Shoes! It seems silly, but I am serious

[katvar]

Here is my shoe story. I loved high heels and "fancy"shoes. Two years ago they stopped loving me back. For a while I could wear flats or cute and colorful converse shoes. Soon that didn't work either. I have had to wear the bulkier tennis shoes with inserts from the podiatrist for about a year.

I finally gave away all of my cute shoes and boots at the beginning of this year. I still miss them.

Now to the real problem. I still like to dress up. Tennis shoes really kill an outfit.

Is there a dressy shoe that doesn't look orthopedic that I can wear with a dress?

I am not talking about a sundress - I am talking cocktail dresses. I enjoy going to the symphony and to see musicals. I have worn slacks with dark colored tennis shoes the last couple times - but I would really like to dress up when I go to see "Legally Blonde" next week.

I can't help but look into the future and wonder what I will wear to my daughters' weddings. None of them are even dating seriously - but I wonder.

[RoyaleMSer]

Have you tried wedges? I have a pair that are peep toe and have a strap around the heel. I love them! You could put your inserts in them with no problem. I also love clogs. I got a pair of black ones on sale from Fashion Bug a few weeks ago and they are dressy enough to wear out but comfortable enough to wear with jeans. Again, your inserts would fit in them too.

[katvar]

No, I can't wear wedges or clogs. All of mine had to live with other people. Seriously, the only shoe I can currently walk in without falling over and experiencing incredible pain are walking/running style tennis shoes.

I am willing to pay dearly for a pretty pair of shoes that I can walk in.

[RoyaleMSer]

Wow. I can't think of anything that is dressy that would be remotely like the support of a tennis shoe. I'll keep brainstorming though!

[akafearless]

hmm

Have you been to a Birkenstock store? They are expensive, but have several different styles, etc. maybe one would work for you. I like them and Clarks. Good luck.

[deescee]

Shoes to wear

I also wear tennis shoes 99% of the time when I go out. When my son and my daughter got married in 2004, I figured I could spend the $80 for a pair of flat, sparkly silver shoes. They did not have any cushion on the bottom. So I wore the shoes to the event, but then I put on my trusty slippers. I actually forgot I had the slippers on when I did the parents dance at my son's wedding. Too not cool!!! I could never wear a shoe with any kind of heel. Now even slippers do not have enough cushion. So I take a pair of flip-flops, cut off the bands, and then I superglue the flip-flops to the bottoms of my slippers. Very comfortable. We do what we have to do. Good luck finding that special shoe. I hope to see more tips from others about where to find comfortable shoes.

[lydialou]

I am really understanding your problem with shoes. I had foot surgery that failed this year and I have lived in sneakers, too. I frankly gave up wearing skirts and dresses because of the foot problem. I wear nice slacks when I have to dress up.

My daughter in law had a idea that I have considered. Because I had to use a cane for a while, she just told me to dress up, wear the sneakers and then take my cane and no one would give me a second glance. I think that one has real merit for me.

A better idea might be this-I live in a town that has a really good diabetic shoe store. He makes custom shoe inserts. He ordered me some shoes earlier on in my bunion problems that I could wear to work and not be harrassed by my superiors. And the best thing is that the insert would fit into it perfectly. So I would go to see him and see what he could do for me. Look in your area and see if you have such a place that can help you out. Ours is terrific and can order tons of things for folks with special feet.

Last resort-buy some plain sneakers that make your foot happy and go to some craft store and get stuff to decorate your shoes. Black glitter-rhinestones-ribbon-whatever and make your sneakers snazzy.

Good luck

lydialou

[katvar]

I don't have a Birkenstock store near me.

I like the idea about gluing flip flop soles to my slippers. I keep buying new ones because they squish flat down flat on the bottoms.

We do have a diabetic shoe store in town. I will check them out.

I have owned several pairs of sparkly Skechers. They are good for a smile, but I want to look nice.

