My foot after a day of ballet flats - YouLookFab Forum

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My foot after a day of ballet flats

Maya

Veteran

I don't know how clear this really is (this was kind of an awkward picture to take), but my poor pinky toe looks like one big, rubbed-raw bruise.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1570.jpg

And as you can tell from the background, I was wearing my NC shoes. This is what always happens. I'm starting to think I'm not meant to wear ballet shoes Since some of you were curious to see precisely what my foot issues are, I took this picture right after I got home. The rest of my foot is fine. I don't have problems with pinching around my big toe. It's just the stupid pinky toe (which has no functional purpose, by the way).

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Lee Hovey

Ouchie!! You poor thing, try soaking it in some epsom salts.

But I can relate, I can't wear flats because my pinch me around the big toe

chelle

Ouch! Poor feet! Just curious...what types of shoes seem to work comfortably with your foot? I am trying to figure that out for myself. Shoes are tough.

Maya

Veteran

I have no idea Chelle. I have been seeking the answer to your question for years. The only shoes I really find comfortable are boots, which don't really work in summer.

chelle

I know! I'm starting to have dreams about finding perfect shoes that make my feet happy!

Becky

Veteran

Ouch! I can sympathize!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

You poor thing!

Did Angie give you any guidance on fitting shoes when she examined your foot? I hope you can find something that fits - it must be torture, especially living in a walking city like New York.

Maya

Veteran

I don't even walk much now. The place I work is just a block from Penn station. Most of the walking I do is from my desk to the printer. So It would have probably been unbearable if I did a normal 100 blocks of walking that I like to do.

We never did resolve the fit issue. I think finding shoes without altering them somehow is going to be impossible. I need to find a good cobbler and make a lifelong bond. Maybe I will marry a cobbler.

Lena

Ouch! I sometimes have similar problems, plus rubbing on my second toe. Hmm, I wonder why this happens. I also wonder what it is about boots that works for your foot.

Are these your new Natural Comfort shoes? (is that the brand name? I'm not sure)

Maya

Veteran

Yes, they are Natural Comfort. It's not so bad when I'm at home in the 'burbs, but in the city it's intolerable. I think with boots, I don't have to worry about them falling off my heel so I can size up. I also wear socks so there isn't any friction on my toes, and I don't have to worry about anything digging or cutting in odd places because my entire foot is covered.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Ouch! sorry to hear about your shoe troubles. Here is hoping you will find a comfy pair soon!

Tanya

Veteran

Oh no Maya, I am so sorry! I hope your foot recovers fast. I got the same shoes, so might face some similar issues soon, but probably at the heel - that's where shoes tend to rub for me.

Anonymous

Oh that looks very painful. Do you think a podiatrist could help you?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh no, Maya! I’m sorry, but I can relate. This happens to me too. There is not enough room surrounding your pinky toe – that’s why it rubs. That’s why boots don’t AND you can pad boots up with socks. This is the story of my life.

But before we marry you off to a cobbler, we have to sort you out. Apart from all the obvious shoe comfort requirements, you need a wide toe box and a small heel fit. I wonder if you should start buying 6W and building up the heel part with a new type of insole or orthotic – perhaps one your Podiatrist can rework for you.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Maya I have nothing to say but ouch! I hope you find a solution soon!!!

NancyJ

I completely understand how painful it can be when you have an sore toe. I broke mine last year and am still very limited on what shoes I can wear. I got some Clark Privo ballet flats and have been able to wear those. Actually bought them first in a metallic color and have been great so ordered the same ones in black too. Hope this might be one option for you.

Nicole

Veteran

Oh you poor thing. I think the key is going to be shoes that you can wear with socks. I know that will really limit your choices of outfits in the summer though. Unless you can find an attractive and comfortable thong sandal.

Maya

Veteran

Wearing only socks is just not possible. I would have to throw out all my skirts, crops, and shorts and wear jeans all summer in swealtering heat and stuffy subways. "Limit" is an understatement.

I am going to try one of these shoe stretchers instead:

http://www.shoetreemarketplace.....Code=80380

Maybe "spot stretching" around the little toe area will help.

I have tried getting wide shoes in the past, but they are still not wide enough. I can't even tell the difference between wide and medium width shoes. I have just one pair of WW shoes, and they are just a lost cause. My heel swims in them. No amount of padding will get them to stay on. Hopefully the bunion stretcher will help.

Fuji

Member

Maya, I have the same issue with my pinky toes - they seem to rub in almost all shoes. I've had luck with some Earth shoes (wide toe box) as well as Clark's Air Active line. Neither will win awards for being particularly fashion forward, but sometimes compromises must be made.
You might want to try little toe protectors on your pinky toes - here's an example:

http://www.footsmart.com/P-Gel.....40045.aspx

Hope your feet are feeling better soon.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Do you have your shoes stretched out in the toe box area, Maya? I have had that done overnight (they leave it on the stretcher), and it makes a world of difference. I know my foot challenges aren't as big as yours, but I do feel your pain. I hope you are able to get this issue resolved soon!

Ariadne

Veteran

Oh, MAYA! How awful. I really hope some of the suggestions here or your new shoe stretcher will help. Also, have you tried Tana's Shoe Stretch spray? It's about $7 and apparently it works. I just bought some to try on a pair of flats that my stepmom handed down to me. You spray it on the inside of the shoe, then walk around in the shoe and apparently the spray makes the shoe mold to your foot. Maybe you could spray it only on the trouble spot. You can wear plastic bags around your feet so they don't get the spray on them.

Patience

Veteran

Maya, for summer have you considered a slingback style in WW? If the heel is too large, it seems that would be an easy alteration by a cobbler to make the sling part smaller. Were you ever able to get mule styles to work for you?

I hope your toe feels better. It hurts me to see it.

Maya

Veteran

I always stretch my shoes (to address Ana's point) and always use shoe stretch liquid when doing so (to address Brianna's point). In fact this morning I put some shoe stretch liquid and walked around the house in them with socks for a few minutes but it didn't help. I think I just need to stretch the area where it pinches. I ordered the bunion stretcher today so let's hope it works. I'm afraid it will distort the shoe but I guess it's better than distorting my foot.

Patience, I have indeed thought about slingbacks. Trouble is I usually end up sizing up so much that there's a good 1" of shoe sticking out the back and it looks a bit weird. Those Ecco sandals I posted a few times have some space at the back but it's one of those things no one besides me notices. I'm hoping my strappy strips make them more tolerable because they would be very cute and useful for summer.