Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Anyone else never wear heels? What kind of shoes do you go for?

78 replies

Lottapianos · 02/02/2015 09:40

I don't own a single pair of heels. Cant' take the pain any more. I don't drive and walk everywhere, even on a night out I need to walk to the station so can't be doing with heels any more. I am the Queen of Comfy Shoes!

However, this queen is in need of some new shoes for Spring/Summer and am all out of inspiration. Please share your recent flat shoe/boot/sandal etc purchases!

OP posts:
Trills · 02/02/2015 20:48

I like the Accessorize/Monsoon ballet flats with the elastic around the edges - no rubbing.

Like this

BikeRunSki · 02/02/2015 20:56

Ooh, they are pretty addicted but are they dressey enough for black tie? They are both styled with jeans Hmm

addictedtosugar · 02/02/2015 21:00

I don't know, I don't do fashion! But they seemed to follow Dots guidance.... Maybe ignore me. sorry.

Mrsstevejones · 02/02/2015 21:25

i have no style and back problems and the sort of feet that all shoes rub. Probably wouldnt be so bad if i bought more expensive shoes but i am skint.

I wear crocs - not the ones sported by toddlers and nurses but the slimmer ones. I think i own every pair they have made in a multitude of colours all bought in the sales. In the summer i walk miles and i love love love them and i dont care if they are ugly and a little bit sweaty! They are the only shoes i have ever worn that dont kill my feet. Probably not the right thing to say on a style and beauty thread!!!

Mimosa1 · 02/02/2015 22:22

Marking my place to read later as also have difficult feet

lollygagger · 02/02/2015 22:47

great thread! I've given up on heels but can't wear ballet flats/slip ons because I have orthotics. Like many on here spring and summer dresses are hard to find shoes for. I figure that I might as well make my feet stand out if I can't make them look dainty so I go for camper shoes, birks in colours or funky trainers. Unfortunately I have legs like tree trunks. I always rejoice in autumn when the low to mid heel boots come out!

Branleuse · 02/02/2015 22:57

dr martens all the way

BikeRunSki · 02/02/2015 23:12

addicted Smile don't be sad. I really like the first New Look ones, and they do fit with what I asked for so I think I am going to get them. Thank you.

lolly me too! I love autumn and winter footwear!

stripytees · 02/02/2015 23:35

I never wear heels either.

I love brogues; have 2 pairs of Grenson Emily, one of Grenson Rose, some new ones from Barbour and an old pair of Clarks Hamble Oak currently.

I wear some "fashionable" trainers too like New Balance and Ash Virgins. Last week saw a woman in a work meeting in a shift dress and metallic red Converse and she looked amazing!

When it's warm I wear Birkenstock and Saltwater sandals or El Naturalista sling backs. Also ballet flats, my favourites are Clarks Originals as the soles are a bit comfier than most others.

ouryve · 02/02/2015 23:50

I can't wear heels. Even if it didn't hurt, I'm not allowed!

I like winter because boots are so easy, stable and comfortable. I have some practical Rieker boots and some killer knee high Camel Active ones.

In Summer I tend to live in some Vivo Barefoot pumps and Nike Dart 10 trainers. I really need some more formal shoes that don't hurt as much as the ancient Ecco flats I have, but they don't appear to exist - I have an ankle that desperately needs a cutaway heel because of damage caused by heel spurs as a teen. I even bought some nice supportive yet on the safe side of granny sandals - can't even wear them for half an hour in the car without pain, never mind walk around in them. Everything that looks like it might not hurt is in that terrifying beige leather.

ouryve · 02/02/2015 23:51

Dean - I love Funny Dream. But they hurt.

ouryve · 03/02/2015 00:00

And no to ballet flats. That's how I got the heel spurs in the first place.

LadyB49 · 03/02/2015 01:22

Can't do heels and wonder what I'm going to do for an upcoming wedding. I've black wedding type shoes (the only heels I own and they are only 2") that I could sit in but can only walk about 30 yards before pain starts.

In winter it's flat boots...black or brown leather, maroon flat fine leather lace up ankle boots, fab olive green waterproof suede walking shoes from TK Maxx.

In summer I have Clark's suede flatties in 5 different colours with comfy sole and I also use an insole. The are bright blue, fuschia pink, a caramel colour, black and maroon. Also navy/cream from M &S. All clarified have fancy front detail. Plus 2 pair fit-flops...shiny pewter and coral. Two pair Clark's walking sandals (black pair and beige pair with Velcro...divine comfort.

Hate, detest... shopping for specific shoes cos I've got sore joints and also long skinny narrow feet. Actually finding any shoe to fit is a blessing. If I find something I like that fits I buy it there and then.

