If you spent years wearing heels for the joy of them, but can’t now…

[CoastOfXmasPast]

What style shoes have you found that give you a semblance of that tall, empowered feeling? My style aspiration is somewhere VB tailoring for work and Sezane jeans and blouse for off duty dress up. Aged 47, I cannot deny the bunion pain anymore. I have tried penny loafers and ballerinas, both feel frumpy.

Bunion surgery...
My surgeon has just told me I can start wearing heels again if i choose

I’m 5’9” and almost 6’. In heels and they kill
me so I never wear them. You can get lovely ballet flats.

I've never worn heels and never felt frumpy. There are lots of elegant flats. Have a look at Bobbies and Penelope Chilvers.

I like Flabelus flats

Anything with recovery type platforms for me, they give both height and relief from foot/knee/hip issues. FitFlop have some slightly swishier versions. Even Vans have some with closed toe. And that style would suit VB stuff with wide/flared legs. Don’t know that they would work with straight jeans etc in the winter, might look a little ‘clown feet’.

@RosesAndHellebores I have never heard of Bobbies before - I love their ballerinas! Thank you so much.

Black leather knee high boots (flat) have the same effect as heels used to, for me.

Kitten heels seem to be easier on my bunions.
I love a pointy toe, kitten heel slingback.
Lots of shoes these days have cushion pads inside, these help.
Also love a wedge in the summer, they don't seem to hurt either, maybe because I'm not balancing on a heel?

I have started wearing pointed toe kitten heels .Was never a fan of kitten heels but I don’t have much of a choice . I can no longer wear the vertigo inducing four inch heels

I cant wear vertiginous heels because I have early hip replacements due to congenital hip dysplasia so I wear pointed toe kitten heels when I can find them in a half size wide fitting....usually ex M&S stock on eBay.
I also have one bunion and Im getting it done by a podiatric surgeon on the NHS. He's putting a new joint in so I can still wear heels.
I also like van dal courts with a low heel and pointy toe.

FWIW, finding out more about how feet are designed and how we can help they stay healthy reconciled me to wearing wide flats which do not constrain my feet

https://www.petrafishermovement.com/free-your-feet/

I used to be able to run up the ramp at London Bridge to get the last train in 4 inch heels. We’ll call that the good old days.

Then heels became taxi to table.

Now, I like a pair of Eska’s, ballerinas (leopard), kitten slings (especially in suede or black patent), Claud W style boots, Birkenstocks.

Generally I now wear knee or thigh high boots in winter, trainers or chunky loafers in Spring and wedges in summer.

I love the Ugg cork wedges, they are comfortable and supportive but give a nice heel feeling.

Pointed toe flats. I bought myself some Valentino rockstud flats 7 years ago and wore them to death. Have recently bought some amazing flat brown suede sling backs from Zara. Not online anymore but these look great

https://www.zara.com/share/suede-pointed-ballet-flats-p11577710.html?v1=514956962&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=mobile_sharing_iOS&utm_source=red_social_movil

Adidas bold with the thick soles.