I seem to have lost the ability to know what shoes to wear!

[PorridgeAgainAbney]

It feels really stupid but for some reason I just don't know what shoes to buy anymore . If I tell you about myself then maybe some shoe experts can point me in the right direction.

Body shape - size 10/12 but pregnancy has left me with separated stomach muscles so my tummy sticks out. Also, nerve damage to one leg means that one calf is noticeably (to me) bigger than the other so I have to cover my lower legs. So, the silhouette that suits me best is boxy tops that end between the waist and hip, with slim trousers. I mainly wear cold colours but do have trousers that are mushroom/brown shades as well.

The ideal heel height is between 1"-2". Completely flat shoes are out. I just want something that looks modern/slightly casual with slim fitting trousers and I don't understand why I'm finding it so hard?

I bought some dark green brogues from Clarks which I love, but I have nothing to wear them with - I think I just bought them because they were brogues but didn't think about the colour having limited value.

I'd like to buy 3-4 pairs of shoes (preferably £50 max each) that will do the job with a variety of outfits - any suggestions will be gratefully (desperately) received .

Watching with interest

I wear trainers most of the time. Used to wear Converse but they are too flat and have resulted in bunions/plantar fascitis.

But trainers don't work with skirts and aren't smart enough sometimes

I dread the time of year when sandals become necessary

I am having a daily shoe crisis. No idea what to wear on my feet. Everything either uncomfortable or looks ridiculous. I quite like boat/deck shoes and some types of loafers, but wrecked my favourites a while ago and now wearing strange things on my feet .IN particular this is a problem in summer.

I'm watching this thread with interest.
I have recently lost quite a bit of weight, and now have the desire to try different styles, but can't seem to find anything that really takes my fancy.
Have strange sized feet too, one is a half a size bigger than other, so need a style that is a little size flexible.

Well I guess it makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one then .

It doesn't help that I am always trying to avoid black shoes, because for some reason I think they look a bit clunky with any trousers other than black. Is that weird? Anyway, it means I buy coloured shoes which are then really limited to maybe one or two pairs of trousers.

Oh dear. No-one who met me would ever believe I have a degree in Fashion Design .

I think I have weirdly fallen in love with these

These are probs a bit too granny.

The next two are black but Western is very on trend and I am saving up for these bad boys which they also have online in a sort of cherry red colour.

I wear trainers a lot because they are comfortable and aren't completely flat. Light colours for the summer.

Sounds like brogues would go with your slim fittim trousers. But you don't think they do? Is it the colour or are they too clumpy? Could you try another pair of brogues?
I agree that black shoes look best with black trousers or tights.
The shoes that I most wear are light brown boots or burgundy hamble oaks, but it's getting too warm for those, and not warm enough for sandals so I am wearing ballerinas, but they aren't very comfortable. I amin search of the perfect lightweight brogue.

I love all of your suggestions apart from the DM's Red. One of my problems is that because I work at a screen all day I NEVER shop online so really I'm limiting myself to Clarks and M&S in my high street. I'm really not giving myself much of a chance am I?!

Ok, time for tea and toast and a hunt around online for the evening, starting with ASOS I think .

Fit I do love the brogues, it's just that they are dark green so they only really go with my jeans. I mean, I've come on here asking for advice on shoes but really my whole blinkin' wardrobe needs an overhaul. I've still got all my pre-pregnancy clothes because somehow I believe my tummy will knit together and shrink and my new body's wardrobe is minimal to say the least because I'm loathe to spend money on new clothes that I might not need someday (sigh).

I know what you mean, a kind of mix between brogues/loafers/boat shoes sounds ideal.

I like my Clarks brogues. Mine have a small heel and are brown.

So, if I find some shoes that I like I was thinking of posting a link here for others to look at but I have a stupid question. Do I just copy and paste the entire link and then put then space and "brogue" or whatever around it?

What about these espadrilles. Heel height says 6.5 cm but probably 2 inches when you take account of the wedge. Handy dressier summer shoe, could be worn with white or pale trousers.

I would beware the ASOS shoes above, I bought ASOS premium shoes once and they tore my feet to shreds

Yep - so link here and the here bit will be the link.

Interested to see what you like! Glad you like the ASOS ones, I have fairly awkward shaped fit and most shoes normally cause huge blisters, but ASOS ones are always comfortable quickly.

I like them Lucked.M&S have some nice brogues with white soles too.

Well, on ASOS I quite like the following (but bloody hell I wish I could wear flats, some are so cute!):

nude brogues - thought these would be nice with grey or mushroom trousers?
brown weave brogues
pointy cowboyish slingbacks!
brown and black loafers - love these, cuts down on the clunkiness because the black is broken up.
black suede brogue - also like these, maybe because they are suede they don't seem so black and solid. What's with my black aversion, I used to be a goth for God's sake .

Thanks for the advice Lucked. If I order some I'll wear them in the house for the whole weekend. I'm too old to put up with uncomfortable shoes now .

Really love both of those nude ones, v summery.

I'd really recommend ordering online just so you can try them on with as many pairs of your existing trousers as possible. Only keep the ones that you love and will go with multiple pairs.

M&S site:
white, black and nude loafer - can't decide if these will be really adaptable because of the colours or really limiting!
granny loafer court! but I think with the right outfit it could look really nice in a retro way???
cut out nude brogue - really like these, nice for the summer but still smart.
Going to bed now but hope to see lots more lovely shoes on here tomorrow .

Espadilles or metallic loafers?

Think you are right Red - trying on in the shops is pointless because 99% of the time I'll be wearing jeans when I go shopping. As long as I time it right between credit card statements it will limit the damage .

Also worth having a look at New Look - they normally have great shoes and currently have 25% off.

I've recently bought these Pink Loafers

And found them very versatile. They seem to go with everything...

OP

I like both your nude suggestions

Asos mai brogues are gorgeous and only £35 each
Marks and Spencer's do some insolia lowsish heels for £19.50 pump style.
Loads of loafers about at the moment
I'd have black, brown, nude and then a fun colour. Red goes with a surprising amount of colours but Metallics are very wearable too.

There's loads at Schuh