Achieving style AND comfort in retail footwear

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Achieving style AND comfort in retail footwear

— by Angie

on February 20, 2009

There is a lot I’d like to see changed in the world of fashion retail, but if I had to pick one area to focus on it would be footwear. It’s simply not up to scratch. I and most of my clients have some sort of foot and shoe challenge that’s only getting worse as we get older. It’s completely unacceptable that it’s SO HARD to find a good looking AND comfortable pair of shoes.

Yes, there are comfort footwear lines, but I haven’t found one that delivers. Many of them have shoes that are indeed comfortable, but just plain ugly. Others, like the exorbitant Taryn Rose, are beautiful, but hit and miss on the comfort dimension. And I’m not just talking about my fussy feet – this is based on my experience with many clients. There is no single range that is universally comfortable. The shoes that combine style and comfort are isolated surprises from the ranges of many different brands.

This challenge requires thinking outside the box. I don’t think the aesthetics of the shoe are the crux of the problem. That’s pretty well covered. Also, preferences are very subjective and there should always be a range of brands and styles to choose from. Comfort is where we should focus our attention. The thing I do notice is that there seems to be a set of characteristics that are common to the shoes that I find comfortable. Perhaps the answer is a range of shoes that are tailored to my specific needs.

In a perfect world where budget is no object, I see an online foot store that gives me the option to specify everything about the shoe that would make it perfect for my foot. At the touch of a button I would select my preferred style and colour, and then perfect the fit and performance of the shoe by specifying inner width and length, heel height, overall dimensions, arch support, inner cushioning details and fabrication. The shoes would magically appear on my doorstep in a couple of days.

How would you go about improving the state of retail footwear?

Friday fun: these fashion professionals have their own footwear challenges (no runway models were hurt in the filming of this video).

Footwear

60 comments · Add a comment

Patience

Someone has suggested this before, but I think the first step– ;)– is if you find a style you like, you can specify the heel height like pants inseams.

February 20, 2009 at 9:06 am

Bullymom

(website)

I get most of my shoes at the Walking Shoe Company. They have a great range of stylish and ultra comfortable shoes. They are high quality and worth the price!

February 20, 2009 at 9:26 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Heel height specifications will help with the comfort level of a shoe but I’m greedy – I want ALL other specifications covered too. In the end, it’s ALL the details that count towards the make for a fabulous shoe.

Footwear is the one area that I did not buy as a fashion buyer. I wish I had. I’d have had so much more insight into the situation. What is going on with worldwide footwear? Season after season it’s the same story. Finding footwear for clients is challenging in my line of work and it takes up a lot of my time. The makeover shows make it look so easy!

February 20, 2009 at 9:30 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Be sure to click on the pictures to watch the video. It’s a scream.

February 20, 2009 at 9:44 am

Maria

I’ve found that as I get older, I have to spend more money on shoes to achieve some level of comfort. My latest find is Stuart Weitzman shoes. They are fab, but spendy. Plus, some of the styles look a little “old lady-ish”. I find I must choose more classic shoe styles that will stay stylish to justify the higher expenditure!

February 20, 2009 at 9:57 am

lori

this video was hysterical ( and a bit sad)…why oh why do the shoes need to be so high??

February 20, 2009 at 9:58 am

Sarah

That video just makes me cringe. My feet and ankles hurt just watching it! I can wear a fairly high heel, but the shoe must be sturdy and comfortable or I’m afraid I’d take a spill.

February 20, 2009 at 10:06 am

Sal

(website)

That’s a tough one, but agree that a focus on combining beauty/style and comfort would benefit footwear designers. I LOVE Patience’s suggestion … custom shoes could be priced, but maybe an small selection of heel typical heights could be offered.

February 20, 2009 at 10:07 am

Tanya

That video is indeed hilarious, and it makes me feel really sorry for those poor girls. Some of those shoes are beyond ridiculous.

I agree with Angie, I would love to be able to choose quite a few features of my shoes to make them comfortable.

February 20, 2009 at 10:20 am

Sarah

The video made me laugh. Those shoes (and clothes) are ridiculous. No wonder they fall.

