Walkable shoes to wear with shorts AND casual skirts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Walkable shoes to wear with shorts AND casual skirts?

Elly

Veteran

I've renewed my multi-year quest to find a pair of sandals I can wear with both casual shorts and casual skirts. I already have a pair of suede platform wedge heels (3" heels with a 1" platform-- very comfy, but I stand almost 6 ft tall and wouldn't want to walk really long distances). Thongs sandals with good arch support are pretty easy to find as well, but not that great for walking long distances.

Basically I'm trying to find a pair of shoes that would be the hot weather equivalent to the converse or flat/low-heeled boots I wear with jeans to run errands, go shopping, and out to the brew pubs and diners in town for dinner.

The catch? I have to have good arch support.

I can find some low wedges with good support, but they seem too dressy with my jean and cotton shorts, and don't "dress down" my skirts and dresses.

Are there flat sandals that aren't flips out there with arch support (that don't look like I am about to go river rafting) ?

What do you wear with your shorts?

How about casual summer skirts and dresses?

Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

ironkurtin

Veteran

I would look at Fidjis or Everybody. Gentle Souls is another brand I like.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Okay, this one has been SO done around here but honestly my Clarks gladiators with the low wedge heel are on year 3. Last year I added a new pair just in case the old pair starts looking weary. They are equally as fab with shorts as with skirts and dresses.

Maybe someone will find an update this year Meanwhile here's a link to the closest style I can find on Zappos.

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-t.....tone-suede

Meredith1953

Veteran

Elly,
I wear a lot of Clark sandals and some of the Borns are nice too. I wore a pair of Borns to death they were so comfortable. Hmmmm...maybe mine DID look like rafting sandals! Hard to know. I think a flat skimmer with some cute details would work well with shorts and skirt/dresses. Do they actually need to be open toed?

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

I've had really good luck with Aerosoles sandals. They have a nice variety of styles and great prices at sales, outlets, and the TJMaxx down the street best of luck, steph

Diana

Veteran

Naots are my go-to summer sandals. I like the Ashley style, but any of the styles in this collection (the Elegant collection, there is also a flatter version which also has decent arch support) are great. Incredible arch support and the cork footbed is really comfy for the summer heat. Only thing is that they run narrow (but they don't bother my bunion at all), but I think there are other Naot collections that run wider.

http://www.zappos.com/naot-foo.....nt-leather

I also like Dansko's sausalito collection sandals.

sarah

Veteran

I was going to suggest Clark's as well.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I second the suggestion of Clarks. They have quite a few cute sandals in right now, and I run around on foot all summer and they go the distance. I also like Me Too.

You could also look for a low wedge with an open toe, something like this:

http://www.zappos.com/cole-haa.....atent-cork

Dressiness level would depend on the color and fabrication. For instance, I think of a cork heel as being very casual.

fern

Veteran

Are these too tall/platformed? I wear mine for miles and miles.
They are super comfortable, very casual - and they have 100% five star reviews on Zappos.
http://www.zappos.com/jambu-touring-brown

AJ

Veteran

How about a perforated oxford?
http://www.zappos.com/hush-pup.....ed-leather

Dashrashi

Veteran

I've always liked this style:
http://www.zappos.com/naot-foo.....lo-leather
http://www.zappos.com/mephisto.....ap_pdp_sub

Elly

Veteran

Thanks ladies---

I guess I am not really sure what styles work with shorts.

My other challenge is the arch support and shoe style---- I have very high arches and flat shoes have to have a visible built up arch or very deep padding to work-- sometimes shoes can have a visible arch and I still have to add a arch support cookie. You can only add those to certain styles of sandals or flats. Heels are easier because they have some arch support built in to the height in most styles, but unfortunately I have balance issues and prefer not to wear them day to day, especially since we have a lot of uneven ground and it is common even in the "city" here in rural Colorado to have stone walkways and gravel parking lots. There are quite a few slide on mules or thong sandal styles that have an arch support, but the constant gripping with my toes to keep them on for serious walking tends to be painful.

