Please help me find comfortable women's dress shoes

March 2, 2008 6:42 AM

99% of shoes hurt me so much that I can't walk after a few hours. The 1% that don't aren't appropriate to wear with suits. What do I do?

I have very, very high arches and have always had a terrible time finding shoes that don't hurt me, even with added arch supports. The only shoes I have found that *don't* hurt me too much are Birkenstock sandals, Dansko clogs, and memory foam slippers. For the past ~10 years, literally every other type of shoe I have worn has left me hobbling after only an hour or two spent on my feet (even if this is spread out over a day otherwise spent sitting). My feet (mostly the balls) will hurt too much to walk, and for days afterwards my legs and lower back will ache. I can't walk around barefoot either. It's getting worse as I age (I'm 29). I'm not fat (5'7"/145lbs).

Right now I wear Dansko Professional clogs every day. I can walk around on them all day without much pain (just the regular low-level mystery pain I'm always in that may not be caused by shoes or walking).

Unfortunately, the more dressier/business-like styles in the Dansko line aren't comfortable for me. I bought some Dansko Roxy heels but they cause me terrible pain after a couple of hours. I've tried on the Dansko Ren heels in the store and could tell right away that they would not work either.

I've done a small amount of research on orthodontic shoes but I haven't seen any that seem appropriate to wear with a suit or dress. They are also very expensive, as would be the appointment with the podiatrist -- I estimate that it would probably cost $500 - $1000 and it would not be covered by my health insurance. I am extremely reluctant to spend that much money on something that might not even work because I would have to finance it with credit card debt.

On the other hand, I am beginning to worry that my career options are limited because I can't apply for jobs that require professional business attire because I can't wear the appropriate shoes without being in constant pain. Plus my closet is full of nice dresses and skirts that I can't wear because I don't have shoes to wear with them (the matching shoes I bought for those outfits all kill me after an hour or so).

Any suggestions on how to find dress heels that won't hurt me?

Would it be completely inappropriate to wear my Dansko clogs under a pantsuit? (Think business/accounting/finance corporate culture and dress code.)

Thanks in advance for any ideas or help you can offer.

posted by Jacqueline to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (23 answers total)

There are a few Munro styles that are on the arch-conservative end of the scale, but are very comfortable, especially if you have wide feet. They have some at Nordstroms.
posted by theredpen at 7:02 AM on March 2, 2008

Are you sure your insurance wouldn't cover shoes, if your regular doctor prescribed them? Or at least inserts? I've known two people who had to wear custom shoes, and they both were covered. They would buy off-the-shelf shoes and send them away to be custom fitted. One of them was a woman, and she could get office-appropriate (although not heels) shoes done.
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:04 AM on March 2, 2008

Cole Haan makes shoes with nike air insert things, apparently they are amazing, I'm not positive they would solve you're problem, but I would at least go and try a few pairs on. They are very expensive, but as someone that horrible problems with shoes too (not so much the arch part, but every shoe I wear tends to rub horribly within a couple hours) I find that the money is worth it if I'm not in constant pain.
posted by whoaali at 7:13 AM on March 2, 2008

With my old insurance, a podiatrist's visit would be covered, but not the orthotics. But I think they were more in the neighborhood of $150? Something like that. Not $500. You should call and ask.

However...I didn't have the money at the time. I had a podiatrist friend and he suggested the Dr. Shoals inserts from the drugstore...I think they are called Dynastep? They help a lot. In fact they helped so much that I stopped using them after a while.

Just a thought. You might want to try them.

Ok you are not a dude. I'm not sure if they work for women but they are like $14 so you could give them a shot.
posted by sully75 at 7:28 AM on March 2, 2008

Response by poster: Re: insurance, my deductible is $6000, that's why it wouldn't be covered.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:36 AM on March 2, 2008

My mom took my grandmother to a place specializing in shoes for hard to fit people and from what I understand these are the best shoes she's found in decades.

I think you need to find a place like that. It may take quite a bit of research on your part; a podiatrist may have some recommendations but I bet it'd be tough to get them without a visit, though if you've never had your feet checked out that may be worth doing anyway.

If you're going to be in the Denver area any time soon I can ask my mom where that place was. Unfortunately, whatever shoes my grandmother got were pretty expensive, though I think in the $200-400 range (she got more than one pair). But they spent a long time making sure the fit was just right, which is why I think the specialty store is probably the right place for you. I would hope any store like that has a sensible policy for returns if they don't work.

