Shoe Inserts for Comfort

Some times a shoe insert, such as a insole or a heel grip, can make the difference between comfort and pain. Recently, I have found thick and thin insoles, and heel grips that have saved my feet.

Dr. Scholl's for Her 16 Hour Insoles

I love Dr. Scholl's shoes, especially the Jute and June styles that have these great foam insoles. The Dr. Scholl's for Her 16 Hour Comfort Insoles give me the same feel and can go in many pairs of shoes. While I like this line of Dr. Scholl's shoes, they are on the casual side and limited. These insoles give me the same sensation, but can go in many shoes. I especially like them in boots, including Ugg type boots and my slippers.

These Dr. Scholl's flats from TJ Maxx are super comfortable due to a foam insole.

Shoes for Changing Weather: The Autumn Addition

Temperature in the northeast has been erratic. Since Labor Day, temperatures have spiked to the 80s, dropped to the 40s, and been amazingly pleasant. We've also had rain and days that threatened rain.

What shoes do you wear for this mercurial weather? On Instagram you will find many of my shoes choices.

White after Labor Day

Let's start with the first issue that appears after the end of summer-- can you wear white? As you see above, I wore these white Dr. Scholl's eyelet espadrilles after summer's end.

The tradition of not wearing white likely comes from the early 20th century, according to Time. At this time, the wealthy often went away to cottages and resorts for the summer. When they returned they resumed wearing darker clothing.

Comfort and Style: The Success of New Designs by Crocs

An ad for Crocs new designs, showing their comfort and style.

One of my biggest goals when shopping is to find comfortable and stylish shoes. I want to be fashionable but don’t want foot pain by the end of the day. Also, living in New York where rain is fairly common, I strive to have waterproof shoes. While rain boots do the trick, they look silly when it’s sunny and can be warm and inappropriate for some occasions.

Crocs has moved in and tried to fill this niche with expanding its line to include more style conscious but still comfy and usually waterproof shoes. The expansion has been profitable.

The brand was created in 2002 by three boating enthusiasts who wanted a lightweight material that was waterproof and slip-resistant. After a few years of profitability, in 2008, profits began to fall, partially because people disliked the look. For example, there is a Facebook group “I don’t care how comfortable Crocs are, you look like a dumb***”, and a website dedicated to their elimination.

However, starting in 2010, profits began to rise again, according to Andrew Adam Newman of the NY Times. It is projected the company will make over $1 billion in 2011. Only 45% of that profit comes from the traditional model, showing the success of Crocs expansions.

Comfort or Style? I Found Both with Dr. Scholl's Metallic Flats

I have cute black flats, but unfortunately by the end of a long day, my feet hurt. Thus, I set out to find cute and comfy flats. Not just comfy, supportive. Previously, I talked about the dilemma of finding comfortable and stylish shoes.

After some time shopping, I was successful. I bought metallic Dr. Scholl’s flats from Famous Footwear for $31.99. The shoes are a pewter color in between silver and gold, so they go with everything and are on trend for the season. I also like with the metallic color that they can be both dressy and work friendly. They have a round metal buckle design in the front and are cut low, so you get a hint of toe cleavage.

Shoes for Winter Weather: My Boot Collection

My winter boot collection at college.

This winter Mother Nature is giving the Eastern United States the worst of winter to deal with—blizzards and subfreezing temperatures. Choosing the right footwear in winter is an important task. Having cold wet feet or slipping because your shoes lack traction are some of the consequences of poor footwear choices. I am pulling on my own experiences as a college student in the winter wonderland known as upstate New York’s Finger Lakes, and research to help you have the appropriate footwear.

To Repair or Not to Repair: The Growing Trend to Repair Shoes

After finally finding the perfect black flats, stylish, classic, and comfy, I looked down one day to find one of the military-inspired straps had come loose. I was faced with a dilemma—should I repair it or search for a replacement?

I recently discussed how Mayor Bloomberg only owns two pairs of shoes. He is able to keep those two pairs of dress shoes for so long is through regular repairs.

However, his shoes were expensive to begin with, so the repairs seem worthy. For me, my shoes were Steve Madden flats bought at Century 21 (New York City’s amazing discounter) for $25. The estimate for the repair was up to $12.

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 3: When all else fails…how to handle blisters on your feet

The adorable Madden Girl zipper pumps that gave me blisters.

I failed to follow my own advice on how to have blister free comfortable feet. Recently, I went out to a play and decided to wear an unworn pair of heels, which turned out to be very uncomfortable. By the end of the night, my feet were covered in blistered.

In case this happens to you, here is some advice to treat blisters and make your shoes and feet more comfortable the next day.

Update: Blister free, comfy feet: Part 2: How to make high-heels more comfortable

Psst! My secret, I own two pairs of the same shoes.

In my post on how to make high-heel more comfortable, I forgot one of my best tips, buy heels about a half a size larger than you normally wear. This makes them a lot more comfortable to be in once your foot starts to swell as the day wears on. A good example is these Talbots low heeled sandals I own, see picture above. The black shoe on the right is a size 6. I wore them today, but couldn’t wait to take them off at lunch and the end of the day because the straps push into my feet. The silver shoe on the left is a 6.5. I will wear them to commute about a mile to and from work. The straps don’t dig in at all.

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 2: How to make the high-heels you already own more comfortable

Classic black pumps that I got for under $20 at the Talbot's Clearance outlet. Unfortunately after a couple hours in them, my feet hurt.

The other day I went out and wore what seemed like comfortable classic black pumps. Unfortunately, at the end of the night my feet were aching and I could not wait to kick my shoes off. Although I recently decided to shop for comfortable shoes, I can’t throw out the shoes I already own, so I decide to try to find out how to make the heel I already own more comfortable.

One way to make high-heels you own more comfortable is to rotate what shoes you wear. Try to wear a different styles different days and to alternate between high-heels and more comfortable flatter shoes (Kovalovich, n.d.).

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 1: How to shop for comfortable shoes

The cute flats that unfortunately hurt. 

Although it’s still nice and warm, I decided to start getting ready for the upcoming cooler months by wearing flats yesterday. Unfortunately, after a few months of sandals, my feet still hurt today. I decided I am going to try and shop for comfortable shoes, so I am sharing some of the tips I found.


The first is to make sure you have enough time to thoroughly shop. This way you can get the right size, walk in the shoes a bit, and inspect them.