Shoes - heel or no heel?

[Firsttimer7259]

So its early stages here but I am starting to wonder how to compromise between looks and comfort during pregnancy - especially at work.
What have you done?

[SheWillBeLoved]

Go for a smart wedge if you really want some sort of heel, that way the pressure is more spread out and not just resting on that tiny little heel point. I stuck to smart flats though, too much of a wimp to trot about in heels all day

[mogend77]

Your back & knees etc. will tell you when it's getting too much. Do listen to your body though! Tis not worth doing yourself an injury now.

I did manage heels (very cushioned wedges) a few times in the early stages but it soon became clear it was not on. I could no more think about wearing heels now than I could think about dancing along a high wire.

[KatyS36]

I was looks until it became uncomfortable, then comfort

My general rule is listen to your body. If it doesn't hurt, it is absolutly fine. If it begins to hurt even the tiniest bit listen and change what you can.

I've managed to find really smart maternity clothes which are comfy which helps, and have just had to get over the super comfy very manky sandels which go with it. (I have black wedges for meetings though).

If you're wearing sandels a decent pedicure I find helps

[Firsttimer7259]

I am not so bothered about no heel, just that a lot of the flats I have seen ave very little (really no) cushioning. Or the comportable ones are like puddings.
Can anyone recommend well made flats- you knnow that look like shoes not cornish pasties and have a good insole and grip etc.

Am I asking too much here?

[mogend77]

I don't know what your budget is but I have a pair of shoes from this make:

www.beautifeel.com/?categoryId=8805

My mum got me them for my birthday when she was feeling flush - I wouldn't normally spend that kind of money on shoes. They are in fact the wedges I mentioned above, that I managed to wear for posh in the first half of this pregnancy. They are very pretty and extremely comfy - the only heels I have ever worn that don't really feel like heels. I always feel confident in them - I think they do flats too, though their main USP is making heels that don't feel like heels.

I wear Josef Seibel sandals otherwise - I think my particular pair are reasonably pretty, as comfy flat sandals go, but I don't know what your standards of prettiness are! They are exceptionally comfortable & the ones I wear are pretty enough for me (though I don't think the whole range is pretty - you need to be selective). I might have a higher tolerance threshold for hippyishness than you though!

[Chynah]

I'm only 5'1 so I wore my heels til the end! Didn't find it uncomfortable either!

[Firsttimer7259]

Thanks Mogend, thats really helpful. I saw some wedges on the Josef Seibel site that look comfortable and well made. i dont mind forking out if I think the shoe s well made, and it looks like I might be able to locate a UK outlet near me too.

The beautifeel ones look great but I dont see a UK stockists. Will do a bit more investiagting.

I have to say I find shoe shopping in the UK a bit shocking. Shoes aint cheap but they are so poorly made. I am trying to buy something smart, that will absorb shock as I walk and were the leather is well finished so it wont cut into my feet if they swell up and at clarks I thought none of the flats deliverewd anyhting near what I wanted and at £45-50 I think thats shoddy

Maybe I just dont know the right shops

[FlightofFancy]

Might be a bit late, but Jones Bootmaker flats are good - they aren't the completely flat ones you get in cheaper shops, they always have a small heel and, as you say, some structure. They are a bit expensive compared to some, but they last for years and years (with looking after!) and are decent quality.

[mogend77]

I think John Lewis stock Josepf Seibel - or they certainly did last year. I think my Beautifeel shoes came from Klinkards (sp?) - I am pretty sure about that, but it was last summer so I could be wrong.

I totally agree about British shoe shops in general - I am afraid I rarely buy British brands, and when I do I'm rarely satisfied - and generally I am such a "buy local" kind of girl - this is one area I'm afraid where few shops cut the mustard.

Agree though that JOnes the Bootmaker are probably worth a try though. I had some gorgeous lace up boots from there one year(think Jane Austen - flattish but with a little, sensible but not clunky heel & proper laces all the way up). I loved them to bits and they lasted me a good few years despite heavy wear.

Now one day - when I am rich - I am going to get lasts made from my feet & have my shoes made to fit me! And then I shall be comfy for the rest of my days!