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carter

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Nine West Women's Try Me Dress Pump

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Nine West Women's Try Me Pony Dress Pump

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Naturalizer Women's Janelle Gladiator Sandal

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White Mountain Cliffs By White Mountain Womens Nurture Flats Pewter 8 M Us

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Steve Madden Women's Erosion Flat

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Anne Klein AK Anne Klein Sport Women's Onward Synthetic Ballet Flat

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Fidji Women's L687 Dress Pump

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9 years ago

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Traci

Jen W

Active Member

I've had fussy feet since last spring and have found I have to try on a lot of shoes to find the ones. So I would just make sure that all of these are easy to return. I usually average 1 good pair out of every 6 that I order now that I know what works for my feet. And my favorites here are the Steve Madden flats! Very fun!

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

I'm so sorry you're having issues with your shoes after being declared healed. How frustrating. But...now you get to shop

If it were me, I would do some online research but do shopping in B&M. Your foot is different than before and I am guessing you're going to need to try on LOTS to get a good fit. Of course if you don't mind the endless buy/try/return shipping cycle of online shopping then go for it, but if I were in your shoes (pun intended, sorry) I would opt for some in-store shopping.

I do like your choices but again it all depends on how they fit.

Good luck!

9 years ago

kkards

Veteran

so, for what its worth, here are my rational thougths (and why is it easier to be rational with some else's closet, but that's for another tread).
1. i like the nine west pumps, and i think they are worth a try, but seeing that you already have a leopard flat, i would skip that and just go with the black (or a neutral if they have that)
2. it seems to early in the season to start settling. here's another option --i remember that a couple of fabber had these same edelmans last year and loved them,
3 & 5, i've never had much luck with non leather shoes, unless they were actually fabric, i find them hot, uncomfortable, and smelly if worn without sock. but that;s me.
4. cute shoes. and while we are taking about it, what about an espadrille, they seem to be all over nordstroms now, so i'm thinking they are going to be big for spring.
6. the boots---love, but do you need boots now and will you still love them next fall?

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Sam Edelman Women's Trina Sandal

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Sam Edelman 'Trina' Sandal

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9 years ago

Classically Casual

Veteran

I know this is feeling discouraging, Carter, but you have made much progress with the state of your feet, so YAY!

I'm another vote for going to a B&M store with a big shoe dept. You need to get to know what your new feet like and accept. You can rapidly try on and reject shoes in a store with no remorse. Then, once you know your feet, online shopping will work again for you...just my 2 cents...

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ok I love your pointy toe flat collection and the leopard shoes in your cart. I feel, tho, you should wait some more on buying a ton of shoes. The shoes in your cart... they all look like they're running narrow.

9 years ago

MTBGirl

Veteran

I feel your frustration. I broke my leg bone in half and my ankle on the inside and outside. It has taken some time to come to terms with the fact that I will never wear some of my favorite shoes. : ( I'm still holding on to some of them just in case! It's a long process of swelling and fit, and figuring out what you can still wear and what you can't, and even sometimes what you can wear for only a couple of hours. I agree with abc in that in-store shopping might be the way to go even if only at first. I was the same as you with boots, hard to get on but then felt good, even comforting.
I like all your picks but especially the AK Sport ballet flat.
You'll get there with your sandals with patience. I give a big Yay to the Naturalizer ones. And how fortunate that you can wear your J Jill pointy flats! That's a lovely collection! Good luck with it all! : )

9 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Oh it is hard to let go of much-loved shoes! Good news that you expect the swelling to go down even more. I agree with abc and the others that you should do some shopping in actual stores in the beginning.

What about going to someplace like DSW where you could spend a few hours trying on every shoe that looks remotely possible? I sometimes get discouraged and an intense try on session has helped me figure out which brands and styles will work. I've often come away empty handed as well, but with some ideas. I have lots of foot problems that are getting worse as I get older and I share your frustration.