I don’t really have any incite into making footwear comfortable and stylish, especially once you add in budget. Some of us really can’t even afford $100 shoes, let alone some designer shoes I’ve seen. Custom shoes would feel great, but probably have costs approaching $500 per pair, if not more.

Until a year or so ago, I could wear any shoes comfortably and walk for hours. Finding shoes that were both stylish and comfortable was never a problem. Now I’m finding myself regretting shoe purchases frequently. And I usually have already gotten rid of the boxes, so I can’t even get a refund. My only solution is to keep the shoe boxes and wear shoes around the house for several hours before I decide if I’m keeping them. Such is life.

February 20, 2009 at 10:34 am

shiny

Oh my!! I feel so sorry for those models!!

Regarding the topic at hand, here is a concept: what if we moved from the mass manufacturing to costume-made model? Not just for shoes – for everything? Yes, you’d pay more. But you’d get *exactly* what you want. (I would absolutely pay for custom-made leather jacket, cream trench, and even red wool pencil skirt at this point… and I haven’t even begun to think about shoes!)

And it would be ssssoooo much better for the environment – no more barely worn shoes and clothes thrown in the trash.

It would put a lot of people to work.

It would encourage local economy, which would save energy from shipping and distribution.

Maybe this is an idea who’s time has come? Our old, wasteful consumerism model is just not working anymore, on so many different levels!

Should we all write our congressman and encourage Obama to add this to the stimulus package?

February 20, 2009 at 10:49 am

shiny

Sarah, have you bought five pairs of $100 shoes that turned out to be so uncomfortable you can’t wear them?

If so…. doesn’t it make sense to plunk down for a pair of $500 custom-made shoes you CAN wear?

I think it does.

February 20, 2009 at 10:52 am

San

Those poor models. I had never thought of a model as brave before seeing this, now I do.

February 20, 2009 at 10:56 am

Marianne

I couldn’t agree more. I love the feel of some comfort shoe brands, but 99% of them are ugly. I walk a lot, and I really struggle with this – I need some arch support and sole padding. Maybe in US it is assumed that women either drive or sit at their desks, and for all other occasions they wear sneakers? I also don’t understand the prevalence of high heels – I don’t see any non-casual outfits in the media without them.

February 20, 2009 at 11:02 am

Lucy

Oh, no! That video was funny and pitiful at the same time. And here I thought the only down-side to being a model was never feeling full.
I wonder why they don’t spray some something on the bottom of the shoes to help them stick to the runway a little? Although, judging from the height of the heels, it might not help that much.
Custom-made shoes would be wonderful, but I’m afraid the price tag would be way too steep for me. The only customizing I know of that you can get now is from Duo boots and they only customize shaft width (and maybe height, I can’t remember).
In response to Shiny’s rally for custom clothing: You can actually get that already. A lot of people (well maybe not *a lot*) make their own clothing. Maybe a local tailor would whip up that pencil skirt for you. You can’t get more custom than that. Although, I think a leather jacket or trench coat would be quite a job on a home sewing machine! ( :

February 20, 2009 at 11:25 am

Nancy

(website)

Too many shoe manufacturers think all they need to do is throw down some padding or Poron in the insole and voilà: instant comfort. (Gentle Souls and Taryn Rose, I’m talking to you!) In my experience, shoe comfort has much more to do with structural engineering: proportion, balance, and support. Straps need to be placed correctly so they don’t pinch toes or cut the ankle. Toe boxes must have enough amplitude to allow natural flex and wiggling. As a former ballroom and tango dancer, I’ve been much more comfortable in well-designed dance pumps with 3″ heels than in so-called comfort brands such as Merrell, Keen, Mephisto, and MBT.

February 20, 2009 at 11:39 am

Chris

You are so right on this topic Angie! I am equally passionate about this one…sorry if I go on too much.

Think about all the different types and needs of the foot – some are narrow, some are wide. Some are even narrow in the two and wide in the heel or vice verse. The singular needs we all have in shoes are endless. It sort of does not surprise me that buyers don’t get it right.

