I'm off "appropriate" footwear and just wearing sneakers from now forevermore

Active Member

The end.

5 years ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

April

Veteran

I hear you, Em.

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Sometimes I look at pictures from the 1800s and wonder how people got by. One pair of shoes for years, thru rain and sleet, trekking a thousand miles across untamed land...

5 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Me too.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

And they did it without plastic anything! My great grandmother lived in a dug out shelter underground until her family could build a cabin. Snakes fell on them though the roof while they slept.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Stick to just one lot of clothes washed once a week as well and think of all the time and effort you will save yourself!

5 years ago

Anonymous

Yup. Me too.

5 years ago

Anonymous

*hugs the rejected shoes*
Don't be sad, pretty little shoes-momma suntiger still loves you!
*trail of shoes follows like the pied piper*

5 years ago

anchie

Veteran

That is my life right now. Just returned another batch of shoes that are not fitting my custom orthotics. I don’t even have anything left to try.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Real sneaks or the fashion kind, that don’t have the cushioning and support of actual athletic shoes?

****puts whetstone away, promises once again to stop grinding that ax****

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, my sore running feet are urging me to think about this, but there is the part of me that still believes wearing shoes of different heel heights actually helps me to exercise and move my feet and legs in lots of good ways that prevent injury in the long run.

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I know the feeling. But not even all sneakers are comfortable! Back in the day, all shoes were handmade by a cobbler. Even if you only had one pair, it probably fit really well... I think the idea of standardized lasts and stock sizing hasn't done us much good (but has made the manufacturers lots of money).

5 years ago

Anonymous

Me.

5 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Sneakers are what I seem to be wearing most of the time - but I do wear comfort sandals in high summer.

Zappos

Söfft Somers

$79.95

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Nordstrom

Munro 'Pisces' Sandal

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Nordstrom

UGG Cas Exotic Genuine Calf Hair Slip-On Sneaker

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Nordstrom

Ecco 'Soft 7' Cap Toe Sneaker (Women)

$149.94

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Zappos

Teva Ysidro Stitch Sandal

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Nordstrom

UGG Australia 'Fierce' Water Resistant Suede Slip-On Sneaker (Nordstrom Exclusive Color) (Women)

$89.95

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5 years ago

smittie

Veteran

hahaha, Em! Good! Glad you've found something that works. To steal a phrase from Angie, 'milk it' !
You can wear sneakers with everything these days and be fashionable, which is so great for people whose feet hurt wearing regular shoes.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I'm with you Staysfit, about altering heel heights. That said, I'm quickly loosing (fat) padding on the bottom of my feet and have a sensitive spot under the ball of my left foot. I do love my Converse sneakers, but they are kitted out with inserts. Actually, ALL my footwear is modified with inserts.

Fashintern - Converse 'fashion' sneakers were THE basketball sneaker of their day in the 70's (actual athletic shoes). Same footbed and in low and high top version. The wide, flat, rubber bottom provides better stability (in my opinion) than my running shoes. Just about every 'fashion' sneaker has roots in an athletic shoe. When I was a kid we called them 'Tennis' shoes. 'Aerobic' shoes were worn in and out of the exercise studio in the '80's.

FWIW - the first running shoes I had in the early '70's were Adidas SL's and it felt like you had boards strapped on your feet. I remember when Coach was doing a bulk purchase of a newfangled running shoe he was keen on. That's when I got my first pair of Nike waffle trainers.

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

Sneakers, even the fashion variety, do at least tend to offer more room for insoles to make them comfortable.

These boots are my most comfortable shoes. But otherwise, I am in agreement with you. I've had to give up shoes I can't walk in, for myriad reasons.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Carla, yes, I played basketball in my Chucks. My son, who has worn through several pairs of them, can’t imagine how/why we would do that. And after briefly trying a pair on in store and not finding them different from the Sperrys that hurt my lower back so much I thought I had a medical issue going on, I have sworn off them. Running shoes are generally padded but, as you note, are not designed for lateral motion. I suppose I should’ve been more specific about what kinds of sports shoes I favor, as they have become much more specialized. Padding and support for sideways maneuvering are both important to me, as well as padding to stand up to a beating. Guess that means I’m taking “tennies” (tennis shoes) literally these days.

Fashion tennis shoes might be more comfortable than other fashion shoes; that’s not the comparison I’m making.

5 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Oh no, I would so miss my various boots and booties! And sandals, no sandals?

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm very close to batting for your team, em.

What Smittie said.

I've just spent 9 days in Europe. 80% of the people on the street are in all sorts of SNEAKERS. The rest in flat boots, ballet flats, and oxfords. A few in Birkies and socks. Looking relaxed, practical, pulled together, hip and stylish,

Sneakers are being worn with EVERYTHING: business formal, biz casual, dressy wear, cocktail, smart casual and casual - across all genders and ages.

I brought flat white boots for my trip, and three pairs of sneakers. Wore the sneakers for 9 days flat - did not wear the boots:

Zappos

Ecco Soft 7 Sneaker

$149.94

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Zappos

SAS Free Time

$157.00

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Amazon

Converse Converse Women's Chuck Taylor All Star Winter Knit & Fur Fashion Sneakers

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5 years ago

Jane

Veteran

I’m with you except I need to wear shoes for work.

I’m back to wearing trainers for some days of my commute though.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Since my fitness craze started, I have largely given up wearing footwear most of the time. My trainer even has me training in my bare feet (Balance training mostly). I also follow "gaithappens" on Instagram to learn more about foot mechanics and foot health.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I'm with you danusia-any workouts done at home I'm barefoot

5 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I could not walk most of the time without sneakers. Due to a torn tendon in my left foot, I'll be wearing sneakers for the rest of my life. With sneakers, I can walk as much as I want without pain. I've finally accepted the situation and enjoy matching my sneakers to my outfits. Believe it or not, I frequently get compliments.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Angie, interesting. I would have said the opposite about women’s styles, and maybe 60% of men in gym shoes. But I haven’t really paid attention & kept track. I should do that to compare numbers in different areas.

5 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I love my sneakers! But I will stray off team sneaker on occasion.

5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Remember the pioneers with their covered wagons, going west? They actually walked. And to save space in the wagons, the women wore their two or three dresses at the same time. Whenever my top bunches up under a sweater, I think of these women.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Mostly not sneakers but always comfortable, usually flat* shoes for me. (*As opposed to the occasional 1.5 inch )

5 years ago

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