So I have this ouchy plantars fascitis foot, and I can’t wear lots of my shoes right now. Comfort is more than key: it’s impossible for me to walk without the right shoes. So I have these comfy Oxfords that I think are really cute, and I thought they would be okay with a dress for a day at the office. I was thinking that I could maybe do a cute librarian look, you know? So I put on tights and I put on my dress and I put on a matching cardigan with the tights and shoes and this is what happened. I looked like my great grandma. SO frumpy. The neckline needs help. I feel super ugly, like I’m going to stop over to Eunice’s to borrow a stick of lard for pie crusts and talk to her about how I ain’t never been kissed.
So I grabbed a brighter sweater, put on a gauzy infinity scarf to help the neckline situation, added some funky earrings and rings and felt a lot less like my great grandma. Yay for accessories!
This past Sunday I had the dilemma of what shoes to wear for church. It’s too chilly yet for flats, which I sometimes wear in warmer weather with longer skirts and no pantay-hose. I have this foot thing, and I knew boots were the smartest option for not limping, but it seems too springy for boots! So here’s what I did. I swapped out my usual black blazer for a lighter grey, pulled out a cute floral Talbot’s skirt I found on eBay, and added a cream lace camisole to further “springy” up the outfit and balance out the heaviness of the black boots. The boots aren’t great as they don’t fit perfectly smoothly on my chumby calves, but I was pleasantly surprised by the way everything came together.
My feet held up fine through the service and I got home and iced my foot (rolling it on a frozen water bottle is wonderful). I changed into pants and oxfords for our Lenten book study later that afternoon.
(I definitely need to get better lighting in my dressing room for these selfies. I should probably also move those scarves and bags somewhere else, as they’re terribly distracting.)
Helpful hint for pf — stand on the floor barefoot, bend over and pull up your toes (it’s okay to bend your knees slightly). Hold for a 3 count, then repeat several times. It helps strengthen those muscles and relieves some of the pressure. It’s an exercise given to me by an MD and is very helpful. He also recommended rolling your foot on a classic Coke bottle.
I’m so glad you’re talking about this. I am dealing with severe pf- the worst ever in my life. I’ve had knee surgery, which has corrected an imbalance in my gait that has helped, but it’s still bad. I saw a shoe specialist, took my go-to shoes and my winter preaching boots. These are good shoes with low or no heels and good arch support. He took one look and said, “You’re wearing the wrong shoes” and told me I have to wear running shoes ALL THE TIME.
Well, we got into a small argument. He maintained that the congregation wouldn’t care if I wore running shoes to preach. I sat there staring in horror at the white-silver-neon blue thing he wanted me to wear in the pulpit. We compromised with inserts for my preaching boots and I agreed to purchase the running shoe in black (it’s still really ugly) and wear it when ever I’m not leading worship or doing something requiring formal dress.
My pain is reduced and I can even go on walks again. But spring is here and it’s time to put away the boots. I wear a lot of knee length skirts in the summer. with sandals or low heel dress shoes. Off work, I favor Bermuda shorts, which actually come just below the knee on me, and running shoes look funny with them. And I have to really stick to lower heels because of my knee- 2 inch heels are pushing it. So it’s weighing on my mind- how to walk the line between sensible shoes/frump and cute shoes but minimal pain. Some advice would be great! What kind of shoes do you find comfortable for your pf but are still stylish?
Also, I’m going on a mission trip to Nicaragua and could use some shoe advice for that too!
God gave me pf on my 40th birthday. Calf stretches, walking on softer surfaces and heels – yes! – heels and wedges help. Before I figured all that out it was ice massage and tylenol.
Thanks for these pictures. I love the difference between photos 1 and 2 – POW!!! Yay for bright things and stylin’ scarves. I note that the infinity scarf looks like it’s supposed to be there, and not some extra thing you put on to cover up (= fools nobody).
And, randomly: Wouldn’t it be great if we could wear white, cream or pastel boots without invoking go-go boots and Nancy Sinatra? Problem solved. World saved.
I love how you share the before with the after. So we have a visual of what not to do. 🙂
Yesterday I fell down the stairs and sprained my left ankle. I have been told to rest it, use a tensor bandage and ice it for 20 minutes every hour. The challenge is going to be Holy Week. The services will need to be somewhat modified because I will need to sit for most of them. I preach and preside barefoot (something that goes back to Seminary) so I’m still figuring out if I tape or don’t tape for worship…or if I need to wear shoes for support, which will feel very strange.
So sorry about your foot issues. Having never had pf, can’t give any advice but hope that you find relief sooner rather than later.
But I have to say that I am so glad you wrote this today as I am starting to plan for the big dance in June, which has changed completely now that best friend has a new job and I’m going to have to be her unofficial wrangler. I thought I had de-frumpified, but I’m not so sure about that now. So I’ll be reading this over and over again while I plan.
