We all have a self-image, otherwise, we would not be human. What is important is understanding what our body shape is and finding a style of footwear and clothing that makes us feel good because is it important to be comfortable in the skin we are in. When we are happy, petty irrelevant stuff doesn't and should bother us.
Wide feet are genetic. Usually, due to the height of a person. That said, wide feet occur due to excessive pressure on the feet when a person is carrying too much weight so, in turn, the feet naturally expand to support excess weight. If you are struggling to find shoes wide enough, review your diet (lifestyle), losing weight and exercising will reduce the pressure on the feet and aid the issue.
2. Bunions
20% of the people I shop for and style suffer from bunions. This is a high percentage of people. At one point I became a bit obsessed with bunions! I started to be able to spot people with a painful bunion from across the street, simply by the way he/she walks. It is a really stressful, painful condition. Again, like wide feet, bunions hereditary, hence why so many people suffer with them. A bunion is a bony bump on the joint at the base of the big toe. It is formed by the big toe pushing against the toe next to it, forcing the joint of the big toe to enlarge and stick out. The skin over the bunion is usually red and sometimes sensitive and sore. If you suffer from bunions I am afraid you will have to invest more money into the shoes you wear. If you have a bunion do not wear cheap shoes you need quality, not quantity. Shop: a comfy memory foam base with breathable fabric, fly-knits are one example. There are many brands who develop, test and deliver extraordinary all-day comfort. Invest in a brand who focus on biomechanics, the study of the human body, pressure, alignment and activity, basically the way we move, the way we do. Fitflip (comfortable and stylish) - If you try these on in a style you like (loads of styles and colours available) you will buy them! I source these for clients regularly, there is science behind the soles, they are worth every penny. There are a handful of brands who develop, design and engineer in this way. this is just one suggestion. 3. Thick ankles (aka cankles, meaning calf-ankles)
The derogatory term, cankles is not cool, however, clients always refer to themselves in this way. I wish people would stop using it as it is not a medical term, I think it is offensive and makes people feel bad about themselves. While this is not a foot complaint, the ankle leads to the foot, so I am mindful of it when styling. It is a hereditary complaint, usually caused by obesity or the structural absence of a well-defined calf muscle. If you have thick ankles, regardless of your dress size you must be mindful of your diet, take care of yourself and exercise regularly. If you don't exercise, introduce it slowly. Remember walking slowly will keep us agile, however, brisk walking or running will make us sweat. To sweat sheds weight so try to find a nice in-between exercise regime that works for your lifestyle and mix it up. Shop: If you have thick ankles you cannot spend your life avoiding skirts and wearing trousers. Accept and appreciate what you are and work with it. Avoid mid-calf or ankle-length hemlines Ankle straps or ankle wraps will bring attention to a thick ankle, a very low strap can work. I say 'can' as it depends upon your height. Wear knee-high or over-the-knee boots (obviously only in the winter) Wear shoes that elongate your legs and feet, avoid dark chunky round toe shoes Wear natural/skin coloured stockings/tights and avoid socks pulled up, cut-off on the ankle. 4. Flat feet
Flat feet tire easily, especially in the arch and heel areas. The inside base of a flat foot can often become swollen and foot movement, such as standing can become hard work and can cause lower back and leg pain. If you are on your feet all day at work, evaluate your health and wellbeing, assess your diet and invest in a decent pair of shoes. Own less, buy quality, comfortable shoes avoiding cheap, fast fashion shoes. Book an appointment with a podiatrist. If you run, book a free gait analysis consultation. Lots of good running shops have a machine, you simply stand on it, then walk /run for a short time. The result will identify the biomechanical abnormality in the gait cycle. Basically, the way in which we walk and run. Shop: If you run or walk briskly, the list below will support, protect and manage flat feet. This list is not in order of excellence; ASICS Gel Kinsei 6 Altra The Torin 2.0 Saucony Ride 9 Nike Air Pegasus+33 (I have run a number of marathons in other versions of pegasus, I rate this technology) New Balance 160 5. High arched feet
High arched feet problems should be picked up by a podiatrist or physiotherapist. I work with flat feet more than high foot arches, however, high foot arch complaints are common amongst the people I reguarly style. Both high arch and flat feet can be painful and stressful. Below are a few casual footwear options win different styles;
Acsis gels
Birkenstocks: patience is key when breaking these cork soles in
Brooks addiction walker: the name says it all!
Merrell
Sketchers
This list focuses on casual footwear so if you have a foot problem and you are looking for an evening footwear solution shop for a memory foam inner sole and a heel-height which doesn't put pressure on your back. Alternatively buy a decent foam innersole,
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