Work Shoes?

[SarahLovesJS]

What kind of shoes do you usually wear to work? I''ve been wearing my Cole Haan Nike Air pumps all week and they are great, but they are starting to hurt at this point. I need some comfortable low-heel maybe flat shoes, so what do you wear typically?

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 5/22/2008 1:35:31 AM
Author:SarahLovesJS
What kind of shoes do you usually wear to work? I've been wearing my Cole Haan Nike Air pumps all week and they are great, but they are starting to hurt at this point. I need some comfortable low-heel maybe flat shoes, so what do you wear typically?

just black leather flats in various styles/brands. can't go past a good pair for comfort and style..but I guess it depends on what work you do?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Right now I''m doing an internship, I am still in college.

Which is probably why I lack a great deal of comfy high heels. Mine are..not comfy. They''re suitable for an interview or something like that, but not for walking around or running around in some cases an office all day. That is bad news. So general officey type stuff, like answering phones running around and getting stuff, and making copies.

 

[sumbride]

I don''t wear heels! I usually wear flats, or loafers of some type, but I have a "business casual" dresscode. When my feet hurt (I have a couple of injuries), I wear bowling shoes or walking shoes (think black or brown laceups with rubber soles). I work with nurses so they don''t worry about it. We have "casual summer" dress so I get to wear sandals all summer. I used to work in an office that required hosiery and forbid open toes. I hated it.

Most of the women in my office that do wear heels only wear them to meetings, or around the office. They usually have a few (dozen) pairs of shoes under their desk and often commute in either flip-flops (which are TERRIBLE for your feet and back!) or sneakers.

 

[Cleopatra]

I wear high heel pumps everyday (my poor feet

)

I have a pair of 3 1/2" Nine West closed toe black leather pumps that I wear nearly everyday - and I''m currently looking for new work shoes...

I wish I could wear some Privo''s with my dress trousers!!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Flip flops, bed slippers, sneakers.....

When I''m in court or meet with a client I wear heels. Any other time I''m rocking the bed slippers around the office

I have a Hello Kitty pair, a pair with clouds on them...

For walking around comfortable flat dress shoes I go with a pair of Steve Maddens for the cheap pair and a pair of Coach sling backs for the pricer pair. Coach is soooooo comfortable. I was surprised.

 

[LitigatorChick]

I am a high heel girl! Every day at work, and even a bit on weekends. I love my Manolos, very comfy. I have lots of other designer shoes, and they are all pretty decent for comfort. The Louboutins are the worst. I guess I am just used to it.

 

[FrekeChild]

When I was selling shoes I would wear Privos, Crocs or Dansko Clogs. (I sold so many Crocs when I was wearing mine!)

When I worked as a receptionist in a law firm I wore the highest heels possible (Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry mostly), but I was sitting most of the time.

What kind of clothes do you wear when you''re at work? And where do you work?

Here''s a couple of comfier looking shoes I saw when I breezed through a couple of pages of Piperlime:
Kenneth Cole wedges (only in a size 6 though) but they look comfy

YOU by Crocs Mary Janes-these SHOULD be super comfy

Low round toe pump

Low round toe pump, only in a few sizes

Report wedges

Kenneth Cole t strap

If you''re wanting something that''s more comfy-I''d go for a lower heel 3 inches and under-preferably a wedge or a thicker heel-with plenty of support. The most comfy pair of 3 inchers I have is a Kenneth Cole Wedge-they are adorable and really comfy.

 

[rockzilla]

Bandolino is a GREAT comfy brand.

Every year they come out with a slightly different version of this same shoe, and I always buy it, in black. SO comfortable - and stylish! Goes with everything.

http://www.bandolino.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=16177&cid=17006

RZ

 

[rockzilla]

ooooh...looks like they have just come out with the new version:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/36787428/c/72.html

 

[LtlFirecracker]

For normal work days, usually ballet flats (but I am 5''9 so I never got into heals)

For my super shifts, Dansco clogs. Those are great if you are on your feet all day and they a loose enough that your feet can "breathe"

 

[AmberGretchen]

Agree with the danskos for anyone on their feet all day - we have to wear closed-toe closed-back at the lab for safety reasons, and my dansko clogs have gotten me through many a 15+ hour day...