I've had some luck with Clarks shoes, but only in styles with a fairly high heel height-- 2" or so, and I've had to add additional arch support to those. Gentle souls, Naot, and Aerosoles don't work for me (not enough/arch support not in the right place).

I will have to look into the other brand suggestions.

I do like Jambu, but have never found a place to wear a pair. They are generally too sporty for my dress clothes and seem to high/dressy to wear kicking around.

I haven't had any luck with ballet flats because of a huge combination of issues. I'd love to try a pair, but I could really use a pair of sandals as well, especially for those days that hit 85-105 degrees.

Honestly, I am pretty lucky because I live somewhere where I can wear boots 7-9 months out of the year, which are fairly easy for me to fit. Shoes are harder, but we have a shorter season for them and I do have a pair of heeled oxfords that work, and I can wear jack purcells with casual jeans outfits. Hot weather shoes are the hardest for me.

I was asking because I see a ton of shoes that might work for me in the 1.5-2" range, but most of them either are borderline impractical because of the heel or I'm concerned about shorts and heels. I've seen lovely ladies pull it off very well with a polished sort of look, but I'm going for more of a relaxed ethnic or tomboy type vibe.

FoolOfATook

Elly, I would try those brands/styles that feature a cork footbed. They will mold to your feet and give you much better arch support (since you said you have high arches). I know they tend to look more casual than dressy, but they feel great.

catgirl

Veteran

Jambus are the latest thing around here in summer casual - they are really adorable on the foot!

Elly

Veteran

Fool-- is there a brand that I am forgetting? I can't wear Birks, metiphisto or Naot cork footbeds because the molding that already exists isn't high enough or is the wrong shape for my foot and makes walking on it agony. I can't make it through the break in period. IDK if I am just not heavy/warm blooded enough/tough enough or if my feet are sort of unusual.

I had a pair of Dr. Scholls clogs with a cork footbed that were great, but I try not to wear clogs/slip on sandals that aren't snug enough to stay on well without heavy gripping with my toes every day or when I am walking longer distances.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I really like the Clark's Thimble clover, and after reading "Parisian Chic", I've come to realize that it's totally ok if one's sandals or shoes happen to be fancier than one's pants/shorts.

It was the advice to pair fancy sandals with plain old jeans (in the book I mean) that has me thinking that even though the Clark's Thimble Clover sandals are a tiny bit dressier than ...well, the typical summer sandals that go with very casual shorts - I think it might work.

Come to think of it - aren't most really fun and stylish outfits some sort of combination of casual pieces mixed with dressier pieces? A la Angie and her denim jacket/ball skirt combination?

Do you have any shorts or skirts that you can't see wearing with the Clark's Thimble Clover?

Jonesy

Veteran

So many great suggestions! I think you can wear all sorts of sandals and shoes with shorts--whatever tickles your fancy and is comfy, really.

Alecia

Veteran

I just got some sperry's and have been floored by how comfy they are. I don't know how they'll work in hot weather, but another option to consider. http://www.zappos.com/sperry-t.....d-metallic

lynne

Veteran

Have you checked http://www.barkingdogshoes.com for reviews and ideas? She also shows full length pictures. I had to quit subscribing to her daily posts because I was just buying too many shoes

Elly

Veteran

More good ideas.

I think this is one of those things I will just have to keep an eye out for.

I do like the clark's thimbles and could see wearing them to dress up jersey dresses and jeans, but I'm actually looking for sandals to wear with casual shorts (not to dress them up since I'm already going to be pairing them with nicer knitted tops or only in really casual situations, like barbecues and the grocery store) and dress down jersey dresses. I don't have a ton of use for sandals because sandal season is so short here so I'm looking for just one pair since I have a heeled wedge already, but I would love to have something to wear on those really hot days and to wear with dresses when a enclosed shoe looks too covered or hot.

The sperry's are cute, too preppy for me and would be more like converse.

I have been looking at Barking dog-- she does a great job, but she has different foot challenges than I do-- I have higher arches than she does, and narrower feet which sometimes means the things that work great for her fall flat for me.

