Struggling to find suitable shoes

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

I’ve never worn heels (more of a Docs/trainers/Birkenstocks person) but in the past I always owned a couple of pairs of more formal (flat) shoes for weddings, etc. However, I now have a chronic health condition with swelling in my feet and legs which means I can’t wear ballerina/court style or Mary Jane style shoes either. Pretty much all I can fit into is wide fitting lace ups or mules. I also have to wear thick compression stockings every day to control the swelling. Docs, trainers and Birkenstock mules are ok but the compression garments means now sandals are out too; I can no longer wear skirts or dresses but luckily wide leg trousers are back in style so I have been buying those and I can get away with casual footwear in my job. The problem I have is that DC’s summer graduation is coming up and I’ve absolutely no idea what to wear on my feet. I’m planning on wearing blue wide leg linen trousers with a navy silk top (and navy jacket if it’s not too warm), but my heavy leather Doc brogues look wrong (too wintry) and the trainers and mules I have look casual, even scruffy. Is there such a thing as wide, flat, lace up formal shoes suitable for a summer event? (And before someone points it out, I know the event isn’t about me; the focus will be on DC as it should be, but I don’t want to draw attention or look out of place with everyone dressed up to the nines for the occasion.)

Cosyfeet shoes are designed for your kind of problems and they do some nice styles now.

https://www.cosyfeet.com/maggie-may-clearance

https://www.cosyfeet.com/callie

They do strap extensions too. A lot of my patients who are business people with lymphoedema wear them.

Thanks for taking time to respond@Gettingbysomehow Unfortunately I can't see anything I would even consider wearing on that website.

Could you wear smart-looking trainers? I'd have no qualms about wearing 'DMs' (Solovairs) to a graduation.

Extra Wide Women's Shoes | Ladies EEE Shoes | Hotter UK

I’d wear my DMs or Solovairs to the graduation if it was November @StylishAndBeautifulbut I thought they might look a bit odd with linen trousers in summer. I wear trainers or mules in summer with linen normally but haven’t seen any smart trainers (i.e. plain, ideally navy suede, no sporty logos or stripes). I’ve been looking at men’s shoes too but I’m a size 6 and men’s shoes tend to start at 7 or are bigger than a women’s size 6. They don’t need to be extra wide, just wide fit (E).

French Navy | Women's Casual Lace-Up | Dew II Shoes | Hotter UK
Women's Trainers & Plimsolls - 6, Wide Fit | John Lewis & Partners
Wide Fit Leather Lace Up Trainers | Jones Bootmaker | M&S
Heavenly Soles Fia Sporty Leather Loafer - Extra Wide Fit (EEE) | Simply Be
Women's Navy Wide Fit Trainers | Yours Clothing

Oh dear 😭 I just wouldn't wear any of those, sorry. Thanks for looking though.

How about Docs in silver or pink or white? I've seen girls in all of those at recent school proms and graduation ceremonies.

With your list of requirements and blue linen trousers I’d wear either a boat shoe/loafer style or brogues. Would brogues in a more summery colour work for you? Like tan rather than dark brown? Or navy blue?

I wouldn't particularly either but I wouldn't want to wear ballerina/court style or Mary Jane style either.

I know exactly what I'd wear but they're not 'wide fit' and they're on ebay.
They are lace-up shoes but with cut-out sides.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/adrian-carrara-leather-tassel-loafers-saddle-tan/p/30686225

or
https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/rejena-mary-jane-croc-emboss-leather-shoes-brown/p/41254200

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/highwood-moc-lace-low-natural-leather/highwoodmoc-suede-naturalleather-S005400-rubber-u_1428.html

or

www.birkenstock.com/gb/highwood-moc-lace-low-suede-leather/highwoodmoc-suede-suedeleather-S005194-rubber-u_1702.html

With wide leg trousers you could definite wear smart trainers. https://www.next.co.uk/style/su570607/g95323

This sort of thing … what brand of trainers are you most comfortable in?

Something like this maybe ?https://www.asos.com/prd/209728416?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

Have a look through the shoes on Sargossa and grey - they have some extra wide fit suede like trainers but only in dark red and green. You sound like you have similar problem feet to me - it’s such a pain!

https://sargassoandgrey.com/collections/wide-fit-trainers

You may be able to wear some of their flats with their width but I think only you will know if they work for your feet

You can buy very light coloured Doc Martins suitable for summer. If thats what you like & find comfortable I think they would look absolutely fine. To be fair though I think any colour would be ok.

https://berrymere.com/products/womens-lace-up-oxford-shoes
A trainer/ brogue hybrid could work? I have similar from Clark’s in black (the style is called ‘Hero’) and I’m surprised how often I reach for them (with skirts and trousers)

I have hotter whisper boots that I wear for work everyday with my suit. They are super comfy and come in a variety of colours.

I have wide, crap, feet and I swear by Sole Bliss. Their shoes are expensive, but so comfortable and well made that they last for ages. They have a plain navy suede trainer like you want https://solebliss.com/products/pixie-navy-leather-suede

They are very comfortable.

I wouldn't worry too much about brands on trainers. Trainers with wide leg trousers are everywhere at the minute.

Look on Vionics website - they do wide fit and have lots of support.

I think any trainers would be fine for this event.

Birkenstock Bend Low are smart trainer type. They actually do a lot more shoes now than they used to. Sales are on at the moment too.

Pavers are good for lace ups