ooo my preggie dogs!
May 14, 2012 10:41 AM Subscribe
My pregnant feet hurt! Looking for a possibly impossible set of shoe qualities: wide width, arch support, decent looking enough to wear to a work meeting, no heel or very minimal heel (so no clogs), and not more than $100. Links to Zappos much appreciated.
Ohhh, you don't have many choices do you?
Here is a pair of Nurse Mates in black that may fit the bill. I like a mary jane. They're okay (not glamourous) but your natural glow will off-set the utilitarianism of these shoes.
Nurse Mates Willow Black
I don't know how the arch support is, but you can buy an insert for that.
Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:48 AM on May 14, 2012
Here is a pair of Nurse Mates in black that may fit the bill. I like a mary jane. They're okay (not glamourous) but your natural glow will off-set the utilitarianism of these shoes.
Nurse Mates Willow Black
I don't know how the arch support is, but you can buy an insert for that.
Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:48 AM on May 14, 2012
Birkenstock arch inserts exist. That said, I've had very good luck in the wide width/comfort area with Ros Hommerson, and sometimes with Naturalizer. Easy Spirit tends to fall apart pretty quickly. Here's a website: Just Wide Shoes. Good luck, and may baby come easily!
posted by cereselle at 10:52 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by cereselle at 10:52 AM on May 14, 2012
The Zappos people will talk on the phone with you about shoes all day long. They love to talk about shoes. Call them up, helping a pregnant women will make someone's day.
posted by bdc34 at 10:53 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by bdc34 at 10:53 AM on May 14, 2012
I tend only to wear them with slacks, not skirts, but these Franco Sartos are among the few nice shoes that don't hurt by high-arched, wide feet.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 10:54 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by croutonsupafreak at 10:54 AM on May 14, 2012
Danskos do come in heel less styles (try the Merrie), and sometimes you can find good deals online!
posted by retrofitted at 10:56 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by retrofitted at 10:56 AM on May 14, 2012
Most Keens are too casual, and the newer models seem to be narrower than the original wide-toed shoes, but the brand has some nice sandals and Mary Janes that might work, depending on how formal your office is.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 10:58 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by croutonsupafreak at 10:58 AM on May 14, 2012
I find Born to be too narrow for my feet, for what it's worth. I like Danksos as well, and they do have some that aren't clogs, like these ones on sale for $85. These might be a bit too casual, but could be another option.
I also find that Franco Sartos are great for my wide, high-arched feet, as croutonsupafreak notes -- these aren't terrible, although they might read a bit frumpy.
I also have lots of luck with Volatile brand shoes. These ones are casual but I wear them all the time. They might have some that are cute and good for the office, though.
Surprisingly, less expensive brands - for example, the cheap shoes at Old Navy - tend to work well for me sometimes, too.
posted by k8lin at 10:59 AM on May 14, 2012
I also find that Franco Sartos are great for my wide, high-arched feet, as croutonsupafreak notes -- these aren't terrible, although they might read a bit frumpy.
I also have lots of luck with Volatile brand shoes. These ones are casual but I wear them all the time. They might have some that are cute and good for the office, though.
Surprisingly, less expensive brands - for example, the cheap shoes at Old Navy - tend to work well for me sometimes, too.
posted by k8lin at 10:59 AM on May 14, 2012
Forgot to mention that in terms of luxury shoes, Cole Haan with Nike is sometimes good for me, too. You might want to give the Zappos sales a try here - these might work, for example.
posted by k8lin at 11:02 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by k8lin at 11:02 AM on May 14, 2012
I love Aravon (which are made by New Balance, and really are a "looks like a pump, feels like a sneaker" sort of shoe). Some have heels, but they also have some very cute flats, and I've found both to be very comfortable for my wide, high arched feet.
posted by decathecting at 11:03 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by decathecting at 11:03 AM on May 14, 2012
Not at all impossible! Check places like FootSmart.com; they have the Dr. Scholl Schroll, which is amazingly comfortable for my high arches, Walking Cradles flats, and many other options in your price range.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:09 AM on May 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:09 AM on May 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
How important is style?
posted by functionequalsform at 11:13 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by functionequalsform at 11:13 AM on May 14, 2012
I'm just shy of 7 months pregnant and I have a pair of these Miz Mooz flats that I'm loving. I have wide feet, I walk and am on my feet a lot, and wanted something a little less clunky than my Keen Utility Mary Janes, which I love but which aren't exactly adorable. They're great shoes, though, and have a super structured interior.
Actually, all the Miz Mooz shoes I've tried on or purchased have been comfy from the get-go. I can't recommend them enough for women with wide feet who still want a cute, comfy, durable shoe that doesn't cost a fortune.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 11:19 AM on May 14, 2012
Actually, all the Miz Mooz shoes I've tried on or purchased have been comfy from the get-go. I can't recommend them enough for women with wide feet who still want a cute, comfy, durable shoe that doesn't cost a fortune.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 11:19 AM on May 14, 2012
Another vote for Aravon, which I just discovered, and which make my wide feet and high arches very happy.
posted by snorkmaiden at 11:21 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by snorkmaiden at 11:21 AM on May 14, 2012
What do you consider to be "very minimal heel"?
posted by MonkeyToes at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by MonkeyToes at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2012
Response by poster: How important is style?
Sadly, not the most important part. They just have to look good/normal enough to fit into a suit environment, which means that I might have to sacrifice style for formality.
What do you consider to be "very minimal heel"?
Probably not more than an inch?
posted by yarly at 11:31 AM on May 14, 2012
Sadly, not the most important part. They just have to look good/normal enough to fit into a suit environment, which means that I might have to sacrifice style for formality.
What do you consider to be "very minimal heel"?
Probably not more than an inch?
posted by yarly at 11:31 AM on May 14, 2012
Birkenstocks Birkenstocks Birkenstocks! I could not have survived my pregnancy without them. Here is the Zappos link to the ones I have. I have high arches and they support my entire foot perfectly (give them a week, they might not start out feeling like they're the perfect shoe), and bonus, you don't have to try and fight your way past your belly to put them on! I literally wore them to work every day, and had them on the for 3+ days of walking while in labor. I thought the thong style looked more work-appropriate than the traditional two-strap variety, many people did not even know they were Birkenstocks.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:32 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:32 AM on May 14, 2012
Ohhh suit environment. Well then maybe not, sorry. My workplace is a bit more casual than yours!
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:33 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:33 AM on May 14, 2012
When comfort is key (and I'm willing to put style a bit on the back burner), I go for my Trotters. Even with a modest heel (1"), I can be on my feet all day. Here's a link to their Zappo's page in the loafer category, which might fit the suit environment well.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 11:34 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by Sweetie Darling at 11:34 AM on May 14, 2012
Aravons are great. Trotters can be great (I find their quality a bit inconsistent). Aerosole quality is horrible, so I don't recommend them. Some of the Clarks Artisan shoes are fine for a suit meeting, but their quality is also really variable from shoe to shoe. Ros Hommerson is another maker of decent quality (if fairly staid in style) shoes that come in a variety of widths at your price point.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:42 AM on May 14, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:42 AM on May 14, 2012
My feet are very very wide, and I swear by Softspots:
basic flat
1 1/2 inch heel but I would bet they're still very comfy
posted by brilliantine at 6:43 AM on May 15, 2012
basic flat
1 1/2 inch heel but I would bet they're still very comfy
posted by brilliantine at 6:43 AM on May 15, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bquarters at 10:46 AM on May 14, 2012 [1 favorite]