One of the problems for many over 60 women is that, after years of wearing unsuitable shoes, comfort suddenly becomes a priority. Our feet start protesting about the years of abuse and we realise that we can no longer wear staggeringly high heels. I'm sure that many over 60s are nodding their head in agreement and many under 60s are grimacing in horror at the very thought.
Although I love wearing fashionable shoes, my feet have always been a bit delicate. This is particularly difficult when it's summer time and other women bare their feet in summer sandals - maybe I should have retired to Norway instead of Spain with its long, hot summers? If there's anything in a shoe or sandal that can rub my feet believe me it will and I end up limping home with plasters covering the sore spots. Trust me, that's not a good look!
I own many, many pairs of shoes but unfortunately most of these can only be worn in the house because I know that, if I venture too far in them, I will be hobbling back home. It's almost impossible to discover this in the shoe shop. I walk around in a new pair of shoes for so long that the assistants become bored and start looking discreetly at their watches. I look down at my feet, admiring the lovely shoes that I am wearing and decide to buy them. I test the new shoes out by walking around our flat, and my feet seem to love them. Success! Then I proudly wear them down town, either shopping or to meet friends, and what happens? I discover that they either pinch or rub my feet and yet another pair of shoes makes it to the back of my wardrobe.
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| Shoes for winter |
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| Shoes for summer |
Does anyone else have the same problem? Have you found any shoes that are lovely to look at and also kind on your feet? If so, please share!
This is a common problem! For long walks it is hard to find fashionable shoes unless you redefine fashionable LOL. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juhli. I think my problem is made worse by living in Spain. There are plenty of flat shoes and sandals, though mainly designed for elderly señoras I suspect, looking at the styles! Plus I see masses of towering heels for the chicas to totter around in - but hardly any elegant, comfortable shoes with lower to mid heels, which is what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteI remember how ugly the shoes were that my grandmother used to wear, but she had problems with her feet, and I don't think she really had much of a choice. I have noticed that in time my tastes have changed, mostly from a comfort point of view, especially since heels are quite uncomfortable and extremely lofty these days. (I heard that in times of economic distress heels are higher!). I know that hobbling feeling all too well. I have more shoes than I would like, but I am also getting rid of several pairs, as I am in the process of pairing down what I own. In some ways it is a relief, in others it is a bit sad.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting point. Spain is certainly going through what they call the "crisis" and the heels on many shoes are ridiculously high. I need to be ruthless and get rid of shoes that are uncomfortable, but some of them are really pretty....!
DeleteI remember several years ago visiting my dad after a shoe shopping trip. When he asked me to show him my purchases he expressed great surprise at my 6 pairs of shoes, all black. I explained to him there were ones to wear with skirts, trousers, jeans, for wearing to work and for wearing when going out. He couldn't grasp the concept that one pair of black shoes was enough.
ReplyDeleteThese days I too have to wear a lower heel or flat, due to the arthritis in my feet. I yearn for the days when I could wear pretty, high heeled shoes but I am sensible enough to stick to my flatties, but I do keep one pair of nice heels in the car, just to change into when popping into a restaurant. Walk a few hundred yards, sit through a meal and return the few hundred yards. Minimum impact on feet, maximum impact on morale.
Great post, Sue.
Jacqui, men don't really understand the shoe thing, do they? I was invited to a baptism in the countryside a couple of weeks ago, and as friends were driving us there I decided to wear a smart pair of heeled shoes. Not a good idea as we couldn't park near the house and the ground was very rough and stony! Luckily I managed to stay upright. My friend Jane admired the shoes, which I have had for years, so they are obviously still stylish. Moral of the story - pride may very well have come before a fall, if I hadn't had my husband's arm to clutch on to! Next time I will know better.
DeleteAh yes, problem feet. Mine are wide at the forefoot, very narrow at the heel, with a high instep. The worst part is that I have some kind of nerve damage in the instep (top of my foot) which makes pressure quite painful, no matter how slight. So, wide forefoot PLUS bunions means a wide shoe, but a wide shoe means a wide heel, which means I keep coming out of my shoes or getting blisters.
ReplyDeleteI would go barefoot everywhere if I could, but that's because I grew up in a semi-rural area in Florida.
So, I look for flat to moderately flat (like a low wedge). But my newly discovered colors led me first to very light colored shoes which aren't flattering at all and my lifetime or seeking comfort over fashion leaves me with too many black shoes. So I'm starting on a shoe journey to find comfortable shoes that go with my soft summer self!
Robin, I can sympathise with your dilemma. I don't have as many problems as you do, but my foot is also narrow at the heel. What I've found is that if I try on a wider shoe I can usually buy half a size smaller, which helps with the heel, and conversely if the shoe is narrow I need a larger size so my toes aren't crushed.
DeleteI had a lovely pair of light coloured sandals with a wedge heel, but sadly the strap became too loose. I nearly cried when I had to throw them out! If you spot any like that, please share!
I always have shoe problems. I love summer though because I live in flip flops and gym shoes (I have to buy customized insoles).
ReplyDeleteI've never been a high heel girl. While they are cute, they just aren't practical with me running after toddlers :)
Shay, I was exactly the same as you when my children were toddlers - the number one priority is to be practical.
DeleteAlso, being 5'1", if I wear high heels I look like a kid in her Mother's shoes, even at my advanced age!
As someone who,isn't a shoe person at all I find posts like these fascinating as I just don't get it
ReplyDeleteKatrina, it's funny how women seem to either love shoes or show total indifference to them! When I was younger I didn't pay too much attention to my shoes, but now that comfort has become my priority I am becoming more interested in finding shoes that look good too.
DeleteI used to love my high shoes and now are always on the look out for quirky and sparkly flats
ReplyDeleteMust change my picture on google :-)
DeleteAlison, I think we should share our finds! Now that higher heels aren't an option, my consolation is finding quirky and sparkly flats like you.
DeleteI've always preferred to go barefoot or wear tennis shoes. I've never understood why or how anyone could wear something uncomfortable - even if it looks good! Over the years, I've tried to be more "feminine" and find more stylish shoes, but... ugh! I can't stand wearing them! The company who figures out how to create beauty and style AND comfort will have my absolute loyalty forever!
ReplyDeleteLori Anne, if a company manages to create shoes that combine beauty, style and comfort, I reckon that they would make a fortune!
DeleteI do have a pair of low-heeled white shoes that I wore to a recent wedding and that survived the church service, reception, a walk in the deer park and dancing for several hours. The perfect shoes! I am thinking of having them dyed a more versatile colour.