Thanks ladies--

KikiG

Veteran

I think we may have similar fussy feet, because the ones that don't work for you don't work for me. Have you seen Alegria brand shoes? The sole, which **really** shows up in the pictures, isn't as ugly in a sandal, and you hardly notice it when they are on. Sofft (a division of Born) also likes my feet, and I can comfortably wear quite a bit of a heel successfully when the shoe is giving me good arch support.

I also have some ballet flats that are more supportive than I would have thought possible. The moment I put on a ballet flat I can tell if it will work or not.

Anonymous

I got Miz Mooz Heathers last summer to wear with my shorts. I found them very comfortable. The leather is very soft and the footbed is padded.

I really like a sedate heel or wedge shoe with shorts. I think it makes them look more polished, although still casual.

http://www.endless.com/dp/B004.....geCode%3Dd

FoolOfATook

Elly, yes I was thinking Mephistos, Naot and Birks! Sorry they do not work for you! I have high arches too and these are great for me. Dansko clogs, too, but for winter

Diana

Veteran

Elly, can you do Danskos?
Something like this maybe ... they have a slight heel but it's a clog style with a platform so looks more casual.
http://www.zappos.com/dansko-sam

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DonnaF

Veteran

Orthaheel sandals have a very aggressive arch; the ones I bought (Tides?) have a higher arch than even Dansko Pros. I have low arches and bunions and need a high arch to take the pressure off the toe joint.

krishnidoux

Veteran

To the risk of sounding like I work for the company, because I have recommended their products before, I suggest you look at some Josef Siebel sandals. (I don't work for them, but I love that brand because they are somewhat cheaper than the high end walking shoes yet with all the comfort). I have a pair bought last summer and they quickly became my go-to footwear at the exclusion of everything else.
I have those in orange,
http://www.softmoc.com/ca/syst.....4300-82704, and in real they look more feminine than on this photo. Anyway here are some other similar styles in that orange colour:
http://www.cheslershoes.com/Sunflower_p_514.html
http://fulchersshoes.com.au/cm.....e.tpl.html

Carole

Veteran

Interesting thread and I am taking notes!

Kim

Veteran

Have you considered Born BOC sandals? I have a pair that are white thong style look with an ankle strap a day that have a very nice foot bed. I have extremely high arches too and they are my go to walking sandals. The are casual lookingwithout looking like sports sandals. They also don't look too"polished".

I can't post a picture from my tablet but Google born. BOC sandals images and see what you think.

Elly

Veteran

Thanks ladies-- both Born, BOC, Sofft, and Alegria don't have enough support for me. I need something that has dense but soft extra thick padding that I can sink into with some arch, or I can do a heel with padding and some arch, or I can do no padding but have to have a really high arch. I guess I am just frustrated that no one can make any of the cute glads or strappy flats that are all over the place with a little arch support. There are tons of flip flops out there with great arch support without being clunky monstrosities, so I don't really get why manufacturers can't make a glad that doesn't look like a cement block.

Danskos don't really either, but I've had a few styles work. I guess the thing is that I really don't want to be 5'11 every time I go to the grocery store. It also would mean I couldn't wear my jeans with the sandals unless I invested in a new pair and found a 36" inseam. I'm also worrying about looking too lolita being curvy, not having a preppy or really polished style, and wearing mid-length shorts with heels. My shorts are not short shorts, but on me having really long upper legs they don't cover 1/2 of my thighs. The combo might be too much, especially if I want to wear sleeveless.

Orthoheels are great, but they only have one or two styles that aren't thongs. I have a pair of somewhat sporty thongs, but they aren't 8 hour shoes for me despite having great arches because my foot grips a lot holding them on even though they are snug.

KikiG

Veteran

Elly, do you use orthotics or have you considered it? They can really be life changing. When I went to the Alegria website to recommend them to you, I learned something I did not know, that they are designed to have the footbed come out to receive an orthotic insert, if necessary.

I really have a great deal of sympathy for you and your shoe issues!

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