Nordies is having a shoe sale now and I found this Linea Paolo pump. I remember Marianna bought some flats from this brand and was happy with the way it fit her wide foot.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....8&P=1

Maya

Veteran

Elpgal, those are REALLY cute. I was definitely going to stop at Nordies so I will look out for them. I'm a big fan of that little Sabrina heel.

I do have a wide forefoot, and I even bought my Sofft shoes in a wide width. The ballet flats I got (I think the style was Pilar) hurt like crazy though. The leather was SO stiff. They stayed on my foot with a heel grip but there was no flexibility at all. The sandals I got were slides and would only stay on if I scrunched my toes, so back they went. I do want to give these a try though. Not sure about the suede but who knows.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....8&P=1

These make my heart flutter:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....8&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....8&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....8&P=2

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....5&P=1

Angie, those Mizzoni shoes are fabulous, but they are probably painful as you said. Love the Naturalizers in shiny red.

marianna

Veteran

Yep, I did buy some Linea Paolo flats at Nordies. They are SO comfortable that I went back and bought two more pairs in different colors. I've been wearing them nonstop.

That said, mine are flats, and are really soft and flexible. I'm not sure if that comfort will translate to a pump. But, the ones I have are AMAZING... best shoes I've ever found for my feet (seriously!)

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Maya - do you have a wider forefoot, but with a relatively narrow heel?

I'm a real newbie here, but recently realized something. I was doing a bunch of research on comfortable shoes, and after scrutinizing the details on ECCO brand shoes, I realized why I find them so comfortable on me - they make them relatively narrow at the heel, but provide 'extra' room at the toe box. So, I get comfortable (at least 8+ hour) shoes, and no slippage at the heel.

Here's the blurb on how they fit:

http://www.eccousa.com/custome.....izing.aspx

Now, granted some of their shoes aren't going to be as fancy, but if I were looking for really comfortable pumps, I'd look at ECCO first. I've had very good luck with these. All of that said - I think I might have a relatively narrow foot (I don't know for certain). However, if I get narrow shoes, they're uncomfortable at the toes. If I get regular shoes, they flip off at the back - that kind of thing.

Lena

I don't have anything to add, just wanted to wish you the best of luck, Maya. I'll be crossing my fingers next week for you.

Maya

Veteran

VC, it's funny you should mention Ecco because I do have some boots by them that are very comfortable and I tried on some flats from them that i loved recently. I also found a couple of pumps from them that I really liked so having read that I totally see why they work for me! Thanks for that info. Very insightful.

Thank you Lena

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Well, I don't 'do' heels. A couple of years ago, I was in a dept. store, in a hurry to find something dressier for an anniversary dinner. All I had were old, sort of pointy toe pumps with spiky heels. Not my thing. Bought some ECCO t-straps (just to wear with fancy dress pants). First pair of ECCO's for me. I was amazed at how comfortable they were, but kind of wrote it off to a fluke or luck. I mean, it's not like I was walking everywhere in them or anything - just out to a nice dinner.

Fast forward a few months later - had 'the' shoes on again for a fancy lunch. Then, it ends up that everyone wants to go shopping afterwards. Well, I shopped until I dropped...wearing those shoes. I couldn't believe it. I'm not a heels person at all. I spent at least six hours in these t-strap heels.

Last fall I bought some black patent Mary-Jane style ballet flats, also ECCO. They aren't so flat that you don't have any arch support. They were so comfortable I felt like I was wearing high-tech running shoes or something. I *still* love them, and can't wait to wear them all through the fall season.

This spring - wore a very fancy, long gown to a family wedding. The dress was a wee bit long, and I didn't have time to fuss or get it hemmed. So...went and tried on a bunch of sky-high heels and picked the ones that seemed comfortable in the store. Well, they weren't. I looked ridiculous teetering around in these 3+" stiletto style peep-toe shoes. Well, guess what? I had my ECCO t-straps (only about 2'ish inches high) in a tote bag. Put those on and was able to dance the whole night away in them. Thank goodness I brought them with me, as the first pair (super high heels) basically ripped my toes to shreds, ruining the look of my pedicure and causing blisters along the tops of my toes (where the peep toe part rubbed against my bare skin) as well as the backs of my heels. Not fun!

Just last week, I bought some ECCO tall Bremen boots on a super-clearance deal at amazon. They were ...*perfect*.

I've bought Clark's before - some flats a couple of years ago, but clearly (and painfully) remember having to break them in. Ouch.

It was just sheer fluke that I bought those ECCO's in a dept. store two years ago, and discovered how comfortable they are. But, like I said, I couldn't figure out WHY until I read that blurb on the ECCO website about the extra 'room' at the toe area etc. This helped me decide to go ahead and order the Bremen boots. I knew they'd be just as comfy as the other two pairs of ECCO shoes I have.

Maybe there are some other brands that will be just as comfy, but I haven't found them yet. Well, I haven't really looked either, but last spring's experience with the peep-toe 'too high' heels doesn't have me very encouraged about heels in general.

Anyway - here's hoping you find some truly comfortable dressier heels. Will you let us know what you find?

Maya

Veteran

VC, your post is very encouraging as I am not a heels girl either! I also have the Bremen boots and love them. They are great.

I'll keep everyone posted. I recently tried on the Goya flats and the Coto perf flats (for unrelated purposes) and found them insanely comfy. I was suspicious in the store, thinking sure they're comfortable for now but what about in a few hours? But it sounds like I might not need to be!

Chris

Do you have a color or style in mind? Might help narrow things down.
I just saw your other shoe post though so I guess show shopping is the last thing you want to do today. Ouch!

Good luck with the interview by the way!

Laura

How do you feel about wedges?

Maya

Veteran

Tortoise-Laura (that is how I will distinguish you from other Lauras :P): I do like wedges, if they are dressy enough.

Definitely no shoe shopping today. I would have liked to take advantage of the labor day sales going on. I did order the Fly London shoes Angie blogged about a while back, so if all else fails I'm hoping those work.