I have small feet, so I occasionally buy shoes in the little girls department because they are a little more glitzy.

I see an opportunity in the shoe design market....

[Justsayyes]

I was looking at the Mary Jane shoes, which is a style that sure are plentiful and in vogue right now. Shopstyle.com had 124 pages of this style shoe, wow. Some more casual than others, but so many brands from inexpensive, to the higher end like Ecco, Josef Siebel, Clarks, etc.

This style shoe can look very nice and still be very supportive. I have a few friends with tiny feet, sizes 3 to 5, and they look good in almost every shoe IMO.....I wear a 9.5!

[chalknpens]

Shoes

I have a closet full of low heeled dressy shoes, each pair a different bright color, from my elementary classroom days, but I never wear them anymore. I can't imagine wearing nylons, almost never wear dresses or skirts, and wear simple clothes with simple slip on loafer style shoes (not much support, but I don't seem to need support.) I wear wool socks from October through April, as my only foot problem has been numbness and tingling. The socks have helped. But they are definitely not dressy.

I wondered whether you would be as comfortable in ballet slippers for a dressy night out (that is not a part of my life, either!) If the support is necessary for stability, maybe a few pair of light and dark colored boots that could be "dressed" with tassels or some other craft store goodies.

I admire your determination to dress to suit your lifestyle. I'm a jeans/sweats/basic black slacks kind of person.

But go for it!

[jlas01]

did you try loafers? not all of them are huge and manly

[1755620237@facebook]

I am going to go to the specialty shoe store this afternoon (before my naptime) and look around. I will let you know how it goes. Hopefully, I have success.

I had given up going to the shows because they are at night, but with everything that MS has taken from me I decided to take this one thing back. I will nap in the afternoon and sleep in the next day. The theatre is only 10 minutes from my house, so that helps.

[katvar]

It didn't go well. I was to hopeful going in. I saw all the beautiful shoes that I couldn't wear, but I tried to focus. The sales lady was nice but didn't understand that I wanted one pair of shoes that was pretty and that I could walk in.
I found a pair that felt so-so and I could hobble in (I hobble anyhow). Then I saw that they were $90. I realized I was not willing to shell out that kind of money for a pair of so-so shoes that I would only wear a couple of times during the summer.
Back to the drawing board. I am thinking cheap shoes that I can make it to my seat in and then back out of the theatre.

[kbshook]

Earth shoes are my answer!

Here is my shoe story. I loved high heels and "fancy"shoes. Two years ago they stopped loving me back. For a while I could wear flats or cute and colorful converse shoes. Soon that didn't work either. I have had to wear the bulkier tennis shoes with inserts from the podiatrist for about a year.

I finally gave away all of my cute shoes and boots at the beginning of this year. I still miss them.

Now to the real problem. I still like to dress up. Tennis shoes really kill an outfit.

Is there a dressy shoe that doesn't look orthopedic that I can wear with a dress?

I am not talking about a sundress - I am talking cocktail dresses. I enjoy going to the symphony and to see musicals. I have worn slacks with dark colored tennis shoes the last couple times - but I would really like to dress up when I go to see "Legally Blonde" next week.

I can't help but look into the future and wonder what I will wear to my daughters' weddings. None of them are even dating seriously - but I wonder.

Earth shoes are the only shoes that I wear. I have been wearing Earth shoes for about 4 years and I do not even look at any other type of shoe now. I really love Earth shoes. The shoes helps you lost weight, good for your back, and helps you stand correct. It took me about two weeks to get use to wearing Earth shoe. The only drawback is I have to buy online. I get my shoes from Zappos.com ---- I like that company. It does not cost any thing to return the shoes if you are not happy.

[kebsa]

check out any shoe stores that deal with extra width, specialist fittings- i have a few near me and they deal mainly with wider fitting shoes for inserts/orthotics but are very good when it comes to knowledge about other specialist fitting shoe problems and what is available