The Vine: November 11, 2011
I need shoes. I’ve been a student for a long time, but now I’m at the point where I can’t wear jeans and running shoes every day. So I need a nice basic pair of shoes I can wear every day. The problem is I also have to wear heavy-duty prescription orthotics. This means I have to wear flats, and most “supportive” walking shoes are deeply, deeply, hideous. And clunky, expensive, go with nothing, and HIDEOUS.
What I’m looking for is an attractive, comfortable shoe I can walk in and wear all day. Ideally, I can wear them with a skirt, shorts, or pants (but if I have to I’ll settle for just pants). It needs a thick sole and the shoe itself has to be deep, or have a removable lining so I can put the orthotics in. (The orthotics are hard, curved, plastic, to give you an idea of the depth requirements). For that reason, ballet-flat-type shoes are out. I want something I can wear in all weather, but I live in Canada, so if I had to choose I’d pick non-summer shoes. I already have winter boots, don’t need those.
Budget is a concern, but I’m willing to spend money on one pair of shoes that will last years.
Any suggestions?
Flat-foot and fancy free
Dear Fancy,
Try searching Zappos (or Endless, or your shoe site of choice) for Naot, Keen, and Merrell. I have a pair of Keen maryjanes I wear constantly, and a pair of Clarks wallaby-type black shoes that I wear with skirts and pants. There’s a limit to how dressed-up some of these crunchy-ish shoe brands can get, but if you want everyday work-wear shoes that go between skirts and pants, these shoes should fill the bill. Dr Martens has a few sleeker styles now, more than they used to, and I think the Docs-and-babydoll-dress thing from the early ’90s is coming back in, if you want to take a run at that.
Readers?
Tags: Ask The Readers retail
I’m with Megan on the Dansko clogs and twisting the ankles: I had a pair years ago and did the same thing. Problem was that the heel cup sort of bowed out over time, leaving too much room for my heel to slip around. Had to get rid of them.
I do own a pair of these Danskos, which I like a lot:
http://www.zappos.com/dansko-veda-black-canvas
The lace-up avoids the ankle twist, and I think the canvas makes them more comfortable. Probably better for the addition of orthotics too.
That said I don’t think Danskos will work well with orthotics in general. But I’ve had pair of Merrell Mary Janes for years now, and I think you’ll find they would work well. They’re not dressy, but the are cute and ultra-comfortable, and the insole is removable. And I’m seeing some new, dressier styles of Merrells online.
Footsmart catalog is a good start. I am able to wear their Orthaheel flip flops and not miss my orthotic. Their athletic shoe in black might work with some pants, though. However it isn’t available through Footsmart, only through the Orthaheel website.
Another option you might consider is SAS shoes; many foot doctors swear by them for their patients and they do hold up for a long time. In any case I recommend trying to get 2 pairs of shoes just because it’s healthier if they can actually dry out completely between wearings. I can’t fathom the pair of shoes that could give years of service with daily wearing for those years.
Another suggestion of Docs — there are a lot of non-boot styles now too, in both slip-on (like a clunkier ballet flat) and Mary Janes. And they’re not crazy expensive either! I love these:
http://www.amazon.com/T-U-K-Womens-T1002-Brogue-Mary/dp/B000W8WWZ6/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_2
And these too… but would the toe part be a problem?
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Martens-Womens-Pansy-Flat/dp/B001JQMTVM/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_4
I’m a geriatric social worker in an elderly housing building, so I’m running up and down stairs every day. I have a pair of doc marten mary janes that are flat ( they are have a thick sole though) that I wear ALLLLLLL THE TIME. They are cute, comfortable and dear God in heaven doc martens last forever and day. I’ve bought my first pair when I was 18 and I still have them, and they still hold up and look good and I’m 31 now. So they’re expensive shoes, but well worth it, and some styles never really go out of fashion.