How to Make Recovery Footwear Fashionable & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #772
Back when I was younger, I sacrificed much comfort in the name of fashion. My feet were no strangers to 4 inch heels as I sauntered myself on stilettos all around New York City in the early 2000s. The weather never hindered my sense of style either. It was high heels or nothing. I was never one of those women who wore practical shoes like sneakers to get from one place to another and then changed my footwear once I had arrived my destination. It seems silly and stupid to me now as I reflect on all the shoes that were ruined by inclement weather and all the aches I have forced my fragile feet to endure.
While I am not one to have many regrets, I do always reserve the right to change my mind. And my mind has definitely changed about footwear. My personal style aesthetic is still important to me, of course, but I have leaned into the practical much more in my mature years. In fact, I recently ousted about 200 pairs of impractical shoes that my feet no longer wanted to employ. And now I am slowly building a new shoe wardrobe that favors practicality and comfort over all other things.
I am unsure why practical things often ignore aesthetics. But I have made it my mission to transform the perception of practical things from ugly to fashionable.
The mission is not a difficult one either. Not much is required to take not-so-appealing shoes and make them look good. You really just need to create a pretty outfit that has enough elements of interest to distract anyone’s gaze from ever reaching your feet. Then you need to wear it all with confidence. And honestly, nothing makes me feel more confident than knowing that I am taking care of my body even as I am making a fashion statement.
Last Friday, I shared a very positive review of my new OOFOS recovery footwear. Because I have been wearing these shoes nearly every day since I bought them last month, I wanted to make sure that I could create multiple outfits that would coordinate with them. Now that fall is on the horizon, I do need to consider getting a pair of boots and a pair of slippers or mules as well. However, I just purchased a pair of sneakers and another pair of sandals on the OOFOS end of season sale so I may wait until the next sale to add more pairs.
When I chose the mist blue OOahh Slide Sandals, I honestly didn’t think they would match very many things in my closet but I was wrong. They are working beautifully with my warm weather wardrobe. This colorful outfit combines a black floral dress from last summer layered beneath a white floral ruana that I picked up at a flea market in April. I accessorized with my bright pink fedora, a thrifted butterfly tassel necklace, and handmade ivory earrings. There are touches of light blue in the floral print on my dress which coordinated perfectly with my mist OOFOS.
As you can see, when you combine a plethora of bold and colorful prints, your eye is immediately distracted from what’s on my feet. So I can be both fashionable and practical all at once!
Have you ever sacrificed comfort in the name of fashion? Do you still?
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Keeping it practical on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
14 Comments
Joanne
That dress goes great with your new shoes! I thought that garden Amy visited was just the cutest I’d ever seen.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! That bookworm garden was so adorable! I would love to visit it myself.
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
Love your outfit with multiple floral pieces, and your hat is so cute! Your shoes do not detract, and I agree that taking care of your feet, and back is paramount! I have given away all of my heels over three inches. Hope you enjoy your weekend and thanks for sharing and hosting the link up!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Di! I have kept a few pairs of impractical heels just for fun but I got rid of most of them. There is no need for achy feet at this stage of life! I hope you have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
Thank you so much for featuring my Bookworm Garden post. I so appreciate it! I will never wear anything anymore if it’s uncomfortable, but I sure used too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
You are quite welcome, my friend. Thank you for jointing my party. I am way past the point of sacrificing comfort myself. Plus, I don’t think it looks good if you are tugging and pulling at your clothing because it is comfortable. Comfortability increases confidence, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail Is This Mutton
More companies are waking up to producing stylish footwear for women with foot problems. I never got on with high heels. I love flats and brogues in bright colors.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I definitely am appreciating comfortable and supportive footwear much more now compared to when I was younger. I don’t think my high heels damaged my feet though because I was breaking bones in my feet long before I ever wore my first pair of high heels. You have wonderful taste in shoes, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You look so comfortable in that outfit, and it’s perfect for this time of year. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I hope your weekend is fabulous!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
Thank you so much for the feature! I’ve heard so many good things about those sandals and how comfortable they are!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for joining us, Laura! These shoes are seriously saving my feet and my back! I cannot say enough good things about them.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
I’m exactly the same when it comes to shoes! I’ve punished my feet so much over the years and now I will only wear comfortable footwear. When I think of the hours of discomfort I suffered for pretty shoes when I could have been pain free and enjoying myself more, I wonder why I put myself through that!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, we were so silly in the name of fashion, weren’t we?! I remember attending an Army ball way back when I first started dating my husband. I wore combat boots under my ball gown. By the end of the night, all the women were complaining about how their high heels were killing their feet. But I was very happy and pain free in my big combat boots! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee