Vibrant Nation

Women 50+ Know: Stylish comfortable shoes

VN members's avatar Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 by VN members
Joanna 1. Aerosoles
From Joanna in Comfortable shoes that aren't frumpy
"Aerosoles has comfortable shoes that are really gorgeous. The sales are great now. :-)"
youngatheartgram 2. Birkenstocks
From youngatheartgram in A wardrobe for all regions
"...Birkenstocks are indeed the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn, yes, even with socks in the winter..."
slamond 3. SoftWalk shoes.
From slamond in Comfortable shoes that aren't frumpy
"..I swear by SoftWalk shoes. They are wonderfully padded on the inside, and very durable. They are over $100, but my shoes are still going strong after 2-3 years! I use Zappos.com and Shoebuy.com"
malarkey 4. Sofft Shoes
From malarkey in Comfortable shoes that aren't frumpy
"Look for the Sofft line of shoes. Very comfortable and classy looks."
lefty303 5. Ecco Shoes
From lefty303 in Sensible shoes that are cute!
"I'm a sixty year old (is that possible??) innkeeper and am on my feet from 6:30AM until 8:30PM seven days a week. For shoes, I absolutely swear by Ecco's. They have been such a lifesaver. Fairly expensive but worth every single penny!"
gigi 6. SAS Shoes
From gigi in Sensible shoes that are cute!
"My everyday shoes for summer are SAS sandals for comfort, but they are too chunky for dressing up."
LucyB 7. Footsmart.com
From LucyB in Sensible shoes that are cute!
"You can give a look to Footsmart.com. I have recently had surgery on my right foot, and have found a few there that are cute and wearable too. I may go into business designing sexy flats for women who are too smart (and too pained) to wear the other kinds!"
meigler 8. Crocs.com
From meigler in Sensible shoes that are cute!
"I would go check out Crocs.com. For a long time all they had were the huge clogs or flip-flops. Now they have a ton of other options including dressy shoes. Just look at all the options on their site. I wear crocs about 300 days a year."
kayasinger 9. Keen Footwear
From kayasinger in Sensible shoes that are cute!
"I have major knee issues and shoes with any heel at all makes my knees hurt when I walk. It's a huge drag but the reality. The only shoes I can wear are Keens. They are cute, stylish and comfortable."
TomG 10. Taryn Rose
From TomG in /conversations/135-taryn-rose-shoes-are-stylish-and-comfortable/
"Taryn Rose was an orthopedist who decided to make shoes that feel great and look great--something only a woman could have figured out was actually possible. They are not cheap--I buy mine at her store in New York--but you will never regret them."
Babette Pinsky 11. Glory Chen
From Babette Pinsky in Babette Pinsky: Creating comfortable, classic fashion for the Vibrant Woman
"...there’s a new shoe line called Glory Chen that is the first shoes I’ve found in a while that really work for me. ... The store is beautifully designed and the shoes are fabulous. They look like grown-up, sophisticated campers. They’ve got heels but they’re not spikey, and they don’t look dowdy. They look very contemporary. The designer has a great eye and she does nice padded insides so they’re comfortable. Most of the heels are made of rubber, but they’re very sculptural and very colorful. They’re really terrific."
1 member loves this!

responses (23)

beachlady10's avatar beachlady…
beachlady10 said to VN members
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Crocs, The Patricia is great comes in various colors!

Pattty's avatar Pattty
Pattty said to beachlady10
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I also love the Malinda. It comes in many colors.

Jill Smart's avatar Jill Smar…
Jill Smart said to VN members
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LizFlex by Liz Claiborne...everything from flats, to heels to boots..stylish & COMFORTABLE!

Suze999's avatar Suze999
Suze999 said to VN members
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As someone with large, flat, splayed, arthritic feet, it is really a challenge to find anything, even athletic shoes and definitely something I can wear to the office. For office, I've found that many flat Mary Jane and t-strap style shoes have a wider metatarsal area and larger toe box, and many come in walkers. For me, men's athletic shoes fit much better, and are fairly easy to find in "unisex" colors. But I wear a size 11 women's shoe, easy to find the right men's equivalent!

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dzl_me's avatar dzl_me
dzl_me said to Suze999
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I empathize with you.  I have size 10 wide feet.  In the last two years, I have had foot surgeries, and one more upcoming.  I have recently found Life Strides, a new line of the Brown Shoe Company who also have Naturalizer and Dr. Scholls.  Life Strides sandals are a godsend for me as I can get wide widths, they are comfortable and look good with a skirt.  Also, they're reasonably priced.  You can check them out online. http://www.lifestride.com/

T Garra's avatar T Garra
T Garra said to dzl_me
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You should try Walking Cradles. They specialize in sizes and widths, so I bet you can find a shoe you like that fits. They are a little pricey, but they last a long time and they seem to have sales pretty frequently. I love this pair:

http://www.walkingcradles.com/c2/ALICIA-BLACK-LEATHER-SILVER-p26916.html

They also have less fashion-forward styles if you like a lower heel.

Ceil Mena's avatar Ceil Mena
Ceil Mena said to VN members
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Sofft shoes!! don't ever bother with anything else!

inspired's avatar inspired
inspired said to VN members
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Clarks are very comfortable and they are beginning to get some very cute new styles.

mak's avatar mak
mak said to VN members
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I'm a loyal fan of Aerosoles. now that they're finally making some stylish ones.  But, I recently ran across a brand in Penneys that are lined with memory foam.  It's like walking on clouds.  The brand name is STRICTLY COMFORT.  I also like Bandolino and Franco Sarto.

dusty's avatar dusty
dusty said to VN members
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Fidji - like walking on air and great styles.

ms michele's avatar ms michel…
ms michele said to VN members
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ugg boot

jinxiecat's avatar jinxiecat
jinxiecat said to VN members
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I had a kidney transplant and because  of the steroid meds, I gained a lot of weight.  My ankles and feet always have a tendency to swell, even with diuretics and many other meds  I take.  I have always worn a 10B, but even now I have trouble with not  enough width.  It's hard to find decent looking shoes with swollen feet and  ankles.  Any ideas on any reasonably priced lines of shoes.  Even Naturalizers are tight and uncomfortable.  I guess a need wider width, but what brand?

