Too old for normcore; hopelessly dowdy woman seeks comfortable yet stylish boots..

[TikkiB]

I've spent the summer pootling around in very untrendy trainers and barefeet but on Monday I start my MA at an college where I know I shall be surrounded by stylish people (it goes with the courses iyswim) and I've belatedly realised I need foot wear.

I used to live in DMs but since developing plantar fascities and general middleagedachyfoot shit, they aren't comfortable.

I want something flat, which laces up, with a cushioned/flexible sole, sort oflike a boxing boot but more substantial.

I am such a dunce when it comes to buying shoes I have no idea where to start. Anyideas gratefully received.

 

[AnnaKarpik]

I realise this is the first response but as a last resort you could look at Hotter.
They have tried to shed their oldwomenfeet image and they make very good shoes even if some of them are not the most beautiful.
I only survived three years of waitressing because of hotter.

 

[cyberfairy]

Fly London have some similar to your needs- also look up Oxygen boots- they have some too- both have small wedges, are dead comfy and go with everything.

 

[quimcunx]

Wouldn't you be better off with a little heel? I'm considering crocs wedge boots as their wedge huarache sandal has done me proud over the summer easing my PF considerably from a place of great discomfort.

 

[Greebo]

If your feet are more or less standard width I agree that Hotter are good. Otherwise, try the footwear section of Simply Be.

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

Wouldn't you be better off with a little heel? I'm considering crocs wedge boots as their wedge huarache sandal has done me proud over the summer easing my PF considerably from a place of great discomfort.

I recently bought some wedges and they do ease my PF quite a bit. Sometimes give me shin splints though

Vans do some trainer boots and they do have some sort of arch support going on inside (much better quality than converse) and you might be able to find a nice pattern or colour to make them less utilitarian and more fun

 

[cyberfairy]

Art shoes are gorgeous too, comfy and colourful- not cheap though.

 

[Rebelda]

Clarks do a selection of not-frumpy shoes with nice squishy insoles. I have some nice cowboy-ish boots from Clarks

 

[moose]

I find Fly are hit and miss. The sizing is weird - I have 2 pairs of the same design in size 6 and 8 - and they are often really wide, but if you get a good pair, they're great.

When I had hip problems last year, I reluctantly bought some Fitflop boots - not the awful shapeless mukluk style, but quite fitted leather ones, and they saved me on a very walky holiday in Venice.

 

[TikkiB]

thank you all. Excellent suggestions. I'm hitting the West End today and am even going to try a little heel. I'dbeen avoiding them because my PF is ultimately caused by my short ham strings (which have led to a pronated arch) but given I've been doing lots of exercises to lengthen them which seem to be helping, i figure I now deserve a little kitten heel, goddamnit.

 

[quimcunx]

I recently bought some wedges and they do ease my PF quite a bit. Sometimes give me shin splints though

Vans do some trainer boots and they do have some sort of arch support going on inside (much better quality than converse) and you might be able to find a nice pattern or colour to make them less utilitarian and more fun

It's always flat shoes that give me shin splints.

 

[moonsi til]

Art do some lovely lace up boots try www.sarenza.co.uk/art

 

[moonsi til]

I like the rover boots at www.rubyshoesdayhebdenbridge.co.uk

 

[clicker]

Never heard of Art shoes before they look gorgeous... Love the boots and sandals . This is going to be expensive . Are they light on the whole? and true to size? I like chunky boots but i want them to weigh like a feather.

 

[TikkiB]

Well, I've just been up and down Neal Street and found nothing I liked apart from some Vans which I bought. Thank you ShiftyBagLady as i would never have thought about looking at them. I can't find a picture if them but they are grey/blue suede and pretty smart.

Think I will have a go at the online thing next - some of the Ruby Tuesday look good.

 

[cyberfairy]

Never heard of Art shoes before they look gorgeous... Love the boots and sandals . This is going to be expensive . Are they light on the whole? and true to size? I like chunky boots but i want them to weigh like a feather.

I find them good to size but boyfriend reckons they come up slightly large. Dead comfy, the women's shoes are quite solid also without being overly heavy, the men solid yet soft and comfy. Last a good while and have had people stop me in the street to ask where they are from. I try to ebay them as not cheap but they are quite popular- still managed to get a worn pair in good nick for under a tenner though- the p and p can add a lot though as weigh a fair bit. My boyfriend can go on a good hike in them but wear them to work...