Hi everyone,
I just recently had a doctor's appt where he recommended me to stop wearing heels to help my back. I am sad to do that, but I know it would be stupid to ignore his suggestion.

My question is this: I need to dress professionally for work, and I want to wear shoes that will be supportive, but still professional and cute! (aka, I'm not wearing sneakers with dress pants or skirts). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

I really like Dansko shoes, and they now have a large variety of shoes beyond their claim-to-fame clogs. They can be pricey, but they last a long time. I also think they work better for feet with high insteps. My mom has lower insteps than I do, and she can't wear Danskos at all. But if they work for your foot type, they're a dream. I usually wear their clogs, but I also have a pair of sandals for summer which are equally supportive.

No heels at all? Or just no high heels?

kk~

I got a lot of good recommendations on my recent thread here www.dance.net . . .

If you aren't spending too much time on your feet I have also had a good experience with Naturalizers as long as I am not on my feet too long, like these flats which they also have in pumps

I also have a pair of Toms and the kind of knock off Skechers Bobs. My Bobs are sparkly so they look festive and they actually have a cushioned insole and arch support, so they are good for walking and being on your feet for 4-8 hours depending on how much support you need. I find I can wear them on my shorter shifts with no problem.

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for your replies. I can't really wear heels at all...maybe like a half inch max.

I should preface with the fact that I hate clogs and they really aren't my style at all. I think Bobs are similarly awful, but if I had to I would wear them.

I've never heard of Naturalizers before...what's the scoop there?

Thank you all and sorry I'm picky! Keep the suggestions coming...if clogs are the only option, I will find a way to deal.

I know it's a Canadian site, but it's one of the stores that I go to and I know some of the brands... Eccos are good, as are clarks.

www.softmoc.com . . .

www.softmoc.com . . .

There surely has to be at least one pair on there that isn't totally fugly right?

You could potentially get a pair of ballet flats but wear a pair of store bought orthotics in them and make a not so great pair of shoes decent.

HardestWorker wrote:

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for your replies. I can't really wear heels at all...maybe like a half inch max.

I should preface with the fact that I hate clogs and they really aren't my style at all. I think Bobs are similarly awful, but if I had to I would wear them.

I've never heard of Naturalizers before...what's the scoop there?

Thank you all and sorry I'm picky! Keep the suggestions coming...if clogs are the only option, I will find a way to deal.

A lot of shoes aren't my style, but I have had to sacrifice, my body just can't take it anymore. For everything I posted, I attached a link, everything I named off was a brand of a show, clicky my links and there are pictures.

Yeah I have been sacrificing fashion for comfort for years... I live in my birkenstocks... FUGLY yes, but my feet are always happy, and it's the only thing that saves my back at work. I wear them in the winter as well.

I don't know many US retailers so I just went to Nordstorm to find some inspiration for you. Don't worry there are more shoes that are comfortable except clogs.

Oxfords - shop.nordstrom.com . . .

Ballet flats - shop.nordstrom.com . . .

Moccasin - shop.nordstrom.com . . .

Loafer - shop.nordstrom.com . . .

Men inspired shoes - www.revolveclothing.com . . .

Booties -shop.nordstrom.com . . .

Boots - shop.nordstrom.com . . .

I highly recommend Clarks, Aerosoles and Naturalizer. Clarks in particular are like walking on a cloud, and none of them are really unfashionable or nunlike IMO.

Dani

You might be able to find something in the Hushpuppies range. It's an Australian brand, but you should be able to get them online if your local shoestore can't get them. They aim to make shoes which are comfotable yet stylish, and many of them have low heels. Check out their website: www.hushpuppies.com.au

The other thing that you could do (assuming that it's the actual angle of your foot when wearing heels that is the issue?) is to get a shoe with a fairly low heel (so probably no more than 1.5" - 2") but with a bit of a platform under the toe, which effectively reduces the heel height for the purposes of wearing it. For example if you were wearing 1.5" heels with a 1" platform, your foot would be at the same angle as it would if you were wearing a 0.5" heel. (You might want to make sure that that's alright with oyur doctor though, I'd say that that's where the problem lies, but I'm not a medical professional so it could be some crazy gravity thing, or it might even be something to do with your ankles, I don't know, but it's just a thought). I don't know if such shoes would be easy to find, but the fashion does seem to be leaning towards most shoes having at least a low platform today, so it's worth a look

Good luck!