What I don’t understand is why the stores don’t stock basics that are guarenteed to sell each season.
My basics would be: in black, chestnut at least and then layer in other neutral/colors for seasonal use (cream, gray, metalic bronze, etc)
a flat – could be ballet, or if they need to mix it up a square toe or point toe
a day pump – but with multiple heel heights (start at 1 inch)
a killer dress pump – black patent or red patent for pop color
a modified trend sandal – the gladiator but toned down, or the slide but done elegantly

(Of course you need to stock a smart fashion sneaker but Converse takes care of that – and maybe some boots, etc. seasonally…but I am dreaming right?)

Each shoe in my line would have to be available in narrow, and wide widths. Would be tested on humans for issues like creaking in heel, rubbing on skin, blister causing threads in seams.

I would do everything possible to keep each shoe under $100 dollars too!

After that range is done – then bring in your crazy 4 inch leopard spike sandals if you want your window dressing shoe!

In reality, I have been narrowing down my shoe options to brands I know work for me:
Me Too (except they have some rather uncomfortable heels in their line up), Anne Klein,
Circa Joan and David, Kenneth Cole, as they always seem to fit well on my foot.
There are popular brands such as Nine West that are cute and cheaper but I can’t last for 10 hrs on my feet in them.

February 20, 2009 at 11:41 am

Tanya

He he Nancy, you are absolutely right. I am currently involved in competitive ballroom dancing and my 3″ tall strappy ballroom shoes are extremely comfortable, I can dance in them for 8 hours if needed, while I can sometimes barely survive two hours in some low heeled regular shoes. Maybe it has to do with the fact that most high quality ballroom shoes are handmade in UK.

February 20, 2009 at 11:46 am

Meg

My feet are a mess because of my arthritis. I finally found a brand of shoes that work. They’re now all that I purchase. I shop for this season’s styles, but I also look on Ebay. I’ve decided that if Naturalizer doesn’t carry a shoe, I don’t need it.

Tanya: My mother is a competitive ballroom dancer. Those shoes are pricey, but incredibly comfortable. They also are amazingly durable. My mom does spins on the 3 inch heels of her shoes without a problem. I believe she imports hers from Spain.

February 20, 2009 at 11:51 am

Telly

Angie, I love you for posting this!!

I had a terrible ankle injury a few years ago and now wear orthotics (I’m under 30). Imagine trying to find a stylish low heel shoe in a Wide. I’ve come to accept the fact that I can no longer find shoes on sale. I’ve had great luck with a store called Marmi. They carry extra wides, narrows, and everything in between. Two brands that I wear consistently are VanEli and Sesto Meucci. They are comfortable and most of their shoes are stylish. I am so thankful that I found this store.

February 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Nancy

(website)

Meg: I do hope your mother is doing those spins on the balls of her feet, not her heels.

February 20, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Chelle

Those poor models…plus they are so thin it seems that they would break upon impact! Shoes are a nightmare for me too. I need a very narrow heel, normal toe box, supportive sole, and cushy insole. I was in DSW and another woman was there doing the same thing I was – trying on every pair in each row. We both walked out empty handed.

February 20, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You gals are making me want a pair of pukka three-inch dancing shoes.

I’m glad that some of you are getting sorted with particular brands. It remains a tall, TALL order. 2-hour shoes are fairly easy to get, but it’s those fabulous DRESSY walking shoes that are virtually impossible to find. I can’t wear Converse all the time.

It’s absolutely true. Euro shoes are generally more comfortable for my foot. Apart from my Me Too’s, a pair of Anne Kleins, Kate Spade, BCBG and Stuart Weitzman, all of my shoes are from abroad. BUT! I will say that price does not determine comfort when it comes to shoes. I try on all sorts of shoes all the time and am often appalled at how uncomfortable designer shoes are. How dare they! That’s why I have clients in everything: from Payless to Prada. You can’t leave a retail stone unturned because things change every season and brands are inconsistent.

