What’s the most common complaint I hear from clients? They can’t find comfortable shoes that still make them feel attractive and, dare I say, sexy. As women get older, one of the most prevalent ailments that crop up are foot issues — the reasons are obvious. We have been squeezing our tootsies into rubbing, chafing, high-heeled shoes for years and years. Something had to give! So, what do most women over fifty do? They retreat into clunky, chunky “nurse” shoes that would turn off a horny toad who wanted to become a prince!
The good news is that shoe designers are heeding the call to offer women comfortable, fashionable shoes that nurture our tired feet. I’m excited about all the wonderful choices — ballet flats, gladiator, orthopedic close-toed, platform, wedge, canvas slip-on, etc. Surely you can find a shoe style that meets your criteria of being comfortable AND feeling attractive. It’s not time to give up on style and fashion just because you’re over fifty. You may be advancing in age, but you’re still a woman. So why not rejoice in your femininity no matter how old you are by wearing shoes that enhance the way you feel about yourself!
I’m not talking high heels — those days are gone (sigh!) — I’m talking about in-your-face, fashionable, fun, interesting footwear that says “I know who I am, I care about how I look, and I’m an interesting person with a lot going on!” Even young celebs who don spike heels for movie openings are wearing ballet flats as their everyday footwear.
I went on Zappos and clicked on the option “Comfort” and counted 8,680 shoes! Surely that’s impressive! I jotted down just a few shoe designers that offer comfortable, attractive shoes for summer: Arcopedico, Aerosole, Birkenstock, Born, Bucketfeet, Clarks, Cole Haan, Dansko, Earth, Ecco, El Naturalista, FLEXX, Gentle Souls, Keds, Minnetonka, Naot, Pikolinos, Sofft, Taos, and Vionic.
Shoes in order from top row from left to right: FLEXX, Bucketfeet, Anthropology, Everybody, Bare Trap, Top End, Frye Dylan, Everybody, Arcopedico.
What are your favorite, go-to shoe designers? Have you been able to find comfortable AND attractive shoes? Please share your shoe tips with all of us!
Great info, Linda!
I find Italian Shoemaker to be super comfy and fun. My faves are shiny, feminine flip-flops with sparkly sequins. They are flat, sexy, and I can’t count the number of times women at events have commented that they should have worn cute flats as they hobbled by cringing from blisters in progress or painful balls of the foot.
I have some of the roman style too and love that they straps make my size 9’s look super smaller! LOL