Women and shoes are almost synonymous with each other. For women, shoes are more than just protection from the elements. We women consider shoes as jewelry for our feet, a way with which we express ourselves. An edition of Elle Magazine quoted the great Kenneth Cole as saying, “When a woman puts on a pair of shoes in the morning, she’s making a commitment that’s going to last all day.” Those words can never be truer.
Nevertheless, as women age, it becomes harder to find the right pair of shoes. Even if you lived more than half of your life wearing and loving stilettos, time would come when you’d find yourself unable to endure the pain that usually comes with wearing those achingly high shoes. An even bigger cause of concern is the fact that the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists have concluded that even ballet flats can be as bad for the feet as stilettos are, as wearing this puts pressure on the knees, hips, and back. This increases a woman’s chances of developing arthritis. So what should you wear?
Finding your pair
Age and ballet flats aside, women should NEVER stop loving shoes. Giving up stilettos is a grieving process especially if you’ve worn these all your life. However, deciding on the right pair of shoes – that achingly stylish, yet pain-free pair – is bound to leave one in a quandary.
If you ask an orthopedic surgeon, he’ll tell you that ideally, a shoe should have a wide toe box and a narrow heel. Nevertheless, if you ask a woman, she’ll tell you that that kind of shoes is indubitably ugly. If you buy a pair that fits snugly in the heel but is too tight in the toes, you’d be subjecting your feet to damage. On the other hand, if you buy a pair that’s even half a size large to make your toes fit comfortably, your heels would slip out. The choices, or lack thereof, leave you asking, “What should I pick now?”
Comfort
It’s simple, really. Simply look for foot-friendly features in shoes. When you set out to buy a pair or two, make sure you have time in your hands. Shoe shopping should never be done in haste. Certain brands, at every price point, have incorporated features into their shoes that have made their pairs more comfortable. While the idea seems time-consuming, take painstaking care to look for that pair that give you the height and comfort you need. Today’s wedges, platforms, and lower chunky heels add several inches to your height, and at the same time, these styles provide more cushion for your feet since they spread out the impact of each step you take; thus, there’s less pain in your feet. Gabor’s classy heels are a must see!
Won’t bother
Earlier, I mentioned that ballet flats might be bad for your feet, too. However, if you’re left with no other choice, opt for a pair that doesn’t have a toe box that’s too narrow. In addition, make sure that the flats offer great arch support and that the inside seams are well covered to avoid rubbing on your skin, as this could cause blisters. Stuart Weitzman and Michael Kors have flat shoes with padded foot beds and offer plenty of support and shock absorption. Actually, a representative for Stuart Weitzman said that their “brand doesn’t only design sexy shoes for women of all ages but also pays attention to comfort, especially for older women”.
If a pair of shoes is made of soft leather especially around the upper part of the shoe, has flexible soles, has padded insoles, and comes in a variety of heights of heels, then you you’ve found an achingly stylish and pain-free pair of shoes. It’s not hard to bring the sexy back no matter how old you are, as long as you have a stylish and comfortable pair of shoes on your feet.!
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