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.)

I don't think anyone would actually look at your feet though would they? I wouldn't but I'm not fashion oriented at all! I wear canvas DM's (shoes, not boots) in the summer, with my wide legged linen trousers.

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/lightweight-lace-up-shoes-wbins36118-322-793-black-floral/Black%20Floral/5?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19609282240&gbraid=0AAAAAD_sFrhHYpy-AFbHT1fpjbda_uby7&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4PPNBhD8ARIsAMo-icwVjj-MGs_SndFtq6WbX_HcJRltatozM3QsZaWZc6Q-L_a2FRpFER4aAjmGEALw_wcB

It sounded like you had severe lymphoedema and thats all some people with the condition can wear. Sorry if thats not the case. If you are only an E or EE then there is loads of choice out there. Good luck.

Sorry for your issues, I also have wide feet and health requirements. It is so hard. However, I've been to many graduations and they are not universally super smart occasions. Linen trousers and lovely new trainers will be fine. I love the trainers at Sargasso and Gray. However Next also do wide feet people proud, and their sale starts tomorrow. Have a lovely time, whatever you wear on your feet.

Can you wear shoes at all? If so how about some of the zebzag DMs? They are really comfy and can look quite smart.
I’ve found recently that I can’t wear some of the ballerina style shoes I previously wore but have been managing with Mary Jane’s, Zebzags and Carlson’s and have a few heeled DMs too but find them quite big so it always comfortable.
Good luck

There are a lot of Loro Piana dupes about - would something like these suit?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su866331/y15171

https://www.matalan.co.uk/p/footwear/linzi-alix-mocha-faux-suede-slip-on-summer-mule/16189038/

https://www.dunelondon.com/grinning--blush-1173510780009629.html

Birkenstock do quite a few closed shoes these days. ‘London’ I think is a shoe version of the Boston clog. I wear the Montana- lots of people hate it but I have always liked fugly shoes and these are dreamy for comfort.

I'd go for a pair of wide fit lace up canvas pumps under the wide leg trousers. Graduation events don't have to be uber smart. https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/sh722

Birkenstock have nice lace up or non lace up daps. “Bend low” or “Oswego”.

Have you looked at Fitflops? They have super comfy shoes for wide feet and some smarter trainers. Eg these https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-leather-sneakers-p-X22#194

I know you said no sandals or Mary Janes, but they do also have these styles with support which could be worn with discreet support stockings. I have some amazingly comfortable gladiator style sandals from them and I have massive life long feet/leg issues arising from sports injury and mid-life knee and hip replacements which have severely limited by shoe wardrobe. Good luck finding something!

Wear Light coloured DMs

With the greatest respect I initially read this as prayers
😦 🙏

I thought of them too - expensive but probably worth it. They do have silver or khaki trainers & a few other styles as well in wide rather than extra-wide fit.

These in soft gold, possibly? https://www.hotter.com/clovelly-shoes-beige-2131

Or these?

https://www.hotter.com/chase-ii-trainers-soft-gold-113

https://www.hotter.com/mabel-shoes-light-denim-1606

Quite summery.

These are nice? I like the silver & white. https://www.hotter.com/switched-trainers-white-metallic-2946

https://www.widerfitshoes.co.uk/womens-shoes-oedema-lymphedema

This brand sells a variety of shoes designed for your condition and some loafer and boat shoes that are not too awful- though I understand some of them are. Some of the boots I have bought are not too bad - look more like Doc Martins than special shoes.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/8065-virginia-leather-mary-jane-shoes-taupe-vintage-taupe/p/30692348?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22360053352&gbraid=0AAAAAD7dLugaePTJCwdWZazJdvIUxrR67&gclid=CjwKCAjwg_nNBhAGEiwAiYPYA7YnvPPIOwgPeH4-a-zfZYBww3HICtgsYEgDtT8YzNltHn0xoqy44BoCa6wQAvD_BwE#PLA/_GGL_UK_B_Shoes

https://www.endclothing.com/gb/dr-martens-lowell-4-eye-shoe-40817650.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23438812273&gclid=CjwKCAjwg_nNBhAGEiwAiYPYAyRhXvMNMQEQDh529QngYVe3FL9kRuiEKjLkMRT1vB2HRevEHedYhhoCruUQAvD_BwE

https://www.asos.com/prd/208792671?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

There are other colours by the way, I just think pink would look good with navy 😊

What we really all need is new feet.

If it helps, I wore gold trainers to DS’ graduation. I think they were from Clark’s but not dissimilar to the Fitflop Rally ones up thread. No one blinked.

Well, they've just managed to transplant a lab-created oesophagus into a pig successfully. Maybe new trotters will be next ...!!!

Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions and reassurance and thanks @Zebracatfor your good wishes. For all fellow sufferers, my sympathies - and @Mosaic123I agree, new feet would be great, but failing that, my old feet (and legs) before this issue developed would do me just fine!