Orthopedic chic?

I just got the fall Aerosoles catalog, and they've styled their thick, crepe-soled shoes in a very geek-chic way. I'm finding it really appealing. Am I nuts?

ETA: Links to some of the actual shoes, since YLF Finds doesn't work on the Aerosoles site.

http://www.aerosoles.com/store.....&catC...

http://www.aerosoles.com/store.....EW&ca...

http://www.aerosoles.com/store.....W&...

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9 years ago

Inspiration

21 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Eliza

Veteran

Aquatalia has high end sneaker styles with similar thick soles. I'll have to look more carefully at the Aerosoles, and I'm with you in liking the notion of comfort and style working together to save our feet. Fun share.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I can't get on board with this. Why do they look so short and blocky? This is quite weird - I wonder if they are trying to be hipsterish or if this is an accident . Yes, you're nuts

9 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Hmmm...on the link to the actual shoe, they do look very ortho. But in those pics, yeah I like them too! They actually look kind of cute, especially the leopard print one. I can't help but feel though, that on me they would turn right back to ortho. But they still might be an improvement over gym shoes.

I haven't worn Aerosoles since the originals. Flimsy thin squishy soles with zero support. These look much more solid. Have you tried them?

9 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Haha. I think maybe this plays into the 90s revival? I was in high school and college in the early 90s, so those chunky soles hit me in a soft spot.

9 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think they look more like Creepers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothel_creeper

ETA http://www.tukshoes.com/womens-creepers

9 years ago

Anonymous

The only word I can think of for these shoes is "frumptastic."

9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Good point, Jenn & annagybe (I wondered if you'd like them, anna) - they are definitely reminiscent of the 90s. I remember creepers, and the platform Docs, being very big, as well as the foam-y-er platform flats and wedges.

LOL, Lisa and LM, definitely a particular taste. Peri, I had a pair of Aerosoles a few years ago, and they were pretty nice. I will say in their defense that they have plenty of shoes that aren't as orthopedic, although they aren't Jimmy Choos or anything.

9 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

Well I like the geeky styling, since those outfits are exactly how I wear my loafers and oxfords in transitional weather. But I'm not enamored of the thick crepe soles (maybe because they remind me of all the "nurses shoes in dress shoe colours" I have lined up on the emergency shelf at my office, none of which made the grade for all-day comfort.

To Lisa's point, I see the short and blocky too, but I doubt they'd appear that way on my 11s.

Am I the only one bothered by all these styling photos of flat shoes where the model is on her tiptoes (or even jumping with ankles fully extended)? Seriously, if even that portion of the population who have an extra 12" of lower leg need to that to avoid looking stumpified, how will the rest of us with normal stumpy legs ever be convinced we look OK? Sorry, I see too many women with foot problems because they feel they MUST dress a certain way (heels) to be attractive. End rant.

9 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

This reminds me of Clarks Wallabees which were very popular when I was in high school in the 70s. I wore them with mini skirts, dresses, Levis 501s, everything.

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9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I kind of like those black brogues. Kinda retro 90s. Wonder if they'd fit me?

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I think the oxford-style ones are kind of interesting looking. I can see these kinds of shoes being geek chic if you wore an outfit that was extremely polished, such that the shoes appear to be an intentional part of the outfit. If the outfit is at all unpolished, I think they would appear more ortho. If you like them, definitely order them and style them to see if they work for you!

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ah, I see the square toes are making an appearance. I'm not sure I'm ready for them yet! I have always thought the Aerosoles catalogs were nicely done and made the shoes look very appealing. I haven't been as tempted by them in real life.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I like them when they are worn by a model as part of an entire outfit. When I look at them out of context, I don't like them as well.

I am a crusade to only wear comfortable shoes from now on. So I will take a closer look at them.

9 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I have to wear shoes with good support and never found Aeorsoles to fit the bill. I do wonder why the models are standing on their toes like dancers. Strange? I like clunky shoes though.

9 years ago

Colette

Veteran

Oh no, these are not for me. I could never get into that chunky-clunky shoe trend before and it still doesn't appeal to me. I've seen it look cute on others though, but I was never moved enough to even try them.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Those shoes don't enthuse me. I'm sure they're cute on others, and it would depend on what they're worn with. I can't imagine myself wearing them with anything other than pants, and the pants would have to be long enough to mostly cover them up.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm not feeling it, personally.

However, I adore my Paul Green slip-ons with the thick sole and the pointy toes (posted from my Finds). There's a creeper vibe to them but the pointy toe is much more appealing to me. The round toe with the distinct comfort sole treatment looks too orthopedic to me.

But hey, I disliked Birks too and ended up getting a fake (and much more comfortable to me) pair for $15 that have been worn around the house and yard during the summer. So it's possible I might change my tune, but I'm not feeling that look at all, just going from those photos.

Nordstrom

Paul Green 'Dara' Pointy Toe Stretch Slip-On (Women)

$315.00 $188.98

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9 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't like them at all in the photos by themselves, but I like the way they look when styled. I would be afraid I would just look frumpy, not stylish, if I tried them.

9 years ago