I love your boot and loafer collections as well. Fortunately you have a few months of healing before it gets really warm, so you have time to find the right sandals. There is such a huge variety in sandal designs and because they are open it will be easier to accommodate different sized feet, a problem that I have to deal with. It's always a relief when it is warm enough to wear them.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I must say, for a woman who has had foot surgery, you still have a pretty fab collection! And it sounds as if things will continue to improve so that some that are only "maybe" right now may indeed work again for you. Still, I know how frustrated you must feel. Six weeks in a sneaker is a LOOOOOONG time, especially for someone who loves shoes as much as you do!

It really is tough to know what to do now. I like all your choices, esp. leopard print heeled loafer and neutral shoe, but agree with Kkards that it seems early in the season to "settle" for a sandal you're not in love with, and possibly late in the season to look at another pair of booties, especially if you might be wanting sandals in another six weeks or less.

Gulp....my Canadian blood metaphorically freezes in my veins at that thought, as it would in reality if I tried to wear sandals at that time of year!! But then, you know I am coming to visit you for February/ March, right?

Oh, and I do not trust fake leather, however cute those are. Your new foot will need breathing, I think. And deserve it.

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

Jen W, I agree. It does take trying on many pair to find the ones that work. I'm sorry you're having foot issues as well. Hope they are fixable!

ABC, I'd like it to be shopping with restraint for a change! I hear you on B&M shopping. For the time being though, my foot can really only handle a few try-ons at a time. It took Friday-Monday to get through all 50 or so pairs in my closet. The other thing is the SAs. They just don't get that without the bend at the joint, my foot just won't go in the shoe no matter how much they "know" it will.

KKards, hate to mention this since I've already confessed to sextupling purchases, but the 9 Wests come in black, leopard, taupe, grey, grey lizard and black lizard. I'll move the animal print ones to the "Save for Later" basket with its cousins:-). I do like the Edelman sandals. Wonder why I didn't see them last night. I'll look again. I also hear you on non-leather shoes. My only non-leather shoes are fabric as well, but I have this totally irrational attraction to these shoes (even knowing the probably won't work...they might). And no, I definitely don't need any more boots now. Bummer.

Thanks, CC. It is frustrating, but it is also so ridiculously exciting to walk without joint pain for the first time in years. Patience is not my strong suit though, so I have to keep slowing down my urge to get my shoe closet in order all at once. If you read what I wrote to ABC above, I think I have to start with mail order and then move to B&M.

RachyLou, they're running narrow? I'll have to go back and read more of the reviews. Thanks!

Thanks, Donna. You poor thing! It sounds like you had it way worse than I do. I totally agree it's difficult to see that I may never be able to wear some of my favorites.

MsMaven, yes, sandals are the best things ever invented! I'm a bit shocked that the thong piece on mine is such an issue. I've never even felt it before, but iit is super uncomfortable now. Hoping that in a few weeks I will be able to handle a mass try on at DSW.

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

Suz, six weeks in this sneaker has been crazy frustrating, especially with the holidays and a funeral...none of which felt "sneaker appropriate". I know it's late for booties. Also, you probably can't tell from the picture, but I already have a pair of brown booties! Ack! Moving these to the "Save for Later" holding zone.

And yes, Suz, I know you're coming to visit in Feb/Mar. In fact, I've made it really easy for you in this thread about an Atlanta meet-up in Feb/Mar. I'll also throw in my guestroom for you!

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

I wondered if it might be hard for you to get into the B&M store(s) for a marathon session. I get it.

What about a company like The Walking Company? I know they might not have such fashion forward styles but if you cut the frump there are still some options there. And I would imagine their SAs would get it more than an average store. Just a thought.

Also, I'm wondering if these are going to be shoes that need to fit/last several seasons or if your foot will continue to change and just as you find the right ones for right now, you find yourself constantly on the hunt. I hope not for your sanity. Point being, maybe you don't LOVE them but they work for your foot now and into the next few months.

Good luck.

9 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Wow! Your current collection of shoes is enviable. Sandals are just starting to come out, so I would wait. On those occasions when you might have otherwise worn sandals it will still be cool enough to wear regular shoes, right?

On your fused joint foot, do flexible soles present any problem? It looks like no?