One thing I noticed was that both your dressier shoe links were for heels. Obviously heels look great but I'd guess they aren't going to be the shoes that work for you. So, and this may be too obvious, have you checked out non-heel dressy shoes?
posted by 6550 at 7:44 AM on March 2, 2008

Best answer: Would it be completely inappropriate to wear my Dansko clogs under a pantsuit? (Think business/accounting/finance corporate culture and dress code.)

Actually, no, I don't think it would be inappropriate, given that you have a legitimate physical/medical need to do so. And it's not like they're hot pink Chuck Taylors; the Danskos are plain and neutral enough that they won't draw much undue attention to themselves, especially if you wear them with pants. Perhaps you could wear normal, hurty shoes to job interviews and then, once you start the job, pull your supervisor aside and explain your situation to her or him.

I'd really encourage you to see a podiatrist, even if you know you can't afford or don't want to buy special shoes. A podiatrist may have a less expensive solution for you. Call around and see if you can't book an appointment for a consultation with one at a rate that if affordable to you.
posted by kitty teeth at 7:51 AM on March 2, 2008

There's a brand at Sears (and some other dept stores) called "I Love Comfort" - I have several pairs that are business appropriate but are very comfortable, even when I had a job where I was literally on my feet all day (I have high arches as well).

Generally if you're looking for arch support, try to find shoes aimed at people who are on their feet all day - nurses, retail workers, etc. Departments tend to section off these shoes - you can search under Workplace and Safety or Comfort.

Orthodontic shoes. Heh. I think you mean orthotic. You might be able to reduce the price by getting some cheaper orthotic inserts rather than the full-on custom shoes.

As for the heels debate, I have never worn heels in a business context. Find a nice pair of professional-looking flats or with a fakey heel (as seen here. Many people don't. So long as what you're wearing is black/dark leather (or faux, if you're veg) and doesn't look like a sneaker, you're probably ok. Zappos also posts customer-generated feedback on whether shoes have good arch support or not (I don't think it's a searchable option, unfortunately).
posted by SassHat at 7:58 AM on March 2, 2008

I'd like to echo 6550's suggestion of checking out alternative styles of dressy shoes. Loafers or lace-up Oxfords are perfectly acceptable to wear with pant suits.

I'm also wondering if there's something about the way you walk that is contributing to the foot pain. Given the negative ramifications of foot pain you have described, it sounds like a visit to a podiatrist is a worthwhile investment.
posted by needled at 8:03 AM on March 2, 2008

If you can wear Birkenstocks and foam shoes, you might get by with some over-the-counter inserts that are more than just a flat bit of foam. I remember Spenco being pretty good, but you'd probably have to try out a few. They're for (dress) boots, not heels. Anyway, podiatrists are still a good idea.
posted by trig at 8:50 AM on March 2, 2008

i think dansko clogs would look fine under a pantsuit.
i'm sorry if i'm asking an obvious question...but can't you get orthotic insoles to put into other shoes?
posted by thinkingwoman at 8:52 AM on March 2, 2008

Best answer: go to the podiatrist. get orthoPEDIC insersts that are custom built for you. they make a 100% difference. i don't have pain in my feet and ankles anymore because of mine. best $350 i ever put on a credit card.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:04 AM on March 2, 2008

My bf has the same problem and went to a store that specialises in fitting people with foot problems and got some inserts. They weren't full on custom but they did some kind of pressure analysis of his feet and selected them from a range of inserts that they carry. I think they ran under $100. Anyway he says they are a miracle cure for him. He also likes Earth shoes, which are like Birks but more so, but they aren't typically very dressy so might not work for you.

You might try Taryn Rose, they are insanely expensive but are specifically made for professional folks with foot problems and come up on ebay quite a bit. They also have a slightly cheaper line called Taryn by Taryn Rose. Zappos carried them both.

On the cheaper end I'd try Born and Ecco, both of which have annoyingly high arch supports for someone like me with regular feet. Clarks shoes are big enough to use an insert and are very cute these days.
posted by fshgrl at 9:13 AM on March 2, 2008

Hey. I have the same prob. I've always put fashion in the back seat in favor of my health and comfort. Comfortable shoes = good mental health (and I'm sure there are a whole other meridians down there on the soles that if they get pinched do not spell good physical health either) - that said - I opt for crocks (and/or the other Sole shoes - a little fancier maybe) loafers and sport shoes. OK - so maybe you won't win fashion points, but honestly - if you're not going to a reception or meeting with the CEO of Highbrow Inc. wtfc anyway? But maybe you're not ready to go against the grain to that degree. Understandable. So - here ya go. The ultimate in comfy shoes for you. And you don't even have to leave the house to shop.
posted by watercarrier at 9:14 AM on March 2, 2008 [2 favorites]

