The Vine: August 7, 2009
Sars and well-heeled Vine readers,
I have a shoe question. Please help!
I am a month into a fancy new PR job, which requires me to be on my feet and dressed to the nines every day. I walk a lot; I stand a lot; and I am typically on uneven, pebbly sidewalks — the kind with pebbles imbedded in the concrete, you know? Anyway, the result is that my $80 Nine Wests and Bandolinos which have always been fine before are suddenly wearing out at an alarming rate. And, let me repeat, I am only a month in.
I need nice, versatile pumps that look killer but won’t kill the dogs, y’all.
So, here’s where I need your advice. Should I invest in designer brands? Will they hold up better, fit better and last longer? If so, which ones do you recommend? And are we talking $700 shoes or $200? ‘Cause I can probably swing $200 but I am working in state government so that’s pushing my limit right now.
Also, if the brand isn’t so important, should I consider adding something to my shoes like covers at the toes, or new soles, etc? What seems to be wearing out on my current shoes are the soles rubbing through, the heels smashing down and the pointy toes scrubbing off.
Sigh.
And one more thing, as if I haven’t asked enough already — I really don’t like the “comfort” brands. I’m trying to do the power suit thing, show a little leg, work the pointy toe like Stacy and Clinton have taught me, you get the idea.
I would really appreciate your shoe insight!
I asked my husband his thoughts and all he said was “you better not come home with Manolo Blahniks”
Dear Manolo,
Identify the brands that you like — shoes that look chic and fit well.Open searches on eBay for those brands in your size and desired color; haunt the local DSW; stock up.
Also, befriend your neighborhood shoe-repair guy and get his advice.If the soles and heels tend to wear out, it’s not necessarily because the brand or its materials run down faster; you just wear shoes out quickly, and the shoe-repair shop can advise you on replacement materials with longer lives.
Unfortunately, though, this is now a necessary expense in your working life; your best bet is to buy up a bunch of pairs of the moderately-priced shoes you already dig at a discount, because there isn’t really a robo-pair that will never wear out in the specific fashion you describe.Some premium brands hold up better on the inside than, say, Rocket Dog, whose inner soles last maybe two wearings before shredding — but it sounds to me like you mean wear to the parts that come in contact with the ground, and short of parking your tootsies on a desk whenever possible, there’s only so much you can do about that.
Go online to Martha Stewart or another similar site and look for tips on taking care of your shoes when you aren’t wearing them.Try to be mindful of gravel and other harsh walking surfaces, and route around them when you can.Ask your repair guru if he has a tougher (or rubberized) heel tip that allows more miles put on it.But…this is the life you have chosen.Heh.
My readers may have insights that I, living in Birks and Old Navy flip-flops from May to October, do not.Readers?
Tags: Ask The Readers Manolo Blahnik retail Rocket Dog
Yes to all of Sars’ suggestions about finding a good shoe repair shop – I’m picking up a pair of shoes that are in for new heels tomorrow. Make sure that you find a repair person who knows what he (or she) is doing – either go with recommendations from a well-shod friend, or the tip from a shoe seller (boutique, not Macy’s). You don’t want to turn over you favorite pair and discover after the work is done that they don’t really know how to do the job right. (Also, old stores with old cobblers seem to do the best work – they wouldn’t still be in business if they didn’t know their stuff.)
While you can probably coax more life out of your shoes, my experience is that Nine West and Bandolinos (which are made by the same company) are not very long-lived shoes. Most of them are made in China, and while you can pretty readily pop on a new heel or another coat on the sole, they weren’t designed to work well for long-term heavy duty wear.
Some of the brands which are made in Europe tend to be better made, and a shoe that was properly made in the first place will tend to hold up better over time, and are often better suited for repairs. You don’t have to spend $800 on a pair, but you might need to spend more to get a better made shoe.
My personal favorite for shoes are John Fluevog. Yes, some of the shoes are on the wacky side, but he also produces a lot of more “conservative” colors and shapes that can work well with a professional outfit. I’m a lawyer, his shoes are pretty much all that I wear. If you have a Fluevog store near you, I’d strongly recommend that you go try on the shoes – there can be some sizing variation among different lines, and the folks at the store (as well as your own feet) will tell you if the shoe runs narrow, fits small, is best on a wide foot, etc. I can say that my Fluevogs are super comfortable, wear well, and have done well with repairs (such as new heels). Fluevog makes replacement heels and soles for some of his shoes.