They are probably not ideal for office wear, but check out some of the other dansko styles - I think some of their other non-clog styles might be OK, and I have sandals from them that are also super-comfy.

 

[sera]

I typically wear ballet flats (Jessica Simpson, BCBG, etc.) or wedges (Born are the most comfy but actually found a cute pair of Easy Spirit) or some type of sandal (Frye, Born, Indigo by Clarks, Mudd, etc. {I think Mudd is a brand from Mervyn''s? I got at DSW- I had some sandal wedges on yesterday and when I got home from work I forgot to take them off until late evening... I was like, wow! these aren''t expensive but so comfy!})

 

[Fly Girl]

We are business casual, thank goodness. I wear the Rockport ProWalker World Tour Classic in every available color.

My high heel days are o-ver!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Wow thanks everyone for the replies!!

Freke I was hoping you''d show up! I am going to write more in the morning, but I wanted to respond to your questions before I go to bed! It''s business casual unless there''s a meeting of some kind. It''s an office setting, so I usually wear dress pants and a blouse or knit top. If there''s a meeting then I''d wear a suit. I''ve been wearing these: Cole Haan. The Nike Air does work and I do

them, but they started to rub blisters when I jumped up and down like 20 times in a row to run from my filing to the phone in the other room. So I was thinking I might get these: Cole Haan 2. But I am going to look at all the links everyone posted in the morning. I am soooooooooo excited!

shoe shopping! I am definitely looking for flats at this point. I wore LV flats today and they were so much better.

No blisters, yaay! Sorry if that''s TMI.

I was thinking about buying a pair of Tory Burch ballet flats. Does anyone wear those? I''ve heard they''re comfy. Anyway, I am exhausted. I''ll be back in the morning. Night everyone!

 

[Haven]

I wear heels every day, normally in the 3" to 4" range (and I''m 5''9" in bare feet--tall girls can rock heels, LtlFirecracker!).

I''m a teacher and I''m on my feet or running around all day long, so I spend a lot of time finding heels that are comfortable. We can wear gym shoes on Fridays, so I''ll sometimes trade in my heels once a week, but I miss my heels when I do!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Freke I couldn''t get to your link because Piperlime is down for maintenance so I will try again tonight. Rock I love the Bandolino''s very cute!!

Woohoo shout out for the tall girls! I am 5''9" as well.

It bothers me a bit sometimes, but I try to stay confident. I want these in black and in orange I think. Do you like them?

 

[appletini]

Sarah, I recently purchased the cole haan fiona mid-heel and I love them, but I am still in the break-in period with mine so I don''t wear them everyday. However I have been wearing high heels to work everyday for the last 6 years...but today is casual friday so i''m wearing my CH flip flops. You said they are rubbing blisters, how long have you had this pair? They might just not be broken in yet, if thats the case going with a lower heel isn''t going to change that, b/c then you just have to break them in again. However I have learned over time that the more expensive shoes are defnitely worth it. My pair that i''m phasing out are some Stuart Weitzmans and while I love them, my feet are in need of some coushin.

Oh and I saw these on the cole haan site...lots of fun colors...
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=171608&categoryId=300253&productGroup=171554

 

[CNOS128]

I think Cole Haan''s Nike Air pumps are the best! That''s what I would have recommended for comfort. Do you have them in patent (that''s what the link was to) or regular leather? Patent doesn''t stretch the same way and it''s generally really stiff.

The thing I don''t like about Tory Burch flats is the metal piece that sometimes pushes on my foot in a strange way and hurts. But other than that, they are fine.

[I''m also 5''9" and love heels.]

 

[LitigatorChick]

Go tall girls (I'm also about 5'9")!!! I have a tall hubby (6'3"), so I never have hesitated from heels. I wear 3-4 inch heels most every day (I feel short today in my Pradas - I think they are only 2 or so!).

