Normally I would put a shoe post in the Water Cooler (because we don't have a cute shoe forum), but this one goes here. The time has come when I need to buy... shudder...practical shoes. I always purchased shoes on the cute scale. Now I have this toe joint from hell. It's been getting worse and worse. Last week, when I went to the chiropractor, the joint was so inflamed that she thought I could have gout. I'm pretty sure that with no family history and being a vegetarian, the chance that I have gout is nill. I just have a really messed up joint, and I'm told that in order to avoid surgery I must wear....shudder..... practical shoes for the next 6-8 weeks. No heels. I must wear flats. No pointy toes. I must wear open toe shoes or shoes with wide toes so I can wear my toe spacers. Sandals are ok, but they must have an ankle strap or a thingy between the toes and they can't be too flip floppy. Alas.... I find myself in search of practical shoes that I don't hate.

In NY last week it was so bad for the trade shoe that I invested in a pair of Beautifeel shoes. I don't particularly like them, and the price could have bought several rounds of Mojitos for all my good buddies here, but they were the most comfortable thing I have ever worn on my feet. After a full day at the show, I was still able to walk - even if the inflammation was pretty bad.



so now I'm looking for practical shoes like the doc ordered that aren't ugly and are professional enough to wear to work.

I like some of the Privo shoes I see online, but I'm afraid to buy anything that I can't try on.

Any suggestions? What do you wear to work that is comfy and still professional?

Actually Wormie, that is pretty much the style I look for for school shoes. Boxy or rounded toe, wedge type heel. I have canvas ones for the spring, and need to look for fall soon. I have come onto some brands I like, I have 2 pair of Soft Spots and they are the two most comfortable shoes I own. They are leather uppers, a lower heel, but with pants they are great. I also like a number of Clarks, but hate to pay the $#$$.

I still love my Sketchers. Similar to this style but I have them in black leather and suade for winter. They are so comfortable and the straps are velcro which makes them easy to do/undo. Maybe not the most stylish or professional looking but with slacks they are great. I can't find cuter ones for my foot problems either.

I saw those!! They didn't have them in my size. I got another pair of cute sketchers tho. And Roxy's. I 'll try to find them.

These are the perfect height for me. I get lots of comments too.

I'm headed for a week of trade show hell. My suitcase will be packed with three pairs of Clarks. And, liquid gel ibuprofen and arthritis cream. No footwear is perfect.

Angie - right now I can't really wear the wedge. I need my foot to be flat so there is no pressure on the toe joint. There are a lot of cute wedges out there - I like the ones you posted, but they won't due for the short term.

Sandy, I actually love those sketchers and think they're cute, but I don't think I can wear them to work except for on casual Friday.

I saw a really cute pair of shoes online yesterday, but they didn't have my size, and now I can't remember the brand to look for them elsewhere.

Sara - they make liquid gel ibuprofen???? I need that? Can I get it at CVS or Walgreens????

I found them, but I can't find them in my size. I like these two by Privo

and

Try softspots Wormie. They are flat, no wedge.

Sara, Clarks rock.

You know Wormie, you can look for Clarks too. Lots of flats, very casual and comfy.

Speaking of foot issues, my neighbor told me yesterday she had had a pedicure and now has an infection. Her toenail is peeling. She can't even put a shoe on. She is headed to the foot doc this week.

theworm Wrote:Sara - they make liquid gel ibuprofen???? I need that? Can I get it at CVS or Walgreens????

Yep. They're widely available.

I need to get some! I hate taking too many pills, and I like the idea of a topical ibuprofen!

No, no, no - liqui-gel medicine. You still take it by mouth, it's just liquid filled capsules. Being a liquid, it's supposed to hit your system faster for faster relief.

Sorry.

Aspercreme?

oh..... that's different.
I don't know if aspercreme will work - I need an anti-inflamatory.

Amazon.com: Ibuprofen Crème (4 oz): Health & Personal Care

Wholesale Drugstore : one touch ultra, rogaine, prilosec otc, tens unit, accu chek

The Ibunex can be found several places, just google it up. Not sure about the other one. I was just basically looking to see if topical ibuprofen even existed or not.

Prepoia Wrote:I still love my Sketchers. Similar to this style but I have them in black leather and suade for winter. They are so comfortable and the straps are velcro which makes them easy to do/undo. Maybe not the most stylish or professional looking but with slacks they are great. I can't find cuter ones for my foot problems either.

I adore these myself!

I really enjoy Clarks and Borne shoes in addition to Sketchers. Hush Puppies used to have alot of cool ones (SAS was a decent product, expensive and they were more frumpy looking, from what I recall).