As far as the price tag for shoes goes, I will pay hundreds of dollars for shoes and boots if (and it’s a big if) they go the distance, because I’m totally desperate. I would (10 times over) rather have one pair of extremely comfortable, fabulous shoes than pairs and pairs of shoes that don’t quite make the grade. My SW boots were pricy, AND I paid full price. I’ve had them for 3 years – they still look brand new, come out at least twice a week, do 10-12 hours of walking at a stretch and feel like slippers. And they’re weather proof. If I’d known how BRILLIANT these boots would be, I’d have paid even more money for them. SW is an American footwear designer who gets it right. He has my loyalty forever.

February 20, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Meg

Nancy: There is one style of spin (I forget the name) where you actually do turn on the heel of the shoe. I have no clue how she does it.

February 20, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Tanya

Meg: you are probably referring to so called heel-turns typically done in Foxtrot

February 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Tanya

Angie, here are my favorite 3″ strappy dance shoes:

http://www.supadance.com/acatalog/1518.html

You could get them for regular wear, you would have to either wear them indoors only and or have a cobbler add an extra layer on the sole, since the soles are made of suede and would get ruined outside. My friend for New York that you met
actually got real ballroom shoes to wear at her wedding.

February 20, 2009 at 12:57 pm

Val

My biggest beef is heel width. I find it nearly impossible to find a heel that is both beautiful and sturdy. I guess pretty means spindly and teetering these days?

February 20, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Nancy

(website)

Many Stuart Weitzman styles are indeed beautiful; many more are incredibly frumpy. I agree the shoes are well made. But Weitzman’s medium width is VERY narrow, and few styles are available in a C width–and they usually start at size 7. (I wear a 6.) I once was given a pair of gorgeous medium-heel Weitzman stretch-suede boots by a shoe-store client; the boots retailed for $400. They almost sent me to the emergency room. I have never experienced such screaming foot pain. I gave the boots away the next day.

February 20, 2009 at 1:00 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

This post reminded me of Charlie’s Angels movies where the angels are running and fighting on high heels. Fashion shoes have them in mind when they are designing shoes it seems. That said, I’m in high heels 80% of the time even if I’m 5 foot 10. Italian shoes are generally comfortable to my feet as their natural materials breathe easily and are made for urban style. Adrienne Vittadini shoes have been my favorite for a few years now. They are stylish, have comfortable heel heights and arrangements, and come with a cushion to die for on the soles.

February 20, 2009 at 1:27 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

I forgot to mention Born shoes for sandals. They are really comfortable and come in great styles. I also have some UGG flip flops that I got from Nordstrom couple of years ago. (yes I said UGG! I love them!

February 20, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Wendy

(website)

I am a big fan of Beautifeel shoes, pricey — but oh, so worth it! Other brands I do well with are La Canadienne, Stuart Weitzman, and the one pair of Prada Sport sandals I own.

My current pet peeve is the general lack of availability of smaller sizes (5.0, 5.5) at retail outlets.

February 20, 2009 at 1:56 pm

eliza

A male friend of mine recently investigated bespoke shoes, and discovered prices running to the thousands, partly because of the set-up costs involved in building a wooden last to the shape of his foot. It would be nice to think that this process could somehow become cheaper with advancing technology, since production runs should be able to manage varying shapes as well as sizes, and it’s clear from the supadance collection that shoes made to order don’t need to cost the earth.

Incidentally, has anyone else tried Insolia inserts for high heels? I’ve tried them lately, and they seem to work (mentioned this on the other thread, sorry to repeat myself, seems relevant etc). They shift your weight from the ball of your foot to the heel, making heels more tolerable over extended periods. Curious to know if any other readers have tried these yet.

February 20, 2009 at 2:02 pm

shiny

My SW booties have turned out to be only 4-hour shoes. They are comfy except the bottom of my foot starts to whine and they start feeling like I’m walking on boards. There is no room at all for an insert.

And something weird: I kept losing my balance in them when walking up and down stairs. Nearly broke my neck a few times. I couldn’t figure it out, was wondering if I was developing some horrible nerve disorder(!) but then I realized it only happens in these shoes. I think it’s the heel is so chunky and heavy, while the rest of the shoe is light. So when walking on stairs having the back part of my foot be a bit heavier was throwing me off balance!

