Just got feet, don't got SHOES

I had bunion surgery on both feet about two weeks apart. I stubbornly refused to wear the boot cast more than four days or to wear the shoe cast on the one foot once I had the boot on the other. I wore orthopedic Crocs for awhile until my feet healed and then I wore various types of black maryjane comfort shoes, which is what I wore anyway. Now I can wear (lower) heels (I can go a little higher with platforms) at work although I won't commute in them.

My favorite shoes comfort wise are these Sketcher sneakers for ultra marathons (pause for laughter) but they are seriously so comfortable I don't even care how ugly they are. I also like Arcopedico as a brand (they have some very bunion friendly shoes), and certain Clarks.

My main foot issue now is plantar fasciitis so that fucking sucks. Hence the hideous Sketchers.

Try putting 3/4 insoles in you Chucks since they have no arch support. Pedag makes good ones and I like these Walgreens brand for the PF - http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-men%27s-tri-balance-gel-orthotic-inserts-8-12/ID=prod6188307-product

Also Vionic and Spenco make good slippers/sandals with a lot of support, which helps.

Sincerely,

Long Term Recipient of the Footsmart Catalog

Let's quit our jobs and start a company for awesome-looking, yet bunion-friendly, footwear.

Oh wait I already quit my job so ummmmmm you're gonna have to come up with the start-up funds. Sorry.

OH WAIT KICKSTARTER

bring it

Stevie my husband had the same problem with shoes wearing out no matter how expensive. You have to pick the right sole. I think shoes are generally more expensive in the US but he bought a pair of expensive (ish - like $150) boots and a pair of rugged sneaker type things to alternate. But then saw loads of other potentially suitable ones (like Fly London) and got them cheap off Ebay.

Btw if you want unusual ones that won't be at all practical, have a look at Irregular Choice

Stevie, on other shoes maybe a suede or leather ankle boot – chelsea, chukka or desert – in a darker brown or reddish brown? They're pretty flexible, and could fill out a wingtip/black formal/sneaker set. On-budget, I'd say shop around for clarks, but a) there's probably uk-> us mark-up that'll make them poor value, and b) their desert boot at least is narrow, so it's a bit clown-shoe on me if I buy to width.

I am wide-footed and high-arched and was a chronic wearer-through of shoes, but I started making a bit more money a couple of years back & bought a (to me) frighteningly expensive pair of brogue boots w/ commando sole. They've been really tough and comfortable, work with most things short of a suit and are ageing really nicely. They are my favourite shoes ever.

s, i would second the recommendation of suede if you are intent on staying under $100/pair, it will age better than cheap leather. beyond that you have the right idea in terms of buying several pairs and rotating them--cheap shoes kinda are what they are in terms of useful life but you can spread out the wear and tear.

one other rec if i may, consider going to a real mens shoe store like an allen edmonds and have them measure you, if you know your "actual" size and width it may help you out in hunting for deals with brands that make more traditional shoes and have several width options. even if you have no intention of looking online or for pricier stuff now it is good info to have for the future.

Stevie my more stylish half has taken great interest in your shoe sitch and has proposed that these may be worth looking at:

http://www.jackerwin.com/

He actually just bought a pair so that he can assess them, will report back.

Those Jack Erwin are nice classic designs… but they're pushing suggested budget + online only, which means no trying on for a potentially odd fit.

(also I find them using UK sizing a bit odd)

btw self-censored in my previous post. Didn't mention that I since bought some more good shoes, and have been fascinated by the world of the Northampton bench-made goodyear-welted shoe.

And now the Jack Erwin thing has led me into world of spanish-made men's fancy shoes & I have wasted an hour reading styleforum and askandy threads about Meermin, and potential bargains coming from the slide of the Euro, dammit let go of shoes

i own two pairs of meermins, highly recommended.

wtf?

http://i.imgur.com/3ibBYsu.jpg

loool

my friend in college bought a pair of 6-inch platform sneakers ie hello-Ginger-Spice & I just about died laughing when she walked into my room

they were the funniest things

I saw someone on the train Friday wearing high heel platform Velcro Reeboks! Like the Reeboks I always associated with waitressing jobs. Definitely not my cup of soup but she was working it.

they just reissued the stan smith in a premium edition, thank god, none of that "neo white" fake leather bullshit like they pulled last year

http://www.thegoodwillout.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/d/adidas_stan_smith_ftw_white_green_b24364_4_.jpg

also of note: stan smith "update" with neoprene sockliner

http://image.rakuten.co.jp/mexico/cabinet/crossmall018/b25850_01.jpg

ooh nice

not feeling that...hole?...in the tongue

strange, right?

i'm not sure why they put that there and if it will look good or not, i picked up the first pair i posted but not the updates

really thinking about it though

If that hole in the tongue is for keeping it straight by putting the laces through it then it's a pretty good idea.

lol @ the url that looks like "jacker win"

CaD, what Meermins do you have? I'm now v tempted by a pair of the dark brown crust calf boots come payday - not much to match them at the €/£ exchange rate.

i have the captoe oxford in black and the double monk in snuff suede. they're both actually the same last i can't comment on like a wider range of styles but they're great quality shoes--right there with allen edmonds or loake 1880 for a lot less money. very good ordering process and tho i don't have the scratch to seriously look at it the crowdsourcing thing they're doing is really really cool.

uuuuuugh searching for sandals is making me crazy. the ones that are comfortable enough to walk in all have reviews like "loved these at Disney with my Grands!" and the very few ones that I like are all a stupid ton of money.

i'm on the verge of buying platform jelly sandals.

