If the shoe fits – Footwear for women over 50

This post is part of the Gorgeous 50’s series inspired by a book given to me by one of my sisters on my 50th birthday – ‘Grown up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson.  I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way.  To see all posts published as part of this series, go here.

Pamela says:

Have you noticed that more of your friends are complaining about sore feet these days? That’s because, as we age, we lose some of the fatty cushioning that protects the balls of our feet. This is the time when bunions and corns make their presence known. Also, any posture problems you may have will increasingly take their toll on your feet.  Thankfully, the shoe industry is now making stylish yet comfy shoes!

The hallmarks of a comfortable shoe:

• Generally, the softer and more flexible the shoe, the better (it should bend where your foot naturally bends)
• Always go for uppers made from a natural material, such as leather, suede or a fabric that allows the foot to breathe
• There should be sufficient depth and width at the toes and a short space between the tip of your longest toe and the end of the shoe
• The more cushioning the insole has, the longer you’ll be able to stand in the shoes
• A sole made from rubber provides good shock absorption and is less slippery than leather
• A firm heel counter that fits snuggly around the back of the foot prevents slipping (and therefore blisters and cramps)

My thoughts:

Yes I have noticed that feet get sorer these days!  I have actually suffered with Plantar Fasciitis in the past.  It seems to have come good now and I’m hoping that it stays that way!  As for bunions and corns – I’m very lucky in that I have none – hooray!

Through the process of suffering with Plantar Fasciitis, I learnt some facts about aging. As Pamela says, it’s quite true that we lose the fatty cushioning in the soles of our feet that we are blessed with during our youth! Our feet can get longer and wider as we age too. It is normal for some of us to acquire a lower arch with time due to gravity and weakened tendons or ligaments. When this happens, it allows the arch to drop which causes a lengthening and widening of the foot.  All these things mean we are now more vulnerable to problems with our feet.

As Pamela also mentions – posture problems, or overall postural weakness, can impact the way you move, use your feet, and cause pain and discomfort over time. Bad habits can lead to unusual pressure on some of the muscles, bones, tendons and joints, and this can cause overuse, irritation and inflammation. This is something I have noticed as I can get quite a bit of pain in my left side – shoulder, hip, ankle, foot and I think this is related to a postural issue. Must get that investigated!

The days of teetering about in sky high heels are over.  This doesn’t mean we can’t still be fashionable, but we need to be fashionable whilst also providing our feet with good support and comfort. 

There are lots of great brands out there that provide shoes that offer comfort, support and style, but personally, I have become a very big fan of FRANKiE4 Footwear. Their shoes and boots are designed by Podiatrists and a Physiotherapist. With body mechanics in mind, FRANKiE4 designs aim to alleviate and prevent heel and arch pain, plantar fasciitis, and forefoot pain. They offer functional footbeds, custom fit packs, and soles that provide a stable foundation but still offer plenty of cushioning. Not only does their footwear provide support and comfort, but they’re stylish and gorgeous!  I have a few pairs of FRANKiE4’s now and will keep adding to my collection because they offer everything that I need now in footwear.  They do cost more than I used to spend on shoes, but they’re well and truly worth every cent.  By the way – I am not sponsored by FRANKiE4, I just absolutely love their footwear!

Once upon a time vanity ruled when it came to fashion for me. Nowadays, I still want to look good, but I want to be comfortable and supported as well.

Has comfort and support become equal first place with style for you now too when choosing your footwear?  Do you have a favourite footwear brand?

Ciao for now,