I can't wear nice shoes and it ruins all my outfits!

[Firstbornunicorn]

Hi all! I am not a very fashionable person, admittedly, but I'm trying to find my style (comfortable/casual as I am disabled). I have flat feet and a very narrow heel. I also have weak ankles due to hypermobility. I can't wear heels - it's like being tortured. But I also struggle with flat shoes as my calves/hamstrings(don't really know, but SOMETHING in my lower legs) are really tight. I'm also a bit poor, but working on that, at least 😂 don't qualify for PIP, before anyone suggests that.

What shoes/trainers are people wearing to work/meetings with school, etc? And what about if you went out for a meal? Are there suitable flat shoes for weddings and similar events (again, I cannot wear little pumps as my ankle rolls over and it looks ridiculous).

I hope someone can help because my shoes really dictate what outfits I feel like I can wear. I managed in winter because I can wear boots and a knitted dress or skinny jeans/leggings, but struggle when the weather starts to warm up.

Oh, if it's relevant, I am short (approx 5ft3) and a size 12-14.

I have similar issues. I have hypermobility and flat, wide feet.

I live in boots ten months of the year. If it’s hot I wear Birkenstock Arizonas. In between it’s Converse.

I do like Converse but they are so wide. I have to wear an insole in them, otherwise they are too flat and hurt my legs/knees. And I think they look a bit silly with how tight I tie them, but I do like them 😅

I find Converse bit hard underneath and tend to go for Sketchers. They have so many styles from Sandals to heels, go into a Sketchers shop and have look

I have similar issues i wear boots in winter usually just ankle ones with laces,and trainers in summer i sometimes got for cup soles i(s that what they are called) shoes to go with what i am wearing.

Have you tried flat Mary jane shoes for weddings etc, ?

Id go for Hotter shoes for sure. I wear Leanne 11 trainers for work they are so comfortable and really support your whole foot. They come in nice colours too.

www.hotter.com/leanne-ii-trainers-cement-rose-gold-2932

Tourist 11 are also great. I have the leopard and the silver.

https://www.hotter.com/tourist-ii-sandals-beige-1702

If you want something a bit smarter make sure it has a secure ankle strap that you can adjust.

www.hotter.com/lake-shoes-pink-411

You can often get shop seconds or barely worn ones off ebay half price. I get a lot of mine from there. Just put in Hotter and your shoe size. Lots will come up.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157730341279?_skw=hotter+shoes&itmmeta=01KKBNS6QZJ31CJMJZGXBGFW49&hash=item24b976019f%3Ag%3AmKYAAeSwqkdpqu2b&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xDFyGOLYHOHBotblNyszyN8wAZ9jQ0qFG1bHp4hZiK1jyEOS6Ny0kD1ecmdEFd2X0qqT8IbHFYFzrIcRB2YnAOZKpc2x7BFWSJLSf9Fho7m46MuF7Yt7fWZgOmzv8XffD5nhRRP65NfUs3bftE0Iscx1mnCM32JN20KNwO9oQqpfAwz1fH%2BF%2F1rGoF5L3axFDDI%2BS2%2BwRAaWlzCjzcCO8CriLlh%2BVljnzIAJ0a3VUPHwH58pwBWObcFUYDmIZJUDB0%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5js5PWaZw&keyword=hotter+shoes&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true

I know i am totally missing thw point but if yoi stretch yoir calfs for a minute every day then you can probbaly fix the hamstring issue. I had it ans it gave me that foot pain thing but since i started stretching my hamstrings i havent had any issues with foot pain and can weae flat shoes.

I will look this up. I'm not against trying it, but I don't think I'll be able to wear flat shoes anyway because my feet over pronate a lot anyway.

Yes, bit I think the style I chose was too flat and not enough support. But then the Dr Marten types are way too wide for my feet so I felt very limited in what I could find. I do get a bit stressed about it sometimes, as silly as that sounds!

These do look good, even if they are expensive, I suppose I would only have to buy occasionally. Thank you! The Lake shoes even look wedding appropriate.

