The best flat sandals – and looking after your feet as you get older
— by Alyson Walsh
That’s Not My Feet. My feet have never looked that good and after three days camping at Port Eliot festival they’re looking positively reptilian. More cracks than a parched field in Cornwall and the nail polish has faded and grown out so much that when I bumped into Hilary Robertson, she asked where I’d had the ‘ombre effect’ done.
Podiatrist Margaret Dabbs told me that feet go through the ageing process, too. As we age, the sweat glands in the feet are less active, causing drier skin, so the older we get, the more we need to pay attention to hydration levels. ‘To help prevent and treat common foot complaints, good home care is necessary,’ explains Dabbs. ‘With the right products and tools, the feet can be transformed. Start by foot filing – always on dry skin – once a week, and follow with a decent foot specific moisturiser. The results of good foot care are instant, and the feet not only look better but feel better too.’ At this time of year my local salon Glamorous Nails is permanently busy, so I really need to engage in some DIY foot care to best showcase my new Salt-Water sandals. I opted for classic navy flat sandals to wear with denim and my collection of holiday kaftans; though the rose gold, the white and the red patent leather styles are all lovely.
As my white Arizona Birkenstocks are about to hit the dust (reduced in the sale HERE), I’ve been looking an old-school flat sandal with bunion coverage, that I can cycle in. I do like the Ancient Greek Sandals in dark denim (available HERE) and a gorgeous indigo blue leather (available HERE) – though they’re a bit too posh to push pedals. Here’s a selection of run-around flats:
Discussion (39 Comments)
- Sweet Sue says:
Feet.
If my wonderful husband stopped grinding down my heel callouses, I’d be unable to walk. - Phyllis says:
My left foot is swollen, have a hammer toe and bunion – but, my right foot is beautiful !
- Little Brown Bird says:
I love these sandals. I treated myself to a Margaret Dabbs Medical Pedicure at the end of May and though I flinched at the cost at the time, I’m glad I did. Her tip about foot filing dry skin works really well so I’ve had baby soft feet for a couple of months. Coupled with the great podiatry advice, I’d definitely recommend it.
- Susan B (unefemme.net) says:
Love those Saltwater sandals, such a classic style. I just cracked and bought myself a pair of the Birks, like yours but in silver. Had forgotten how darn comfortable they are!
- Jakki says:
Try Arche http://www.arche-shoes.com French styling in beautiful quality suede. I’m on my third consecutive pair of the Drick model – I’m complimented every summer – and so comfortable for those of us with lumpy feet i.e.Bunions.
- Beverly Poag says:
If there were a body part that I could change it would be my feet…however, I learned early on how lucky I was to have feet. I never would wear sandals, thought my feet were just plain ugly. Wore shoes that were too small growing up, and besides I have one foot that looks like my Mothers and one that looks like my Daddys…one day my husbands school mate had a terrible train accident which severed both feet above the ankle. We went to see him in the hospital…he said he could still feel them and they itched…so sad. In the hospital parking lot I told my husband I was going to go buy a pair of sandals the next day…I did and I wear them all the time now. I keep my feet the best I can. God gave me two feet and I am thankful! I’ve had surgery and all but I still wear sandals. Bought me a pair of Birks and love them…stylish and comfortable…can’t beat that combination.
- Aud says:
I always thought my feet were horrible when I was younger. Ungainly indelicate plates of meat attached to genetic cankles. However, the podiatrist recently told me I had the best feet she’d seen all week. Reason? Enforced low heel wearing caused by osteo arthritis. No callouses, no bent toes, no hard skin, a daily scrape with a micropedi. My feet I think are quite pretty. I didn’t think I’d like my feet at 50 but ….I do! Just need some decent weather to show them off.
- Zanna says:
Flat sandals or Stan Smiths in Summer and boots in Winter , any money spent on shoe sis wasted for me as I hate wearing shoes and usually find them uncomfortable .Arche are indeed comfy and I had some Drick years ago.
This year my favourite sandals are Chloe black with fine gold stud work around the back, my trusty Penelope Chilvers Alba which are great and very beloved Arizona Birks .
My feet aged first by developing rather prominent veins and now it’s going to the arms. Sod it, I refuse to care and continue wearing short sleeves and sandals . - Lizzie F says:
My silver leather Arizona’s are my god send (they do the glamorous colours in my size, a wide 42, while I need arch support post plantar fasciitis brought on by running which I have now had to stop) I also have a pair of stylish – not the horrible thongs – Fit Flops – black leather bar across toe and instep with strap at back. I bounce around on those. I’m getting married (in my mid fifties and first time round!) in early September and have a pair of beautiful gold Ancient Greek strappy flats to go with my rather Grecian Vivienne Westwood Fatima dress. I would highly recommend all. I also recently splashed out on a Margaret Dabbs medical pedicure and bought their recommended file – it has made a huge difference.
I have had a love hate relationship with my big feet all my life but absolutely am grateful for that fact that I have them, that they get me around and while I can’t run anymore I enjoy walking at least four or five miles a day – so comfy sandals are essential.
- Alyson says:
Congratulations Lizzie! Sounds like you’re doing things in style.
- Jen says:
Love the red sandals. Feet can be beautiful and feet can be scary. Taking good care of your feet and wearing the correct shoe/boot/sandal/tennis shoe is very important. When noticing feet you can always tell when that person did not have the proper shoe as a child.
