Practical Shoes for the Rest of Us

Photo courtesy of stevemadden.com



Shoe shopping is a challenge for me. Fun and stress-relieving, sure, but a challenge. This is because I have a bad ankle. After years of athletics, I have succeeded in breaking it once, and tearing ligaments on both sides a total of three times. As a result, most high heels are out of the question. However, I am short and curvy, therefore heels are practically a must. I know I'm not the only girl to struggle with this issue, so let's talk about finding cute, affordable shoes that will not send us to the hospital.

First of all, let's face facts--we are not Gaga. This is not an option. And that's OK. Lady Gaga can't even walk in her shoes, so the rest of us cannot be expected to do it.

So let's start with the most obvious choice for us girls who probably shouldn't wear heels--flats. The trendiest options at the moment are smoking flats and slippers. The Valencia black mesh slippers from TopShop are adorable. DSW also has a huge selection, including the Tahari Celementine suede flats in an ever-popular wine color. There are so many options, depending on your style: edgy studs, soft suede, sweet florals, and classic leopard prints. The only trick here is the pair them with super skinny pants. If you decide you like the pajamas to dinner look and really want a wide-leg pant, make sure to keep the fabics slinky and effortless, but immaculately tailored.

Boot season is upon us, and this is probably the easiest category to shop. Riding boots are God's gift to women with bad ankles. You can walk for hours without feeling the uncontrollable need to jump on the nearest person's back just to get a little relief. If you fall wearing these puppies, then...well, I just can't help you. Booties are also a cute option. Steve Madden has an amazing selection of studded ankle boots that will instantly toughen up a girly dress.

When it comes to choosing high heels, the key in the heel itself is surface area. Kitten heels are not your best option. The low heel is deceptive in that it's so skinny that it does not actually give you any stability. I would advise blowing right past them and heading straight for a chunky platform. Rule of thumb: if you want to quickly check a pair of platforms without trying them on, tap the side of the display pair and see how easy it is to knock them over. Weird, but it gives you an idea of how stable you will be once you put them on. Wedges are also a good idea, but make sure the heels aren't too tapered.

If you're totally at a loss, grab a pair of $40 Michelle D heels. After my physical therapy was over, I wore a strappy black pair almost every day for three months. They are completely stable and the insoles are insanely comfortable. I called them my training heels.

Lola's Tip of the Day: Don't forget about the soles of your shoes. No texture means no grip, which means you'll likely end the day flat on your butt. Scuff the bottoms of your shoes on the pavement or with coarse sandpaper to avoid the high heel slip-n-slide.