I’m still keeping them though. Just have to be careful with them. And I’ve had worse boots, and these are so cute.

February 20, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Mai

This is why a disproportionate number of my shoes are Clarks (or Indigo by Clarks). They’re not a “comfort brand,” but they’re very well-made and even when not on sale don’t tend to retail for much more than $100. I’m actually breaking in a new pair of black suede pumps right now: http://tinyurl.com/cpuyw8

Nothing outrageous, but I can tell that once I’ve finished breaking them in I’ll probably be able to wear them most of the day and hardly feel it – so not true with the heels I currently own.

I have to say, though – I’ve never tried some of the comfort brands like Born, Dansko, etc, but they don’t seem that ugly to me. They’re not delicate, strappy, ethereal creations, but they’re getting away from the horrible clunkers of a few years ago. (Most of the Keen shoes I’ve seen are pretty ugly, though.)

February 20, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Jane

Gosh, I’m with you. I went through a phase of being willing to buy semi-uncomfortable shoes last year and got some wonderful favorites. Then I broke my foot and it took a long time to heal. Now I’m less willing to be uncomfortable and risk stressing the foot. I’m on the search for reasonable shoes that i can wear when I teach, standing up all day…

And this issue starts very young. Just this morning I was talking my 4 year old out of a very uncomfortable looking pair of pink shoes made in size 7.5 Toddlers.

February 20, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Lex

(website)

What about Chie Mihara’s shoes? They cost a packet, but I find them comfortable, with plenty of low heel heights, and gorgeous to boot.

http://www.pedshoes.com/chie_m.....vendorID=2

February 20, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Imogen

(website)

You are so right – but there is no such thing as a universally comfortable shoes, our feet are as different as our fingerprints. Some people find heels comfortable, whilst others find flats comfy. A lot of the comfort of the shoes is about softness of the materials used in construction, so they don ‘t rub and cause blistering, and how the shoe is balanced – where it puts your weight.

A bespoke business like you’ve described would be brilliant!

February 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Maya

I think everyone is already familiar with how I feel about shoe shopping. I do not share the average woman’s enthusiasm for it. I dread it.

1) Material. Out of all my gripes about shoes, this is the biggest. Why are almost all shoes made out of horrible, stiff materials with sharp edges that, no matter what your foot is like, will dig and chafe horribly by the day’s end? I understand that shoes need some structure, but in the end, it’s the shoe that must conform to your foot, not the other way around. If most sandals were made out of buttery soft strips of leather, they would not be nearly as painful. I would gladly buy some sandals that were totally limp and shapeless when not on a foot, as I do not particularly care what a shoe looks like when it’s not on my foot. My foot would give it the shape it needs. I don’t know if this makes any sense or not. I think the reason I have such a hard time finding shoes that don’t give me blisters is because they are so rigid that they do not allow for the natural movement of my foot when walking. There should be some structure so it’s not like walking barefoot, but most do not allow my foot to expand properly when it hits the ground while walking. They always fit beautifully when my feet are in a passive, limp position. As soon as they are engaged and on the floor, it pinches.

2) How can so many “comfort” brands only include a medium width and STILL put 3+” heels on everything?? Adding a bit of padding and some negligible arch support does not make a pair of shoes comfortable!

3) It wouldn’t even matter if more shoes did come in a wide width, because wide widths are never wide. Sofft is the absolute worst culprit. I have medium width shoes that give more room than their wide shoes, and if you go on to Zappos and read the reviews, on many if not all styles, they are reviwed as being “narrower than marked.” They are not alone either. Wide width shoes either fit like a boat or are narrower than most medium shoes. David Tate makes a wide and double wide, but they are wide throughout the entire shoe! Most normal feet taper towards the heel–they are not big all over.

4) It’s very difficult to find a nice looking, but sturdy heel. Heels are either frumpy and grannyish or skinny and unstable. Not that I can walk in them anyway since they are too high.

