Bet that title grabbed you by the big toe, didn't it? I was going to put a photo of my orthotics first but thought better of it. That's Not My Age loves a Mum Shoe and this gorgeous seventies-inspired, Swedish Hasbeens sandal might just be the perfect specimen. I'm sure one of the podiatrists/physiotherapists/shoe experts I've been to with my problem feet told me that a low-ish heel is quite a good thing, well better than constantly wearing flats, anyway. And the lovely seventies sandal would hide my bunions too. Two birds, one stone. Who said middle-age wasn't a fun-filled chapter on the road to decrepitude?
That's Not My Age likes the Swedish Hasbeens clog, but I'm not so good with wooden soles. I've tried them a couple of times, once at school back in ooh the seventies and then again in the nineties, and can confirm that bruised ankles and throbbing bunions aren't much fun. Anyway, I won't keep you waiting any longer... tah dah! Here are my orthotics.
As I've told you before, it's not easy having old lady's feet. Wearing orthotics restricts footwear options to styles that are flat, closed-in and not too narrow. Which is fine by me, I like a pair of mannish brogues or suede desert boots (usually with a dress or a slim pant), if I'm on my feet all day, make that low-key trainers and wide leg trousers. And sturdy, supportive, slightly more expensive shoes can be worn without orthotics - which is OK in winter when my favourite boots come out to play:
But when it comes to summer, it's orthotics-free, for me. Largely because the moulded insoles don't fit inside low-cut shoes like ballet pumps and cannot physically be worn with sandals. Not that I've actually tried it, but then I haven't tried walking with shoe horns rammed down the back of my heels either. So the annual quest to find comfortable, supportive summer footwear - a mini-wedge or rubbery-soled flat - is on. Fortunately, this is the season of the flatform, thank you Prada and Chanel for creating the stylish alternative to remedial footwear:
These are my kind of shoes, I want them to be in fashion forever, or for as long as it takes me to save up for a pair! In case you're wondering, the fabulous Prada flatform is five hundred pounds (and sold out).
This Michael Kors sandal is pretty cool and comes in at just under four hundred pounds:
Alas, designer footwear is out of my price range so I've been looking for a more reasonably-priced alternative. Say hello to the Temple sandal from Radley. Not quite a flatform and a bit Like a cross between the Prada and Chanel shoes and the heel-to-toe gradient isn't too steep. Yours for one hundred and ten English pounds.
Oh and if you're a fan of comfy shoes, Clarks Originals have just relaunched their website and the wedge-heeled, Yarra Desert Boot is back on sale.
Do you have any advice for problem feet?
Catwalk photos: style.com
Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteI have bad "granny feet" with bunions too!
And to make this topic worse, my right leg is 2cm shorter than the left one.
So I have to bring all my shoes to a cobbler or put an orthotic in every shoe to avoid back aching.
And worst of all, my mum, 62 years old, has great feet and wears high fashion sandals all the time while I wear grandmother shoes!
Bea from Germany
I love the Temple sandal! I did wedges in the seventies and *do not* want to do them again. Didn't really like them then but wore them 'cuz everyone else was! haha
ReplyDeleteBest advice for troublesome feet - reflexology - it's fab! ~Siobhan x
I love the Hasbeens, but they're so expensive! I have narrow feet with a bunion on the left AND Morton's neuroma, but I make like Posh Spice and largely ignore. Well, actually, I wear 3 inch heels from time to time, and usually comfy ones. Otherwise I live in ballet flats, brogues and flat boots - and am on the hunt for the perfect loafers.
ReplyDeleteMari - lucky mum! Don't despair it's easy to make granny shoes look stylish, ooh I feel another blog post coming on...
ReplyDeleteTWF - Thanks for the tip. I've never tried reflexology but will give it a go. I do like to use one of those wooden roller thingys under my arches (if that makes sense!?) when my feet are tired.
Tiffany - oh I find largely ignoring the bunions is best. It's that or an operation - oh and my dad used to wear a spongy bunion protector that hooked over his big toe (not sure that you can still buy them (?) this was about 30 years ago!)
Yes! Apparently they still sell bunion accessories, including a sort of brace that fits under your shoes and helps keep your toe straight, thus keeping the burning at bay. My mother swears by hers.
ReplyDeleteI love a granny shoe (I'm looking at you, Worishofers), but feel a bit put out that I was told that heels would give me bunions and infinite pairs of sensible shoes later - um wtf bunions? - I find they are HEREDITARY.
I love this shoes-round-up and I cant stop looking at the MK pair!! They are so beautiful! Wish you a relaxing evening, sweetie
ReplyDeleteKisses
Ps: I’m hosting a beautiful dress GIVEAWAY today! Just in time for summer!
I have painful foot pads that radiate to my 3rd toes whenever my shoes are too tight or my heels too high. In other words, when I wear my favorite shoes. I've been advised to wear a slight heel. I'm looking for a great platform heeled sandal for summer in a wide width and a padded footbed.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, I'm trying acupuncture. I'll let you know if it works!
sorry i don't have any foot advice but the older i get (which, is still "young"ish!) the less i wear stilettos and vertigo-inducing heels.
ReplyDeletei'm mostly into a flat, chunky heel or wedge these days. plus i just like the look.
- Style Odyssey (blogger still won't let me comment under this blog name- oh well)
Love the Temple sandals and have just found them reduced on the website! I have problem heels after snapping both my achiles tendons last year and a big op on one leg. Have to wear shoes with ankle straps or boots. I reckon reflexology will help as all the physio I had made my feet much more flexible. B
ReplyDeleteMy feet are terrible. I think I need advice from you xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I positively have HOOVES! Dreadful feet, but I perserve. I put my orthodics in various shoes and boots, but not always.
ReplyDeleteSorry to say, I didn't think much of any of the shoes. It's my life's ambition to design interesting and comfortable shoes, but I don't think I'm going to manage it in this lifetime.
I just wrote about bunions and shoes at http://bit.ly/I6NdG3. I obsess about my feet as summer approaches and all the pretty sandals come out to tempt us. Besides ballet flats, I navigate towardes thong and strappy sandals that don't cut across my bunions. We're all drooling over the Charles Philip slippers over here in US but they're stiffer than they look and tend to bind. I hate that my choices are so limited!!
ReplyDelete