So if any of you readers have worked retail or in similar jobs where you're required to walk/stand a lot, I would love your suggestions. I'd really like to find a replacement pair of shoes that are comfortable, stylish and can withstand long periods of standing and walking. They can be any color, style or height, as long as they look business casual for work.
I really appreciate any advice you might have. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Since my retail work revolves around Fri/Sat/Sun, I officially begin my weekend tonight through Tuesday, so I'll be putting up some casual outfit posts soon!
hope you can find new comfortable shoes soon :)
ReplyDeletexx,
jess
my top picks for brands: me too (seriously define COMFY for flats) and sam edelman. me too's flats are much more affordable. they have several that feel like bedroom slippers and they're also usually very cute, too. i also have a pair that i wear a lot that WERE linea paolo but are now under the halogen brand at nordstrom. they have the same kind of insole and design as the me toos that i love. my BFF who is a manager at nordstrom wears me toos pretty much everyday and swears by them.
ReplyDeleteothers that i like but wouldn't necessarily wear everyday: ruby & bloom and jessica simpson (very surprising).
hope this helps some!
(p.s. - got your comment on the shape ups... i seriously don't know how we're allowed to wear them because we can't wear athletic shoes or anything with laces - except maybe oxfords... we're supposed to be fashion forward with our dress... HAHA!)
I too, am on the eternal search for super-comfy "dress" shoes. So far I've found do-able and affordable pairs with White Mountain, Aerosoles and Clarks' Indigo or Artisan lines. You may to scroll through some of their more "matronly" offerings, but they do have stylish and comfy styles!
ReplyDeleteThe truth is no matter what you wear on your feet after about 6 hours they just can't take it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI swear by a pair sandals I bought last summer from anthropologie and I'm lucky that I purchased three pairs since they didn't make anything like it this year. With that said - when you find the shoe that works - buy multiples.
My J.Crew ballet flats are great. Clarks also makes really comfy shoes and are trying harder to make more fashionable styles.
I promise over time your body will get better about handling the pain and soon enough you will be back to wearing just about whatever you want on your feet.
When I used to work retail I always wore "sport casuals". They're ugly, but sometimes you have to sacrifice for the sake of the health of your feet.
ReplyDeleteI just read back through your posts (so busy, hard to stay caught up...:)) and I really wishj you all the best this year.I know it is the cheesiest thing to say EVER but things happen for a reason. They really do.
ReplyDeleteAnyways... I've got some Hush puppies that bridge nicely between adorable and comfy...
Clarks, definitely. They do make some styles that are a lot more fashionable now than they used to. Also, don't forget that gel insoles and arch supports inserted into the shoes and replaced every 3-6 months can really help too!
ReplyDeleteI work in retail and had a fun (not) time wearing in a certain pair of leather flats I got three years ago. Now that they've moulded to my feet they're comfy as.
ReplyDeleteI suggest getting a pair of leather shoes and wear stockings with them to wear them in. I find with stockings there is less rubbing against your feet...which means less blisters.
As a teacher I stand or walk all day long, so I can't understand your pain. I like to add Dr. Scholl's inserts into my shoes. The gel inserts are squishy and comfortable!
ReplyDeleteI usually just go with the foot pain, but I have a friend who swears by shoes from Soft. When I was a cashier (read 8 hour shifts standing in a 2x2 box) I wore Crocs (gasp!). They were inexcusable but I didn't want to die. Now they make ballet flat and slingback looking ones if you get super desperate.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I worked retail was in the early 2000's, and I was a typically-annoying teenager of the vaguely indie persuasion. There was NOTHING I'd wear for 8- or 10-hour days that was more comfortable than my Doc Martens. Seriously, it was kind of ridiculous how comfy they were.
ReplyDeleteThese won't win any "insanely cute" awards (IMHO) but they're a far cry from the stereotypical big clunky boot (which is what I had circa 2002 :-D):
http://www.dmusastore.com/p-3104-christina.aspx
I've had great luck with Rockport. They are super comfortable and do have some cute styles. Also something like this from Naturalizer:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?productRef=SEARCH&category=&prodId=198456
Good luck!
My teacher friends swear by SAS brand shoes. They look a little grandma, but are super comfy. Try the outlet store in Dawsonville for a better deal.
ReplyDelete-Val
Although you have to wade through some of the "old maid" shoes that they also carry, I have found the most comfortable shoes for walking city blocks, standing long periods of time, etc. to be Merrell. I also like Ecco. I usually wear pants rather than skirts, but you should at least give them a browse to see if you find some that you like to at least put in your rotation - I really can stand in them all day without any pain at all.
ReplyDeleteJenny was working at the Gap on weekends and actually bought a pair of Croc flats - she blogged about it a few weeks ago at Thrifty Threads. I know, I know ... sacrilege, but when it comes to retail jobs, sometimes you have to sacrifice style for comfort (and the flats she bought weren't TOO heinous).
ReplyDeleteI love Born, Soft, Softspots, and Clarks. They keep me from feeling completely worn out but they aren't cheap. One pair will last a while though if you take good care of them. Look for sales online too!
ReplyDeleteI haven't worked retail, but I highly recommend Born Codders. They are fantastically comfortable, and stylish too. I wore them while walking all over New York City, and my feet didn't hurt at all. I've gone through many eight hour days in those beauties.
ReplyDeletePrivo's are great and have cute styles. Check them out. I have several pair. Also, Fitzwell brand, and Keane are great! :)
ReplyDeleteps I adore your blog!
Sofft, Born, Clarks, Ecco or Merrells are all good with lots of support. Sofft has the most fashionable of them, I think!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Land's End has some cheap but comfy shoes. I got a pair of flats from there for walking on vacation and they held up great with no blisters and very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI actually read through all the suggestions, because I have never had good luck with finding cute comfy shoes for work. My feet have taken so much abuse from simply toughing it out, but I know I'll pay for it later in life.
ReplyDeleteMy only suggestion is that when you do find some you like - buy multiple pairs. That's what I've done.
I do second whomever mentioned ballet flats. I have a couple of pairs like that and they work well.
I agree with the above poster who mentioned the brand Soft, or it's sister brand, Born. They sell them at DSW by the name BOC by Born, also. Very comfy! You will have to spend more to have more comfort, for sure.
ReplyDeleteLike Fallon said, it sucks, but your body does get used to it after awhile. And for me I have levels of pain for my shoes--I have 4 hour shoes, 6 hour shoes, and 8 hour shoes. After 8 hours for me, NOTHING is comfortable. The brands that have treated me the best are Jeffrey Campbell (the leather scrunchy flats), Miss Albright (mostly carried at Anthropologie), Sam Edelman, and my Minnetonkas. Sometimes Seychelles too.
ReplyDeleteI find that all leather insoles feel better over time. I really want to try the Nike/Cole Haan shoes sometime. If you can get away with it, I'd go for some Toms. I feel like they could look really cute with skirts and dresses. Hope you find a suitable shoe solution!