By Diane Parente, Leadership Visual Presence
Haven’t we all purchased shoes that we end up giving away? I don’t know about you but I have wasted so much money on shoes trying to find the perfect ones. Comfortable shoes have come a long way on looks, but of course you have to pick and choose. The manufacturers have gotten smarter by adding cushioning to the inside of the shoe along with adding rubber soles that’s flexible when the foot bends.
So finally after all the trial and error I have found the right shoes for comfort and style. In addition, I asked over 100 women leaders what their favorite shoes are.
Here are their responses: No more sore tootsies!
Pricey
A
nyi Lu: Comfort and Beautiful. Anyi went from engineering to shoe design. Her shoes are timeless and elegant. The high quality is worth the investment.
Thierry Robotin: Fits a wider foot, lighter and has double the cushion support.
Taryn Rose: a line of shoes founded by and named for the California-based orthopedic surgeon who developed the shoes in 1998. The shoes offer wider toes and tighter heel surround, arch support, foam linings to absorb shock.
Stuart Weitzman: The collection includes bold, fashionable heels, flats, loafers and mules that most designer brands cannot match in comfort.
Ferragamo: An Italian shoe manufacturer that specializes in fitting narrow feet. They used to be known for the flat with a buckle now like other designers they cover the
gamut.
Cole Haan: Incorporated Nike Air into their designs with emphasis on comfort and protection. This is one of my all time favorites.
Ron White: All Day Heels, a Canadian footwear designer that provides arch support, and has built-in cushioning.
Acqua Italia: Functional luxury. The shoe uses the finest leathers in Italy. Go for the all weather suede boot for winter. This you will be alive in as I have.
Moderate prices
Munro made in America. They tend to be wider than normal dress shoes and offer solid arch support for your feet. They have better designs than other brands with similar foot support.
Aerosoles affordable shoes with a fashion look. They’ve gotten more stylish within the last few years.
Easy Spirit is stepping up their designs and offering Anti Gravity- providing advanced cushioning by inserting millions of nitrogen filled micro bubbles which makes the shoes lightweight and super comfortable.
Naturalizer is another shoe company that has created better looking dress shoes and reinvented the comfortable looking shoe
Clarks puts their heart into every pair of their shoes to create stylish footwear that protects and cares for their customers’ feet. This a good walking shoes. If you are in a city and you want to do some serious walking before your appointment, this is the shoe for you.
Now you can see that it is important for you to be your own critic and friend to be selecting the best shoes style that will put your best foot forward. Thus giving you your money’s worth.
Remember, if you wear uncomfortable shoes, others will know! How professional can you look when your shoes are hurting your feet and you are limping? Or if your shoes are too loose and your feet are coming out of them! Yes, comfort has to be part of your shoe fashion style because style encompasses your entire body including what your face is expressing.
Do you have other stylish comfortable shoe recommendations for our women leaders?