Mmmicecream · 03/02/2015 01:37

I can't do heels either due to foot pain, and recently got some brogues I love (v. low heel in brown) but am really struggling with what skirts to wear them with. What do you brogue-wearers wear with them?

AggressiveBunting · 03/02/2015 01:44

I tend not to wear heels now other than wedges, but even those tend to be for when I'm out in the evening. Excited about a flares revival on that basis though.

I love Cowboy boots (long and short shaft, vintage style) so wear those with skinnies in winter and also have some Hudson pull-on flat suede boots in black. In summer I wear flipflops a lot (live in hot climate) or leather sandals. Sometimes wear ballets but not that often.

For work (fairly smart/ conservative office environment) I wear pointed toe flats.

SwedeDreams · 03/02/2015 01:58

I wear ballet flats in summer, as I tend to wear tea dresses with cardigans as a summer uniform. Just bought some lovely navy cotton pointy toed ones with bow on the front from Debenhams yesterday. Two pairs for £22! Very pleased. I add insoles so they are more comfortable. Agree crocs sandals are really bloody comfortable too! But sweaty...

ourglass · 03/02/2015 07:21

Toms shoes come in a variety of colours and are a bit quirky and different. Not too expensive either.

stripytees · 03/02/2015 10:38

Mmmicecream I wear my brogues mostly with A-line knee length skirts (cotton or cord) - the type White Stuff sells a lot. The more dainty brogues like Clarks Hamble Oak also go well with slightly longer, flared skirts. And opaque tights in black or another colour, whatever goes with the skirt.

leedy · 03/02/2015 11:00

Ooh, can I join in?

In winter I wear a lot of boots - have been getting a lot of use out of fleecy-lined Ugg biker boots, also have a few pairs of Camper chelsea-boot style numbers. Otherwise wear trainers (again from Camper, though have a couple of lovely pairs of Liberty-print Nikes). Summer it's Birkenstock or Saltwater or Camper (yet again) sandals. For dressy occasions, it's (once more with feeling) Camper or Clarks: have a couple of pairs of their Orla Kiely shoes and am planning on nabbing another pair this season.

In general Camper is my friend, as my feet are also an odd shape and a lot of ballet flat type shoes just fall off and/or give me sore feet from basically clinging on with my toes. Camper stuff tends to be very narrow with a wide toe box and/or have straps.

MilkshakeMonkey · 03/02/2015 12:48

In buck to a lot of this - I love heels.
However they are not practical on a daily basis or even to something smart if you have DCs to run around after!
I'm Not sure what size they go up to, but I've got some great Kids flats (I'm a 4, but sure they go to at least 5). Even though I have wide feet they still fit well. Next kids sandles look great with my summer dresses. Oh and no VAT!

IdaBlankenship · 03/02/2015 12:59

So Leedy, what make of shoes would you recommend... Grin

I love Camper shoes also. I am just not sure what I can wear now that I can no longer wear flip flops in the summer. I don't like having an enclosed shoe when it is warm, but I need something than can accommodate orthotics.

leedy · 03/02/2015 13:00

I swear I am not in their pay! (wish I was, perhaps they would pay me in shoes....)

Do Birkenstock do anything that might suit, Ida?

IdaBlankenship · 03/02/2015 13:28

Sadly I now need a back strap, so even more orthapaedic than Birkies (if that is at all possible!).
I refuse to get rid of my heels though, I shall just keep them in the cupboard and stroke them occasionally Smile

Nervo · 03/02/2015 13:51

Bike - there are a few pairs of silver flats in Herecomesthesun's Boden link.

Here Look at the colour options.

WellTidy · 03/02/2015 14:21

I very, very rarely wear heels. I have dreadful bunions, and a very wide bit over where my toes start and a narrow bit where my ankle starts iykwim.

In the winter, I live in Uggs. They are the only shoes which don't hurt my feet. I wear them everywhere. Before my bunions got really bad, I lived in gabor flat knee high boots. I have them in tan and black. They went with everything. I wear heels in the office, but I only have two pairs that fit me, and they feel ok, as I am sitting down for most of the day. they are M&S footglove wide fitting mary janes.

In the summer, I live in vans type lace up plimsolls, except that mine are from Peacocks, and they're really comfy. I have them in all the colours. And on warmer days, I wear gladiator sandals from M&S Footglove wide fitting. Again, I have these in all colours. The only heels I can wear are two pairs of wedges (tan and navy), again from M&S footglove wide fit.

I really lok after my shoes as I can never rely on being able to buy new ones. I buy shoes wherever and whenever I can, even out of season, and would never wait for a sale or anything. I just grab them in all colours!