Ultimately, you need to try more shoes and see what works for you, but if you need to upgrade your shoes, be selective about it – think about how the leather will wear over time, see how the shoe works for you, then decide whether you’ve found the right brand for your needs.
Definitely make friends with a nearby cobbler. You’ll need extra pairs to wear while the others are being fixed.
For comfort, I recommend inserts of various types. And I know you’re not into comfort brands, but the Naturalizer shoes can come in very cute styles. I have a strappy pair of black Naturalizers I wear to every wedding and I love to dance but have never had to remove my shoes from discomfort.
How about ballroom dance shoes? I don’t know if they’re somehow made different but I figure they’re meant to take a beating. Check on eBay.
Extra advice that you didn’t ask for: Don’t wear the same pair of shoes more than one day in a row, switch them out. That gives them time to dry out between wearings. I try to wear each pair only once a week.
@ Manolo,
I wear an impossible-to-find size 13 AA and have my husband’s blessing to buy immediately and without concern for price when I find an attractive pair that fit (attractive being key-apparently many shoe makers believe that size 13 tall women must wear men’s sneakers or something more appropriate for retirement home living. In 1962).
Anyway, I have some Bandolino-type shoes as well, but also a few pair of expensive Italian shoes which are no longer being manufactured in a 13 N (dammit) but that are still stylish and look new. I have indeed made friends with the local shoe repairman and I have him put on an extra layer of hard rubber on the sole at the ball of the foot, and also a heelcap. When those surfaces wear down I get a do-over and keep using the same shoes. I know they won’t last forever but as long as I take care of the upper and heel, this system extends the life of the shoe immensely. The rubber also absorbs more shock when walking on those hard surfaces. Good luck!
For comfort, try to find the Cole Haan Nike Air line. They run about $200 when they’re on sale and they don’t look at all like “comfort” shoes.
Huge second to the Cole Haan suggestion. They’re classic, cute, and very well-made. DSW.com occasionally sells some pairs at a deep discount, too!
I think you’ll find that the toes won’t scuff or scrub off the leather as much if you find shoes that are a little less pointy. I own pointy toed pumps, some with sharper points than others, and other rounded or squared (a square-ish toe on a high heel pump looks great with business attire, imo) heels, and the tips of the pointy toes wear off faster than anything. You can replace heels and soles, but the toes are harder.
I third or fourth the suggestion to find a good shoe repair person, and if you really prefer ultrapointed toes, maybe take a new pair to him before the leather is scrubbed off and ask what he suggests to prevent the problem? Maybe he can attach some extra sole under the point or something? I’ve never tried it, but I would guess that kind of pointy-toe-rot might be able to be prevented more easily than it can be fixed.
As a fan of high heels, I can tell you that fit matters much more than price.
I agree that the first thing you need to do is find a good cobbler. Once you do, take your new shoes in before you wear them, explain your work situation, and ask what they can do to make them last longer. I might also invest in some insoles and whatever other padding makes them more comfortable.
@Jessica H-K: Ballroom dance shoes are built to last, but they are only meant to be worn indoors. Also, they generally take a little more time to break in.
For the actual shoe-shopping, I can’t recommend http://www.endless.com highly enough. Their search function lets you narrow down the dizzying number of shoe options to just what fits your needs (including heel height and price range); many shoes are offered at decent-to-deep discount; and you can get free overnight shipping on lots of styles. Also, there’s a no-questions-asked returns policy if the shoe you buy doesn’t live up to your hopes once it’s on your foot.
And no, I don’t work for them…but if they’d like to give me a kickback in the form of a free pair or two, I’d take it.
Sofft brand shoes are wonderful and can take a beating.
http://www.zappos.com/womens-sofft
Definitely make friends with a nearby cobbler.
Preferably one involving in-season fresh fruit.
(My little Friday joke, I make it.)
Depending on your home-to-work setup, could you look into getting a comfy pair of walking shoes? Yes yes, the power suit + sneakers look – but those sneakers will do wonders in terms of keeping your work shoes in top shape for as long as possible. If you drive a lot, don’t wear your heels whilst doing so; it puts pressure on a part of the shoe that is not exactly desinged for that (the back of the right heel, and possibly the left as well if you drive a clutch), and they’ll get scratched all to hell, to boot. No pun intended.
