How to do smart for work when I've been told to wear trainers or walking shoes

[flier]

Basically, I have very painful feet, saw consultant this week and am now waiting for an appointment with a podiatrist for an orthotic shoe (lovely!). I'd love some ideas on work outfits e.g dresses and skirts that I can look stylish in whilst wearing trainers, also for some ideas on trainers which look good. Help much appreciated.

I wear work trousers and jackets with trainers like Gregory House...but realise he may not be your idea of style inspiration. It kind of works for me.

www.next.co.uk/go17116s3#442411

Fit Flop make shoes and boots which may work?

Ecco suit me - they have some nice styles and they all have good support.

FitFlop Due are very comfortable if they suit you - IME people either love or loathe them. Picking up a pair on eBay for less money might be a way to try them out.

Lots of 'smart' plain black trainers about and actually 'quite on trend'

Skechers memory foam shoes are fabulously comfortable, but not all that supportive.

Could you try gel insoles in the meantime, until seen by podiatry?

I've got those Sketchers ones, I can vouch for them being lovely and comfortable. I walk miles in them with the dog. They're like slippers!

Hi there, I have a similar challenge with flat feet & damaged knees. The only shoes that work for me are Asics trainers with my custom orthotics in them. But I have found Hotters shoes to be pretty good. They do have a lot of ankle grip which podiatrists advise so that the feet can rest and not do the additional job of 'clinging' to the shoe. I do buy a size bigger so that the orthotics can fit comfortably. I would suggest you get custom orthotics

Posted too soon...

I mean custom orthotics (in the range of £30-£400 but last 5 years & are the saviours for people like us!) along with visiting hotter or similar outlets where you can try different shoe options that will fit the orthotics.

If you are in London then 'foot solutions' in Richmond do shoes as well as orthotics & you can be sure of a perfect fit.

I do wear trainers to work & then change into comfy work shoes.

Thanks again everyone. As always with mumsnet, its good to know I'm not alone. I'm too far away from London (scottish highlands!) so I need to order online and try at home.

I am a teacher so on my feet all day - I suffer from Plantar Fasciitis something chronic. I wear a lot of Ecco shoes and find them manageable with my orthotics. They have some really nice styles - cutting edge they ain't. I also wear Stan Smiths and Veja trainers with dresses and they do funk up an otherwise rather smart dress.
I do sympathise and hope you can get your feet sorted.

Got the same issue as Dame above. Got orthotic insoles which I wear with clarks or ecco. Whilst you are waiting for orthotics go for sketchers though. Very comfy and they have the go walk in a black with black sole that can look smart and also ankle boots "go chugga". Just don't do what I did & put orthotics in sketchers! Ruined them as they "overcompensated" could have cried as it was my go chuggas that were a nightmare to get at that time as everywhere was sold out of my size.

Knee high boots (flat) with orthotic insoles (and fluffy socks) is my smart and on my feet all day winter solution. Works with pretty well anything!

Flier, are you anywhere near Biggar. Fab independent shoe shop there; also something similar in Ayr, major Rieker stockist.

I gave back and hip problems and foot probs too. Have custom made orthotics. Need supportive shoes, wear lace-ups with trousers. Boots with skinnies and jeggings. Loafers with work skirts and have some hotter heels (ok less that 1.5 inches with pretty(ish) but supportive fronts.

I try on a lot but if I go up half a size, put in the orthotic with a leather insole over, it works. There can be a lot of trying on and a bit of compromise.

Why don't you wear fit flop shoes?
They have lovely ranges, and if you wore them in the summer you'll know your size for online shopping.

(How are the highlands? Are they all purple and heathery?)

I have orthotic insoles which are really good but tend to make your shoes smaller. I bought shoe stretchers from Amazon which are really good and now my shoes aren't too tight.
Also when I first got the insoles from the podiatrist I was wearing ugg type boots. I got a full size one but it wouldn't fit in my other shoes. I went back and got a half one, just the back and middle, which is much better although I still needed to stretch some shoes like my Doc Martens.
The only shoes I find very comfortable without insoles are Alegria. They have a slight rocker sole and built in foot support and are lovely, not old lady looking styles.
Quite expensive but I've had a pair for 6 years now, worn them loads and they hardly look worn.

I was advised by a podiatrist and my physio (whose brother is a foot and ankle surgeon) not to wear fitflops if an injury was yet to be healed or unstable.

Hamble oak brogues from Clarks. Look great with dresses.

This is for everyone on this thread that uses orthotics. This is the shop where I buy my orthotics from. Even the ready made ones are pretty decent & last forever. They sell online too.
www.orthotics-online.co.uk/

I spent 6 years of my life looking like a scruff because I could only wear trainers (nasty accident and multiple surgeries). Well, my feet haven't changed but a group of lovely women on here encouraged me to try nicer trainers and wear them with dresses. I look and feel a million times better. I bought Nike Liberty print, silver reeboks, some Stan Smiths, Fitflop skaters and brogues and a pair of Skechers. While I couldn't wear a cocktail dress with any of them, I'm amazed at what I CAN wear, including smart trousers, 7/8 trousers and dresses with either bare legs or thick tights. I tried 'dressy' brogues such as Hamble Oaks, but they were still too painful, but I have metal in my foot, you might not need as much cushioning.