Shoes are one of my very favorite elements of fashion. You can change up an entire outfit or make a statement with just your feet. I gravitate toward flats or low heels as I’ve always walked with purpose, in a hurry really, and you can’t do that in five-inch heels; I can’t. I’ve always loved pointy-toe flats because it was a way to look “mod” in the eighties and to me, it’s the ultimate in femininity.
Imagine my horror when I realized my right foot was morphing into a little-old lady shape, slightly crumpled and misshaped. Some people call it a “thing” or refuse to name it at all. Strange nobody wants to admit they have one or it requires a delicate name because of its delicate condition. It is what it is, a bunion.
My delicate condition got worse. I was having trouble walking. The top of my foot hurt and my ankles were a bit wobbly. I walked straight into a walking-shoe store, a place I never went for fashion. I was desperate.
Success! I walked out with three new pairs of shoes, because I couldn’t make up my mind and I still love shoes even if they are only kind of cute. I got two house-shoes: Boiled wool clogs and Birks, and, a new pair of sneaks, Hokas. The sneaks are probably the ugliest sneakers I’ve ever owned but when your feet hurt and the shoes make everything better, you surrender!
Since then, anytime I see someone in Hokas, I know their feet look like mine. I can have a lengthy conversation in the middle of the grocery store or shoe department with a complete stranger over our delicate condition.
“What happened? I used to have pretty feet?”
“I can’t find cute shoes with support!”
Six months after succumbing to wearing pretty much Birkenstocks, Hokas and fashion sneaks, I wanted to see if I could get away with other shoes like boots. At the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I found a couple of pairs that I wanted so badly but narrow feet narrow my options. I walked into a shoe repair guy to see if he could help modify the insoles to give me support.
This was the second, best decision I made regarding my feet.
The repair guy really knows shoes, as he should. I had my boots with me and he swooned over my All Saints combat boots because they are quality and cute! He knew! In a matter of minutes, he found two different types of insoles to make me a happy, comfy, fashionista again.
OMG! I feel so liberated.
I highly, highly recommend visiting your shoe repair guy or cobbler to make your shoes fit like a glove. Save your feet before it’s too late or even if it is too late. You don’t have to give up fashion for the sake of support.
Here’s a close-up of the fun shoes I found at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. You can still get the boots, just not on sale. The P448 sneaks are out there in oodles of styles, high and low.
P448 Sneaker Styled with skinnies, flares and dress:
Vionic Wilma Lug Sole Boots
All Saints Donita Combat Boots