5) Luxury brands should really be ashamed. How can they sell a pair of shoes for upwards of $300 that completely disregards a woman’s comfort and well-being? What is the point of spending that much money on shoes that are as excruciating as a pair that’s $20? I don’t care about the craft, materials, etc. If I am going to spend that kind of money on shoes, they should NOT hurt. That is the LEAST I should expect.

OK ::deep breath:: I could go on forever but I’ll stop here. Discussing this is making me angry…I’m so close to emailing this to Pres. Obama and asking him pass some legislation on shoe-making standards.

February 20, 2009 at 5:32 pm

missjulied

+1 on the Chie Miharas. I love them and have several pairs.

February 20, 2009 at 7:06 pm

Sihaya

What a great topic. I struggle with this every day as my job requires me to stand for 8+ hours a day several days a week. There are certain brands I can swear by and they have come through no matter what. One of these is Arcopedico – however, they are at most smart casual so their usage isn’t as widespread as my needs. I have loved my Paul Green boots that I can wear two days in a row without any problem. However, they feel contricting by the third day. They are very pricey but I would buy another pair in a heartbeat if I could find them again. There are some brands that are hit and miss for me – some pairs work well, others don’t such as Naturalizer. Beautifeel used to be wonderful. Their shoes are $200+ a pair. But the last 2 pairs I bought leave my feet feeling crippled and in actual pain if I stand in them more than 3 or 4 hours. Very disappointing. The Eureopean brands are almost always better than the U.S. brands – I wonder why that is? Lastly, even if shoes are comfortable, be aware that high heels do impact your bones, body, posture, etc. There was some scary x-ray pictures once of women who regularly wore high heels vs. not. If I can find that article, I will post the link.

February 20, 2009 at 7:11 pm

alldoneup

(website)

Shoe shopping is a depressing way of spending a weekend for me. I’m a size 4 so you can imagine why…there is practically nothing out there that fits! Well, at the stores anyhow and the shows that are available online are quite ugly – we are vertically challenged, not scared of heights…give us some height and not ugly clogs! lol, ok, done ranting. =d

I’m liking your idea!

February 20, 2009 at 11:07 pm

Sable

My two cents: what good is fashion if it’s not functional? I love a stylish shoe, but I must be able to walk in them and I must be able to keep them on my feet for the better part of the day. I wear everything from flats to 3.5″ heels, but no matter the cost, no matter the designer, if they don’t meet this basic criteria they are going back to the store! BTW, the most comfortable pair of shoes I own are 2″ Manolo slingbacks that I got on sale at Barney’s years ago (they’ve been resoled several times) at a ridiculous bargain price. Those shoes alone prove the theory of quality and cost per wear – they’ve paid for themselves several times over!

February 20, 2009 at 11:42 pm

Mellllls

Fortunately for me I do not seem to have the foot problems that many of you have. But I do live in a city and walk everywhere (we do not own a car). I own a ridiculous number of shoes and basically choose what shoes to wear based on my activities for the day. I really only wear heels to work and to go out at night. I have also started commuting in more comfortable shoes; mostly to save the heels of my shoes from abuse on the streets. I have noticed that since I’ve stopped walking so much in my heels that my feet are less tolerant of them and some heels that I used to be able to traipse all over the city in I can no longer. I hope this does not worsen as I get older. But I wonder if some comfort problems are the result of not being used to walking as much.

My advice to shoe manufacturers would be to also makes shoes more sturdy. I have ruined the heels of a pair of shoes in a week and a half. A cobbler can fix this for $12 around here but I still think a pair of shoes should last longer than that. This is why I don’t commute in heels anymore. My shoe buying strategy is to also buy new shoes whenever shoes I like go on sale. My shoes never seem to last long so they always need replacing anyway.

February 21, 2009 at 4:45 pm

cathy

I’ve accepted that most shoes are uncomfortable and can’t get in to the 4″ heel trend, probably never will. Instead I focus on filling my shoe wardrobe for what I need in order to look taller and thinner– being 5’1″ some heel height is necessary in order for me to create a leaner line and I am not usually able to factor in comfort. In the spring and summers I’ve tended to wear flats and wedges rather than the teetering heels. My mom is approaching 70 and has been preaching to me about the importance of comfortable shoes since I was in my late twenties; ie, “you will ruin your feet” etc. I had a pair of Naturalizers years ago that she bought for me but have never looked in to them since. Myabe I really should.

