Posted on January 02 2017
There it is again, that tempting display advertising “Shoes For Women.” You step into the store or click on the website and you either feel a rush of excitement or a tingle of apprehension at the seemingly unlimited options.
Too often, women shop for shoes based solely on what they look like and not how they fit. Unfortunately, this can lead to many sad pairs of shoes in the back of your closet that will never be worn.
How can you find the perfect balance between comfort and style? We’ve put together a few tips to help you do just that.
How to Find Comfortable Shoes With Lasting Style
Size
Everyone has a different sense of style. This means not everyone will like the same pairs of shoes, but there is one thing everyone can agree on — shoe size is critical to a great fitting pair of shoes.
While most people know their general shoe size, it’s important to remember that not all shoes are created equally. According to the Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas, LLP, manufacturing and materials can make make a huge difference in size consistency.
No matter which size you end up choosing, the best fit will be the shoe that leaves ⅝ inches (one thumb width) of room between the end of the shoe and your longest toe.
This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the many available shoe types and really get to know your foot. Find a style you like and then experiment with different sizes until you find what works best.
Shape and Stability
There’s more to know about your foot than just its shoe size. Just like your feet, shoes come in a variety of different shapes depending on how they’re manufactured. It’s up to you to know what shape is best for your foot.
An easy way to figure out the shape of your foot is to analyze your footprint.
It’s simple: Dip your foot in a shallow pan of water and then step on a piece of paper to make a footprint.
This footprint will show you what kind of arch you have, which should tell you what shape and level of cushioning is best for you.
Reference the table below to learn more about your arch:
|
Arch Type |
What Your Footprint Will Show |
What Types of Shoes Will Work Best |
|
Normal/Medium |
½ of your arch will be filled in |
Almost any shoe type |
|
Flat/Low |
More than ½ of your arch will be filled in |
Look for shoes with substantial arch support |
|
High |
Little to no arch will be filled in |
Shoes with lots of cushioning and few stabilizing features |
Whether you’re shopping for sneakers, pumps, or sandals, it’s important to pick a style you like and try on different options until you find a shape that works.
What are you waiting for? It’s time to really get to know your foot, pick a style you love, and head over to your local SRI Shoe Warehouse to find a new fashionable and comfortable look.