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Original poster

Do all shoes hurt past a certain age?

97 replies

mumonahottinroof · 12/10/2016 21:14

Just ordered a pair of LK Bennett block heels with 25% off. I love them, but they bleeding pinch around the front of my toes, so they're going back. I am SURE 15 years ago I would have borne the pain for beauty's sake.

So do a) shoes hurt more as you get older or b) Does your tolerance for discomfort vanish? I could try to wear these in but I can't be bothered any more and if it doesn't work that's £200 down the drain.

Am 45, am I doomed to a lifetime of Hotter and M&S Footglove?

OP posts:
Pestilence13610 · 12/10/2016 21:16

Sorry, you get to a certain age where you really appreciate comfy shoes.
Comfortable and stylish, now there is the holy grail of shoes and subject of many threads.

WhatamessIgotinto · 12/10/2016 21:17

I wonder the same thing... I'm 50 and I suspect the years of wearing ridiculous shoes in the 80's and 90's have well and truly ruined my feet for good.

ILoveAGoodBrusselSprout · 12/10/2016 21:21

I'm also 45 and starting to develop a bunion, so so e shoes are definitely more uncomfortable now.
Weirdly, although I only have the bunion on one foot, the other foot seems to have widened Confused so a lot of shoes I'd have put up with in the past wouldn't do, even if the bunion wasnt starting.
Occasionally, for a posh. It out, I'll wear uncomfortable shoes, but it just doesn't really seem worth it anymore

LynetteScavo · 12/10/2016 21:22

I'm nearly your age and find M&s foot glove brilliant. If you tell anyone I will kill you.

Wave goodbye to lovely, sexy heels. Y'know, the ones which have been really comfy when you see 18 but couldn't afford them.

Pestilence13610 · 12/10/2016 21:22

These are as high as I go now. On the look out for some flatter ones, tempted by those spanish riding boots.

Do all shoes hurt past a certain age?
sighbynight · 12/10/2016 21:24

45 here, with feet as wide as shoe boxes and plantar fasciitis. I will only wear fancy shoes now if I am literally being carried to a taxi. Arch support! It's all about arch support.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 12/10/2016 21:24

Get onto Chie Mihara - either on her website or on eBay second hand . She's a Spanish podiatrist and does properly glamorous and stylish shoes that are comfy.

Also Esska are very comfortable and have settle and aren't mumsy

OhTheRoses · 12/10/2016 21:28

I seek elegant friends from Gabor, Van Dal. And most of the time wear Reiker, Siebel, Hotter but work for a university Grin

My best comfiest and smart/elegant buy was £19.99 from Deichmann Shock

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 12/10/2016 21:29

I have a few pairs of LK Bennett shoes and boots and they all hurt my 51 yo toes. I have very narrow feet, but they cut their shoes very very narrow.
I don't wear them too often and always have strategic plasters in place when I do.
I am much less tolerant of painful shoes than I was, but I do suffer for style sometimes.

Pestilence13610 · 12/10/2016 21:30

Agree with girl Chie Mihara are fab and comfy.
Have just found these shiney shiney comfy boots I doubt even I would get away with wearing them to work.Hmm

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 12/10/2016 21:40

hush puppies do some quite nice shoes, much better than hotter comfort.

Liiinoo · 12/10/2016 21:42

I am 55 and recently gave most of my beautiful, beautiful heels to a friend. I just can't do them any more. Now it's Skechers and Uggs and the occasional pair of low heeled Gabor or Carvela for a do. I enjoy events so much more now I am confortable but I hate the way I look in photos. It doesn't help that I am only 5ft tall.

I have one friend in her 60s who won't give up heels. On a recent girls weekend away when there was a lot of walking she spent the second day and night in a hired wheelchair as her feet were so painful. She had actually crippled herself! Then the friend who was pushing her had a bad back from the pushing. Oh the joys of aging.

Original poster
mumonahottinroof · 12/10/2016 21:51

Grin, thanks everyone - so the LKs definitely go back to the shop then! They had block heels so I thought they'd be OK but they pinch. Have found the same with Boden heels.

I wear Fitflops practically all the time, just wanted one pair of low heels but it is not to be. Am going to check out Chie MIhara and Hush Puppies . Also heard Camper are good?

OP posts:
sighbynight · 12/10/2016 22:06

I've never heard of Esska before, but I do like the look of them. Might give those a try - certainly cheaper than Chie Mihara!

SimonLeBonOnAndOn · 12/10/2016 22:11

I walked to a meeting today in my next loafers.
And ripped my feet to bits.
I'm 45 next month, must be a bastard age thing.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 12/10/2016 22:14

Yes Esska are great I bought sandals in the summer and got boots in their sale (gold!!)

Do check out Chie Mihara on eBay - they are really really well made and often go very cheap on eBay. The heels especially - they don't tend to have been worn too much. I have the most fantastic pair of lace up boots that are ten years old now - they are still remarked upon, so worth the money.

BrillianaHarvey · 12/10/2016 22:39

But the billion dollar question is: have we actually knackered our feet or are we just more willing to prioritise comfort over style? Or do we spend less time in heels and so notice the pain more?
I have always vowed that the day I peruse a Hotter catalogue with enthusiasm is the day I book my flight to Dignitas, but I find myself beginning to feel they might have a point. Usually I can set myself right with a stern talking to though.

JanetStWalker · 12/10/2016 23:56

My feet seem to be bonier which means that every little pinch and rub is more pronounced now that extra layer of natural cushioning has gone. Sad times.

There was a trend, maybe a decade ago, for women with a penchant for high heels to have filler injected in the balls of their feel, giving that M&S Insolia feel from the inside out.

ClaudiaJean2016 · 13/10/2016 03:28

Yes. So much yes. I used to live in high heels and now I only wear flats. Not only that, but extra soft flats as well since even flat shoes can rub my heels badly.

Truckingalong · 13/10/2016 07:07

45 and I too am just starting to give up on high heels but I'm not ready to turn my back on all heels just yet. I do think there are comfy mid-heels out there to be had.

Original poster
mumonahottinroof · 13/10/2016 09:22

So googling last night I discovered that my feet have probably gone up a size with age. Who bleeding' knew ? (Answer: probably everyone but me ...) No wonder the LKs felt so pinchy. But I can't be bothered to swap them for a larger size, instead am off to investigate Esska etc. Sad times Sad

OP posts:
NiteFlights · 13/10/2016 09:29

I've never been much of a heel wearer, but I think as I get older my feet feel bonier and as pp said, like they're lacking padding somehow. Platforms help. I had a pair of Esska shoes once which were mega uncomfortable, I think because the soles were thin. I expect to be able to wear shoes all day and not wince when I see cobblestones or the textured pavements at zebra crossings! Hobbs is my favourite brand for comfort with style.

Liiinoo · 13/10/2016 10:09

Just looked up Esska. The tag line is 'shoes for confident women'

You'd need to be confident to go out looking like this.

Do all shoes hurt past a certain age?
Girlwhowearsglasses · 13/10/2016 10:12

I have those boots! Grin

Chottie · 13/10/2016 10:15

I have found my people :)

I read that feet lose their padding as you age (typical losing weight from the one place that doesn't show!!).

I don't stand on those 'bobbles' by crossing either now...

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