That’s like an enigma right?
Comfortable shoes that are also pretty to look at.
Just guessing I’d say that 85% of my shoes DON’T fit into that category because I have two types of footwear: moderately comfortable footwear and ridiculously cute footwear. The two rarely overlap.
This summer I went to Chicago for BlogHer. Other than walking around the city with my knickers showing to random passerby thanks to the perpetual wind, I spent a good chunk of my visit limping.
Why?
Because I can’t be that girl who wears sneakers with her dresses, I foolishly thought my flats would make for a good walking shoe, Chicago is large, and their taxi’s ain’t cheap.
Fortunately I hobbled my way to the Vionic suite and met a wonderful shoe by the name of Orthaheel. Sure, it sounds a little grandma-ish, but it was in this suite that I learned so many wonderful, feet-saving tips about foot health and selecting proper shoes.
The kind of shoes that don’t cause ugly things like bunions, and corns, and hammer toe, and blisters. The kind of shoes your feet, your eyes, and your pocketbook will love (although, unless you really are a grandma, I’m going to ask you to promise to never call it a pocketbook ever again).
5 Things to Know About Choosing Comfortable Footwear
1. Human feet weren’t created for today’s hard surfaces. They were made to be outside, on ground that gives, all caveman-y and stuff.
2. Improper shoes can cause everything from foot and leg pain to back and hip pain. Personally, I’ve even had headaches because my feet hurt so badly (all kinds of things trigger my migraines).
3. Flip flops are just dumb. I told y’all! Fashion-wise and even health wise they aren’t doing you any favors. You need something way, WAY more supportive than what the average flip flop gives you. If you really, really love the openness flip flops give you, think about investing in a pair of Orthaheel Flip Flops. They are going to set you back more than the 2 for $5 pair you grabbed at Old Navy when summer started, but they are worth the investment.
4. Which shoe you choose depends on a variety of factors including the intended use and the make of your own foot.
5. Orthaheel was designed by a podiatrist to help humans go back to cave people. Kidding. They weren’t. But they were made to help your feet, your whole body really, feel the way it was originally intended to. You can learn more about the science involved here: Orthaheel Technology.
These are my Orthaheel shoes of choice…
I love them because they are comfortable (for hours), versatile (I can wear them with so many things), and cute too (they don’t look like granny shoes at all).
I don’t plan to hit the dance floor in them (I still need my entirely uncomfortable, but way awesome shoes for those nights) or anything, but they are all the way perfect for days I volunteer at The Dudes’ schools, or have a work meeting downtown, or just want to meet up with a friend for gossip coffee. They let me live my on-the-go mom life without taking away from the fact that I like to look good.
And nothing like a grandma.
I’m young people. So, so young.
Sharing today’s fashion-ness with DC in Style, Monday Mingle, and Fashion Friday.
Also, as mentioned, these shoes were received free of charge while attending an event at BlogHer 2013. All opinions are my own, but the factual stuff I got straight from the peeps at Orthaheel, they’re smart like that!
Belle jheanell says
I had no idea about these! Thanks for the scoop! And you look great by the way :)
http://www.bellejheanell.com
Jennifer says
Those really are cute. I buy new shoes for work every six to nine months. I wear the same pair of black flats/loafers almost every day. Ever since I bought the last pair the top part of one of my feet has been killing me. I think I need to invest in a better pair of shoes.
Cam | bibs and baubles says
I really didn’t expect them to be that cute based on the name alone. With that wedge, they’re definitely not granny shoes!
Kristin says
You are so cute! Love the cuffed jeans! And now you’re making me want to go back to Chicago. Loved that town!
jessica t says
Those flats are so cute! I will definitely be checking them out too!!
PS- I need advice on taming the curls of my 2 year old! She has hair that’s a lot like #3s and I know nothing about how to manage it. Every product I find is for damp or wet hair-something Im trying to avoid having to deal with every morning- or VERY expensive. And I’m not all about those products that create crunchy hair as I call it lol. I would love any tips!
Rachel G says
My shoe brand of choice for comfort, support, AND cuteness is usually Clarks, and I’ve always been very impressed with them. But I just checked out the Orthaheel website and they do have some really cute styles available!
arnebya says
Hmmmmm you’ve got me thinking now. I’ve been on the lookout for a new pair of flats (I own ONE pair and they’re about done. Done, as in, there’s a hole on the bottom). My issue is narrow feet. Flats usually just flop off the back or I have to do the heel pad with an inside pad too. Nonsense. So…lemme see what Orthaheel can do (and I guess I’m now paying for the fact that I only have one pair of flats which means I’m in heels allthetime).
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos says
After a summer spent in flip flops that gave me absolutely NO support, my feet are kind of crying for something better for them. I’m going to have to check these guys out.
Amiyrah says
I am such a big fan of Orthaheels now after that event at BlogHer. The shoes were so cute and very comfortable. I even featured the pair I got in my fashion post on Friday too! I do love my high heels, but it’s nice to have a sturdy pair of shoes that are cute and can actually help with back pain.
Jolynne shane says
Orthaheels changed my life this summer during marathon training. My plantar fasciitis was horrendous but my orthaheel sandals allowed me to look cute and didn’t cause any pain. I need to get some for fall ASAP.