How to wear high heels after 50 and feel fabulous ... even with foot problems!
If I invited you into my closet to view my gigantic collection of fabulous and fashionable shoes you would never think my shoe collection belonged to a grandmother with foot problems.
You see, darlings, I have figured out a way to still 'strut my stuff' in my high heel glamorous shoes.
I had perfect feet and toes until I broke my ankle when I fell off a ladder wearing fashionable high heels, two years ago. Talk about being so busy ... I acted dizzy!
I had surgery and wore a pink cast for six months with a smiley face painted on my big polished pink toe, (I never stopped thinking about femininity and fashion, darlings!) and kept my spirits high because of my girlfriend's support and my husband ... whose kindness surpassed Florence Nightingale's.
I assumed, incorrectly, that I would 'walk' right out of my surgeon's office the day my cast came off; rush home and slip into a pair of my divine shoes.
I was in for a shock!
Darlings, I could not walk! I could not bend my toes! I could not flex my left foot. I was in excruciating pain. I was beside myself. I was in tears.
I looked at my doctor, and, I remember my exact words as I tried, unsuccessfully, to take my first steps. "Will I ever be able to walk again," I asked.
My doctor responded, "I hope so."
My heart sank.
That evening, I dressed for my 'supposed' celebration dinner in pants that were too long, (I never shortened them because I had faith!), a flat on my normal foot and a pink-striped sock given to me by my girlfriend, Linda, my sock supplier, during my six-month ordeal. I hobbled into the restaurant on the trusty walker that I thought I was going to give away.
Did I allow my injured foot to prevent me from wearing my platforms in the future? (I love platforms!) Did I give away my high-heeled boots or gorgeous pumps? Of course not, darlings!
I plunged into physical therapy from May through the following November with a vengeance. I graduated from a walker to a cane. After months of hard work, I was able to slowly flex my foot and toes so I could walk up and down steps carefully and with great caution. I had to regain my balance and my gait. I did. It took all of my persistence and patience.
How my feet stayed glamorous and made me feel amorous...
Well my darlings, especially you with problem feet, I began the long road back to normalcy by figuring out temporary solutions! I went out and bought fabulous flat shoes, from fun sneakers to fancy ballet flats.
Let me share a few tips that worked for me...
I bought yellow leather 'high top' sneakers that I 'dared myself to wear' with a beautiful dressy Pucci Dress! And black high tops, also!
For a formal wedding and dressy occasions, I bought patent leather Chanel flats with pearls!
For everyday wear, I bought flowered sneakers and two pairs of Lanvin flats in silver and deep blue because the colors would go with everything and they were not seasonal; the style of the shoe stretches and the leather is very soft.
For my emotional well being, I avoided shortening my slacks. I wanted to keep a positive attitude, dreaming of the day that I would be myself once again, strutting my stuff feeling glamorous and amorous (for my husband!) in my high-heeled shoes.
It has been two years of adjustments. My once perfect foot will never be the same. I have nerve damage in four of my toes. My left foot is still slightly swollen from living in a cast for six months. I developed a bunion, but I am happy to say, my broken bone healed perfectly and I am strutting my stuff once again in shoes with heels.
Fashionable Shoe Solutions for Bad Feet
I buy shoes that are one or one and one half sizes larger than my normal shoe size. My bunion no longer pains me! The shoes fit perfectly.
I took my high-heeled shoes to the shoemaker and had the heels cut down as far as possible. You have to be mindful to tell your shoemaker he must maintain the correct pitch. You will lose a quarter to at most a half inch, but it makes a wonderful difference.
I was determined to try and save my shoes so I had all of my left shoes stretched at the shoemaker because that foot is a tiny bit swollen from my injury and I now have to deal with a bunion. Make sure to tell him to leave each shoe on the stretcher a day. It took me an entire summer and into the fall to complete the task.
I buy designer shoes that have a wide toe box front to house my damaged toes and bunion. Prada is the best in style and width for my foot.
I have learned how to manage my foot problem and I am happy to say, I no longer wear flats! I think a styled shoe shows the personality of a woman ... her flair; her style; her joie de vivre. So, my darlings, my philosophy is:
Do try and continue to buy glamorous and stylish shoes! It will give you a 'lift' in more ways than one.
Do be determined to solve your foot problems. Use your will and you can find solutions.
Do not be shy in asking experts for help.
Do be a good listener, and then, follow advice.
Motivate yourself into action, darlings! A woman's shoes are an important part of her style.
Are you still strutting your stuff? Or have you had to overcome foot problems so that you can feel glamorous and amorous? I'd love to hear your stories! Do tell, darlings! You can comment below or connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram. LET'S TALK!
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