 

[Ice Princess Cristy]

I wear heels everyday, all day. My most comfortable ones tend to be Steve Madden believe it or not. For smaller heels or wedges in the summer my most comfortable seem to be the coach and my fornarinas.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 5/22/2008 9:04:04 PM
Author: SanDiegoLady

Date: 5/22/2008 1:46:46 PM

Author: FrekeChild
When I was selling shoes I would wear Privos, Crocs or Dansko Clogs. (I sold so many Crocs when I was wearing mine!)

Oh my stars.. this explains EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh does it now SDL?

ETA: Sarah, these are almost identical to the most comfortable pair of heels (not wedges) I own--Steve Madden these are just a little less pointy than mine (which I bought 5 years ago). I love them so much that I just broke my rule of not buying black anything-to buy a pair of these ($41.99 from $110-can't beat that!) because I have worn the poo out of my other ones-literally. The leather is puckered, the heels worn down and the pointy toe is ALL messed up. But now I have another on the way! Wohoo!!!

(And thanks for making me look for them!!!)

And Piperlime just changed up their website a bit-so I bet that is why it was down.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Appletini I was thinking about the Fiona glad to see someone has them!!

TheBigT I have them in patent, so that would make sense. Maybe they''re not stretching much. Thanks for the heads up about Tory Burch, I hadn''t thought of that!

LitChick that is so cute! Haha. Glad to see confident tall girls out there! Woohoo! I love heels, I am just too lazy to wear them most of the time. And my FI is 5''8" so considering I am 5''9", I only want to tower over him so much.

Ooh Freke and Ice I will look for some cute Steve Maddens!

 

[Independent Gal]

LitChik, Haven and the rest of you who wear very high heels every day... PLEASE do some reading on the effect this is likely to have on your feet. Being able to walk without chronic pain is pretty important and the chances of PERMANENT FOOT DAMAGE only helped by surgery are actually pretty high. Like 1 in 5 if you wear super high heels every day. Is it really worth it?

I'm just extra-concerned about this issue at the moment because I have a relative and a friend who are both having chronic problems. And it just seems like, y'know, where 'em every other day, or twice a week or something... so easy to do. Such dire consequences if you don't.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/foot-problems/WO00114


You need your feet! You need to stand and walk and chase your kiddies around! Treat them well.

OK, lecture over.

 

[Haven]

Date: 5/26/2008 1:56:39 PM
Author: Independent Gal
LitChik, Haven and the rest of you who wear very high heels every day... PLEASE do some reading on the effect this is likely to have on your feet. Being able to walk without chronic pain is pretty important and the chances of PERMANENT FOOT DAMAGE only helped by surgery are actually pretty high. Like 1 in 5 if you wear super high heels every day. Is it really worth it?


I''m just extra-concerned about this issue at the moment because I have a relative and a friend who are both having chronic problems. And it just seems like, y''know, where ''em every other day, or twice a week or something... so easy to do. Such dire consequences if you don''t.


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/foot-problems/WO00114

You need your feet! You need to stand and walk and chase your kiddies around! Treat them well.


OK, lecture over.

Thank you for your concern, Indy.

My FI''s a muscle specialist, so I''m spoiled because he works on my feet every week to keep my body in order. He also okays all of my shoes, too.

I know this is a bit of a threadjack, but flip flops, backless shoes, and stiff gym shoes can actually be worse for you and your gait than a pair of heels that have support in the right places. In fact, flip flops are HORRIBLE for you. Many of my FI''s non-pro athlete clients have serious gait and muscle imbalance issues due to flip flop wear. No joke.

I''m not saying heels are good for you, but if you choose them well and take care of your body, you can keep your musculature in order.

I haven''t worn flip flops, backless mules, pointy-toed shoes, or stiff walking or running shoes since I met my FI four years ago.

 

[Independent Gal]

True! Heels are definitely not the only culprit for foot problems.

Just be cautious because the most common problem with heels is not your muscles but your BONES which actually get misshapen. Tendons can be a problem too.

Again, sorry to get all lecture-y. But you know how it is when you''re watching someone suffer and you see someone else doing what brought on that suffering and you want to yell NOOOO! STOP! Don''t hurt yourself!

