Ask Angie: Mules? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Mules?

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I don't think I have ever been able to wear mules--flat or high-heeled. The closest I would come to being able to wear an open-back shoe would be thong sandals, and I think this is because of the snug grip between the toes.

I asked my very stylish aunt why this might be. "Am I doing something wrong?" I said. "I have never been able to wear them, either," she said, "and neither has Hope," (my cousin/her daughter). "But Hannah (her other daughter) has a pair of baby blue heeled mules that she loves, and she wore them to a wedding and danced all night." I can't even imagine!

What would make some people able to wear mules, and others, no? Is there some kind of foot architecture I am unaware of??? Thanks.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In my experience, it's all about the fit, your foot comfort needs, and the way you walk, Carol.

I have clients and friends who wear mules with no effort at all! They don't slip off, they don't feel unstable, and they glide beautifully across the ground! Granted, they are generally in an office, or strolling leisurely - not pounding the pavement.

I have clients for who mules are treacherous. No support, unstable, they fall off their feet, and they "clack" when they stride.

First, the mule has to FIT. Not too wide or narrow. If they are flat, then feet with lower arches tend to do better in mules. High arches tend to prefer mules with a bit of a heel.

Personally, I can wear flat mules in a narrow size. Then they stay on my feet, and I feel enough support because my feet are quite flat. But they are not shoes I can walk fast in. Not secure enough for speed!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie. I guess I fall into the second group with mules. So maybe won't shop for them anytime soon!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have owned and worn a small number, but as with slides I feel much more comfortable with a back strap. So sandals rather than open toed mules or slides. I also find that the mules or slides can “slap” very annoyingly against the ground and I donated a very pretty pair of sequinned slides some years ago because of the loud clacking noise they made.
Also, if wearing them you might want to make sure the back of your heels look nice (not dry or cracked) as they will be on display.

Lisa

Veteran

A great question, thanks for asking!

Mules to not work for my feet either. They fall off, clack when I walk, and are just a hazard for me. Maybe I've never found the right pair but I just avoid looking at them now because they don't work for me.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I think ANGIE is on to something. I have high arches and can wear mules.

Aurore

Veteran

As of now, I have found exactly two pairs of (heeled) mules I can wear, and it really seems to be a matter of finding the perfect fit - or not.
The first ones (pink) are from Högl and they fit like a glove. I have not tried to run in them, but I can wear them to stroll all day long (including on uneven surfaces such as ancient cobblestone) without even being close to losing them. This may be partly due to their higher vamp, but more generally Högl shoes seem to be made precisely for my shape of feet - narrow with high arches.
The second ones (gold) fit well, but are just a tiny bit wider and don't feel as secure as the pink ones...

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Irina

Veteran

My feet are low volume and low arches. Yet, I can wear mules. They must be with higher vamp to stay on my feet. I had a pair before in which I could walk miles. I resoled them once and was so sad when they were finally worn out. To Angie’s point, they were flat and narrow. I

have two pairs of mules now but they are more occasional type of shoes due to small heels.

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DonnaF

Veteran

I have flat low volume feet with bunions. First, you have to be willing to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince. Next, choose a higher vamp as Irina suggests. This will enable you to add an arch cookie which will take up a little room over the vamp. I also sometimes add a tongue pad to take up even more room. Unfortunately, they don’t stick forever so you may have to get out the rubber cement to re-stick them.

Felt Tongue Pads for Shoes - Soft Self-Adhesive Shoe Inserts (3 Pairs, White)

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7 Pairs of Felt Tongue Pads Cushion for Shoes, Size Large

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Kate

Veteran

Flat, narrow, low volume feet here, and even with a high vamp, I can’t wear them with any degree of comfort.

RobinF

Veteran

Agree with the higher vamp being necessary! I love mules and wear them but some can be annoying and/or just for occasions.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have owned one pair of slides that worked -- sandal type, with a low heel -- back in the early 00's. But since then, I have not had any that have worked. My feet are wider in front and narrow behind, with a relatively high arch/ instep, so I need some security mid-foot (i.e. a higher vamp or low heel or both) or they just won't stay on. Flat mules would be torture to me. I love how they look, though!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Jenni--good point about the heel cracks. I am also drawn towards slingback shoes, but I need the more secure ones with a buckle strap around the ankles. The ones that are elastic, or even inflexible, do not work for me.

Lisa--maybe they work for less people than I thought. Advertisers would have you believe everyone is going around in these all the time!

Lise--I never would have thought that. I also have high arches, and I always thought mules were for lower feet.

Aurore--those mules are so pretty--both sets. I admire the simple architecture of mules like this.

Irina--those are so pretty, and I have debated about getting a pair in that style (but inexpensive) as a "leveled up" house slipper to my fluffy pajama slippers.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Donna--hmm, when I get a second later, I may ask you all about those inserts--it seems like you know something. It sounds like you are able to use these to your advantage with unusual shoes.

Kate--it is so interesting, because I would expect your foot to be the perfect fit. But I guess, like Angie says, it really is all about the shoe and how it fits the foot.

Robin--lucky you! The high vamp does seem to be a thing.

Suz--it sounds like you have feet a lot like mine. I have a very narrow heel, a certifiably wide foot, and a high arch. At this point, I don't know that I'll be actively looking for mules, but maybe I'll come across some.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

These are ones I might be able to start with, just around the apartment: unintimidating, and no bus to run and catch:

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