<p>I was going to post this in the other thread, about the MOG dress, but didn’t want to be responsible for sending the discussion farther afield than it already is. But it is apparent from that thread that there are some serious clothes experts here, and I have a question. </p>
<p>I am in need of a new style of shoe to wear with fall skirts. The problem is that any kind of a heel makes my lower back ache - I am a teacher and spend a lot of the day on my feet. It’s not the height of the heel that seems to be the problem – I have pain even with flats. i am not sure if the problem is caused by the heel not extending al the way across the shoe, or something else about that style of shoe, but I actually have not worn skirts or dresses to work for several years because of not being able to find supportive shoes . . . I have noticed, in the course of doing some on-line clothes shopping for my daughter at places like J Crew that they occasionally picture models wearing skirts with oxford, tie-type shoes . . . Would that be terribly odd? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>I have major problems with my feet, so I can relate. I can’t spend a lot of hours in ANY shoe, but my Clarks are the most comfortable and least likely to lead to pain that I’ve found so far. I also try to limit my time in the shoes to the classroom and take something more comfortable for office hours. I love to have pretty shoes, but my feet are now a whole size different and my right foot is in almost constant pain if I have any shoes on besides sneakers. </p>
<p>Since the problem is with your back, I really advise trying a variety of shoe heights/configurations to see what feels best. My mother would throw her back out and then swear by putting on a pair of high heels for several days and walking around until her back felt better. </p>
<p>I wear Danskos and love them. After D raved about them, I thought I should have them, too. D is a medical resident and is on her feet for long periods of time, sometimes twenty (or more!) hours. When I buy a new pair, I have them bring out several different pairs so I can try them, as they all fit differently. I also wear socks that are a little thicker than trouser socks. BTW, Nordstrom is my favorite place to buy them AND there are some styles on sale right now. </p>
<p>I like those low wedges (or barely wedges) where the whole bottom is made all of some sort of rubbery material. I find that the continuous rubbery sole (no break for the heel, not even a wavy pattern) somehow offers support and flexibility. When they’re styled like pumps (rather than loafers,) they can go with skirts or pants. This isn’t my style, but shows the sort of bottom. <a href=“http://www.aerosoles.com/eng/product/army/army”>http://www.aerosoles.com/eng/product/army/army</a> Once you find something that works, you can buy multiples. </p>
<p>But I have to add something- after years of back pain of all sorts (even from sleeping,) I had a chance to get a trainer for a while- and the exercises (not even specifically for my back,) worked wonders. </p>
<p>What you wear on your feet can definitely affect your back. I find that flats are as bad as heels if there’s no support to them. I have always been happy with Easy Spirit-heels, sneakers, clogs, even sandals-as long as they are not flat. I like Merrells and Ahnu also, and when I can get them at a good price, Softwalk. Born and Clarks can be ok too. Good arch support AND padding are key for me. I find Danskos with their lack of half-sizes and very hard insole to be unwearable. But I know people who won’t wear anything else. You can find “last year’s models” of all of the above at 6pm.com for less than full price-if you can stand wearing such “old” styles, that’s a good way to try different ones to see which brands work for you. I am happiest with Easy Spirit, but I have a twin pair of winter Softwalks that I love too. </p>
<p>Have you talked with your doctor about your back issues? That would be the first thing to do, unless you are absolutely sure it is footwear-related. Do your shoes have a good arch support? Flats are notoriously horrible for the feet and back, and yet people think that since they do not have heels, they are supposed to be good. Not true.</p>
<p>Have you tried Superfeet inserts in your shoes? I swear that they make a huge difference for me with flat boots and in my running shoes, too. </p>
<p>Paul Green brand shoes are very supportive and have rubber soles with good cushioning. Other brands to consider are Cobb Hill, Munro, Born, and Ecco, to name a few.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that booties and boots are your friends during the colder weather months! Something like this worn with black tights would look great with dresses and skirts: </p>
<p>Ek, your flats may have a teeny heel built in and some arch support as well. Truly flat flats are just as bad as spiked Pigalles!</p>
<p>“Brenner compares these dainty shoes to walking on cardboard. “There’s no arch support whatsoever,” she tells WebMD. That keeps the feet from functioning optimally and can lead to knee, hip, and back problems. Poor arch support is also associated with a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis.”</p>