And hey, I love my sexy shoes for a night out, and wear heels to work a couple of days a week, but other than that, I''m a huge fan for arch support and comfort. I love my tender tootsies!

 

[Haven]

I hear ya, Indy.

I have to disagree about the muscle vs. bone issue, but that's just because I have a background in biomechanics myself and I'm marrying a man who studies biomechanics and treats imbalances for a living.

Are you in the medical industry? What do you do? I love finding other people who are interested in biomechanics, that's what drew me to my FI!

ETA: I don't want to totally dismantle the focus of this thread, but I'm always shocked at how uninformed the general public is about bone and joint health, but what's worse--all of these "shoe experts" and many PTs and OTs are actually doing things to harm their clients. Have you ever been to one of those shoe specialty stores? They are still putting people in orthotics! It's horrendous and really scary.
Okay, rant over.

 

[Independent Gal]

Nope, I''m no expert! Just going off what the Mayo Clinic (my fave ''reliable'' source for medical information) has to say. They say high heels can cause the following problems:

" * Corns and calluses. Thick, hardened layers of skin develop in areas of friction between your shoe and your foot. Painful rubbing can occur from wearing a high heel that slides your foot forward in your shoe or from a too-narrow toe box that creates uncomfortable pressure points on your foot.
* Toenail problems. Constant pressure on your toes and nail beds from being forced against the front of your shoe by a high heel can lead to nail fungus and ingrown toenails.
* Hammertoe. When your toes are forced against the front of your shoe, an unnatural bending of your toes results. This can lead to hammertoe — a deformity in which the toe curls at the middle joint. Your toes may press against the top of the toe box of your shoe, causing pain and pressure.
* Bunions. Tightfitting shoes may worsen bunions — bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions can also occur on the joint of your little toe (bunionettes). Experts disagree on whether tightfitting, pointy-toed, high-heeled shoes cause bunions or bunionettes, but such shoes can exacerbate an already existing problem.
* Tight heel cords. If you wear high heels all the time, you risk tightening and shortening your Achilles tendon — the strong, fibrous cord that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. Your Achilles tendon helps you point your foot downward, rise on your toes and push off as you walk. Wearing high heels prevents your heel bones from regularly coming in contact with the ground, which in turn keeps your Achilles tendon from fully stretching. Over time, your Achilles tendons contract to the point that you no longer feel comfortable wearing flat shoes.
* Pump bump. Also known as Haglund''s deformity, this bony enlargement on the back of your heel can become aggravated by the rigid backs or straps of high heels. Redness, pain and inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the pump bump result. Heredity may play a role in developing Haglund''s deformity, but wearing high heels can worsen the condition.
* Neuromas. A growth of nerve tissue — known as Morton''s neuroma or plantar neuroma — can occur in your foot, most commonly between your third and fourth toes, as a result of wearing tightfitting shoes. A neuroma causes sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot accompanied by stinging or numbness in your toes.
* Joint pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia). High heels cause you to shift more weight to the ball of your foot, rather than distributing your weight over the entire foot. This causes increased pressure, strain and pain in your forefoot. Shoes with tightfitting toe boxes can lead to similar discomfort.
* Stress fractures. Tiny cracks in one of the bones of your foot — stress fractures — may result from the pressure high heels place on your forefoot."

 

[FrekeChild]

I just want to state for the record that although I have upwards of 60 pairs of high heels, I rarely wear them (being a student limits the occasions that I need to dress up) for more than a few hours, and for really high pairs (upwards of 3.5 inches) I usually only wear them when I know I''ll be sitting a lot.

I basically live in my Crocs most of the time. They are great, and my feet never hurt after wearing them for hours on end...

I want to go ahead and echo the sentiment of taking care of your feet-after all, we only get one pair!!

 

[sumbride]

Haven - What is wrong with orthotics? They've made all the difference for me and my DH. He has high arches and now gets the support he needs and I got them to prevent a recurrence of a stress fracture because of the structure of my foot. Are you saying that they are dangerous? That's against everything I've ever heard so I'm curious as to what your information is.