The Truth Comes Out
I have a problem when it comes to buying shoes. Well, it's actually a problem with buying clothing in general. I'm cheap. Very cheap. I tend to have arbitrary price limits in my head and refuse to buy anything that costs more than that. This does come in handy considering our limited funds for things like clothing and shoes, but it also means that I tend to have a wardrobe of odd, non-matching, ill-fitting clothes. While it's true that I have found some great things at thrift stores and on clearance, I definitely have other clothes that are just plain lame. I will often choose to buy things because they are cheap, even sacrificing what I really want because it doesn't fit my predetermined price conventions. I am convincing myself to buy this jacket because it is comfortable, stylish, fits a wardrobe need (I don't have a blazer or jacket), and matches a skirt I already have. Oh and it comes in petite, so I can get a large that won't squeeze my tummy and not have sleeves that hang two inches below my hands. Definitely worth the money. I'll decide tonight.
Back to the shoes. Usually I buy my shoes at thrift stores. I actually used to buy them at Payless, but most of their styles scare me. I don't like heels, I don't like suede, I don't like strappy things (they make my feet look like sausages). For some reason in my head I don't think I should pay more than ten dollars for a pair of shoes. I'm beginning to realize that this is a bad idea. Especially since even Target doesn't sell shoes for less than twenty dollars. Plus I've been having a problem getting shoes that fit well. Like I said, many styles tend to give me sausage foot. I also have the problem of ending up with floppy shoes after I wear them a few times. Especially with tights or thin socks, my heels start popping out of my shoes and I feel like a moron shuffling along trying to keep from losing a shoe at church.
Today I finally looked up how to buy shoes online and measured my feet. Guess what I found out? I have wide feet. Very wide feet. According to one chart, I could possibly require extra-wide shoes. No wonder I love my Birkenstocks so much. Unfortunately I can't wear Birks while I teach. Also, I usually try on 8 1/2s or 9s, but I apparently should be somewhere between 7 1/2 or 8. The main reason why I am having a shoe crisis is that I now spend many hours a week standing up teaching. My feet hurt. Does anyone out there in blog land have some suggestions of where I could go to buy some stylish, comfortable, reasonably priced shoes that won't fall off my feet while I'm walking around the room?
By the way, this is just more evidence that I really am a Hobbit. I have enormous feet, I love to eat, and I'm short and hairy. Just don't ask me to guard the Ring; I'd rather not depart on an epic quest right now.
Back to the shoes. Usually I buy my shoes at thrift stores. I actually used to buy them at Payless, but most of their styles scare me. I don't like heels, I don't like suede, I don't like strappy things (they make my feet look like sausages). For some reason in my head I don't think I should pay more than ten dollars for a pair of shoes. I'm beginning to realize that this is a bad idea. Especially since even Target doesn't sell shoes for less than twenty dollars. Plus I've been having a problem getting shoes that fit well. Like I said, many styles tend to give me sausage foot. I also have the problem of ending up with floppy shoes after I wear them a few times. Especially with tights or thin socks, my heels start popping out of my shoes and I feel like a moron shuffling along trying to keep from losing a shoe at church.
Today I finally looked up how to buy shoes online and measured my feet. Guess what I found out? I have wide feet. Very wide feet. According to one chart, I could possibly require extra-wide shoes. No wonder I love my Birkenstocks so much. Unfortunately I can't wear Birks while I teach. Also, I usually try on 8 1/2s or 9s, but I apparently should be somewhere between 7 1/2 or 8. The main reason why I am having a shoe crisis is that I now spend many hours a week standing up teaching. My feet hurt. Does anyone out there in blog land have some suggestions of where I could go to buy some stylish, comfortable, reasonably priced shoes that won't fall off my feet while I'm walking around the room?
By the way, this is just more evidence that I really am a Hobbit. I have enormous feet, I love to eat, and I'm short and hairy. Just don't ask me to guard the Ring; I'd rather not depart on an epic quest right now.
Comments
As for shoes...Have you tried Zappos? They have good customer reviews of many of their shoes. Shipping is free, so that's nice.
If I may so express my opinion, I think shoes are worth spending a bit more on. A good pair of shoes lasts for years and you'll save yourself both foot and back pain. As a teacher, I can't stand for very long at all without wearing proper shoes.
I really like Naturalizer, Clark (I wore them for my whole mission), and Frye (but they're even expensive for my tastes).
Good luck finding good shoes!!