For some reason many people believe it is illegal to drive bare foot – this could possibly vary from state-to-state, but the only laws I’ve found about driving footwear no-nos were for high heels, and flipflops. Give the ol’ pointy toes a rest when you can, is what I’m saying. I know nothing of shoe repair, but then I just started my own schmancy job, so I should just bookmark this page now. :)
I second the Fluevog suggestion. They’re an investment, but I’ve been wearing the mine for years, and the leather holds up really well. The heals are rubber, and do wear down over time, but replacements are about $3. The Fluevog store in Chicago will even send them out to a cobbler for you.
I second the Fluevog recommendation.
I also recommend the cobbler route. In addition, I just saw a story this morning about a new line of Kenneth Cole shoes that have a redesigned upper – so that you can wear the heels, but have a lot more support for the ball of your foot and the arch. Don’t know how well they would hold up to the mean streets, but it stands to reason that if they are designed for you to walk longer in them, they’ve got to be a little tougher. . .right?
I third the suggestion of John Fluevogs. I’ve only ever bought sandals and boots from them, so I can’t speak to the comfort of their pumps, but I’ve gotten more compliments on my Fluevogs than on any other shoes I’ve ever worn, and the sandals have the most comfortable 3.5″ heel ever. I wore them at my wedding, and at the end of the day, after hours of standing and dancing, my feet only hurt a little, and that was because I’m not used to wearing heels.
Also, the Fluevog stores occasionally have incredible sales. I got my boots for $68, and their original cost was over $400. Highly, highly recommended.
Seconding the general note to buy well-made… Birks being a case in point. I have scoliosis and fussy feet, and will wear Birkenstocks to far more places than I really should (i.e., drawing repeated dirty looks from bosses whose footwear policies they offend.) The point is, they’re they’re so well-made that they repair well and last forever with care. That follows for super-classy dress shoes as well. Buy the best quality you can and do make good friends with a top-quality cobbler ( … I prefer peaches, thanks!)
And, I realize your profession may demand otherwise, but consider a lower heel for general comfort. As long as it works with your image, that’ll do wonders in the comfort department and may close the gap between “killer looks” and “kills the feet.”
‘Course, you’re talking to a gal whose spine is shaped like a question mark, so I do get weird stresses on my feet that you probably don’t. Your mileage may vary… good luck!!
Thirding/fourthing the Fluevogs. He does a nice range of styles/colors/heels etc. If you live in a city with a store, so much the better, because then you can see what really works for you.
I used to work in the city of Boston, and destroyed a number of high heels on those cobblestone streets. Back in the day, a lot of us wore sneakers to work and changed our shoes when we got to the office. Now I would recommend flip flops, unless you’re with clients or your boss, of course. They slip into the average sized purse, so you can easily change shoes on the go.
I found that wearing heels with a more substantial heel holds up better in the mean streets than the tiny stilleto heels that I love so much. I definitely agree that you should find a great shoe repair person, since $5-7 to repair your shoes is certainly more economical than $80 for a new pair.
I took a pile of work shoes to a shoe repair guy once and asked him what brands would fare better in terms of the soles and heel tips wearing out. He told me that the real problem is that the vast majority of women’s dress shoes are just not made for holding up on anything abrasive, like sidewalks – and that the brand didn’t really matter so much so long as it fit (apparently shoes can get extra wear on the soles when they slide around on your foot or are too tight, as either scenario affects your gait). He put little grippy pads on the soles and new heel caps on the heels and that helped immensely.
In terms of comfort and look, I heartily add my support to the recs for the Cole Haan Air line. Really lovely, and really comfortable. Also Naturalizers, if you can set aside your ideas about “comfort” brands long enough to actually try them on. Seriously, you have to go into this with an open mind, or you’re going to end up with sore feet/legs/back.
I agree with everyone who said Fluevog–also look at shoes made by Frye (I absolutely covet all of their boots), Stuart Weitzman, and Prada’s Linea Rosso, which is their lower-end line, but is made incredibly well and looks fab. I went through a Kate Spade phase, but her shoes can fall apart kind of quickly through really regular wear, and I am hard on my shoes.
