Saving with Style

[#1]

Once upon a time, there was a girl that had a pair of black Gucci boots. A pair of boots that were so expensive, she nearly vomited on the sales chick when she paid for them. A pair of boots that were so beloved to her, she hardly ever wore them, for fear something might happen to them.

And then one day, a very special occasion arrived, and they came out of the closet. As the girl slipped them on her feet, they felt just like a glove. Granted, when she stood up, she wobbled a little, because of the 3 ½” heel, but it was worth it; after all, they were Gucci.

And so she went to this special occasion and danced all night long….by the end of the party, tears were streaming down her face…..not tears of joy, tears of pain. When she finally made it home that night – after walking barefoot down the cobblestone streets, she tossed the boots in a 3-year-old's toy box and never looked back.

The moral of the story? Pick one. Don’t buy shoes just because they’re Gucci. Don’t try to dance in 3 ½” heels. If a shoe fits so well that it’s like a glove, it’s probably too small.

The bottom line is that “comfort” and “fashion” in a women's shoe don't often go together. In fact, to say it together is nearly laughable. But trust me, it is possible! And after that Gucci incident, I was determined to figure out how to buy comfortable shoes that looked good, and allowed me to dance until the sun came up. Needless to say, it took some time, but here’s what I found out.

The first thing to remember is this: comfortable shoes will not be cheap. Of course, in my case, it doesn’t mean they have to be the price of a Smart Car either. But it is true that you get what you pay for, and shoes are no exception. At any rate, if you can walk around comfortably all day, it's worth it. Plus, take care of your shoes, and they'll take care of you for many years to come.

For those of you that love a good heel, there are a few things to remember when shopping.

• The sole of the shoe should be flexible enough to bend at the front of the arch, but be stiff and supportive through the arch.
  
• If you’re purchasing a heel, be sure that the heel itself is, literally, directly underneath the center of your heel.
  
• Don’t be afraid of the long pointy toe – as long as there is plenty of room for your foot. Often, a long pointy toe indicates a “false front,” that looks really sexy, but it’s just for show and the actual toe box is wide enough to be comfortable.
  
• Make sure there is plenty of cushioning for the ball of your foot. Do this by using your thumb or index finger to press down on the ball area – there should be some give to indicate that it’s well padded.
  

In love with the ballet flats that are so popular this season? With these babies, it’s all about the support.

• The heel on the back of your ballet flat should not collapse, and it should fit snugly against that back of your foot so that it doesn’t slip when you’re walking.
  
• Round toe flats will follow the natural shape of your foot, and are often more comfortable.
• Leather or rubber soles offer the most protection when it comes to shock absorption.
  
• If high arches are a problem, look for flats with a miniature or kitten heel; just this little bit of lift will help ease foot pain.
  

And finally, for those of you that just don’t want to give up your sneakers, we’re lucky that there are now a plethora of styles and colors available; but you’ve still got to make sure they fit right.

• Check out the laces. If they start right behind your toes, skip ‘em because all they’re going to do is squeeze that delicate part of foot and you’ll be in pain whether your out for a run, or just running errands. Instead, choose a pair with laces that start behind the widest part of your foot.
• Really look at what you’re buying and read the label (or the box in this instance). Make sure that the sneaker you buy will give you the support you need for whatever activity you’re engaging in; in other words, don’t just buy it because it’s a decent looking sneaker.
  
• Generally speaking, you can get a supportive and well-made sneaker for less than $100.
  

 And now, universal shoe buying tips we should all remember.

• Shop late in the day to find the best fit; your feet swell whether you like it or not. Shoes bought in the morning will be killers by 5pm.
  
• Avoid man-made materials. They don’t breathe well, and as a result, not only do your feet get stinky, they also get blisters.
  

Good luck finding your sole mate.