The Vine: July 2, 2007
A fashion question! I really enjoyed the recent “layering” discussion, and thought you and your very fashionable readers might be able to help me.
I’m looking for some kind of fashion sneaker or comfy knock-around shoe, but my problem is — I usually need a little height. I am short (just under 5’4″) and I also have rather short legs in proportion to my body, plus my thighs are a bit big, plus I have large feet in proportion to my height. I usually wear some type of chunkier heel — typically around 2 1/2.” I find the slight chunk of the heel balances out my big thighs a little bit, and the height gives just a little extra leg length. It’s subtle (maybe just in my own mind) but I do think it makes a better leg line.
But there are times I just don’t want a heel, like when I’m running around all day doing errands, or walking/sightseeing. Or when it’s 98 degrees and I want to wear some really lightweight pants, like Chinos. I really hate the “gym teacher/Foot Locker employee” look I get with bulky athletic sneakers and chinos. I know the usual advice is to buy a pair of fashion sneakers — like Pumas. I have tried them on and while they are super-cute shoes, they just make me look so squat! And I find that for my feet, those super-flat Converse or Keds don’t give any support, plus again, there is the “squat” factor. Can anyone suggest a cute, fashionable, comfy, casual sneaker/shoe? (Brand and style, if possible!) Thanks so much!
Signed,
Shoeless Jo
You need to look at other styles besides sneakers. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the New Balance Classic — it’s comfy, everyone’s wearing them right now, and you can pair it with knee socks and a skirt if you feel confident doing so — but it’s a big toastery sneaker, and most tennies that would give you the height pop you want will come in that shape.
Instead, I’d recommend searching on Zappos or Piperlime for a platform maryjane like the Dansko Giselle or Guinevere. You can also look at sneaker/maryjane hybrid like Ecco Performance, Skechers Calies, Keen’s Sydney II or Calistoga, Eastland Venus, or one of those (Report and Camper also make comfy maryjanes that can kind of go between work and weekend).
Readers? Anything to add?
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty retail
Danskos! Not only are the cute, they are so comfortable I never want to remove mine. The clogs are a little on the heavy side for the summer, but that is more than made up for by their wonderfulness. Also, I think they make my feet look smaller.
http://www.shoebuy.com... it has better prices than zappos.com. I got a pair of Quark clogs there… they are the most comfortable shoes I have EVER owned…lightweight rubber,and have I mentioned how comfy they are.? AND they were wicked cheap (under $30), which for my size 9.5 dogs, is unheard of!
Danskos being seconded (or thirded) here! I absolutely ADORE my black clogs, (which do make the feet look teeny) and although they weren’t cheap, I wear them every single day except during the summer.
In the summer, though, it’s easy to get a good sandal with a slight heel, especially if you just got to a discount shoe place like Marty’s or MJM or DSW shoes…they ALWAYS have sandals on sale.
Looking at my closetsful of shoes…
I have to third (fourth?) Danskos. I have clogs, but also more delicate sandals, which I wore all day for my wedding. They gave me (5’0″) a height boost, and were cute and comfy all day. I have a pair of ‘Roos sneakers, too, that are a little higher than an “athletic” shoe, and, since they come in many colors, are definitely on the cute side. Also, look for mary-jane styles from “comfortable” shoe makers like Dr. Scholl’s or Doc Martens. You might be able to find a little height.
How about flip-flops for the summer? http://www.flipflopcompany.com/ My favorite pair has a 2″ sole, which lets me pretend to be taller and still run around comfortably.
Keds (of all places) actually are making some really cute ballet flats right now. they have polka dot ones w/ no strap and some vintage looking (aka “torn up”) ones with straps. The best thing about them though? They are so damn comfy on the inside, I love wearing the pair i have as often as possible.
Just a note of warning on the Danskos.
Make sure you try them on before you buy, especially if you have wide feet or high arches. Danskos are made pretty narrow so you might have to go up a size (or 2) depending on how large your “large feet” are.
I LOVE my Dansko Professionals, but I had to return them twice (I ordered them online) to get a pair that fit my wide high-arched feet. And at $100+ it’s nice to get it right the first time. They are an investment shoe, but they last forever and are great for all day walking.
The Professionals might be a bit chunkier than you want but they do have some really cute Maryjane-type shoes with a bit of a heal/platform to them you might like.
“Allrounder by Mephisto” has some cute sneaker/Maryjane hybrids that are both cute and comfortable. I’d never heard of the brand but found them at Shoe Pavilion. Piperlime has them too.
I love all the Keen brand shoes (all the rage here in the Pacific Northwest). You can get them at Zappos.com. They come in many cute styles (mary janes, sandals, etc.) and they are SUPER comfortable. I walk five miles a day and used to have to dig out sneakers for that but now can wear the same shoes for work that I do for my walk home. And those shoes are cute mary janes, for pity’s sake! Most of the ones I have have soles that are about an inch thick (but flat on the bottom), so they add height but remain stable walking shoes. Zappos.com is a great place to shop — free shipping on returns, so you can try the shoes on and send ’em back if they don’t work out for free. Niiiiice!
