AARP Hearing Center
Aren't we a tribe of foot soldiers! By now we've survived every foot fault from blisters and bunions to corns and calluses, from pinched toes and "pump bump" to bruised soles and sprained ankles. Is it any wonder nothing comes between us and our comfort shoes?
Comfort shoes are even shedding their dorky reputation: The styles I've seen designers trotting out this spring have never been more chic . (And affordable, to boot.) It all means that there's no need to wait for these four basic types to go on sale.
1. Ballerinas with substance and style. Ballet flats have become year-round wardrobe basics, but they offer no arch support. And that's an invitation to knee , hip or back problems — unless, that is, you select updated styles with super cushioned footbeds and more structured soles. I'm partial to soft shades of nude or pink in suede or in buttery leather, among them Naturalizer's "Sarah," Born's "Julianne" and Clarks' "Candra Blush" styles.
A cautionary tale: Resist the temptation to buy the ankle-strap or lace-up versions of this flat. Not only are they constricting and annoying, but they tend to emphasize cankles, heavy calves and end-of-day swollen ankles. They also make our legs look shorter — to say nothing of sabotaging the whole slip-on-and-go objective.
2. Low pumps with chunky heels. Women of America, step away from the stilettos! Spiky heels and pointy toes are a guaranteed way to commit "shoe- icide ," especially for anyone who must endure bunions, hammertoes, corns or long hours of standing or walking . (In short, all of us.)
