Shoe woes - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shoe woes

HardCoreMom

I'm seeking some advice on shoe shopping, and thought there couldn't be a better source than this. I've always had rather fussy feet, but in the last few years I've developed both inflammatory and osteo arthritis in both. It's at the juncture of toes and feet, and definitely precludes heels any higher than about an inch. Pointy toes are also a no-no.

Like many women, my heels are significantly narrower than the front of my feet. If I fit for length (US 9.5), the heels are invariably too wide and I end up feeling like I'm wearing flip flops. Lace-ups are better, but I sometimes want something a bit more dressy for work wear. Can anyone suggest a brand that might work, for comfortable flats or minimal heels that could work with dresses as well as trousers?

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from April

MsMaven

Veteran

I have similar problems--bunions getting worse, osteoarthritis at toe joints and on instep of one foot so lace ups cause pain, as well as narrow heels. I wore a 10 1/2 narrow for years--often a hard size to find. I used to like buying and wearing good shoes, but lately it has been hard to find things.

Have you tried AGL shoes? I have one pair that I can wear for dressy occasions. Many of my old favorites no longer work for me. Some Munro styles do work. I have a couple of Munro booties that have done well for me.

Have you checked out Barkingdogshoes.com yet?

I have spent a lot of money on shoes in the last couple of years. I buy and return, but occasionally I wear the shoes several times before I realize they won't work, then it is too late to return. It's hard to find shoes with a wide toe box that don't look frumpy.

Below is the pair I bought over a year ago that has worked out reasonably well, but I wouldn't wear them if I had to walk a ways.

Attilio Giusti Leombruni AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni 'Bar' Wedge Pump (Women) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$360.00 $215.98

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

1

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I second AGL, as well as ECCO, Munro, Paul Green, and Gabor for starters. Your best bet is to purchase online. MUCH more variety.

deb

Veteran

Here is a shoe blog that you can search using foot issues. It may help.

https://www.barkingdogshoes.com/

Diana

Veteran

Munro might work, as they specifically cut for a narrower heel are wider forefoot. But honestly my suggestion would be to look for things with ankle straps where the shoe is firmly attached to your foot. Sometimes sling backs might work too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try Naots too.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have lots of foot problems. I wear size 8. I have found El Naturalista and Finn Comfort work best for me. I also like Trippen.

El Naturalista Yggdrasil N158

View Info

Top Pick

5

Finn Comfort 'Rosario' Flat

View Info

Top Pick

2

View Info

View Info

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Similar size and fit issues and I like Clarks and Soft Spots.

Jane

Veteran

I've bought Arche and they have been fantastic. French, stylish abit pricey but super comfortable.

BlondeAmbition

Have you tried the Walking Company? They make custom orthopedic inserts to their shoes and I like their variety.

Eliza

Veteran

Sorry for your foot challenges. You have good company here. In addition to previously mentioned brands, consider Cole Haan for their oxfords (some have a sneaker like feel), Beautifeel and Ara are other may work, though the Beautifeels usually represent a bigger investment. Reikers have also fit our foot type. I have found going up a half size in some shoes that are M widths, but run narrow and perhaps are adjustable via ties or buckles at the ankle, allows for a cushioned insole to be inserted without creating friction or pressure. I love it when insoles are removable.

Aquatalias frequently work as booties, though I have yet to try their shoes. Have a narrow heel, average toe box and always could rely on Eccos to fit; tried about 12 pairs on a couple of months ago and while all their shoes are labeled M width, many styles now seem to be running wide and long. Worth double checking how the particular shoe runs if ordering on line.

Good luck.

HardCoreMom

Thank you all so much!

Anonymous

I have a hard time finding shoes that are comfortable to walk in, but a few years ago tried on a pair of Bare Traps and now it is what I wear most of the time. I have 2 pair of booties, winter boots, and mid size heeled shoes by them which I can wear for 8 hours and feel no pain. While I do not have osteo arthritis, I do have a narrow heel and high instep.

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I just bought my second pair of Vionics flats and they are working very well for me. I found them at DSW and can't collect them on my iPad but here's a link to them at Zappos. I have to accommodate an old broken big toe, and I have fussy arches and these are just great for a whole day at work on my feet.

http://www.zappos.com/p/vionic.....lor/230179

SandyG

Veteran

Another YSL foot challenged fan here I have arthritis and stiffness in my feet from a trauma, painful on my very best days. I'm always on the hunt every season for footwear that minimize pain and help me get dressed and function! For me it's key to limit movement in my toe and mid foot joints with a platform or thick rocker sole or specialized metal shoe insert. I have trouble with flats or shoes with bendy soles as they allow too much motion, and too much pain.

For fashion wear I buy platform wedges and high flatform sandals, usually neutral metallics and dark grays or black. Currently I have a nude Edelman tall wedge, some Tsubo wedges in wild colors, and 2" flatforms from The Rack in a fun pink. Fluevogs, one Eileen Fisher boot, Doc Marten platform boots and Nike stompy ACG boots for winter. For casual wear, Hoka OneOne rocker sole sneakers, although pricey, let me walk and jog again with a minimum of pain. Mephisto Sano rocker sole leather sneakers and sandals are nice for travel and also stay cleaner than mesh or fabric sneakers. It's a minimal shoe wardrobe (for me who used to have at least 100 pair) but it works.

Few of these will win fashion awards but they all get noticed and complimented. They let me walk, jog, dance and travel Now I go wild with a handbag habit instead of shoes.

April

Veteran

EXTREMELY fussy foot girlfriend checking in here.

Barking Dog is a good shoe blog, but if your fashion sense is reasonably well developed, you may find that the suggestions there leave you with some serious wardrobe holes on the dressy side.