For the pocketbook, I signed up with Shopittome.com, where I can input what brands and what kinds of clothing/shoes/accessories I like and they send me a list via email of when those things are on sale and where. I don’t have time to shop, so it is awesome to be able to just click through and buy.
If you have wider feet, one of the reasons that your pointy toes are wearing off is that you’re having to buy a bigger size to accommodate your width, but then the toes don’t fit right and scrape and bend. If you have wider feet you may want to go with a rounder toe. (That bent-up elf toe look is NOT attractive …)
I fifteenth the “find a good cobbler” and “try eBay” recommendations … don’t forget you get maximum benefit if you take the shoes to the cobbler BEFORE you wear them for pre-emptive fixing!
Also, if your inbox can handle it get on the sale announcements email list for 9 West and Bandolino, if that’s what you like.
You can get new caps put on the heels when they wear down to the nails. And I’ve also started having the shoe repair guy add really durable soles to the shoes that have a little lip that comes up and covers a little bit of the pointy toe. You can’t really notice that little lip is there but it takes the abuse (like hitting the toe when you’re walking up the stairs) instead of the shoe.
I’ve done this with pretty good success with shoes that cost between $70 and $400. And the re-soling and new heel caps costs me around $30, so its still less than a new pair of shoes.
I can’t help with finding heels–sorry!–but as someone with a closet full of swing/ballroom/theater shoes, I can advise you AGAINST them.
True, ballroom dance shoes are supposed to provide more support than, say, your average stiletto, but they’re *really* not designed for everyday wear or long periods of standing around. They won’t hold up. Also, the soles are meant to help you glide & spin over hardwood floors; depending on the shoe, they are made out of either suede or hard leather. (I nearly ruined my favorite pair of suede Aris Allens by walking across a concrete sidewalk during a dance festival.)
And another thing: as far as shoes go, they’re pretty fugly. Many of the shoes are made from fake or inferior leather, and a lot of the practice models look like heeled orthopedic shoes.
I second the recommendation of Endless. I find their site WAY easier to navigate than zappos, and the prices are usually better.
I have had excellent luck with my Franco Sarto pumps. They are cute, professional, super comfortable, and durable. I’ve walked 60 blocks at a time in them, and they don’t give me blisters. When the heels wear down (as any shoe will do eventually), I plan to take them to the cobbler.
I’m addicted to Miz Mooz shoes. I have three pairs in different colors, and they come with an extra heel thingie (so that when you wear one out, you can replace it!). Mine also came with extra buckles, because they were mary-jane style shoes. The particular ones I have are a few years old, so they’re not on the website anymore, but I can tell you that the part of the shoe that is where the ball of my foot goes is also rubber-soled (subtly, you can’t tell from looking at them). When I bought them, the guy at the store said that the brand was immensely popular with teachers, because they stand so much and don’t have a lot of disposable income.
sorry – just to update, the style I own are the Miz Mooz Patty shoes – they’re available at the retailer, just not being showcased on the main site. $89. I own them in black, brown and green.
Not having needed or wanted that type of footwear for a few years, I can’t recommend any brands. What I can suggest is looking at the sole of the shoe.
Most soles are thin layers glued together and then glued to the upper. Look for a shoe whose sole is stitched together and to the upper; cobblers can repair the sole of that shoe. Well made men’s shoes are made this way and I recall seeing this on some more expensive womens shoes when I was looking.
A good cobbler can change your life! I am REALLY hard on shoes–I walk a lot for work, and seem to put my weight on my heels, and my cobbler has saved my favorite shoes innumerable times. A cobbler will replace the soles and heels with something much more durable. You also may want to look at Aerosoles. They’re not terribly expensive, they put up with a lot of abuse, and they have some really cute looks. Please don’t wear sneakers with your suits–find a few nice neutral flats if you want to swap out shoes for the commute!
A good cobbler/shoe repair is a must. You get get the toes and heels and soles replaced with sturdier stuff early on, and it helps. Also, I buy most of my heels at Marshalls/TJ Maxx so I can spend the money to either (a) repair them or (b) replace them frequently. I haven’t noticed that full price shoes or more expensive brands last longer. Also, I love the iFlex line from Anne Klein. I have a couple pairs of those and they are superior to almost everything else I own – comfortable and cute.
