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blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2008-08-12 11:20 pm
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Shoe recs needed

The world is depressing, I am turning to shopping in a bid to up my girlie cred. But I need help. I was raised by men and lesbians. From a grooming perspective, this is akin to being raised by wolves.

I have manky feet. To begin with, they're duck feet. Little heels and broad chimpanzee-like toes from a childhood of frequent barefootness. And then there's the mangling. After ballet as a young lass my toes are horrid. Which was bad enough in itself, but then I shattered one of my feet in a huge cycling accident, so now my already high instep is even higher on one side thanks to the rebuild.

All of this means that I find it very hard to find comfy shoes that fit. And possibly even look good. I can live with look ordinary if the comfort factor is high enough, as I can distract people from my shoes without too much effort. But I desperately need some more brands to choose from.

Currently my shoe wardrobe is Birkenstocks, Doc Martens, ethical Converse rip-offs, Brooks trainers and riding boots. It is the shoe wardrobe of a sexually unfussy teenager who spends her weekends at Pony Club, Goth Club or anti-apartheid rallies. I was that teenager, but a lot of my flist wasn't born then.

So, you lot shop like fiends. Any recommendations? Size 36 or 37, wide fitting preferred, fit a high instep, can be walked in for long distances by even the gimpiest, some connection to looking like a grown-up woman shoe appreciated. And able to be resoled, because I will walk through them before the uppers go.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

Still avoiding the Olympics, but a dear friend had a very worthwhile rant to me today when the Australian broadcaster cut the last 20 minutes of the women's hockey, a sport in which the Australian team is one of the top three in the world and a game in which they were winning, to show the men's water polo team losing. "Because god forbid women's sport be taken seriously! Unless it's an Aussie swimmer!" she ranted. And the male water polo players weren't even hot.

PS Happy Birthday EEYORE! (I have the memory of an idiot fish)

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, slightly on the dykeish yet comfy scale is Wolky, a Dutch (I think) manufacturer of interestingly clunky shoes. I have Zen in black, and I also like Ballotta.

I also like Think! shoes, although the ones I have are obviously out of season, as I can't find them. Also here.

No need to worry though. I have found you the perfect pair! No more tying laces, just zip that velcro, fire up the zimmer frame, and off you go.

:D

Edited 2008-08-12 13:54 (UTC)

Shoes in Addie

(Anonymous) 2008-08-12 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Since you are arriving in Adelaide around midday Friday I can take you to the Birkenstock store in Hahndorf so you can have a look there. I don't know how you go wearing the Diana Ferrari brand of shoes but they have a Factory Outlet store not far from the Airport and they range in size from 5-10 (Australian sizing).

I haven't been to this place but there is a shop not far from where I live that I think does custom shoes, don't know what the prices are like though.

Cheers

Anne

Re: Shoes in Addie

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
You're still up! I've been not calling you because I remembered at 10, not 8 as I meant to. Are you still still up?

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I could work that, pass me the Bedazzler! (I love the fact they advertise it as High Street Fashion. Snort!)

I'd forgotten about Wolky. Hmmmmmm ... nice ...

[identity profile] foi-nefaste.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I have no idea if you can get them in your area... but Dansko is a brand that I've had really good luck with. Reasonably cute, and incredibly comfortable.

Good luck!

Re: Shoes in Addie

(Anonymous) 2008-08-12 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
This place in in Rundle Mall they specialise in comfy but sylish footwear. They are between season so they don't have an online catalogue at the moment but they are easy to get to so I can take you there also.

http://www.angelsshoes.com.au/

From Anne (again)

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I am quite tempted by Aida, on the second Think! link. However, I am more set on these in red, to go with the new coat I bought. You know, the one that only suits tall, breastless women...

[identity profile] marguerite-26.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I think naturalizer's are only in the US and Canada, but I like that they will size your foot for width as well as your length.

Sorry, I'm not much of a shoe person. I tend to buy a pretty new pair, then wear my trainers everywhere. :D

[identity profile] eeyore9990.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, darling! I have no idea if I have it, but if in the millions of hours of Olympic programming we have recorded, I happen to come across the end of the women's hockey, I'll happily see about uploading it for you.

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, for goodness' sake! I hate it when that happens!

These ones!

http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/more_images.asp?i_code=1100063020&name=MILLIE&junior=0

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Nah, it's my friend Nat who cares. I'm boycotting!

[identity profile] empress-jae.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
just to cover my ignorance...36-37 would be what? 7.5 in american?

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
They are dead sexy. Not sure I could walk in them, though. I really need some attractive men to walk either side of me and support me, I've only got the one and convincing him I need a spare might take some smooth talking ;-)

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I might never talk to you again if you persuade him.

Second thoughts, my dirtiest 2 men fantasies are now off the cards anyway. Or I'll have to substitute orifices to get it all to work. Pity.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Err ... probably? Maybe 6 or 7? 4 or 5-ish UK depending on the width (3 in one case, which was embarrassing).

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not saying anything.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
They do look good! Thanks!

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
There was always bound to be a first time.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I have seen them, but the soles never seem thick enough. I don't drive, so I walk everywhere and it's diabolical on shoe leather ...

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
While you've got your tongue out...

[identity profile] empress-jae.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
3??? did they bind your feet as a child? i thought they only did that in china. :P

anyway...have you checked out zappos.com? if you know your euro shoe size then you can figure out your american shoe size. they have a conversion chart available. best shoes ever. to me...it sounds like maybe you want to look at something like this? low heel...rounded toe, yet still stylish. i'm more of an open-toes stilleto girl myself. you know...the type that will sacrafice eating for a week to purchase a pair of jimmy choos. shoes are my girly weakness. :)

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I am Very Stumpy. And I think that brand was a bit mad in sizing, usually a 4 or a 5 if the last is narrow.

Zappos looks good! I will potter about .

I used to love those sorts of shoes, but am now too broken. I need slaves! If only it wasn;t so unethical!

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
if you say bum, I am fleeing.

[identity profile] calanthe-fics.livejournal.com 2008-08-12 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Not even for a tentacle?

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