But some take more out of you than others, and this week’s was a pip. Loyal reader Debbie H, who lives in New York and works in media, was just diagnosed by her doctor with a herniated disc, and restricted to wearing only sneakers—always, everywhere. ”I have had no luck finding something appropriate/hip/comfortable enough so far,” she wrote, adding that she’d be willing to spend a lot on the right pair. I feel Debbie’s dilemma rather acutely, as the New York media world’s very life force is uber-groomed women in heels—and it is easy to feel like a galumph among gazelles if you are not similarly kitted out. The challenge of being restricted to our most casual form of footwear while living among those for whom the notion of leaving the house looking simply polished is considered a nice starting point is a daunting one indeed. But not insurmountable. My first thought is, if you’re going splurge-y, don’t go trendy. Instead, take advantage of the fact that so many big designers are making more streamlined, feminine versions of classic shapes. Like this Lanvin suede and patent leather pair.
Supergas are great—sort of like Chuck Taylors for grown-ups. This pair is rather schmancy—it’s cashmere, and part of a collaboration with The Row. The super-luxe material adds a certain richness I like, but regular old canvas Supergas are fantastic too. They’ll only set you back $65, and come in every color imaginable. All with matching laces instead of white, which keeps things nice and streamlined.
You could also just forego laces altogether with some classic Vans slip ons.
And then, because the Vans clock in nicely at close to $50, you could buy them and still get all splurgy with this sparkle patent leather pair from Jimmy Choo. For dress-up.
And here’s one more splurgy option, which would be nice and flattering in warmer weather with bare legs. Isn’t the touch of espadrille trim charming?
LOVING some of these. I often wear sneakers in winter as the walking conditions just aren’t good for heels, not even in boots. My favorites are a pair of bright blue Born sneakers. Looking at their site they have a few really cute pairs right now.
Melissa, which looks like a casual bowling shoe, and comes in a suede/leather combo; Apryl, a kind of laid-back wing-tip/sneaker hybrid that comes in some great pop-y colors; and Ilisha, which is a basic low-profile leather sneaker, but comes in some really fun colors.
http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=6382
http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=8148
http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=8123
I dont know if these are still available anymore.. but when I wanted a sleek, feminine lace up sneaker option I went for the Chuck Taylor light in all black leather has been my go to for a while.. I mostly take them when I am travelling as they will look great with bare legs and summer dresses as they will with jeans and a leather jacket..
They have the original vibe of the classic Chuck Taylor, with more of a ballet flat profile, and comfortable to walk in for quite a while.
http://www.stirlingsports.co.nz/catalog/product/gallery/id/12094/image/5480/
Other thoughts?
-If she has a sense of whimsy- Gola has a Liberty collection out (though Nike did it a while back)
-I still love european Palladium lowtops.. originally designed for the French Foreign Legion, they are comfortable and have a military chic streed cred
-Onitsuka Tigers are classic and sleek (think Uma Thurman in Kill Bill) I could see that ubiquitous yellow pair with a super slim black suit…
Its all about the attitude, so I hope she fairs well and holds her own!
If I had to wear sneakers in my professional life I would avoid the white platform/sole and stick with a brand like Lacoste who sometimes has sleek but comfy leather kicks. Note: sometimes men’s lines are more fruitful than women’s when it comes to ‘formal’ sneakers.
Even though some are really really nice!
I would buy ballet flats!!!
But that’s maybe because I’m a european girl of 39 ; )
Nike “Cortez”. Margiela sometimes has good looking ones.
I think Sorel’s spring/summer line has some nice looking sneakers
http://www.sorel.com/Women/women,default,sc.html?subcat=women-sneakers&view=all
And although not appropriate for Debbie, I love the newhttp://www.sorel.com/Women%E2%80%99s-Lake%E2%84%A2-Wedge/NL1951,default,pd.html
Roxy has some cute sneakers, although not so subdued
http://www.roxy.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=16816396&f=Taxonomy%2FROXY%2F16816396&fbc=1&fbn=Taxonomy|Casuals
I am with Champink…. if the point of “sneakers” is to enhance support and function of the foot, then a lot of these more “athletic” looking options are basically useless. Not particularly highbrow, but sometimes Sketchers has some sneaker/ballet shoe hybrid stuff: http://www.zappos.com/skechers-addicted-black
I am on my feet all day, and I’ve found these to be totally doable, even with skirts, etc!