<p>Thanks, y’all. I am kind of excited about buying shoes – I do think I will order from Zappos though rather than endure the mall.</p>
<p>I know that I have tried on Danskos before but it’s been a while and I can’t remember what didn’t fit about them – but I will try them again since returning a dozen pairs to Zappos doesn’t seem much harder than returning one pair. </p>
<p>I do think the back pain is shoe-related because it happens much more when I wear heels – although it’s possible that there are other factors at play too, like arch support. I probably should consult an expert of some sort – a podiatrist? Or a trainer? Where do you even find a trainer?</p>
<p>EK, that is a very helpful link. And the lady has a beautiful smile. :)</p>
<p>MathildaMae, if you have a trusted family doctor, I recommend starting there and get referrals. If not, and you are not restricted by your insurance, my recommendation is to see an orthopedic or a spine specialist. They will make sure that there are no issues that warrant further investigation and you most likely will get a referral to a PT specialist (this was my path with a badly hurt knee). For an acute type of pain that does not go away quickly, you might want to get an appointment with a pain specialist who deals with spine and back issues (been there, too!).</p>
<p>I am a pilates teacher. I would consider looking into some gentle back and leg exercises. I can send you some links if you are interested. I wonder if heels make you hyper-extend your low back (lordosis or sway back). </p>
<p>My D (19 a bit of a hipster style dress) wears lace up oxfords with longer skirts </p>
<p>After I got plantar fasciitis my podiatrist told me no flats and especially no flip flops. </p>
<p>I would make an appt. with a podiatrist. It’s possible you need orthotics. Ins. usually covers them. I have found that all I need to do is put on good sneaker with my orthotics when I am around the house and all is good. </p>
<p>I also have one of these. It gently stretches the calf muscles. I do ten reps every day. </p>
<p>Back to the original question about oxfords-- I wear them with skirts and dresses. The idea is to make sure they do not look like old lady oxfords that you are wearing for aching feet. I teach at the middle school level so my fashion is evaluated daily by harsh critics! I wear two-toned oxfords and bright colored ones. I let the shoe be star of the outfit some days. My bright blue suede shoes are a signal to my students that we are going to have fun.</p>
<p>Shoes are important, its worth spending more to be comfortable.
As we find that sitting down for our jobs is killing us, we naturally then are on our feet, some people even have standing up desks.
But then our shoes become more critical.
I have osteoarthritis, including in my feet and the right shoes make the difference between being able to work or wanting to stay in bed the next day.
If they look like " old lady " shoes to some people, so be it.</p>
<p>I swear by Danskos, especially if you are going to be standing for lengthy periods. They give great arch support. I have clogs and sandals by Dansko, and both are extremely comfortable. The sandals are also quite cute, and don’t look like clogs at all, even though they have the same type of thick, shaped sole. I think that Dansko has a much wider variety of styles these days.</p>
<p>But I think you should go somewhere to try on any shoes you buy. I am fairly fanatical about foot comfort, and find that although I really like the look of lots of Clarks shoes, they don’t feel at all right on my foot. You have to find a brand whose last fits your foot. (I always found Bally of Switzerland and Ferragamo shoes extremely comfortable, while although I loved Joan and David, they could be quite the reverse.)</p>
<p>I go to places like the outlet stores and DSW to try shoes on before I order them (for less) online. But when I find something I really like I might get 2 pair of the same style in different colors. I got a pair of Danskos at Goodwill once (still had the tags on) and it felt like I was walking with hard boards strapped to my feet. I didn’t last 10 minutes with them. I must be an outlier because I know people swear by them despite the high price.</p>
<p>I do usually have to try shoes on, although I have bought Mizuno sport shoes from Zappos successfully by carefully reading the reviews.
I buy a lot of my shoes from Rei, as they are made for people who walk. Local shoe stores seem to not carry shoes that fit me, ( The Walking Company, Im looking at you) and they try and convince me that they do- sometimes successfully, which is a pain, because then I have to make another trip to return them.</p>
<p>Also- buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are widest.
I personally think orthotics are a scam, or at least a waste of money, although I do use removable insoles in many of my shoes, usually superfeet.
Chaco sandals were recommended by my Dr.</p>
<p>My trainer was through my gym.<br>
Orthotics work for the people who particularly need them and get the right size/shape. Depends.<br>
I think maybe OP needs to tell us if, in addition to comfort, she wants ‘pretty’ shoes. I do.<br>
Also, she can do the old trick of wearing one pair to start the day, then switching later in the day. When I wore heels to work, I always had flatter shoes hidden away.</p>