That Is My Age: Comfy Shoes

Bet that title grabbed you by the big toe, didn't it? I was going to put a photo of my orthotics first but thought better of it. That's Not My Age loves a Mum Shoe and this gorgeous seventies-inspired, Swedish Hasbeens sandal might just be the perfect specimen. I'm sure one of the podiatrists/physiotherapists/shoe experts I've been to with my problem feet told me that a low-ish heel is quite a good thing, well better than constantly wearing flats, anyway. And the lovely seventies sandal would hide my bunions too. Two birds, one stone. Who said middle-age wasn't a fun-filled chapter on the road to decrepitude?



That's Not My Age likes the Swedish Hasbeens clog, but I'm not so good with wooden soles. I've tried them a couple of times, once at school back in ooh the seventies and then again in the nineties, and can confirm that bruised ankles and throbbing bunions aren't much fun. Anyway, I won't keep you waiting any longer... tah dah! Here are my orthotics.




As I've told you before, it's not easy having old lady's feet. Wearing orthotics restricts footwear options to styles that are flat, closed-in and not too narrow. Which is fine by me, I like a pair of mannish brogues or suede desert boots (usually with a dress or a slim pant), if I'm on my feet all day, make that low-key trainers and wide leg trousers. And sturdy, supportive, slightly more expensive shoes can be worn without orthotics - which is OK in winter when my favourite boots come out to play:



But when it comes to summer, it's orthotics-free, for me. Largely because the moulded insoles don't fit inside low-cut shoes like ballet pumps and cannot physically be worn with sandals. Not that I've actually tried it, but then I haven't tried walking with shoe horns rammed down the back of my heels either. So the annual quest to find comfortable, supportive summer footwear - a mini-wedge or rubbery-soled flat - is on. Fortunately, this is the season of the flatform, thank you Prada and Chanel for creating the stylish alternative to remedial footwear:




These are my kind of shoes, I want them to be in fashion forever, or for as long as it takes me to save up for a pair! In case you're wondering, the fabulous Prada flatform is five hundred pounds (and sold out).

This Michael Kors sandal is pretty cool and comes in at just under four hundred pounds:



Alas, designer footwear is out of my price range so I've been looking for a more reasonably-priced alternative. Say hello to the Temple sandal from Radley. Not quite a flatform and a bit Like a cross between the Prada and Chanel shoes and the heel-to-toe gradient isn't too steep. Yours for one hundred and ten English pounds.



Oh and if you're a fan of comfy shoes, Clarks Originals have just relaunched their website and the wedge-heeled, Yarra Desert Boot is back on sale.





Do you have any advice for problem feet?



Catwalk photos: style.com

Comfy Shoes

Now if that headline doesn't pull in the crowds, I'll sack my podiatrist. That's Not My Age loves a mum shoe and I'm delighted to hear that fashionable young celebrities, like Maggie Gyllenhaal, have taken to wearing orthpaedic footwear. Forget grey hair that's for old folks, it's woo hoo for Worishofers! Going one step further Clarks Originals autumn/winter collection has some fully remastered, 1950s sheepskin-lined granny boots:



Yes. When summer ends and the mum shoes are packed away, That's Not My Age will be going back to my roots. Zipping up my granny boots. In fact, I'm so enamoured, I might even buy both colourways. Because as we all know camel is 'it' this season.



And there's an Igloo shoe too. This cute lace-up comes in camel (of course) and a lovely indigo blue. Which, to coin my favourite phrase, ever, will look good with jeans.



So, how to wear granny boots:

1. Make sure the rest of the outfit is super-sharp. A pair of neatly tailored slim pants, ladylike blouse or masculine jacket juxtapose the footwear's casual nature. Trousers should be slim enough to tuck in or a 7/8 length that ends just above the top of the boot.



2. Hair & make-up should be sleek and sophisticated (if ever there was a case of do as I say, not as I do - this is it!) Looking like you've just escaped from a care home/walked off a Guardian All Ages photo shoot/work from home and don't give a damn is not the image we're after here.



3. Don't be afraid to get you legs out. Granny boots look fab with black opaques. Just add a stunning dress and military jacket to avoid looking like a real-life octagenarian.




Granny boots, how would you wear them?


Photos

Fred Astaire: Martin Munkasci
Catwalk: style.com

Mum shoes

That's Not My Age has problem feet. And this means that ballet pumps and super flat sandals are out of the question. So when summer comes, I'm always on the look out for a shoe with a comfy rubber sole or low wedge heel. Sadly, said footwear is often high in frump factor and low in style. Last year whilst visiting the brother in NYC, I was delighted to find a pair of APC wedge sandals that weren't too steep - well, the gradient of the wedge was fine but the price was a bit on the high side. So delighted in fact, that I wore them out of the store, and walked all the way back to brother's apartment, only to be told as I stepped through the door that, 'They look like something mum would wear.'



Now I realise that ironic footwear doesn't work so well as you get older, I spent most of last summer trying not to look like a pensioner on a coach trip. Teaming my comfy sandals with rolled up skinny jeans and a boyfriend jacket seemed to work, and this year I'm going to try them with a shirtdress. The shoes may be a tad Mrs That's Not My Age Senior, but I'm not ready for Crimplene slacks just yet.

And, yay! Good news has arrived via The Sunday Times Style Magazine. Mum shoes are in vogue! As seen on the S/S 2010 catwalk at Stella McCartney:





Mum shoes are also available from Margaret Howell (top black & white picture), and in descending order below; Clarks Originals, Camper (with hidden mini heel) and Land's End. Just be careful how you wear them.






Don't you love it when something easy to wear slips onto the fashion radar? Or am I showing my age?

Photos:

Stella McCartney: Mitchell Sams from Marie Claire