I love my Bensimons and have them in ten colors, both lace up and slip on, and wear them with everything instead of flats- I consider them my one concession to “mom” wear. They read very “New Wave 80s girl turned stay-at-home mom.” They probably wouldn’t give enough support for an ailing back though.
A quick search just turned up these tonal ones I didn’t know existed. Must head down to the local Urban Outfitters and wade through the college students to get a couple of these.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=24204000&cm_mmc=SEM-_-Google-_-PLA-_-24204125
These are all cute, but none of them are going to be remotely supportive enough for someone with a herniated disc. Speaking as someone with significant back issues here. For a serious challenge how about orthopedic footwear that doesn’t make you also want to wear something to cover your face, too?
Another option is to go to a place that makes footbeds––you want a maker that takes a mold of your feet. I am not a New Yorker so I can’t recommend a place. The advantage of having a molded footbed is they can be inserted into almost any sneaker or flat. Mine were made at a ski boot shop, but New York has everything, right?!
I agree with you that she might want to look into custom inserts, but it might be safer to get the doctor to order them (plus maybe they’re covered? They should be.)
I once made the error of putting an arch support in a shoe on top of the insert that came in the shoe. (I don’t think the directions said to take the first one out, or maybe I thought it was part of the shoe? Anyhow, don’t ever do that! Unless it says to.) I jogged on that, on a treadmill. Big mistake … that I didn’t find out about for days.
Yes! to these. Now that I’m freelance and no longer have an office to house my “worky-work” shoe stash as I Working Girl it from Queens to Manhattan, I’m needing to don sneaker-ish footwear without compromising on the cuteness level. I mean, professional cuteness, of course. I work in TV. It’s ok. Thanks for sharing these! Need to score something like the above selections. Tax write-off maybe for the freelance producer? Hmmmm…
I usually have trouble justifying big bucks for sneakers, but I do like those Lavins. My go-to options are a pair of sequined chucks (probably not enough support, but I do love them) and some black Timberland boots with white soles and blue laces. Seriously the most comfortable things I own, and kind of cool, for certain values of cool.
New Balance has a few classic styles that offer great support and looks.
Steer your friend over to the Le Catch blog, which covered some more fanciful sneaker styles yesterday.
Supergas. For sure. I’m slightly obsessed with them.
Still pondering this challenge.. I wonder if your friend could rock the doc maartens? Docs originally were designed as orthopedic shoes.
As someone with 3 herniated discs I would just like to say that most of the time she is going to want to go full bore athletic shoe. Proper size and support is more important than looks right now. Go to a a store that has a reputation for fitting athletic shoes (indy running store is a good bet) and get the proper pair. There is more to fitting a sneaker than you think. Save the stylish ones for short periods of time. And don’t worry about being a “galumph” amongst the gazelles. If the gazelles don’t cool it with the heels soon we will all be wearing sneakers on doctors’ orders.
I agree completely. Footwear is a feminist issue. Why do we do this to each other, honestly? I mean, I don’t listen to the vast majority of NY media women, and this is one big reason why. I just don’t get it. NY women do not seem very liberated to me, sorry but that’s how it looks to me.
THANKS SO MUCH KIM & fellow G.O.A.C.A. fans — for all the luxurious, stylin’ choices … and the tough love re: truly needing to “rock” fluff-bucket smooshy horrific cloud-boats. It’s a tough pill to swallow. Good idea also to to go somewhere & really get fitted rather than endlessly order & return Web style. Kim, I’ll email you a pix when I finally give into my Heavily Padded Destiny. My disc will thank me.
Good luck, Debbie!!! It won’t be forever!!!! I am totally visualizing your back healing up in a jiff.
Keep Company http://www.keepcompany.com/ has a fun take on the topsider sneaker (the Benton).
I bought a pair at Classic Kicks (RIP) five years ago and have reordered them a few times since. Definitely a summer shoe though.
What about Hogans?