this article courtesy of Malu Fernandez of Philippine news
Thanks to Imelda Marcos, one thing Filipina women are known for is their love for shoes. Every Filipina woman I know from every socioeconomic background has an infinite love for footwear. But how many times have women bought a pair of shoes and worn it only once, leaving it in the back of the shoe cabinet forever?
When shopping for shoes, always try on shoes in the late afternoon when your feet are already tired and have expanded in size. That way, if you find a comfortable fit, it will be comfortable even when your feet are tired. Unless you work in a corporate environment, wear open-toed shoes or sandals. Not only do you allow your feet to breathe, but you avoid other foot problems such as calluses and painful corns from rubbing your feet against the leather-bound closed shoe. But do remember that when wearing open-toed sandals, make sure your feet are neat and clean or well-manicured. Otherwise, leave them in closed shoes.
Flat shoes, although comfortable, have their own caveat. If you wear flats without the proper arch or heel support, you could develop heel spurs or plantar fascia—a painful heel condition—or you could get tendonitis. The best thing to do is to find a flat shoe. Hold each end of a shoe and try to twist it. If the shoe bends too much, it won’t be supportive. Look for flats with a little bit of a heel if you have high arches. Heels provide relief from foot pain. Buy shoes with leather or rubber soles for optimum shock absorption. Wear only shoes that have leather or suede insoles. Breathable and pliable, they help prevent chafing and blistering, and they mold to the feet. Opt for round-toe flats. They follow the shape of the foot and allow the toes to move. Avoid cuts on your heel by finding a shoe with a back that fits snugly and holds your foot securely. Although sometimes we sacrifice comfort for fashion, it is best to not wear the same shoe all the time even if it’s your favorite. That way your feet can change its position every day and avoid any permanent injuries.
If you choose to purchase pumps with stiletto heels, you should hold the shoe at the heel and toe areas. The sole should be flexible and bend at the front. The bottom of the arch should be stiff. If you must choose a high heel, choose a pump with a high heel that is directly underneath the center of your heel. That should make it easier to balance. If it is too far forward or at the back of the shoe, you might keel over or injure your spine from standing incorrectly.
If you opt for pointy toes, choose a false front. It’s an area much longer than the foot. It will help give your toes more wiggle room. Make sure you have the right width as well so the toe area is wide enough. Wedge shoes are known for distributing your weight more evenly. Be aware, however, that the limited sole flexibility of a wedge may make you accident prone and result in a sprained ankle.
To avoid the burning sensation at the ball of your feet when wearing heels, test a shoe for cushioning by pressing a finger into the ball area. It should have a little give or a slightly padded feel. If it doesn’t have any cushioning, purchase a reusable pair of party feet cushions from Dr. Scholl to give you the added comfort.
If you can afford it, avoid synthetics. Wear shoes with leather, suede, or fabric uppers. These materials breathe, which lessens the chance of blistering. Synthetics make your feet sweat and have a tendency to give you blisters.
When buying open-toed sandals, the thing to remember is to avoid wobbly shoes. Examine a shoe’s quality by looking at how it sits on a table. A well-built shoe will be balanced and look stable when standing on its own. Otherwise you will end up wobbling along with it. Stacked heels that have a broad heel are a better choice. This not only gives better shock absorption but it makes you steadier on your feet. Wear only sandals that have leather or suede-lined straps to prevent chafing. Make sure the toe area is wide enough for the broadest part of your foot. Look for shoes that give the illusion of a higher heel without actually being a high heel.
I’m a firm believer of the saying:” Once your feet hurt, your whole body hurts…,” which is why reflexology centers have become so popular. It is true that if your feet are in pain, chances are other parts of your body become affected too like your back, your knees and your upper thigh. And that is just a horrible feeling to have just for the sake of a pretty shoe. So love your feet and take care of them. And chances are your healthy pretty feet will take care of the rest.