Wedge heeled sandals are usually comfy and add height as well.
Birkenstocks…I am a short squat person myself; I think the Arizona or the Milano might be a good bet. They’re available on http://www.birkenstockexpress.com/ and I have had good experience with their shipping.
Seconding the Keens recommendation. The sandals I have are incredibly comfortable, and have a thick, but stable sole. I also get compliments on them all the time!
I’ve always found the Dansko Professionals too heavy and stiff (thought that’s probably good for actual professional people), but the first time I put on a pair of shoes in their Golden Gate line, my feet said, “I’m home.” The base is a low-density shock absorber, and the footbed it a high-density shock absorber. All that really means is that when I get home, I feel… nothing. Nothing in my knees, nothing in my feet, nothing in my back. And nothing is goooood. So I’ll quntiple the Danskos recommendations with a refinement just for the Golden Gate series.
http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722062527/show_all/1/page/1/bar/1.html
(You should be able to find a lot of the styles online for less. Also, definitely do try them on if you can. I wear a 39 in closed shoes but a 38 in the sandals and never would have guessed that otherwise.)
I have a pair of the Sketchers maryjanes that Sars mentioned–I love them! (The only downside is that my MIL saw them and said–I have the same ones!)
Also, try http://www.endless.com– they have “negative $5 overnight shipping” – it’s awesome!
looooove Privo (by Clarks). I’m right at 5′ 1″, and I have a couple of their sneaker type shoes.
Try looking for shoes on http://www.sierratradingpost.com. They have a huge selection, and while there’s a good number of of orthopedic-looking walking shoes, they carry a wide range of brands (including Dansko and Keen) at ridiculously low prices. I got a pair of sandals for something like 70% off.
Please please PLEASE try Indigo shoes! They’re pricey, but worth every penny, I promise. They are gorgeous, and the two pairs I own are the most comfortable shoes I ever bought (including sneakers and Birkenstocks!). Many of their styles have chunky-yet-streamlined heels, and make my legs looks miles long. I can be on my feet for hours with these shoes, and I always get compliments on them.
I lovelovelove volatile shoes at http://www.volatileusa.com.
The dressier shoes are cute, but the tennis shoes are some of the comfiest things i’ve ever worn to play softball in, even WITH the three inch platforms.
Keen Ventura sneaks are fabulous, have a little heel and look good enough to wear to work. Currently on sale at onlineshoes.com!
Another vote for Keens– I’ve got several different styles, and my absolute favorite is this one: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7292345.html Very lightweight, comfy for walking everywhere, and they look great with jeans, shorts, or skirts.
Merrells are a great comfort brand, and they have “mocs” in mary jane styles that have a big of a heel to them (like the “Spire Emme” style). Check out http://www.merrellboot.com and browse around.
i have the same issues, and i’ve discovered that doc martens clogs work awesomely – big chunky sole/heel – and they come in a variety of styles from lace-up to girly floral print to plain classy leather. i recommend searching on ebay.
I am also a short girl with short legs and big thighs, so I hear the pain! Like practically everyone, I love me the Danskos. They have a zillion styles, many of them cute. They vary in their levels of arch support, so you may need to look around a bit on a site that mentions things like that.
I have wide toes and almost no arch; both the Giselle & Guinevere that Sars mentioned fit me just fine. You kind of need to know the shape of your feet and work with it.
Indigo by Clarks, and the main Clarks line, are also quite good. They’re a lot cheaper than Danskos, too — though I must say, I’ve worn several pairs of Clarks to death, but all my Danskos are still trucking along.
Right now, I am wearing Sperry Top-Siders “Town & Topside Barton” loafer. The heel is pretty low, but it looks super-cute with jeans and skirts & I can wear it all day with no worries. I also like the Sperry “Portside Mary Jane”. Many sites will tell you to order Sperry Top-Siders a half-size large, but this is a scandalous lie: they stretch. A half-size large will fit you for approximately four hours before stretching out to be too big, in my experience.
Danskos are very comfortable (wore them throughout my pregnancy, when comfort trumped EVERYTHING) and look reasonably cute. I had a pair of Ashley sandals, which you can get on their outlet Web site. My friend swears by the Arabella sandals. I’m now a devotee of Dr. Scholl’s ballet flats — very comfy, very cute, and I got them at DSW. I also love the Keds Kedette Skimmers, which are cuter and more comfy than your average pair of Keds — got mine from Fashion Bug.
In addition to the suggestions above, something off the beaten path (and more difficult to find at a place like Zappos) are German orthopedic shoes by Worishofer. I have a similar body type, and the small wedge of the 251s is flattering as well as comfortable — I get compliments on them every time that I wear mine. You can see the full selection at http://continentalimport.com/sswp.html , and a number of online retailers carry them if you Google.
I’m a short, squat wide-footed girl myself. For summer comfort I vote Crocs. They are super comfy and great for summer, come in a bunch of colours and pretty cheap. ( £20- £30) They are kinda bulky but the upshot is that that makes your feet look smaller.
My sister worked for a summer in Crete as a cook. Hours on her feet in 40C + kitchen heat and Crocs saw her through no problems. She converted me. Also as sticky as your feet get in summer Crocs are hose-downable.
