Forced Shoe Style Shift - YouLookFab Forum

I bought one of those summer-trendy laceless loafer-like sneakers today. It is covered in black lace, has a white base with a platform of about an inch. I slipped in my insole and will likely be wearing them with those hidden sneaker socks. They are comfy....

... And TOTALLY a poison eye issue for me - or at least it used to be.

I stopped wearing sneakers about a decade ago. It wasn't my style. If I do go casual, I go for rugged, edgy boots. I disliked loafers even more because it reminded me of my all-girls school in elementary school, and it just felt too masculine for me. I gave not been open to trying these styles on until recently.

My arthritis diagnosis forced me to rethink shoes (my health comes first) and to focus on a comfort-driven wardrobe. My style has shifted since then, though my love for the fitted, tailored and dressy never went away.

While I was thinking about the pair of Rudsak sandals yesterday (these: http://www.rudsak.com/en/sale/.....ver-citron), I realized that there's more to my new list of shoe requirements than simply just at least a 1/2 inch platform and less than 1.5 inches of total heel (not including the platform). Turns out, I have to update my shoe requirements YET AGAIN after finding out after weeks of wearing my Naot sandals that when these sandals stretch out in the forefoot, my right foot (the smaller one) starts flopping around, resulting in a badly fitted shoe AND foot pain.

So here's my new criteria:
- must have at least 0.5 inch platform (or sole has to be rigid, no bending)
- total heel height (not including platform) must not exceed 1.5 inches
- foot must be 100% secure in the front, middle and rear
- adequate arch support
- edgy footwear

That said, I will not be buying the yellow sandal due to the unsecured foot issue

Now, I'm looking into styles that I would not have considered before: loafers and sneakers. I'm mainly drawn to sneakers without the laces. I tried the one I bought with my outfits and it looks... Ok - I still need to get used to it. I'm hoping to adjust my eye to thus style, and hopefully I can make it my own.

I do wonder if there are edgy sandals out there that can help prevent foot-flopping though. I'd love to continue wearing those!

11 years ago

carter

Veteran

MKK, I'm not the edgiest girl on the block, but you might see if something from Anne Klein Sport appeals to you. I have 5 pairs and absolutely love them. My arthritis is in the joint below the big toe. I have a couple pair that have straps that hit on either side of the joint (also have a bone spur pushing on the nerve right there) that don't bother my joint at all. I also have a couple that have the thick band that covers the joint and somehow feels amazingly good. The soles are relatively stiff, and the wide band or second band keep the foot from flexing beyond comfort. My "good" foot is also 1/2 size smaller in length and significantly slimmer at the joint, yet I don't feel like I'm wearing someone else's shoe on that foot:-)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb.....Caps%2C498

On the loafer side...not edgy at all, but I find the clark's loafers insanely comfy on both feet.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W.....fers+women

MsLuna

Thanks so much for the recommendations, Carter! Hey, you never know sometimes - these brands might have something for the edgy soul

My doc didn't specify where my arthritis is (because it's minor) but I feel most of the pain on my big toe and the joints at the base of the toes on my right foot (the smaller one).

Would you say AK Sport is true to size?

Every AK Sport has been true to size for me. Let me know if you find something that meets the edgy factor!

Thistle

Those AK sports sandals are lovely, and I can second Clark's as a solid brand in general.

Also, might be worth looking to see if you have a specialty store in your area. I would have never guessed my relatively poor shopping town would have a shoe store specializing in quality, "healthy" shoes. They stock a ton of brands designed to be good to your feet and the fitters know a lot about feet issues.

Another place to check is the blog Barking Dogs. She has very troubled feet and does excellent reviews on a variety of brands.

fuzzylogic

I hope you find the perfect pair of edgy-meets-healthy sandals, MsKK! If you like the loafers don't forget to check out the ensembles that Angie has put together- she uses loafers a lot!

@carter: I just found some sandals in Hautelook/nordstrom rack from AK. I have two in my cart right now. They pass the edgy factor! They are not leather but they are made of that elastic fabric. My bunions will not be aggravated!

@Thistle: I check barkingdogshoes all the time, though I hesitate because the Dansko/Naot/etc styles recommended just don't fit my aesthetic. Also, I find Dansko/naot make my feet flop around due to the lack of half sizes.

I'm thinking about trying a Munro but there's no local store here.,8 think Barkingdog mentions that brand and I know they have multiple widths.

Sadly the specialty stores here don't care about their customers and their foot issues the Naot store is an exception but I never would've known that the sandals stretch so much after wearing

@fuzzy: I will be checking out Angie's picks! Thanks!

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