I have worked as a cobbler, for a brief time in the 80s… Nearly any kind of sole can be added to your current shoes – you might try a sort of gummy cushy one, glued on, a tiny bit smaller than the actual sole of your shoe so that the dorkiness of that particular sole doesn’t show. I did this to my own shoes and while the new added soles stuck on beautifully to most shoes, they kept peeling off this one pair, so I stitched them in place. I also made extra heel taps (They sort of look like a dull thumbtack – the little rubber heel tip has a metal spike in the center that goes up into the heel itself.) by putting them on the shoe and grinding them to fit, then removing them & making another set, keeping one set as a spare. In an emergency I could yank out the busted/worn off heel tap with pliers & tap in the new one with a hammer, or by hammering the shoe against a brick wall or something. Yes, I’m a brute who abuses shoes…but I was comfy!
I no longer wear heels much, so there may be better solutions available in this century, but do befriend a cobbler – they can work miracles sometimes, and repair/rework is SO much cheaper than replacement!
@Driver B, I second the Kenneth Cole recommendation. I am unfamiliar with the new line, but I have been wearing selections from his Reaction line for comfy but fancy all-day work functions for years with great success.
I also want to sing the praises of Aerosoles. Yes, they are a “comfort” brand, BUT they have made a lot of design changes in the past few years, and now the majority of my shoes come from them. They are really comfortable, stylish, affordable, and long-wearing. The only disadvantage to wearing them in my line of works is that almost every other woman in my office ALSO wears them for the same reasons, so we all run the risk of showing up at an event wearing the same shoes.
Fluevog Fluevog Fluevog! I currently have about 15 pair. They wear really well, and more importantly, you can get a pair of stunning heels that don’t kill your feet.
You mentioned pointy toes, so you might not like this line of Fluevogs, but the Mini family (very round toe) is extremely comfortable and never fails to get noticed. I have worn my Mini Lily Darlings for 8+ hours of walking on mostly concrete surfaces and was just starting to get foot fatigue at the end of the day. Another line that is very comfy with a lower heel and a shaped toe is the Wearever; I have the Arigato and the Takk (no longer available I think). There are some great discount prices on the Friends line right now; it’s another very comfortable heel with a retro look. My only quibble with this line is that it doesn’t have a replaceable heel cap; my pair is starting to look a bit ragged at the edge of the heel (after about 2 years of frequent wear), and I’m not sure how or if I can fix it. The Teapots are another line of heels with an interesting shape, but a bit more conservative up top.
As someone mentioned before, fit is a bit smaller in Fluevogs. I normally take a 10, but in most of the heels I take a 10.5. The Teapots are an exception as the 10.5 is too long. Try them on in a store if you can. If you can’t, ask questions about fit online; they are really good about helping you out that way.
I ran a mention on the Kenneth Cole shoes that came out today in my own (morning show, obvs, GAH) newscast. Here’s the link to the Good Morning America story:
http://tinyurl.com/mh8sq8
It doesn’t tell you much re: wear and tear, but seems like they might actually address the comfort issue. If I remember correctly, they run about $135-170.
@ Manolo — I hate shoes and even when I try to get it together for a day or night, I fall apart completely. I’m not meant for glamour. But I would recommend checking out an outlet mall if you have one within driving distance. You can get a lot of really nice, quality brand clothing and shoes for a lot less.
@Sars — “My readers may have insights that I, living in Birks and Old Navy flip-flops from May to October, do not.” — I am so. JEALOUS. That sounds like heaven.
I agree with whoever said not to wear heels on a sidewalk unless you have to (do you have to leave your building often during business hours?If so maybe you want to go with a lower heel in general instead). I have destroyed very well made heels on cobblestone sidewalks, and it’s always a pity when that happens.
Just get a pair of comfortable black low heels that look nice with most of what you won, and that that can take a lot of pounding, and use them in your commute to and from work. Not only will that prolong the life of your high heels, it will give your feet a much needed break (and I speak from experience, at some point I was wearing heels all the time, and developed a plethora of foot ailments that are gone now that I pretty much only wear heels for weddings and other special occasions). Heels are not created with your comfort in mind, the whole idea is to showcase the foot, not necessarily to pamper it. So give yourself a break from them whenever you can.
