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Sick of boots. What shoes do you wear for every day?

154 replies

BrightnessFalls · 16/02/2012 09:59

I cant wear ballet flats for too long as the soles of my feet get too painfull. I cant totter about in heels. What do you wear to go shopping/lunch in. For the first time in a long time, I need to sort my shoe situation out! Smile

OP posts:
Clownsarescary · 16/02/2012 10:02

Hi OP, I'm the same, can't wear pure flat or heels. I'm sick and tired of boots too.

I've got nice brogues with a low heel.

Quenelle · 16/02/2012 10:08

Ooh, what are your brogues like Clowns? I'm in the same position. For work I wear long boots with tights/leggings. Out of work I wear mid-calf boots with skinnyish jeans tucked in, or chelsea boots with mum bootcut jeans.

The weather's still a bit cold and wet for ballet flats. I really want some mid-heel shoes that come quite high up the foot but can't find any.

Quenelle · 16/02/2012 10:09

Ooh, what are your brogues like Clowns? I'm in the same position. For work I wear long boots with tights/leggings. Out of work I wear mid-calf boots with skinnyish jeans tucked in, or chelsea boots with mum bootcut jeans.

The weather's still a bit cold and wet for ballet flats. I really want some mid-heel shoes that come quite high up the foot but can't find any in this rubbish town. All the shops have are huge platform-type court shoes or ankle boots which are just not me.

margoandjerry · 16/02/2012 10:10

It is my long term ambition to set up a shoe shop selling shoes that solve people's shoe problems. IE, what shoes can you wear to work, with a skirt, and manage to walk. No one sells these sorts of shoes any more. Every retailer has gone to the party shoe side. Kurt Geiger for example basically has 3000 versions of this shoe www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/beth-72.html and nothing else. Ballet flats are not the answer (not enough support, burny soles).

Meanwhile M&S sell hideous cornish pasty shoes. Where is the middle ground - proper, well made shoes with a small heel that look good but allow you to walk? It's the Holy Grail.

Quenelle · 16/02/2012 10:10

Hmm strange double post, sorry about that Blush

Quenelle · 16/02/2012 10:11

margoandjerry EXACTLY!

MrsGypsy · 16/02/2012 10:15

For the most part.......boots.

However. I have deviated a little (I suffer from same problem with ballet flats and high heels) and I bought a pair of black suede ankle boots with a small crepe platform and wedge. Fab. Can wear with skinny jeans tucked in or out, and looks good with a shorter skirt or dress with opaque tights. There were a few lace up shoes with crepey wedges on the Clarks website at the beginning of winter - they looked great. They might even be on sale?

Trouble is, winter weather is so changeable you don't want to be wearing anything where the shoes get soaking wet, or road grit from the snow on them. God I sound boring.

LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 16/02/2012 10:25

La redoute? some heels around 5.5/6 cm or clarks has got plenty of mid heels in very different styles.

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 10:28

I tend to wear a low heel or a loafer if I'm going to be doing a lot of walking (I don't get any discomfort from really high heels - I just hate paying £6-7 every time they need new top pieces!). I go for styles like this, this or this.

I must admit, I do prefer my ballet pumps when wearing straight leg jeans (whice are pretty much skinnies when worn on my curvy self) - try getting a wedged ballet pump if that is the look you want.

Wailywailywaily · 16/02/2012 10:32

I bought these in the sale last summer and although they are expensive they are sooo comfy and pretty too that they were worth every penny

MrsGypsy · 16/02/2012 10:34

Fabulous colour, Waily. I covet those.

Nagoo · 16/02/2012 10:35

I got some low heeled courts in new look of all places. They are exactly right, but this was last summer and the shoes just don't last.

Nagoo · 16/02/2012 10:36

waily I'm sorry those are icky.

Nagoo · 16/02/2012 10:38

on the TK Maxx site this type of thing?

Nagoo · 16/02/2012 10:40
startail · 16/02/2012 10:46

I fear ladies you have just proved the OPs point.
Boots rule!

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 16/02/2012 10:50

I'm afraid I think those last two look like kids' shoes ...

It is a perennial problem though, isn't it? I'm lucky in that I can wear Converse for work if I wish and I usually do but if you need something smart but don't want boots or ballet flats, it's really hard. I'm terrified of loafers because I'm tall with big feet and think I'd look like a man in them. Kitten and other low heels make me feel like a maiden aunt at a wedding. Anything higher is torture. The only (partial) solution I have is to wear ballet flats with orthotic insoles inside; then they at least give you a bit more support.

Clownsarescary · 16/02/2012 10:54

Quenelle I got mine in M&S in the Autumn and can't find anything similar but these are <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=ladies+tan+lace+up+brogues&um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=QmyQ3pgY3GWXzM:&imgrefurl=www.martajonsson.com/index.asp-Q-I-E-j2348-tan-lace-up-classic-brogue,40517187&docid=1qHsRAErbCJW7M&imgurl=www.martajonsson.com/images/items/40517187-1.jpg&w=900&h=900&ei=HN88T_frM4GCOomS7cAK&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=542&vpy=414&dur=85&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=125&ty=156&sig=118003038698451782727&page=4&tbnh=143&tbnw=160&start=91&ndsp=32&ved=0COMDEK0DMGM" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">these are similar. I wear them with thick tights. :)

Clownsarescary · 16/02/2012 10:56

Oops at 'these are' Blush

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 10:57

oh my word, sorry but ladyClarice is right - the last 3 links for shoes look like kids's shoes - yuk!! Perhaps my choices are a little older but they are elegant, practical and versatile without looking like a 6 year old could wear them too. That said, I'm still young so it is pretty difficult for me to look matronley...

margoandjerry · 16/02/2012 10:59

Those hobbs shoes prove another point which is that this is all ok in the summer when you can wear slingbacks. A wedgy slingback is my go-to answer all summer. Winter is just a problem.

I'm not a big fan of the mary jane type look - I have to look reasonably grown up for work and I just can't manage a cute look! I have these in black from M&S (nicer than they look) www.marksandspencer.com/Limited-Collection-Round-Ballerina-Shoes/dp/B002HFEB4M?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_109&nodeId=42967030&sr=1-109&qid=1329389855
but could do with a slightly bigger heel and what's with the synthetic upper? Why does Stella McCartney go on about non - leather shoes? Synthetic shoes are really uncomfortable.

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 11:08

Stella is a vegan - that's why...

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margoandjerry · 16/02/2012 11:11

I know. I just think she doesn't understand that leather shoes are just better! I get that you can eat perfectly well without meat but I haven't yet come across a comfortable shoe with a synthetic upper. Unless you're in converse or flipflops. Am I wrong on that, shoe people?

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 11:12

I would wear the slingbacks shopping today as there is no ice/snow on the pavements. If it was going to be bad weather then I would wear boots (with winter trax if necessary). I can't really see why anyone would have an issue with wearing a mid heel court (other than if it was icy/snowy?).

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 11:14

No - I personally only ever go for leather but that doesn't mean I am going to criticise her for upholding her principals. If the government turned around and said from now on you can only buy pu then I would have something to say about it but she is one individual (very sucessful) designer and can do as she damn well pleases!

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