Pam Palmer's avatar Pam Palme…
Pam Palmer said to VN members
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I have a very annoying foot problem called Morton's neuroma and comfortable shoes are an absolute must.  I can no longer wear a heal higher than 2"-2.5" because of this condition.  Anyway, finding comfortable shoes became an actual quest for me.  I have probably wasted money doing this, but I have come up with what really works well for me.  Keens--the Zermatt Clogs are wonderful--great colors.Great with slacks and jeans and skirts and black tights.  I also have  Keen sandals which you can launder in the machine.  I love these and wear them in summer. Birkenstocks are still amazing after all these years.  I have at least 6 pairs in a variety of colors and I wear them all year long and with socks, too. Finn Comforts are expensive, but worth it.  I own 3 pairs of these--2 dress and 1 casual. Since I am an outdoor person and have 2 golden retrievers who need a lot of exercise, it is also important for walking them to have comfortable shoes. All the shoes I mentioned can be worn all day long and remain comfortable all day long which is the way shoes are meant to be.  When I think of the stiletto heels I used to wear in my youth, I cringe!  My doctor told me it is the reason I ended up with this foot problem.  Now I realize you don't have to wear 4"plus  heels to look fashionable.  In addition to casual shoes there are also good dress shoes out there that are stylish and comfortable. And ask yourself why is it that more women than men have foot issues!  It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

trishareece's avatar trisharee…
trishareece said to VN members
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Beautifeel shoes, made in Israel; Lucchese western boots; and, Shapeups by Skechers!

ronibuni's avatar ronibuni
ronibuni said to trishareece
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I just bought a pair of Shapeups due to my knee surgery...I am walking flat footed! These shoes MAKE me walk normally. It hurts now but I will be glad soon enough; I have been struggling with the injury since last July then a questionable surgery in December. I would be stunned if anyone noticed I was NOT walking like a penquin...

ragtimequeen's avatar ragtimequ…
ragtimequeen said to VN members
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DANSKO, DANSKO, DANSKO!! I developed plantar fascitis, and within minutes of putting on the great looking Dansko clogs, the pain was gone. (And I like feeling taller!)

medwoman's avatar medwoman
medwoman said to VN members
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I am a health care provider and on my feet for long hours walking long halls.  I was having knee pain and muscle cramps in the night in my calves.   I purchased Dansko shoes with a small heel and Mary Jane straps that fit my feet well and look good. I am always getting compliments.   I have them in three colors now.  I also love the feel of Born styles and they have expanded to some very updated styles.   My younger coworkers think I am pretty hip.  ( or at least they make me feel so!)  

sdarrling's avatar sdarrling
sdarrling said to VN members
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I found that Merrells are super comfortable, a bit pricey but worth it.  I also like some of Naturalizers.  I wear a 10 1/2 which is a very very difficult size to find. I use Zappos.com quite often or try the shoe outlets for discounts on the expensive brands.  I will have to check out some of the above listed ones.  For a cheap shoe that is pretty comfy I buy Dr Scholls for casual shoes.

dancdiva's avatar dancdiva
dancdiva said to VN members
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I wear anything I want...high or low.  I have always cross-trained my feet and as a professional dancer/coach have worked them out so they are in great shape.  If you take care of them, they will take care of you.....

Sandra Thériault's avatar Sandra Th…
Sandra Thériault said to dancdiva
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That isn't always the case, is it. You're putting the blame and responsibility squarely on those who suffer from foot problems, as though bad luck, or genetics, or other health issues can't possibly contribute to such problems. I do not like that sort of attitude.

10felines's avatar 10felines
10felines said to VN members
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Well cute maybe not...but the z-coil shoes are the best if you have foot problems.  They do have lots of styles but I do like them mostly with pants not dresses/skirts.  I had Plantar Fascitis in one foot and had surgery.  (that's another story in itself), but when I developed PF in the other foot I said no surgery.  I saw someone with these funny looking shoes on and asked her about them.  She said they will change your life.  Skeptic that I am I certainly thought that was a bit dramatic but I figured I would check them out.  I have an extremely wide foot (EE) and have never been able to find attractive shoes in that size.  I was barely able to find anything that would fit, so a shoe that didn't even come in wide surely wasn't going to work.  But I can tell you I am a convert.  These shoes are very expensive ($150-200) a pair, although once you get your size figured out you can get some on e-bay cheaper.  I even got a pair of z-coil clogs on e-bay that as it turned out I did not like, so I turned back around and re-sold them on e-bay and got my money back.  I digress....anyway if you have  foot probs, or as I have been told back probs or knee probs these will change your life.  Even if you don't yet have any of these probs but you spend a lot of time on your feet, get these and I promise you will love them.

T Garra's avatar T Garra
T Garra said to VN members
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Walking Cradles!! Okay, so maybe some of them are old-ish looking but check these out

http://www.walkingcradles.com/c2/ALICIA-BLACK-LEATHER-SILVER-p26916.html

Really?? A COMFORTABLE gladiator-style cork wedge?? It's a miracle! The wedge is really flexible, and the footbed is covered with 'tiny pillows', which feel amazing. Also, they specialize in sizes and widths, so you can get a pair that fit perfectly! I love these shoes!

T Garra's avatar T Garra
T Garra said to VN members
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Oops, submitted twice on accident!

Pure and Natural