What to Keep in Mind
Support
It’s hard to turn away a trend, however, prioritizing support over the Best Sellers section can help you avoid a shoe graveyard. “Too often we purchase shoes because we like the aesthetic versus the functionality and comfortability — it just ends with one wear behind our closet,” says Osemwenkhae. Some brands, such as Vivaia and Dansko, do a wonderful job of marrying fashion and function, but the best place to start is at your podiatrist’s office.
“It is important to know your foot type, pronated, neutral, or supinated so you can pick the right shoe for you,” says Dr. Parthasarathy, who adds that even a “safe” choice like a slide or slipper can still hurt your feet in the long run. “If you have a supinated foot, but buy a stability shoe, you could be more prone to injury because it’s the wrong shoe for your foot type,” she explains.
Trends
“The great thing about trends is that you have the personal freedom to incorporate them into your style or not,” says Chen, adding that quality, comfort, and versatility are the main drivers behind purchasing her footwear.
She suggests choosing shoes that match your style and lifestyle, and that, “you should focus on wearing pieces that make you feel happy and confident” while also being open to options that push you out of your comfort zone.
Want to rock sky-high platforms but can barely take your hand off the balance bar in pilates? Try opting for wedges instead. “Wedges are a unique take on heels that never go out of style and are my go-to because they are much more practical and versatile,” says Chen. Do you work in an office every day? A loafer is a business casual that looks great with dresses, skirts, and trousers.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you know if a shoe will be comfortable?
Reading reviews, noting special features like arch support, and checking for certifications such as the APMA Seal of Acceptance can give you an indication as to whether the shoe will be comfortable, but you won’t truly know until you wear them.
“Shoes should feel comfortable right away—some people wait for the shoes to ‘give’ or ’work in’ to be more comfortable,” Dr. Parthasarathy says. She adds that it’s not likely the shoes will feel any better as you wear them—especially, as your feet swell throughout the day.
Before peeling the price tag off, she tells us there are a couple of things to look for: The shoe should not be able to fold completely in half, and it should have a removable insole and a firm, supportive heel counter.
And, maybe this point is intuitive, but it bears repeating that you should always consider the type of activity you’ll be doing while wearing the shoe. For example, if you are choosing footwear for a wedding, consider: Will it be outside? What type of ground are you standing on? How high are the heels?
How do you measure your shoe size?
“Brands may differ in sizing, so people must keep in mind their measurements and compare them to size guides when shopping,” Chen says, who adds that there are times when you may have to go up half a size or down, depending on the style and overall fit.
Thankfully, many websites have a size guide that provides customers with a tutorial on measuring their feet at home—all you need is a piece of paper, a pencil to trace your foot, and a ruler to measure the length and the width.
Why Shop With Us
Irene Richardson is a writer covering fashion and beauty trends for InStyle, Byrdie, Travel and Leisure, and more. For this story, she spoke with fashion experts Beverly Osemwenkhae and Marina Chen; and board-certified podiatrist Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, to get their recommendations and learn more about what it takes to find the right pair of shoes.