Shoes that look good and have arch support!

[Phaedra11]

I have been wondering about this for a while and then it came up on the Vogue thread. As talking about orthotic insoles etc isn't very Vogue, I have shifted myself over here.

So those of you that need arch support or ankle support or both, what do you do? Buy particular shoes or just the same as you would otherwise with an insole added? And are insoles any good with heels? I have bursitis and arthritis which affect my hips, knees and ankles and would really love to know what other people do!

I want to know too! I have plantar fasciitis and am meant to wear good shoes, but I don't!

I seem to compromise with shoes that don't really give me as much support as I need but don't look fantastic either.

When I want to wear heels I wear FlyLondon wedges but wouldn't be able to wear them all the time. I feel most comfortable and can stand for much longer when I'm in my Birkenstocks so should probably buy some Birkenstock insoles and buy whatever else I want with those insoles inside. Not sure if that would work with heels though.

I wear orthotics with all my shoes for arch support. Just have different types for different shoes. Full orthotics for UGGS or trainers, half orthotics for flats and slim orthotics when I wear heels (they run from heel to mid sole). Works well for me.

I found orthotics made no difference to me. Sensible lace ups were what worked the best

I had a really horrible foot injury and was on crutches for a year as well as various casts. So foot wear for me is a compromise.

Initially my foot kept on changing shape so I would buy cheaper shoes. Eventually settled enough so I bought myself some really beautiful trainers as a) they fit my hospital castes insole b) they were beautiful. I was also really lucky as Birkenstocks insole fit the shape of my feet ( they don't suit a lot of people). I know people say they are ugly but after having spent over a year in closed shoes they were a godsend.

Heels I can wear from time to time for a short time, but I wouldn't even attempt to put an insole in them because it would be too hard.

A mixture here, in summer I wear sandals with arch support such as Birkenstock or Scholl, in winter boots with orthotics. I rarely wear shoes apart from converse type lace ups as I find even the slimmest orthotics make the shoe too tight at the edge over the base of the toes (i have very wide feet which doesn't help).

Having done this for several years I no longer need support 7 days a week, so a day or two in unsupportive footwear is not a problem. I very rarely wear heels as they aggravate my bad back which is why I wear orthotics in the first place.

Thanks everybody, I really do need to get some insoles! I looked for them online once but got confused by all the choice. I think I'll start by trying the Birkenstock ones as the arch support in their sandals is perfect for me - and keep my fingers crossed that like MrsSnow, they suit the shape of my feet.