Also seconding the “never wear heels while you drive to and from work” if you drive to work. It just puts pressure on areas of your feet that you do not need (see above), and it does not help in the wear and tear department.
The key, I think, is to buy a few pairs of well made comfortable shoes, along with a stylish messenger bag big enough to house any given pair comfortably, rotate the pair that gets to ride to work in the bag quite often so no pair gets more wear and tear than the others, and let the “utility” flats do most of the real walking.
Hey just a heads up for all the Fluevog love. I just hit the main site and found 2 pairs of shoes my size (11/12 depending) for $124 TOTAL. That INCLUDES shipping!! TWO pairs!!!!
@LongTallSally – I feel you on the ugly shoe issue. Just because they are big doesn’t mean that can’t look fabulous too.
Best shoes for working, without a doubt: Ferragamo. They’re expensive, yes, but they last forever, and are the most comfortable heels you’ll ever wear. Their look is very old lady chic, which isn’t for everybody, but they’re classic, that will look great and cause a good impression without being flashy. Your feet will thank you. Try buying them on sale.
Ditto on the Naturalizer recommendation. I’ve found a lot of excellent and stylish looking heels there. My personal favourites are my knee high, pointy-toed black leather boots. They are the most comfortable heels I have ever owned and look very stylish and appropriate in a corporate or government work setting, particularly when paired with a nice pin-stripey charcoal gray skirt and matching blazer. They also hold up well to the elements, I’ve put my pair through abuse and then some. As in pounding the downtown pavement in the dead of winter in -30 with windchill (-30 Celcius, I’m a Canuck) during a snow storm.
I *HATE* wearing heels–they look so great, but I am a creature of comfort, what can I say–but I bought a pair of pointy black Aerosoles as my go-to fancypants heels a couple of years ago and I have to say, they are pretty great. I know you say you don’t like the comfort brands, but have you really looked at the comfort brands lately? They truly don’t look any more “comfort” than any other shoe these days, and boy can your feet tell the difference.
Definitely seconding Fluevogs, though, some seasons are better for things you can pull off with a suit than others. I still have about 10 pairs of them, after wearing two pairs completely out (top, not sole.)
Naturalizers are a yay, Cole Haan Nike Airs are a yay (and definitely something you can wear on a commute). Aerosoles are a yay, and there are some that aren’t so ugly.
Like everyone else said–talk to a shoe repairperson and see what they can do for you.
Do not give up on comfort lines! I know that they used to always be hideous nun shoes, but those lines – Naturalizer has really rocked it out on this front – have figured out that the nun shoe design is not necessary and have started throwing up a lot of SUPER nice stuff.
Another shout-out for Fluevogs. I’ve had pairs last a decade with judicious rationing and sole replacements. They’re sizing can be a little wonky, generally running small, but when they fit, they it’s like walking on supportive marshmallows.
And…if you’re working in fancy PR, you get extra points for non-department store kicks!
I love love LOVE high heels and wear them all the time. I was absolutely convinced that Manolo Blahnik/Louboutins would be more durable for the price. While they are absolutely beautiful and I love them, they are no more durable than my Nine West shoes (I have about 15 pairs of their heels). I fortunately live close to a couple of Nine West Outlet stores and have bought my favorite shows multiple times on sale. They are typically $49.99 then you can get the second one for half price- that way I can wear them out and have a back up! If that’s not an option, the cobbler/shoe repairman have saved my faves more than once. Good luck!!
I can’t recommend Aerosoles — my only pair of Aerosoles is a simple pair of black slides I bought last summer, and the bottom layer has already cracked. As in, busted open! Bleh.
These are my favorite all-day pumps. I jokingly call them my Minnie Mouse shoes, but they’re perfect for work and I am also on my feet quite a bit. Endless only has them in a size 6, but maybe you can find a pair elsewhere? Good luck!
I just want to chime in on the Fleuvog suggestions. Decently priced for designer shoes, breaks in quickly, lasts a very long time under grueling conditions (I take long walks in my loafers and flat sandals regularly) and look fabulous. Also, they have sales regularly. I don’t normally care about designers or expensive shoes, but here, you’re getting what you pay for in a very good way.