The Dansko heels you've tried are built on a different footbed from the Professional clogs, but the Dansko Marcelle Mary Jane and Birkenstock Paris T-straps appear to be built on the same footbeds as the clogs and sandals that you know work for you. They're not as business-y as the Roxys but they might be more skirt-appropriate than the Professionals. I agree with 6550, though, that probably the best approach (if you havne't already tried it) is to find a local store specializing in "comfort shoes" where you can try on lots of styles from brands like Dansko, Birkenstock, Ecco, Born, Munro, Josef Seibel, etc. I, for one, hope that heels are not the be-all and end-all of business footwear; there are a lot of cute, dressy flats.
posted by Orinda at 9:17 AM on March 2, 2008

Best answer: I defend wearing heels in every thread about shoes, and I'm tellin' ya that wearing your clogs with pantsuits is fine. For extra insurance, make sure the appropriate people (every office has a couple of women who know EVERYTHING) are aware that it's because of a legit problem with crippling pain.

Also, go to a podiatrist like misanthropicsarah says. Inserts should make it possible for you to at least find a pair of shoes you can wear with skirts.
posted by desuetude at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2008

I highly recommend Born. I had the same problem with Danskos. I was surprised at how painful they were.
posted by Evangeline at 9:34 AM on March 2, 2008

If it's the sole section that makes your clogs comfortable and not the uppers take a pair to a cobbler and have them mount an appropriate set of uppers on the clog's soles.
posted by Mitheral at 10:14 AM on March 2, 2008

Seconding fshgrl's recommendation of Eccos. My feet are terribly hard to fit, but Ecco has one particular shoe shape that works well for me.

John Fluevog may have something dressy that feels ok on your feet too.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:58 PM on March 2, 2008

Best answer: My very high arches were a major contributing factor to a broken bone in my foot, the sesamoid. These are two little tiny bones that function like kneecaps, except on the bottom of your foot, under the ball joint (? you know what I mean) of the big toe. High arches --> more pressure on this point --> fracture. I was in a walking cast/boot for 6 weeks and now have custom orthotics but it still hurts sometimes and I think it's going to be a chronic condition for the rest of my life. And this is with Dansko clogs as my daily standards (casual office environment).

SO I would concur that you should get yourself to a podiatrist and get some custom inserts that will help support your arches and relieve the pressure on the balls of your feet. Make sure to ask for what I'm told is called graphite inserts; they are thin enough to go into any shoes, unlike the big clunky plastic ones that are best for sneakers. They are more money -- I think $450 or so -- but will last for several years as far as I know.
posted by librarina at 6:11 PM on March 2, 2008

I don't know if this will help, but I'll throw it out there. My foot for someone unknown reason is swollen to about 2-3 times the size of a normal foot. Consequently, it is difficult/painfull for me to find shoes. However, I discovered Aerosole brand shoes -- which have rubber soles, and that has made all the difference. They're not expensive either.
posted by bananafish at 10:26 PM on March 2, 2008

Listen to Orinda. I sold comfort shoes (which is the phrase you need when finding a shoe store) for several years, including at the time when Dansko introduced all those pretty business-y styles. Though they're more comfortable than most fashion shoes, they were never designed to be as supportive or tough as the professional; they were actually originally introduced as a separate brand, under the name Solvei. There are a few slightly more elegant styles made on that original footbed (and the one Orinda links to is among them), but you might also want to check out Sanita clogs. They're similar to the professionals, but slightly less expensive and more attractive, as I recall.

I'd also recommend trying on some of the more dressy styles of Birkenstocks. They do make some plain black oxfords and mary janes now, and while they're not all on the original birkenstock footbed, many of them are. Be sure to check the width, as many of their newer styles are narrower than the traditional 3-strap sandal.

You might also want to try on some styles made by Think!, which are wide and supportive but a little bit more funky and cute.

If Danskos and Birks work for you, Born and Ecco and the like will probably not; you seem to have a preference for good support and high arches, not the softer, more shock absorbent shoes that many people find more comfortable. That said, Ecco makes quite a few styles with removable insoles, and you might find that an Ecco shoe with a Birkenstock insole would be ideal for you.
posted by dizziest at 2:41 PM on March 3, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. I went to a podiatrist today and after x-rays and an ultrasound he found that I have neuromas (pinched nerves) in both feet. Apparently this is not something that will get better on its own -- will in fact get worse -- and I will need orthodic shoes, injections, and/or minor surgery to correct it.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:51 PM on March 14, 2008