Advice on flattish black shoes for problem feet desperately needed!

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

I've got a high instep and a high arch so can only wear flattish shoes - no more than an inch high. I also need the shoe to be fairly open on the top of the foot as the high arch means that close fitting shoes will rub that part of the foot iyswim. Any help much appreciated - my current shoes which I've had for ages have started to tear today - and yes, I don't buy shoes often as it's a nightmare.

Have you tried Dr Martens, there are some lovely ladies styles and tend to be reasonably wide fitting and are very comfy

No ten10 but will have a look - thanks for the idea.

yes i have two pairs of their non dm type boots and have similar feet, sort of square flippers. don't you find that you simply step out of shoe and leave it behind exchoc? i usually only ever wear boots or sandals.

oh and hush puppies are also good for my feet and are often reduced on amazon.

have you tried ecco shoes

natural shoe store

Good to know I'm not alone fishie. I always knew that heels hurt my feet but didn't find out why until I got cuts on the top part of my foot from wearing shoes with an elasticated top. I saw the doctor as the cut wasn't healing and he said to see a chiropodist who explained that I should never wear high heels. That's partly why I always wear long clothes as my legs would need the help given by heels. I do find that sometimes I step out of shoes - they always get too big for me but I think I usually keep them on with claw like grip - probably really bad for my feet and making the arch even higher!

I have the same problem and find Clarks always come up trumps especially in the sales when i can usually pick up 2 or 3 pairs for the price of 1 normal priced shoe there! They have some lovely styles now and some great boots too. I'd never been able to wear Boots before until I tried the Clarks ones - wearing a very soft leather flat knee high boot is so much more supportive as you dont get that claw-like grip you describe when the shoe eventually widens and is too big (I know exactly what you mean.
A long dark coloured knee-high boot also does wonders for your clothes as you can get back into shorter clothes as they are quite leg lengthening with matching coloured opaque tights.
I'm sure you probably going 'hmmmmm' as you read this but humour me and go in and try a pair on (they do different leg widths, and if none fit try EVANS)and see what you think!
Happy shoe shopping!

Gabor, Geox and Van Dal (usually found in department stores) also tend to have shoes that are comfortable and M and S footglove.

I haven't tried ecco shoes nailpolish as have always thought of them as granny shoes but there seem to be some nice ones on the website so thanks for the suggestion.

cococo - glad to meet another person with problem feet. Thanks for the suggestions. Clarks is usually the place I shop but struggle to find anything there unless it's really quite clumpy. Have you bought anything there recently?

samsonara - will check out the websites - thanks very much.

Have only recently started posting on MN and am still amazed at how helpful everyone is - and Style and Beauty is one of the most helpful sections.

ecco shoes not all for grannies - my new "palm" boots I got in the sale were so admired in the office my assistant (27) was straight on line to get a pair. They do, however, I must agree have some styles that are best for the over 80's.

If you are confident of your size, Amazon sell loads of Dr Marten's shoes at 50% off.
Still a few bargains left, here and here. Hope this helps

Thanks again. YunYun - I have never bought Dr Martens - do you know if they come up big or small or are they pretty accurate?

T K Maxx is another place to try - they often have one offs.

Dr Martens shoes are definitely not small. They are not 'big' either, just have plenty of room (err.. does that make sense? )
Also they are quite wide fitting.
The Emily style is my favourite, very supportive, comfy, and very well made. It has a small heel (1 inch).
The Christina style is quite good, but I find (with my wide-ish feet) that it's quite tight above the big toe area. It is very flat, though.

I have a pair of DM shoes (the most comfortable high heels ever) and a pair of flattish long boots. Loads of room in the foot, nice and wide, and v comfy

I have similar problem feet plus they're small but with wide toes and narrow heels, and my current shoes are lovely comfy Mary Jane type ones from Ecco - flat and black. We looked a bit over New Year for more similar ones but there weren't any I liked enough, but I would still say they're worth a look.

Fantastic. After years of despair, you've all given me hope! Thanks very much.