I love this letter, and these comments. I’m a lawyer at a big corporate law firm, which means I have to wear a suit and pumps every day. I can get away with a cute and slightly funky/hip style, but they have to be closed-toed. And, at 5’2″, I don’t do anything with less than a 2″ heel. I am lucky in that I have easy to fit feet, so my comfort standards (aka pain threshold) might be a little different than most ladies’, but I’m a big fan of Nine West and Naughty Monkey brands. Both brands run in the $70 – $100 range, and while I could afford more expensive shoes, I find these just as comfortable and even if they are slightly less durable, I don’t feel bad buying a couple of pairs if I find a style I’m especially fond of.
I’m a particularly big fan of Naughty Monkey. Some of the styles are really out there, but they have a lot of fun styles that let me express my individuality and are still appropriate to wear in court. And, with the exception of the super high 4″ heels, they are ridiculously comfortable. I often spend 12-16 hours at work, and a lot of the day is spent running around the office, to clients’ offices, and to the courthouse, and I rarely have sore or tired feet. I primarily shop Endless.com. Oh, and Naught Monkeys tend to run a bit large. I’m between a 6.5 and 7 and wear a 7 in most brands, but I always buy 6.5 in Naughty Monkey.
I’m loving reading everyone’s suggestions, and just ordered a pair of Fluevogs–the Teapot style.
I work on a University campus – cobblestones everywhere so have developed some techniques fro saving my wallett and my feet.
1. Work out the shoes that best fit your feet – it may mean spending slightly more than NW but is worth it
2. Buy in bulk – my fav designer (am in Aus so prob wont help you) has an outlet store and I go there 3 – 4 times a year and buy about six pairs (it costs me about $350)
3. Before wearing take each pair to a trusted cobbler and get extra grip, plates under the toes and rubber on the heels.
4. Do not wear a pair of shoes more than twice a week (this is good for your feet and the shoes)
5. shell out on the appropriate shoe trees etc and every week make sure you wipe over all your shoes etc – this way you can pick up on maintainence before a heel breaks.
6. Love ballet flats – I have several pairs for long walks and they save me many hours of shoe repair and physio.
7. Take it easy, when I was a young PR grad about 10 years ago I wore high heels religiously, thinking I needed to to be taken seriously, but eventually learned that hobbling in a foyer doesnt help. make sure you give your feet at least three days a week off stupid heels and see a podiatrist and chirpoadist reguarly to ensure you arent doing any long term damage – I’ve got arthritis in my right knee, not caused by heels necesarily, but certainly not helped
Have to join the Fluevog chorus, I now own 8 pair, and got all but two on eBay. I wore my vinyl zip-up Lift-Off boots for 18+ hours last Mardi Gras, stumbling around on cobblestone streets, in and out of bars, along parade routes, up and down stairs, etc. At the end of it all, I was fine! His shoes are seriously amazing. Also, the website is having a big sale right now, so check them out!
http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w=sale
The Minis are especially fantastic, as are the Lift=Offs (no longer made but occasionally on eBay!)
Just to make sure, I wanted to ALSO nix the dance shoe idea. Besides the fact that the styles generally either look like, well, something you’d wear out dancing (i.e. strappy), and the “practice” shoes look orthopedic, the soles are really thin, so that you can “feel” the hardwood floor with your feet. Pretty much the opposite of what you want.
However, I CAN agree with:
1. Find a cobbler. Had some of my shoes rescued over and over again.
2. The Kenneth Cole line.
3. Finding sales, and just buying extra shoes. Nine West outlet has great deals.
*off to check out Fluevog*
I second everyone above who recommended using a cobbler–no need to toss out a shoe because the heel or sole is worn. I’m trying to get in the habit of taking new shoes in for toe taps, etc. before I even wear them once.
But mostly I just wanted to add a shoutout for Clarks brand shoes. In my opinion their professional styles are much better looking than Aerosoles/Naturalizer, and just as comfy.
Ugh! Not to bash on all the Fluevog lovers, but if girlfriend is wearing Nine West and Bandolino she’s not going to go for the comedy curvy heel and bumptoe of Fluevog.
The most comfortable pair of heels I own (and I am a high heel fanatic) are from Clarks- it’s not just the store for grannies now, they make really nice, fashionable heels and wedges that are super comfy.