Mamas & Papas -
I've never had good feet. They're flat, wide, small, and I am prone to corns. I guess my tolerance for discomfort was much greater before the baby because I can't put up with heels anymore. Any suggestions for some good go to brands and models that are so comfortable, you forget to kick them off at the end of the day? Right now I am at my desk and have kicked off a pair of well broken in aerosoles with a square 1.5" heel because I am so done with them.
I am willing to pay up to $200 for a pair that are comfortable and fit for the office.
Thanks,
Fanged Bunny
Cole Haan.
Their Air line has soles with Nike technology in them.
I have a pair of black pumps like this and could walk for DAYS in them.
They also do repair on the shoes for the life of the shoe at the stores.
Great investment.
Oh yes! The following brands have a HUGE variety of styles. Check out Zappos to peruse them -they have a large selection:
Clarks Indigo Line
Sofft
Dansko
Born
J-41
Naturalizer (I have a pair of leopard pumps I got last fall that are OUTSTANDING)
I believe it's Cole Haan that has a line using Nike Air technology. They sell them at Nordstrom I know.
There are others I'm not remembering off the top of my head, but search zappos.com and look at their different categories. There are many comfortable heels, dressy boots and professional looking shoes out there.
I recommend the Cole Haans with Nike Air technology.
I love Clarks. Although I've not tried any, they make heels now too:
http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/categories/womens/shoes/dress
Here's a video/article spotlighting specific styles/brands of comfy heels:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/14021821/ns/today-style/t/h...
cole haans with the nike air technology. they are amazing...i bought a pair of ballet flats, and love them so much i bought 2 more colors right away. could totally walk for days in them and they look very stylish too. got them on zappos.
I have good luck with Nine West, Soft Shoe, Franco Sarto, Etienne Aigner and Anne Klein. I can find good Naturlizers and Clarks too but I find them to be a shade on the frumpy side for my tastes. I can't tolerate Alfani, Bandolino, Maripe brand, Chinese Laundry, Madden Girl, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Rocket Dog or Steve Madden brands, though. They just never fit or wear correctly and wind up being horrifically uncomfortable. For me if the shoe doesn't feel instantly comfortable, it is not going to get better with extending time in the torture chamber. I stick with lower heels too because I find those to wear better over the course of the day.
I consider what I am doing in my shoes before I make a purchase. A trip to the opera is different than a day at the office. For the office where I do a lot of walking as our office complex/machine shops sit on a few acres, I stick with low heels. Nothing like a hike to prove out a shoe. Good luck and happy shoe shopping.
Check into Cloudwalkers - sold at Avenue, they are made for wide feet so their regular is wide as it is.
My MIL wears the Naturalizers - some are very chic and she says they are comfy as tennis shoes.
I love heels and wear them a lot; but they have to fit correctly. I can never find pumps that fit my feet. I have a high arch and a narrow heel and I simply walk right out of pumps. Slingbacks usually fit and are comfortable. Open toe or sandals shoes usually fit my feet best.
If you have a DSW near you I suggest that you take some time, late in the day and try on shoes. Be sure to wear the hoisery you would normally wear with the shoes and walk around in them for a while. Make sure they hug your arches and the toe box is big enough. If you try on a pair of pointy toes, try them at least a half size bigger. If they don't fit at the store don't buy them.
I think it comes down to the style of shoe more than the brand. I hate hate hate shoes. All shoes. But, I have to wear nice shoes to work. The ones that are least torturous for me have are pumps. They have a bit of a chunky, wider heel and have a flat platform under the foot. That makes a huge differance and you can put that little gel foot insert in the front.
http://www.footsmart.com/P-Naturalizer-Womens-Irma-Mary-J...
My favorite pair is from Charlotte russe. I'd also try find some manolos, jimmy choo, or louboutins on eBay maybe if you can find a pair that cheap. Some of the other brands people have listed are great too!
Naot and Dansko are both extremely comfortable shoes.
Be sure you find a shoe with a rounded or more squared off toe area as well. I have slightly disfigured feet that causes me a lot of pain, so I know the struggle of finding good shoes. Pumps with a less than 2 inch tall and wider heel offer more support. Naturalizers are pretty easy to find and comfortable.