February 21, 2009 at 6:16 pm

LollyD

I’m with Lex up there. I love Chie Miharas–they are the only heels that after three hours still feel as good as when I put them on. My dogs don’t whine at all. And like Lex, I love
Ped Shoes (http://www.pedshoes.com), which also has carries several other stylish yet comfortable lines. Check out especially their Cydwoq Vintage selection. The things at Ped do cost, but, honestly, for shoes that both feel good and last(!!!), they’re worth it.

February 22, 2009 at 8:54 am

LollyD

I’m going to try to make a click-able link for Ped (don’t know whether html works here or not–forgive me if it all ends up being gobbledy-gook):

Ped Shoes

February 22, 2009 at 8:57 am

Wanda

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.

February 22, 2009 at 10:20 am

(website)

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

February 22, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Joelle

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.

February 23, 2009 at 8:50 am

Karen

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.

February 23, 2009 at 11:59 pm

I tried something new: bag & bracelet | youlookfab

(website)

[…] 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 […]

February 25, 2009 at 8:22 am

Jess

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!

February 25, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Brainstorm: improving the world of retail fashion | youlookfab

(website)

[…] 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 […]

February 26, 2009 at 8:16 am

Someone

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!

April 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm

Patricia

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.

July 5, 2009 at 6:20 am

Rachel

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.

August 22, 2009 at 1:46 pm

I tried something new: bag & bracelet

(website)

[…] 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 […]

June 10, 2010 at 4:09 pm

esme noir

(website)

i totally agree with your analysis of the shoe problem! and the older one becomes, the more of a problem fitting shoes becomes. in one of my blogs i discussed the idea of a computer-generated 3d image of one’s foot that one could use to buy shoes on-line! or wouldn’t it be great to have bespoke shoes!
esme noir

March 17, 2011 at 9:00 am

Mamavalveeta03

Veteran

I have large feet (size 11) and wide, so water skis generally work well for me…;-)
But seriously, if I could list the specs:
1. Be able to choose the heel size and style (great idea Patience!)
2. Choose your width
3. Choose your finish (i.e. Patent, suede, leather, etc.)
4. Free shipping and free returns on shoes!!! Otherwise, I’m not going to buy from you.

March 20, 2013 at 9:26 am

sherrykay

Active Member

I am really unhappy with shoe options, and I believe that we do not have a good understanding of the difference between what we think is comfortable and shoes that are actually ‘good’ for our feet. I never wore tight shoes, or shoes with high heels, but nevertheless I am suffering from years of foot abuse. Several things have changed over the years for most women (and men); we are pounding our feet on more hard surfaces (e.g. concrete) and sitting longer hours. Our bodis have adopted distorted postures over years of neglect, and this has consequences for our feet. Then the shoe industry eliminated most varieties of fit over the years (e.g. widths), narrowed the width and depth of toe boxes, and failed to see the same problems that have developed with clothing fit: women wear larger sizes (avg.) than previous decades (but like their bras, fail to change sizes). Then there is the ‘pointy’ fit. I am sick of reading and hearing how a ‘pointy’ shoe will make me look slimmer. Who has a foot with where the third toe is the longest? I advise everyone to ready Katy Bowman’s book, The Foot Book and check out her blog and ‘Well Aligned Institute.’ I am paying for wearing toe shoes (ballet), wearing pointy flat ‘ballet’ style flats, and flat shoes with thin soles. I now have hallux limitus (it’s like bunions, but on the top of the foot at the big toe joint, with bone spurs to cause even more pain)-so now I have to look for rocker bottoms, or a slight platform (not enough to allow me to trip and break my ankle) that doesn’t bend much under my big toe joint. It amazes me that few companies have realized the potential profit they could make from the sheer number of baby boomers who are needing to change their footwear out of necessity and not by choice, and that creating well designed attractive shoes that are also healthy for our feet would help us all.

March 20, 2013 at 11:02 am

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