I had a very similar problem, and the answer here in Europe is without doubt Geox http://www.geox.com/cont_english.asp
They are great for the summer because they “breath”, and there are several models which are not flat – I have two!
I love the Keds look, but for what you’re looking for, they won’t work, because they have essentially no bulk to them. I second the person who suggested wedge sandals. I have some cork wedges which are really, really light and comfortable and also really cute.
I’m short and large-thighed myself, and bought myself a pair of Skechers – the Bikers – Blush style, and I get complimented on them all the time. Unfortunately, they don’t really add much to height. But they’re cute. And super comfortable, and I’m thinking of going back and getting a similar style in a soft gold and/or silver colour.
I’m not going to give a particular shoe recommendation, but I will point out that getting used to a different shape on your feet/body takes some time. It sounds goofy, but it’s true — I recently had to buy emergency AIDS Walk sneakers (I literally did not own a pair), and I thought they were ridiculous when I bought them, but by the end of the day, they were pretty cute. I’d suggest buying something that seems OK and isn’t too expensive, and wearing them around the house for a couple of hours.
If you have arch problems or otherwise need the support, get some good orthotics made and pop them into whatever your shoes of the moment are. They’re spendy as hell ($400 a pair or something) but sometimes your insurance can cover them, and anyway you can make that back real fast buying $50 shoes instead of $150 shoes.
I love shoes by Palladium. They have cut MaryJane strappy styles and skimmers. You can get them at Zappos or Nordstrom (store or website). They are super cute and comfy.
The wonderful Clarks company makes several different lines–Indigo is their fashion-forward collection, and their Privo line is more athletic-inspired without being chunky-clunky. I have styles in both lines (all comfortable and durable) and my fave go-to style is Privo’s Tequini. It comes in 8 colors (I have it in black and in tan; the tan is a particularly versatile color) and as with so many Clarks shoes, you can walk and stand all day long in blissful comfort. As others have mentioned, Zappos is a good resource, but the advantage of Shoebuy.com is that they frequently have sales and almost always have some sort of percent-off offer going on. The free delivery from both places is super-fast, and returns are also free.
I stumbled on these bestselling Mary Janes from Naturalizer recently:
http://style-bard-shoes.blogspot.com/2007/07/bestselling-comfort-shoe-from-shoemall.html
I also wholeheartedly recommend wedges. They make me feel so tall… as if it’s all natural.
If you want me to pull together some options for you in your size and price range, shoot me an email.
Just a note on Keen’s, the toe box is an odd shape, and doesn’t work for everyone. I love the look of their really casual sandals and the closed toe plus sandal thing, but the toe box doesn’t fit my foot shape.
I’m only 5’4 as well and even though I’m quite thin, I still feel squat when I wear flat shoes and chinos/loose jeans. (side note: I also think that baggy pants and comfy shoes make you look like a soccer mom and/or old.) If I can’t wear a heel, I generally end up in a skirt and flats, that way I’m comfortable but not looking like a garden gnome. I LOVE Repetto ballet slippers (currently burning through my 3rd pair of Bolshoi’s) and they also have some models with a little heel.
Being of the same shape, but shorter, I too like a little heel. But the super cute Ked’s Skimmers with a POINTY TOE (Srsly, they rock) give me a longer leg line without a heel. I still love heels but like the variety of flats, too. Trinny and Susanna be damned.
I have these in brown and wear them all the time.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/27100396/c/3.html
I have a hard time coordinating pants and shoes too. I do like Merrills though, and have been making myself wear them. I also have some Born maryjanes that are great, some of their shoes can be very stiff but when they fit they’re very comfortable. Timberland has some cute shoes too, little tennies and supportive flip flops (not what you asked for but still great).
Just a note on the Dansko’s. Every pair is a little different. Apparently there is some work done by hand. Sometimes if one pair doesn’t fit you, another pair in the same size and style will.
http://www.merrellboot.com/Shop/Search.aspx
Merrell Athletic footwear. The easiest way to get to women’s styles is to click the “Q-Form Technology” box and hit GO. I have a pair of Plaza Bandeaus that are the coolest, most comfortable cute shoes ever.
I would reccommend plattform thongs. They cost a bomb these days since Brittany Spears made them famous, but they add height whule staying easy and delicate. Also, the foam sole conforms to your foot and makes them SOOOOOO comfortable. I would reccomend looking around at the end of the season when they are on sale.
I’m 5’3″ and have the same problem. Tsubos are the way to go. They’re super cute & really comfy. They’re a little pricey, but you can catch them on sale online a lot.
I second the vote for Crocs, even though they`re clunky. I have chronic knee problems in both knees, and after getting used to constant pain, I tried on a pair of Crocs in a store and after 4 minutes of wearing them, my knees weren`t hurting almost at all… They`re magical. Even my most anti-Croc friends who have tried them on have become converts…
If you`re worried about clunk, the Mary Janes are less bulky:
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-34-4-mary-janes.aspx?reqid=34&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear§ion=products
The picture doesn`t quite do them justice, on the foot they`re quite cute.