Shoes made for walking

Make no mistake: I care about fashion within a certain parameter, but mostly I care about living. And while the right bra and great heels go a long way to adding an element of gorgeous mystique, I also need a few unglamorous items to go about my day.

One of those things is walking shoes.

I could be a daily fashionista I suppose, but this can create a lot of unnecessary hassle: I might put on my tights and dress and boots when I sit down at the computer, and they might look cute when I take my daily walk around the neighborhood. But I’ll have to take that off when I take my yoga and bellydance breaks, and while I have a very serviceable apron for perfume mixing, stuff spills in wacky ways.

Most days, unless I’m meeting a friend for lunch or coffee, it’s yoga pants, a nice top and walking shoes. I am dressing for the life I have, and that means clothing that allows me to transition from keyboard to comfortable movement with ease.

Last year I had terrible luck with walking shoes. The first, a pair of Skechers, had the left shoe never fit right, and no attempts at breaking it in worked. The second pair wore on my feet quickly, and the cute little vegan velcro straps fly up almost as often as my traditional athletic shoes spontaneously untie their shoelaces.¹ I want something other than seasonal canvas throw-aways, preferably something that will last more than three years. I am also, thanks to family genetics, a size 11 shoe. This makes hunting awkward as I often have to pounce before I can research and deliberate.

This is what I had last year:

Sadly, another reviewer reports “blisters at first and when you walk around in them too long.” And there lies the crux of my problem- I need to walk around for long, long stretches. And since it’s summer, I prefer to save my stock and trade athletic shoes for cooler weather.

So, in my hunts for something that still looks reasonably cute but has the qualities of comfort and durability for daily sessions of pounding cement, I am considering these, and possibly hoping for a visit from the sale fairy:

It’s a gift, really. [↩]

http://www.projectdanielle.com Danielle

Might I make a recommendation

Hush Puppies in Organique

I’ve bought these shoes at least twice and am looking for a third pair in my size. They are heaven from the first wear. I do a lot of craft shows and they are perfect for long days on my feet. I usually take them in a 10W.
Leslie

You might want to try Keen shoes. The “Market Street” line is pretty cute. If your foot is a little wide, it might take a few tries to pick the right one, but they are comfy. (Their bags are also awesome – I have the Irvington and CRAVE the Betty Bag – both good looks with yoga pants, etc)
http://www.cybercoven.org Lisa

I love my Earth shoes. They are what I wear to work, nearly every day. (And they are getting cuter each year).

To go to Paris (10+hrs/day of walking and standing), however, I went with a pair of Ecco and a pair of Josef Siebel. They were dressy enough to wear with the (trouser-based) outfit I wore to a seriously expensive restaurant and my feet never hurt. (Nor did my back.)

current shoe offerings:
http://www.josef-seibel.com/JS_Womens.html
http://www.josef-seibel.com/Rom_Wom.html
http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/womens/
georgia

what about fitflops? they have the basic flip-flop style but they also make a clog style and a few boots. they are absolutely the most comfortable shoes ever. my other favorites are dansko (but just the ones made on the clog last) and crocs (though i look utterly dim-minded in the floppy clog style).
http://fatchic.dianarajchel.com di

I’d never heard of them before this. For flip-floppy looks, they are cute, but I’m specifically looking for closed-toe types. I think I found what I wanted, so I’ll hopefully have pics up next week.