Comfortable Summer Shoes: Get The Look For Less—Foot Pain, That Is!

We’re always seeking the best looks for less—and that usually means spending less cash. But this time, I’m addressing a big concern for women over 50: shoe pain. Especially when it comes to special events like weddings and other summer parties you may be attending. You want to wear comfortable summer shoes that are also stylish and that is often difficult to find.

So, I did some research and found wonderful summer footwear that offers looks for less—pain, that is! After all, comfort is key, and we all know you can’t have fun when your feet are aching. (This kind of wisdom comes with age and experience.) But don’t worry—you can still look stylish. Whoever said “no pain, no gain” may want to think again. We can gain comfort with the right pair of shoes.

Back to paying more or less for fashion … when it comes to shoes, the less expensive ones are often the most painful. But that’s not always true. Price is irrelevant. It has more to do with design—and in many cases designer shoes aren’t meant for walking miles. Many have treacherously high heels and platforms, or are too strappy and lack foot support.

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Comfortable Summer Shoes

Here are 6 difficult to wear summer shoe styles that I found in much more comfortable versions. In each case, the uncomfortable shoes are shown on top, and the easier-to-wear options are below them. (It’ll be obvious.) Take a look!

Nude Heels

Classic nude high-heel pumps are gorgeous and look amazing with summer dresses, pants and skirts. But if you’re like me, your sky-high stiletto heels days are over. Ouch! Instead opt for a kitten heel pump with a sling back, which I always find to be more comfortable.

Stuart Weitzman Stuart Power 100 Pump, $495

Bruno Magli Palerma Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Slingback Pump, $325

Black Patent Pumps

My eyes were drawn to this pair of black patent heels with a dainty ankle strap. As beautiful as they are, they scream “Danger!” the heel is way to high and I can imaging sliding out of the side of the shoe and being strangled by the ankle strap. Not a good look. On the more practical side, these 2″ heel black slingbacks offer graceful styling that you can actually walk in! I’m not a huge fan of the little vent in the front, but I know that makes shoes more comfortable and flattering.

ALDO Kymmberly Pointed Toe Ankle Strap Pump, $90

Pelle Moda Janah Slingback Pointed Toe Pump, $150

Gold Metallic Platform Sandals

Platform sandals are on trend (again) this summer and designers are offering them in a variety of colors. Metallica like this gold pair are very versatile and will work with midi and maxi sundresses, pantsuits and jumpsuits, or even jeans. But I can’t go up there again – I mean 5 inches high! So luckily, we can get the look with a pair of platform sandals with a 3″ heel and 1 1/4″ platform, giving us a very manageable 1 3/4″ pitch. Phew!

Jimmy Choo Heloise Metallic Platform Sandal, $1,025

Aerosoles Camera Platform Sandal, $135

Red Slide Sandals

Who doesn’t love a Barbie shoe like these bright red slide sandals? We all do, only our feet don’t love them! I just don’t have the balance any more to wear such a skinny heel with a thin sole, not to mention the pointed toe. If you can wear them, go for it, but unfortunately, I can’t do it any more. What I would wear instead are these sculptural red patent wedge heel slides with a nice round toe. They are only 2 1/2″ high. This is a case where you need to pay for comfort and style!

Jeffrey Campbell Agent Slide Sandal, $154.95

Dries Van Noten Dented Wedge Slide Sandal, $695

Flat Rockstud Slide Sandals

Even in the case of flat shoes and sandals, some are much more comfortable than others. I like to check out what designers show us, and they always seem to offer a more wearable and what I call “the old lady version” in their collections. Case in point is this strappy Rockstud slide. It may be quite comfortable, but the straps would hit me in the wrong place and can be bunion busters. However, most of us can wear the single band version! Besides, going with a slightly higher heel (by a half inch in this case) in my opinion, is more comfortable than super flats.

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Leather Sandals, $890

Valentino Garavani Plaster Caster Studded Leather Slides, $950

Comfortable Summer Shoes: Espadrille Wedge

A neutral color suede espadrille wedge is a comfortable summer shoe, right? Wrong! Not all the time. The wedge at the top has a 3 1/2″ pitch and an ankle strap, which can dig in and doesn’t always keep your foot in place. Instead look for a lower wedge heel with a platform sole without an ankle strap for an easier-to-wear fit.

Vince Camuto Felyn Espadrille Wedge Sandal, $110

LK Bennett Marissa Espadrille Wedge Sandal, $295

Do you have a pair of comfortable and fashionable shoes for summer?

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