I recommend endless.com because they not only do free negative overnight shipping (they take $5 off your order and ship it overnight,) but their search and drill-down tools are excellent. You can adjust your price range, select your width, even play around with colors or brands if you are so inclined. The prices are usually pretty good, especially the pairs on clearance.
So, even if your tastes run to these and mine run to these, we can both find something to like. I much prefer them to Zappos (which doesn't have the best sales.)
As for shoes, try the Shoe Pavillion or Nordstrom Rack... my Precious. I have found that shoes ARE worth spending money on. But you don't have to spend TONS of money to get good ones. And since you aren't trying to get "strappy" or any of that crap, it's a safe bet you can get something comfortable that will look good for quite some time. Good luck, and let me know if you want a shopping buddy sometime!!
I've also heard really great things about dansko shoes, though I've never tried them on. They're supposed to be made for people who are on their feet a lot.
I agree with Miss Hass. While it's good to save a buck, it's better to save your knees, arches, and back. Think of buying good shoes as insurance. You don't want to end up with knee and arch problems (which will be super-d-douper expensive) because you have a hard time shelling out a little more on quality shoes.
Plantboy has no compunction about spending too much money for clothes (I swear he is a NorthFace poster child), but he does wait for sales, only purchase clothes occassionally, and wear them forever. He finally talked me into a pair of Keens.
Oh. I. Love. Them.
But could I recommend something a little different for shoes first? In your town, there is surely a place where runners shop for shoes. Here, it is the TrackShak (sp?) and they will watch you walk around the room and check out everything about your foot and gait, etc.
It's a little, well, weird at first. Then they measure your feet a hundred ways and bring out some shoes. (athletic shoes.) You canNOT believe the difference it makes to see how shoes are supposed to feel on your feet.
Then, once you know what good athletic shoes should feel like, it might be easier to know what to shop for in other shoes? Also, it helps you want to exercise because your feet don't ache like they usually do in cheap shoes.
My friend was able to run a triathlon on a fractured heel in the shoes that she bought from TrackShak. They were about $50, I believe. She is not an athlete by nature, but had committed to running it and didn't want to drop out. But that is how excellent good shoes feel on your feet- they can really absorb the shock, etc.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
I love my Skechers with the big thick soles (lace up)--got them on sale at Dillards. Naturalizers and Danskos are both very comfy, and I bought some clogs from Keen that are FABULOUS. And Born (with the Swedish O) are also really really comfy. I have found excellent Dr. Scholl's too at Walmart(!)--hence inexpensive--that are very comfortable and supportive.
If your shoes slip off the heel I have found help at a shoe department buying some little stick in shapes that fit into the heel area at the top of your shoe that fill in that gap with a little soft "grabber" that helps them stay on my foot. Plus, I always buy those triangle shaped gel things to put under the ball of my foot to add comfort. You can buy them in Target/Walmart where the shoe accessories are and they provide a lot of extra comfort too. Whew..lots of advice. But there are a lot of things to help.
But they are leather, mostly, so of you are against that... I'm sorry. I can't help you :)
I had to work on my husband to get him to get more expensive shoes - but even though it costs more up front, it costs less in back and foot pain. I have a hard time with buying shoes online because my arches are weird, I guess. The top of the arch in a lot of shoes hits mine wrong and it gives me nasty headaches. Weird, I know.
Clark, Naturalizer, and basically all European shoes (excepting Docs, which are heavy to wear) are super comfy and last forever.
Good luck! In the meantime, you could just sit on the desk to teach instead.
I also work on my feet and my work shoes are VERY important. No job is worth your health. No amount of money can ever completely fix back problems!! I work in Crocs, but I admit they aren't cute and might be too casual for teaching. But they are light, and to me that makes the most difference. I have narrow feet and good arches, however. I did have some New Balance sneakers that were amazingly comfortable. Nurses I know are pretty split between Danskos and Crocs if they're picky about work shoes. The money you will save in not buying another pair of good shoes for a long time, plus the savings on medical care later in life will make it worth it. How long have you had those Birks? Are they worth it??
I second the New Balance comment--they are nice and wide. Sketchers are comfy, but not for the long haul. I took a pair of Docs and a pair of Borns on mission. The Docs always felt sloppy and heavy; my legs would ache after a day of walking in them. The Borns were beautiful and comfortable but the sole cracked after about two weeks of bike riding and they always leaked through the bottom after that.