I like Converse or Ash baseball boots - Ash are great because a lot of their styles have a zip rather than laces. They are a bit pricey, but you can pick them up in sales or sometimes Vinted / eBay.

Try Vionic shoes.

They have insoles with heel cups and arch support.

Life changing for me

No it isn't silly you just want your outfits to come together and look nice,and blend in I get it shoes are the bane of my life.
What size are you could you get measured in clarks and get girls shoes in your width.

My DD has very narrow feet and wears Asics trainers. Loads of previous season colours/styles available online from other places than the asics website and they're much cheaper. The gel styles are particularly good for over-pronation.

For flat feet with tight calves and weak ankles (me and DD both) then I really recommend doing three sessions a day of five minutes each, standing with your toes on a slope higher than your heels. Not a huge slope to start with, just an inch, then increase over the months. A podiatrist physio recommend this for DD and it's made a huge difference! I do it too, plus strengthening exercises I found online.

I have narrow feet and need arch support for over pronation. I have to wear asics trainers most of the time but they are good. The GT 2000 I’ve found to be the best for my issues

Fit flop trainers are great. They're not cheap but they last.

It's not my kind of thing but I see some nice chunky loafers on other people.

First, have you tried orthotic insoles? My daughter has hemiplegia and wears one on her affected side, and they might make shoes more comfortable for you. For smart shoes (she is a bit edgy) my DD has Doc Marten's boots and Doc Marten's patent leather Mary Janes, which she got to wear with her graduation dress.

My friend with feet issues wears Fitflop shoes and Dunlop trainers.

With your feet/ankles, flat shoes with a completely flat insole (as most fashion shoes have) are completely unsuitable. Try orthotic insoles - which can be fitted inside normal shoes if you experiment with sizes - or shoes with a degree of built in arch support insole like those that @SeaToSki posted.
Orthotic insoles like Superfeet could change your life! Though you might need advice to select the right ones, and will feel weird at first as you adjust. But they could be very beneficial for you. I have foot problems too and Superfeet have been a game changer.
You could also look into seeing a physio or podiatrist- sounds like you have quite serious problems that could be hugely improved with specific exercises.

ASICs are great. This is what I usually wear, but just wanted to get something a bit smarter for work events and things like that.

Thank you - I actually have yellow Superfeets which I got for my ice skates (I once took a wild notion to learn how to figure skate but I was, predictably, completely crap at it). I use them in my Converse, but I think they're really designed for wearing with heels. I also had orthotic arch supports when I was in school, but wearing them was like torture - mostly because they were a rubbery material and pulled on my tights, making me really uncomfortable.

I've seen physio for general hypermobility things a few times, and it's always been such a disappointment that I haven't gone for a few years. Thank you for acknowledging that my foot issues sound quite bad, because I feel like such a whinge when I talk about it, but they really are quite limiting - for example, I avoid a lot of things I would probably enjoy because I'd either end up in pain or embarrassed by my clumsiness.

Birkenstock boots and trainers and orthotic insoles for every single other pair of shoes I own. I cant walk without them

So I have a lot of 'smart' trainers or outfits that can just look right with the other trainers.

I too would be seeing a podiatrist before buying more shoes. You might find moulded orthotics to support your feet and arches, plus, they could check your calves/ankles and give you specific stretches. If your ankles keep rolling excessively, you might benefit from a brace.

DH was getting sciatica and hobbling around for months. Long story short, his very high arches had collapsed but orthotics have helped massively and no more sciatica.

What about a patent loafer? They can smarten up an outfit. Either with a slight wedge/heel or add an arch support insert.

I have difficult feet and can’t wear heels or squishy shoes (Skechers are awful)

trainers from OnRunning are my favourite for everyday - the sold black ones are plain enough to wear for work.

for weddings etc, I go for a maxi dress or long trousers and keep my trainers underneath. I saw Serena Williams do this for the Met Ball, so I reckon it is allowed.