Finding and Buying Shoes That Fit Properly
Finding and Buying Shoes That Fit Properly
The tell-tale signs of autumn are all around us. School bells ring once again, football games are kicking off, and just about everything comes in pumpkin spice!
As the air turns crisp, and the leaves transform into a prism of color – our wardrobes begin to change in tandem. As that favorite cozy sweater takes the place of breezy summer linens, now is the time to swap out sandals and barefoot behavior for comfortable and smart footwear choices that will have your feet feeling
supported.
After a long summer of meticulously pedicured toes in often unsupportive shoe gear, now is the time of year to give those feet much-needed support [and warmth] in boots, sneakers, clogs, etc.
Let’s talk about shoe shopping.
As I often share with my patients, there are several things to consider that go beyond the aesthetic appearance of a shoe when shopping. Whether you are shopping for shoes to get you around campus, for the office, or for weekends with friends – these tips will help keep your feet balanced.
Before you head to the shoe store, stand on a blank piece of paper and trace each foot as accurately as possible. Then take this tracing with you when shopping for shoes. Place your desired shoe on the tracing. Does the shoe cover your tracing or do you see the outline of your foot extending beyond the margins of the shoe? This can be a simple and fun way to keep yourself honest when making shoe selections. Choosing a shoe that is too narrow for your actual foot shape could set you up for future issues such as pain, calluses, blisters, ingrown toenails, and the progression of some deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes.
Next, find a reputable shoe store that can assist you in the correct shoe size, shape, and type to fit not only your feet but also your lifestyle. They will measure your feet to ensure that you are indeed selecting the correct size.
Consider shoe shopping later in the day when your feet may be a bit larger from swelling, as this is natural after a day on your feet and walking about. This will give you a better idea of the shoe size and shape that is best for you.
The last tip is to try to be reasonable and as practical as possible. Boots with a narrow toe box and narrow 4-inch heel may look beautiful, but in turn, may haunt you later down the road. Reserve those beauties for occasional outings when you know you will be sitting all night long. Go practical and comfortable for everyday wear, exercise, and casual events.
Believe me, your feet will thank you!
Why A Medical Pedicure Is The Key To Healthy, Happy Feet This Sandal Season
Why A Medical Pedicure Is The Key To Healthy, Happy Feet This Sandal Season
Source: Vogue
A few weeks ago, I arrived at a close friend’s apartment with the unthinkable: freshly tended-to feet. “How?” she asked—or, really, begged—as she curled up her own toes, which still bore the traces of the polish from her last pre-quarantine pedicure. Much to her surprise, I hadn’t snuck into my neighborhood salon prematurely but rather paid a visit to Medi Pedi, the midtown Manhattan destination for medical-grade pedicures.
“We do not pamper the feet—we just treat them,” owner Marcela Correa warned me as I leaned back in a raised chair in her ground-floor clinic, which evoked a sterile doctor’s office more than a plush spa. Of course, any sandal season calls for some TLC, but after months of leaving our feet to their own devices, who couldn’t benefit from a deep clean? Performed by technicians trained to spot the difference between a callus and psoriasis, say, every session begins with a once-over of the feet to assess their condition.
In my case, that translated to a custom treatment, executed with laser-sharp focus, that included a hand-held drill to smooth my nails’ surface, a hydrating oil to return the beds to a healthy hue, and a file to gently mend my cracked heels. Thirty (painless!) minutes and a dollop of moisturizer later, my feet looked like those of a newborn—especially because they were completely naked. (Appointments are polish free—lacquer can dry out the nail beds and lead to discoloration and brittleness, Correa noted.) But as I walked down Park Avenue with my bare toes—now so shiny that they almost sparkled—staring up at me, I can’t say I missed the color. In fact, with phalanges this naturally glowing, there was no longer a need for even a barely-there coat of nude, let alone my go-to deep crimson. “I want people to feel proud of their feet,” Correa said, plain and simple, just before I left. I never thought I’d say it, but: Mission accomplished.