Honest thoughts on these shoes...?

[LancsLass1]

I want some shoes for an upcoming holiday which will involve a lot of walking around cities, could be rainy at times, could be hot and sunny at other times (Autumn in Japan!)

I'm trying to take the smallest amount of clothes/ shoes possible, so I'm looking for something that's OK for walking in the day but also could be dressed up a bit going to restaurants at night (nowhere super posh).

I'm in my mid-30's. Are these stylish or are they terrible? I like the colour but really can't tell if they are more suitable for someone much older...

If you don't like them do you have any other suggestions that are good day-to-night shoes that can do for walking around and also restaurants?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BHTFDTFZ?ref=ppxyo2ovdtbfedasintitle

Dress Sandals without heels barely take any room, neither do ballet flats really.

Wear the chunkier comfortable 'walking' shoes/boots on the plane etc... and pack a pair that fold flat as a dressy back up (that are also good for days if your not walking far and its hot instead of getting trench foot in sweltering heat everyday).

Sorry, they're dreadful, completely flat with little support especially for walking. Get some New Balance, best trainers and so comfy.

As someone in my very early 40s with arthritis, what kind of shoes am I 'allowed' to wear?

I would put the wearer in my mums age bracket (70s-80s) I think they are hideous and the colour even worse. Sorry.

Really ugly. Try Superga’s if you want to go for a more pump style trainer. They’re really comfortable and I have walked miles in them on previous city breaks. You also can’t beat New Balance for comfort.

I wonder if you have

a) read
b) comprehended

the full thread, @abracadabra1980?

I'm not going to get involved with the ageism row but can confidently say that those shoes are fucking horrible. Trainers and shoes in Japan can be really out-there in terms of colour and design, so I'd be even more embarrassed wearing a shoe like that there. Get a decent pair of trainers and take a pair of sandals with you so you can change up at night if you want to, they hardly take up any room.

I think you could get a much nicer pair of trainers that would work for day time and also for eating out than those. Loads of high street stores would have something nicer. I personally would avoid styles with the zip because I think those are the ones that tend to be associated with much older people.

Clarks do several styles along these lines, without zips. Like these ones, which come in various colours.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/hollyhock-walk/26178843-p

But there are loads of other places that do trainers like this too. I know a lot of women who wear them for work.

(If it were me, I'd go for something like a pair of platform Converse, Vejas, New Balance or some much funkier trainers than these, but that's just my personal taste.)

@YellowphantGrey 'you can't refer to a pair of shoes as terrible and therefore more suited to older people'

Please can you point out where I said this?

What I asked (not stated), in two separate sentences, was 'Are these stylish or are they terrible? I like the colour but really can't tell if they are more suitable for someone much older...'

People are acting as if I started a thread saying 'look at these ugly-ass shoes, only people aged 60+ would like them, am I right??!'

'Are they terrible' was a question, not a statement. I asked 'are they stylish' in exactly the same vein. I clearly did not think they were 'terrible' when I was considering buying them - I was asking what others thought, because I know I'm not particularly up on fashion and I wanted to look good for my holiday.

There are constant posts on here about whether X fashion is suitable for X age, and a lot of those are ageist and problematic, so maybe people who are commenting on this topic should direct their frustration there at people who are actually being ageist rather than asking for opinions on a simple pair of shoes.

"It's that type of attitude that goes hand in hand with deciding that someone is too old to wear shorts or too old to have bare arms."

I attend drawing classes where we have models of all ages and celebrate and respect all bodies, and I am frankly a lot more open minded and body positive than the average person in the UK. Your comment about "deciding that someone is too old to wear shorts" is seriously misdirected. I regularly go wild swimming with friends in their 70's and 80's.

So yes, I maintain that you are projecting, misinterpreting and extrapolating, and also perhaps making assumptions about younger people and what/ how they think.

If people want to interpret a question about whether a pair of shoes are stylish/ not stylish/ would work well for me at my age, as me saying that all people aged 60+ wear terrible shoes, that's up to them, but it is clearly not what I meant and also not what I said. I wouldn't personally even put 60 year olds into the category of 'older people' - that's something that has been brought up by others on this thread.

Some people are just looking to be offended.

Thanks to those who have commented constructively.

I used to wear something similar 20 years ago. Sorry they are hideous to my mind and I cannot understand what I was thinking!

Sorry, I'm 50 and think they are terrible and not at all stylish.

I recently took these on holiday and they were so comfortable. https://www.allsaints.com/women/outlet-store/sheer-round-toe-leather-trainers/WF081V-10.html I had originally wanted Veja but these were nicer.

Or I agree with a PP to try Superga

'you can't refer to a pair of shoes as terrible and therefore more suited to older people'

Please can you point out where I said this?

You've asked me to point out where you said this and seem adamant you've never said it then posted yourself the exact paragraph where you said/implied it.

What I asked (not stated), in two separate sentences, was 'Are these stylish or are they terrible? I like the colour but really can't tell if they are more suitable for someone much older

I can't think of how else to break it down so you understand how it reads to everyone? Multiple people have picked up on it and you've got incredibly defensive and insisted the same multiple people are projecting their own insecurities and effectively your low level gaslighting people into thinking you've not said something which is clearly there in black and white.

Again, calling out agesim of any level ISN'T someone projecting an insecurity.

And declaring your friends are all in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s doesn't mean you can't show ageism either.

I also prioritize comfort over style, so when I went to Japan I took my Columbia waterproof walking shoes. Similar to these:

https://www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/p/womens-facet-75-ii-outdry-hiking-shoe-2100121.html?dwvar21001211_color=466

Failing that, I would say Nike Air Force 1s. They will not be as supportive or waterproof as proper walking shoes but are a decent compromise.

So you are now backtracking and saying that I "implied" something.

You do not know me, and you are interacting with me via the medium of an online forum, you can't see my face, my expression, my tone of voice - you have limited information.

If you feel something was "implied", that means that it is not there in black and white. It means that you have made an assumption that something was meant a certain way.

As I have repeatedly clarified, it was not meant that way, and I do not feel that way about older people.

Yet, you are still accusing me of believing something that I have repeatedly said I do not believe.

Sorry, but how can that be anything other than you projecting, or you lacking basic intelligence? I'm not sure how you can accuse me of 'gaslighting' when you are the one telling me that I believe something I do not believe.

'Are these stylish or are they terrible? I like the colour but really can't tell if they are more suitable for someone much older'

OP - it IS there in black and white. Why don't you just stop digging a hole and admit that you are plainly equating 'terrible' with 'for someone much older'. You posted unthinkingly - it happens, especially in style and beauty - but you would be much better off accepting that your prejudice is clearly visible and addressing your unconscious ageism. One day - much, much sooner than you think - you'll be much, much older than you are now and the seeds of distaste for older people you reap now, you will sow then.

Honestly OP, you came across as rude, although I don't think that was your intention. Older people with arthritis are still people and not some subset, and they should wear whichever shoes they want. I'm 48 and I really don't like those shoes- they're inoffensive I suppose, but you could do so much better. I agree with New Balance, they're very comfortable but also Nike and Adidas etc...

Because multiple people have commented the same thing, you are clearly implying the if the shoes are ugly, they are better suited for older people. Again, not sure why you can't grasp this? I've said a few times that what you wrote implies this?

Again, pointing out ageism isn't projecting? Why do you think it is? If I point out sexism or racism, is that me projecting too?

And telling someone they are lacking basic intelligence tells me you know you're wrong, won't admit it so have instead started on insults.

Come on, do better!! All your doing is reinforcing and supporting typical tropes against women that should no longer have a place in society.

Don't take it to heart @LancsLass1 Some people on here just love nothing more than a squabble, and a good old pile-on. I see it on here every day. Having a poke at anything will do. With you it's non-existent ageism.

I think the shoes are fine! Also, I find it hilarious that some posters have said they are minging and vile - and have then gone on to post pictures of some of the ugliest shoes and trainers I have ever seen! 😂 Leopard suede trainers, and ugly-ass black pumps. WTAF?!!!! 😆

And the Merrell ones are as ugly as fuck. 😖Bright orange and purple! My EYES!!! 😜

Enjoy your trip you lucky gal! And don't let the haters and beraters wear you down! 🤗

@YellowphantGrey I think that repeatedly insisting that somebody is ageist when they have told you quite clearly that you have misinterpreted something, that they don't feel that way or hold those beliefs, that they recognise ageism in other places and find it problematic, and regularly hang out with older people in a body positive community, is actually pretty patronising and unpleasant thing to do.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle I love those moonstars but the size guide makes no sense to me - I’m a women’s size 3, what size would I actually need to order do you think? (Apologies for selfish post)

I think they're terribly frumpy. You're in your 30s, comfort is key but these are rather square.

Those shoes are not very nice, in particular the ‘pre dirtied’ white soles. Maybe going for a Golden Goose vibe but that whole concept was horrible. Also the too rounded toes and all the wacky colours. They seem just too practical for what you want. I agree with others that there would be loads of trainer options much nicer in the high street brands or trainer shops.

I don't know you don't hold those beliefs though? You say you don't but then post a comment implying and saying the opposite, why would I think any different?

If you'd left it at are the these trainers fine or terrible then people would have left those opinions on what they thought. Not always helpful as an ugly trainer to you might be lovely to me and vice versa.

You then went one stop further and after saying are they terrible, went on and asked if they were better suited to an older person?

Why ask if they are better suited to an older person? Why would they be better suited to an older person?

Honestly, treat yourself to a pair of waterproof trainers, you will get a lot of use from them, and tuck a small pair of dress up shoes in your bag.

"You say you don't but then post a comment implying and saying the opposite"

No, you've got that the wrong way round.

I posted something that was misinterpreted, and then clarified my stance on it, multiple times. In that order.

And once you had read multiple clarifications, you still accused me of the same thing (and then somehow accused me of gaslighting you, despite you being the one asserting that I believe something I repeatedly told you I do not).

That's unpleasant and patronising.

"I don't know you don't hold those beliefs though?"

If I tell you plainly that I don't hold certain beliefs, then you know I don't hold those beliefs, more so than if you assume something that you feel was "implied".

I have nothing else particularly to say on this matter so best of luck to you and I hope you find someone more suitable to direct your frustration at.