On a slightly related note: how do you take these selfies with only one hand? (I note you are using a camera, not an iPhone.) I am just home from a scouting mission, the early stages of a process to find the perfect Mother of the Bride outfit for next October. I couldn’t figure out how to take photos in the dressing room mirror with only one hand; and using two put my arms right in front of the outfit. Tips welcome.
@Ramona:
I was looking for Bensimon/ Converse low top/ Sketchers type shoes for myself last year, but none of those brands were going to work for my feets because they have zero arch support (how did people play basketball in Cons, I’d like to know?). I just wanted classy preppy shoes for crops, bermudas, shorts, and even some skirts.
(crucial background… I am super picky about shoe styles- shoes are my favorite accessory. if i could just wear solid navy/black/grey/beige cute things forever and wear outrageous shoes I’d be happy. so.)
A friend of mine knowing my shoe vanity suggested looking at Dr. Scholl’s shoes for women. And… kajhdlkajshfd. I bought a pair of their sneaker style shoes and every time I wear them I get compliments. Like, from cranky college students, the 50yo bike shop hipster who did Spring maintenance on my bike. My mom bought a pair. Like, really. Every time I wear them.
ANYWAY. The nice thing about them, feets comfort-wise is, you can take out their Dr. Scholl’s insoles and put in your orthotics if you have your own. They also traffic in sandals. There are other, more sensible, less cute things as well, but that aren’t dreadful.
Dr. Scholl’s shoes. I promise I am not a shill. I just am vain and like people telling me my shoes are cute.
Ahhh, the internet answers all questions. I should have realized there would be a blog for people with PF feets:
http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/newshoe/shoes_for_problem_feet/
Why didn’t I think of searching? I’ve looked at pf, and I’ve searched shoes, but never in conjunction. Thanks..
And Dr Sholl’s shoes? Cute? Who’d have thunk? I’ll check it out. Although I have my eyes on a pare of Othoheel sneakers. I have a pair of the flip-flop type sandals and they are amazing.
I love, love, love how you showed us your transformation via some well chosen accessories, PB! Well done! I had a similar experience the other day. I was appalled by my appearance before I stepped out the door the other day but didn’t have time for a complete wardrobe change. To the Bat Cave (aka my scarf bin)! I changed from a formal suit jacket into jean jacket, added a scarf, and magically took 25 years off my appearance. Thanks for showing us how this is done and that it happens even to the likes of style geniuses like you. I felt shocked and depressed by my reflection the other day — and mildly panicked at just how frumpy I had inadvertently become even after investing time and care in my outfit for the day. I embrace the aging process but refuse to equate that with frumpification! I willl not surrender!
Please to explain “too chilly for flats.” I wear flats year round. How, oh how, could I have made such an egregious mistake all these years! *throws arm across face, aghast*
You know, what, never mind – I’m just going to commit suicide right now.[Now, now, Sister Hyperbolic! There must be a real question embedded in all that snark or you wouldn’t have written. By flats, I mean lightweight, skimpy little flats, like ballerina flats. Seriously, a lightweight foot communicates a lightweight presence. That’s why PB wears boots whenever possible — she wants to communicate groundedness and heft of presence (to which her meatball shaped abundancy contributes. – PB]
Must be because its Spring because I’ve been wondering about this stuff too. After years of having sore knees and feet almost constantly, I saw a podiatrist last October and she custom fitted me for wonderful insoles. (osteo-arthritis is the cause, I fear) Over the winter I have lived in boots (low heels, knee length, I have a black patent pair and a brown leather pair) and I have got used to having no pain ! They also work well in a very ugly pair of black walking shoes that I wear with trousers, and in my running shoes. But they do not fit into anything lightweight or springy. So far I’ve been sticking with the boots, pairing them with knee length skirts, in the hope of avoiding frump, but really its getting too hot.
For the real hot weather I have flat sandals, and my podiatrist friend explained to use velcro to fix the insoles to them (I’ve tried it, it works !) but I’m desperately feeling the need for a flat-ish, supportive, comfortable, smart pair of shoes that will work with a suit. (I suspect they will work in my Converses, but thats not the look I’m after). Gosh, thanks for the chance to vent ! Apparently I needed that !!
I broke my foot on Christmas Eve, sprained my ankle on Valentines Day and was diagnosed with a knee problem on St. Patrick’s Day. They are all related, because once my gait went off a bit, everything else started falling apart. I have been to a physical therapist who gave me a list of shoes for stability…all neon running shoes! And the instruction to wear them all the time except for Sundays. So here’s the list for those who need it: Asics: styles 2170, Fortitude and Foundation. Brooks Trance 10. New Balance 860V2 and Saucony Pro-Guide 5.
By the way, with Easter as the next holiday on the horizon, I’m going to be watching my step. [Thanks and good luck, sweetie! – PB]
Just keep on blessing the world with writing like ” . . like I’m going to stop over to Eunice’s to borrow a stick o f lard for pie crusts and talk to her about how I ain’t never been kissed.” Made my night.