Need help - custom insoles - I don't want to wear old lady shoes

[gameofchance]

My dodgy feet are beyond redemption and I have just been fitted with custom insoles. But I can't find any Boots that will take them that are vaguely nice / not old lady like.

Podiatrist no help. Kept banging on about trainers. I can't wear trainers for work. I am expected to look smart. And then gave me a catalogue for old lady shoes. On weekends etc I wear leggings / slim fit jeans / tunics and trainers just look shit with these (as I don't look like a runner).

contacted Dr Martens online but they said only one of their ranges would be suitable (Elate?) and it is no good for me because it isn't lace up.

This has seriously knocked my confidence. I am already feeling shit about myself because I haven't been able to shift weight and it is 3 years since I had last DC and now i haven't even got any nice boots. Sob.

Yes to Crocs for slippers - not glam but keeps the feet supported

I'm in the same situation as you OP. If the insole is not removable I just it rip out and can usually fit in my orthotic insole. Sometimes they come out fairly easily, sometimes you have to scrape out any foam that is left stuck. Examples of smart shoes or boots I can still wear are Sam Edelman Petty boots and I have some nice Bertie brogues that are fine with the insoles.

Also have some Carvela sneakers that are smartish

I know a lot of people hate them but have you tried Fly shoes/boots? I find they're quite generously sized and if I go up to 6 (I'm a 5.5 with very narrow feet) they fit well with insoles in.

They have the bonus of being incredibly comfy too without insoles.

I console myself with the fact at least my ankles look smaller

Thanks for support everyone. Am just struggling with fact I no longer fit into nice clothes and am now struggling to find shoes

I find a good hairdresser and perfume cheers me up game

Hello, full length orthotics wearer here, and I have lovely shoes . My orthotics are about half cm deep.
Boots are easy, just size up. I have smart pairs from Clarks and ecco. I wear a lot of flat Mary janes but with a profile heel and narrow strap. Clarks, dune, Russell and Bromley. Smart trainers as well.
As a general rule I have had more success finding the smart shoes in a sensible shop rather than the other way around.
It takes a lot of hunting around and trial and error, but I absolutely love my insoles, they have been life changing.
Fwiw my lovely private podiatrist was a lot more flexible as to what shoes would work, and the insoles far superior to the NHS ones that just didn't work for me.
Good luck
Katy

Try not to be too disheartened - you will find some and then you'll find more as you get to know what works

My podiatrist also insisted on the 'certain type of shoe' but I've come to find/know that I can get away with others. I have quite a range now and not all lace ups

What I can't live without though in shoes/boots is my insoles

In summer I can wear some sandals without the insoles because of the sandals internal support (I have RA, PF and Morton's Neuroma)

There's been quite a few threads on MN so a search may be worth doing

Have you tried Moshulu? They are seriously comfortable and reasonably wide on the toes but no idea whether they would fit your insole. But their customer services are good.

*finagler - no they don't.

Ignore this one OP*

OK, I was being a bit facetious. It depends what's wrong obviously but several physios have assured me that they do, including the orthopedic consultant who mended my broken foot. He recommended visjay ones and they are brilliant. I'm 51 with flat feet and one that was badly mangled a few years ago. The insoles are thin enough to fit in most shoes.