I've always wondered about J.Jill shoes but never tried them. Do they run narrow or wide, as in wide enough to accommodate bunions on a semi-wide foot, but narrow enough at the heel not to slip?

Thx!

9 years ago

Anonymous

I'm a shoe addict, too, and I so very much feel for your suffering, and understand your struggles to find stylish yet comfortable footwear. I hope you find the best styles for your fussy feet this year!

I have to restrain myself from buying more shoes. I have to keep telling myself I have enough. That's hard when you love shoes as much as I do!

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

ABC, I'm not sure whether these will be temporary shoes or not. I suspect that if they work now, they will continue to work after the swelling is gone. In addition to fitting my swollen right foot now, they still need to work for my left foot as well. I think the issue is more one of design and material rather than having extra width. For instance, I need a vamp that does not end right at the fused joint or have anything on the underside that will irritate the scar. I also need some area of the shoe that will collapse a bit to let me lower the angle to get in it (bendable sides or heel, lower sides, zippers, etc.). I think that if I get it right, they should continue to work for me.

DonnaF, from the doctor's standpoint, flexible soles are fine. Not only is the bone now fused, but the titanium plate and all the screws are still there. I will say that it feels a little weird to walk in them, but supposedly doing so will help the upper joint in my big toe learn to pick up some of the slack. I obviously love the JJill skimmers. I find them to be a bit wider in the toe box while being slim enough to grip my ankle so they don't flop off at all. They do not have arch support though, and they're probably too shallow for ortho inserts. I do fine without arch support, so they work great for me.

Thanks, bettycrocker! It's so hard when you love shoes, isn't it? Thanks for the commiseration1

9 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. You still have a superb footwear collection despite your changing footwear needs. I'm much impressed.

You LOVE sandals, Carter. Why don't you wait a while to assess how your feet will react in a couple of months? You might be able to wear those thong sandals after all.

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! We judged several of them right here last year. I do love sandals. Hopefully some I already have with thinner thong straps will eventually work. Although, I will say that I think it's more an issue of the new length and angle of my toe rather than the swelling. We shall see. In the meantime, I may need a couple to tide me over.

9 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Real shoes! Woohoo!

I was going to tell you to wait a bit on the sandals -- unti I remembered that the whole world isn't cold until June! I'd suggest purchasing just a couple now, though, and waiting until the new styles hit the stores and your swelling subsides a bit more.

Sorry about those pumps!

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. I have always loved the look of thong sandals but have never been able to bear the feeling of them...but I wonder if there is some magic remedy for that. Some way of breaking them in and/or invisibly padding the area so they don't hurt? If not, I am sure you will find other styles that are equally flattering and that work with your new foot. But it might take experimentation, as you say. In a few months, you may be feeling more able to take a day in B&M stores.

9 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am also impressed that you still have quite a assortment of shoes which work with you "new" foot. And congratulations on the upgrade to "real shoes"!
Looks like sandals is you biggest hole right now but can you wait a month or so? By then new collection will start to arrive and your choice would be much better.
Loafers look good and worth a try if this height of heel is acceptable for you foot. I know how frustrating it is to have bootcuts and not being able to wear them because you have no shoes with the right heel height and toe box shape!

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Carter, I would say the priority is the sandals, for sure. And of course try the Steve Maddens. Personally I like the Fidjis and I think that brand is pretty comfortable, too. Heck, get what you want, because we're talking real shoes here--how exciting for you!

But I want to add a little piece of info, too: I was browsing around the Nordstrom shoe dept yesterday, hoping (in vain) to find some light-colored shoes or booties with a moderate heel that would go with my stone trousers. A manager told me that right now there is nothing new coming into the store, except the store brands, as the store and its suppliers are busy conducting inventory. She said new merchandise will start arriving in February.

So I would get a few pair of shoes now to try, and to tide you over for a few weeks, while you let the swelling subside in your foot and shoe stocks replenish in the stores!

9 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I think I'd focus completely on sandals right now, since that's really where the hole is. The rest of your collection looks serviceable until your foot size is completely stabilized.

Make sure to check 6pm for sandals. They often have much more of the off season styles that zappos has already pulled.

9 years ago

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