Mumsnet Talk

I'm thinking this year I will just wear all the same clothes I already own, not buy anythign new, but actually invest in nice shoes to go with my clothes, and actually think about footwear more and getting over my fear of drawing attention to my feet, becasue scruffy old worn in conservative shoes do nothing for one's image do they?


Think I need to get over my phobia of wedges for a start, and gladiators, and sockless feet...

Does it sound like a good idea?

Yes. I'm crap at shoes. I hate shoe shopping, and I'm not that interested in shoes.

Have just bought a pair of skechers because my old ones are falling apart, but they're pretty boring looking.

Ermmm..... don't know.

Speaking as someone who was given some DMs for her birthday and probably won't take them off until I get to the beach this summer And maybe not even then

Oh I don't know. I've never really got this female obsession with shoes. Obviously you won't look very chic if you are wearing worn out scuffed shoes but I don't understand the lusting after a pair of shoes that a lot of my friends have.

shoes are so hard thought. i don't want to wear heels so i am limited to footgloves (over my cold dead body) or converse camper style stuff.

yy jareth I live in boots or sketcher mary jane type trainers, and my pair have already had two years' wear and probably deserve the bin but I am still wearing them

I just looked in the harems and hasbeens thread and it really scared me!!! When people talk footwear I feel like I am listening to a conversation in a foreign language.

Shoes can have such an impact on an outfit. I think I look really nice until I put on my scruffy shoes

Yes omdb it does sound like a very good idea. What you need to do is go somewhere like Office, online, and look at the zillions of shoes they have - start with the sale section which is enormous, search by your size, and see if anything appeals. If you find something, consider what it will go with and where you will wear it to.

If a pair of shoes or boots is not the sort I could put on RIGHT now and walk off in, given the correct clothes to match, I don't buy them.

Comfort is everything but you want to look smart and we can help you there

Now - starting question. What shoes do you feel good in, normally?

I'm so glad I am not alone, I was feeling like I was the only one missing out on this wedge/gladiator/brogue obsession.

I own one pair of boots, two pairs of trainers and a couple of flat ballet style pumps. It is dire I know.

I am panicking now about what to wear on my feet as the weather gets warmer.

I hate shoes. I hate my feet.

I like nice shoes but don't spend £££ on them as I seem to trash them but don't buy really cheap as they tend to rub.

What do you need? Do you want something to go with jeans/dresses? Do you have pretty feet - do you want heels? I ask because I have ugly short wide feet so can't do flip flops or sandals that show too much foot.

And whats your budget?

do you feel good about yourself in those skechers?

Oh thank you sausage! Some practical advice!!!

Ok, I am happy in boots, not ankle boots though, and happy in flats, but get confused as to whether or not socks are allowed with them, or tights even.

I have huge plat pancake feet, with bunyons on them so a lot of shoes don't fit anyway as they are too narrow, and sandals jud never fit.

It gets me quite down if I am totally honest.

You know in Cinderella books, the picture of the ugly sisters trying to get their hideous feet squashed into th dainty glass slipper? That's the mental image I have whevever I go shoe shopping.

I liked the sktchers when they where new, with bootcut jeans or cords, but not now they are old and I am more into wearing leggings, dresses or skinny jeans.

I find it particularly hard to know what looks good with dresses and skirts, so mostly wear them in winter with boots or summer with flip flops.

tracy I wish I had pretty feet lol

Sadly I don't.


I really need a few pairs of affrodable shoes (not more than £35 each) to wear with dresses and leggings and skinny jeans, but that I can also walk in if need be and are comfy.

I bet once you are past the 'fear' you will find a pair that are perfect - or several pairs with any luck!

I take an 8, also have wide feet. There are plenty of shoes and boots that are good and fit well - it's a matter of trying a few though, which I know is a hassle.

Don't start somewhere like New Look - actually Office sell their fair share of tat, and poor quality, but they have a wide range of styles as a starting point, to see what appeals to you.

You don't need to wear anything you don't like, for a start. Like Bariatric I wear loads of Camper style shoes and boots, they are great quality and last a long time as well as looking good and being comfortable.

Is there a specific event you want shoes for, or is it a seasonal thing, something to wear every day in the summer, etc?

It would help if you could describe roughly what you wear, clotheswise.

For cheaper shoes for wider feet - New Look do a wide fitting range in their bigger stores - worth going and having a try on perhaps?

I would love to be able to wear gladiators etc but would look like a dumpy munchking with bits of foot squidging out of the straps.

and I need to be able to wear them to work, in a school. I should be at work now but DS has chicken pox.

LOL crosspost sausage.

I actually find some of new looks leather shoes are pretty good quality and comfortable but in the wider fitting.

M&S also worth a look - they have that lovely insolia stuff that makes their shoes very comfortable.

Cross posts!

Ok so it's to wear with dresses and skirts. Well, tbh I mainly wear jeans and I tend to wear boots with them, as I too struggle with the shoe aspect of a skirt! There are a few pairs that have been very good though.

Fly do a lot of sandals, with a bit of a heel (wedge) that can look great with skirts and frocks. I just ordered some 'Yuna' sandals which look lovely...hopefully will be Ok on my big feet too.

I also have a pair of DM sandals which are very heavy and thick set, but I think look Ok - they are extremely comfortable and you can wear them with jeans or skirts etc.

Then you have the pumps kind of thing, if you feel OK in flat shoes - I personally like a bit of a heel, even if it's a flattish one like the dms. Flat shoes make me feel too short and top heavy, bit like a penguin

I would do links but have got conjunctivitis and eyes are all blurry, so will try again in a min.

Just buy croc's in every colour from the market and you will be set up for the whole summer

I love a red shoe

Oh thank you, I really appreciate all the help!

Ok, I'm a size 8, tallish, and mostly wear skinny jeans and long pretty floaty tops, ditto with leggings, or short skirts with leggings or tights or dresses.

I wear the same thing whether I am at work or at home, don't do smart formal wear as don't need to at work.

I want everyday shoes, other than boots, to go with my outfits. Trainers I only wear with bootcut trousers.

Converse look ridiculous on me, and don't fit anyway, too narrow.

I am off to google camper shoes, neve heard of them before...

Sorry Tracey !

Fwiw I expect the quality is Ok in NL but I would feel better with a proper branded shoe, for getting a lot of wear out of something - dm sandals have lasted a few years now and really comfy. iyswim and you know they aren't going to split or break etc, and can harrass the company if they do

These are very comfortable and metallic very good for summer. They come up wide too.