I'm with you! With the added complication of having size 11 feet and needing the kind of shoes that grandmas wear to Disney.

I've actually got these sitting in my Amazon cart.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71QOpVjt1nL._UX575_.jpg

:|

like these aren't BAD i just worry that i'll wear out the sole within like 2 wearings
http://www.zappos.com/gabriella-rocha-sabrina-blue?zlfid=191&ref=pd_sims_sdp_1

http://a2.zassets.com/images/z/3/1/0/8/0/5/3108054-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

i can't even tell what's ugly anymore
they are all ugly

the ones i really wanted were these but they are $250 jelly sandals with rhinestones on them :(
http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/2/4/9/1/0/7/2491074-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

Those blue ones are fine! Very cute.

I am not a fan of the jellies but that's probably because all I see when I look at them is about six different kinds of horrible foot pain.

there's no way in hell i'm buying those pieces of crap, i just like them
maybe the blue ones are alright

Someone took me to a shoestore called Marmi last week and bought me some sandals--have not yet worn them bc of appalling state of my toenails but I hope to fix that soon. I want to go back and buy 10 more things!

The store focuses on low and mid heels, incl some verrrry chic wedges, and I know they carry larger sizes bc the person I was with wears an 11.

I got these: http://shop.marmishoes.com/kileen.html

worishofer shoes are comfortable - most them look like grandma shoes at first glance but REALLY think it depends what you wear them with (these were a kate78 suggestion, which i took her up on, and i wore them around paris!)

i have these ones
http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/8/9/5/1/6/1895163-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

which i wore with dark blue skinny jeans and loose summer tops

I couldn't bring myself to get those ugly Clarks so I went with these ugly sandals instead:

http://i21.twenga.com/fashion/womens-wedges/easy-spirit-black-boathouse-tp_1220965899486951729f.jpg

Also got these: http://www.amazon.com/Spenco-Kholo-Floral-Slide-Sandals/dp/B00IBD7WM2

I like those Worishofers a lot. I think the heel may be too much for me for doing a lot of walking but they would be great summer work shoes.

btw CaD 2 months ago, I did get a pair of Meermins - dark brown crust calf boots. They're very nice & breaking in well. I don't think the construction is perfect - a little below loake 1880s maybe (they cost a little less, sort of - I'm in the UK, not too hard to find 1880s under rrp). But they're def high-q boots, good value.

Born makes SOME flatformy shoes that are non-hideous?? If you can find a style you don't hate, you know they will be comfy. These are the ones I have; they are pretty boring but I <3 wearing them.

http://www.casualshoesp.com/images/pm/sandals/153/2496037-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

On the impractical side of the spectrum, I got these Jeffrey Campbell ones (for $40! yeah!) when I want to feel like I'm in the early days of ABBA

http://www.superflydeluxe.com/26495-thickbox_lion/jeffrey-campbell-sandali-peasy-leather-blue.jpg

yeah i looked at those! born is my brand of choice because my last sandals were so good, but i can't wear a shoe that heavy on an everyday basis. it just kinda overwhelms my whole self and makes me feel like i'm teetering around (?) --> i can't move about freely. they didn't have any ones that i liked and could also see myself wearing regularly

i thought i could handle these blue ones but i woke up this morning and put them on and was just like no

Loooove those Abba shoes.

Was "flatform" a typo or is that a thing?

i got these and i think i'm gonna keep them
(sending the blue ones back, they were really just not my style now or ever)
they're attractive enough and don't hurt

http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/3/1/2/9/0/1/3129016-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

they're platformy but don't look like buildings strapped to my feet

i love those!

i really want a pair of swedish hasbeens but they're way too expensive

http://www.magnifeco.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/swedish-hasbeens-peeptoe_high.jpg

'flatform' has long been a thing on asos

I bought some Sweedish hasbeens last summer but they were too tight. They sometimes have really good sales. I want to try for another pair this year. I love them so much.

i love those!

i really want a pair of swedish hasbeens but they're way too expensive

🗻

Omg Justine where do they sell these things of glory?

Zappos, Amazon, not sure where else but I think they're pretty big so not too hard to find?

Awesome. Thanks!

I picked up these in the rain last week because the cheap sneaks I was wearing had holes in the bottom. So I got ones that have holes in the top instead.

http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod12/dw/image/v2/AACA_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-ninewest-Site/Sites-ninewest-catalog/default/dw79c48017/products/PG.NWBADABING.JJ0BDA4.PZ.jpg?sw=450&sh=450

Ooh I like them!

just ordered a pair of worishofers :D

i hope they fit! my feet desperately need comfy sandals this summer, cannot handle any more flat unsupportive bullshit garbage shoes

omg shoooooes. I've been trying to find new ones but with little success. I keep shopping with a baby on me so maybe that's my problem haha

I love those blue platform sandals, la lechera! Maybe they just take more practice to get used to? Though lol at having shoes one has to "practice" wearing :/

I have a pair of black leather Teva sandals with a similar cork sole from a few years ago
And they're still going strong and look good! I would recommend to people with bigger feet (I'm a 10) if you can find them.

I've been wearing a cheap pair of white cloth Grasshopper orthopaedic shoes - I think they're cute! And they're comfortable. But they're getting kind of dirty now, though I've cleaned them.

I did buy a pair of slip-on "tropical" patterned Vans the other day! Because they were fun!, 50% off and came in 9.5 which actually fit well (9.5 is just a men's 8 but usually men's shoes are too wide for me but not these!) I wish that those white leather Stan Smiths came in a women's version, like just slightly narrower and with a less tall lace/tongue area, because as it is they make my feet look huge and weird :/ yet when not on my personal feet I love them so much.