- Little Brown Bird says:
Jen, that’s so true about having proper shoes as a child. I had Clarks shoes from my first to my school shoes at 18 (Grim -Thanks Mum!) and though I hated them in my teen years but I do have healthy, pretty feet as a result. Now in my late 40s, I’ve given up on super high heels, preferring ballet flats or trainers but I do crave a decent, fashionable, comfortable high heel.
- Wendy in York says:
I’d like to thank my mum too . We were always trooped off to the Clarks shop for proper shoes – I remember an odd ‘X-ray’ machine ? I love bare feet , indoors , but plenty of heels have been worn over the years . My sister is a podiatrist but I never need her attention & have happy , healthy feet that can walk miles . Some luck perhaps too
- Anna says:
I too need thick food beds to cushion my poor aging feet and those bunions…but I have trouble walking on totally flat soles. Thus ballet flats are out, on both counts! Hard to find a pair of comfy sandals that don’t look like “old ladies’ shoes”!
- Annie G says:
I started running in my 40s and it did wonders for my feet but destroyed my toenails. As I cannot bear the thought of old lady feet as I approach 60, I have been on a conscious regime since the spring and it has paid off. I love my pumice stone…and use huge amounts of moisturiser on the poor old plates. I fear a bunion is developing on one foot but that is just part of getting old, I imagine. Tanned feet and nail polish make such a difference, as does NEVER WEARING SHOES THAT HURT YOUR BLOODY FEET. And that bloody is literally. I live in boots in the winter, brogues in spring and autumn and love flat sandals in the summer. As my friend Astra says: you can always see in your face if your feet hurt. True.
- Alyson says:
Thank you, Lisa – I can never tell how things have gone so that’s good to know! Thanks for coming.
- Margaret Chamberlain says:
All very interesting. My favourite sandals which look good and are comfy are Fitflops. They have thick cushiony soles, since discovering them I cannot wear any other sandals. Thank you for your Blog. I love it.
- Jane says:
My mum made sure I was measured for every pair of shoes and then did the same for my son. As a result, we’ve both got decent feet, in fact his are the most elegant I’ve ever seen on a man.
I recently discovered Geox sandals and have two pairs I live in. I bought several pairs of Gabor wedges for dressier occasions and they’re like walking on a cloud.
- LizDetrich says:
Great advice! I’ve learned to moisturize every evening post-shower – a good thick cream applied to the damp skin has helped
immensely.
What jeans are those? Very attractive! - Susan says:
I strongly recommend Paul Green shoes…top quality, stylish and oh so comfortable. I can wear these shoes all day long right out of the box.
- maudie says:
I agree with Annie G. Boots in winter, brogues spring and autumn (cream or white ones in summer) and flat sandals in very hot weather. (Varcas/Solillas manage to cover MOST of your toes). Personally, I can’t get on with Fitflops although I have spent a fortune on the bloody things. I am a product of not having Clarks children’s shoes and I have pronated arches, spinal arthritis and sacroliac joint problems. Don’t get me started on the never-ending quest to eliminate toenail fungus – even typing those words sounds so GROSS.
- Jane says:
It is gross, Maude, but a fact of my life. Only one big toenail but I can’t shift it. I paint it them in the summer now and forget about it.
- Jen says:
I really love the jeans in this article. What’s the brand? Great piece – I can relate to all & enjoyed reading everyone’s comments as well. Such great tips & info!!
- Linda says:
I never told anyone that my shoes hurt my feet because they were too small – we didn’t have the money for new shoes, so there wasn’t much point. In my early twenties I wore size 4.5 (UK), but had bent toes. I decided to slowly increase the size of my shoes, and went up half a size every few years – any faster, and the shoes would have fallen off. It worked. I am a size 6. I still have ever-so-slightly turned big toes, but the others have flattened out nicely. At 60 and retired, it’s Birks in summer, Uggs in winter, happy feet!
- Little Brown Bird says:
Linda, I’m glad your feet are better now.
It’s incredible how, for various reasons, our feet change as we get older, yet we never consider getting our feet measured as we age and how much the health of our feet impact how we feel, look and our general posture.
Nevermind how my face looks , I’m all bout teeth and feet 😉
- Catherine says:
Well. I have this thing for feet. It’s borderline obsessive so I’ve been taking care of mine for a long time. I get regular pedicures. Not only do the pedi’s make my feet look nicer but they feel softer and my feet just feel better. If my feet feel better then I feel better.
My sandal of choice, though are Rondini’s. http://www.rondini.fr/en/ Hands down, they are the best sandals I’ve ever owned in my life. They are custom fit and the leather is just so incredible. With every wear, the sandals start to conform to your foot’s shape and over the years the leather just gets softer and softer and ages so well. I treat myself to a pair every summer when we are in St. Tropez. I purchased another pair last month and they are beautiful. And for the price point, they are darned affordable!!!
I always appreciate a good post about feet! Thank you! - Sam says:
Hi, I was a Clarks child as were my 9 siblings – no foot problems in the family, other than those self inflicted – ah fashion ………. (Our parents looked after our teeth and feet but funds didn’t extend to fashionable clothes! BUT we all made up for it when we worked for our own money LOL )
Bunions however I thought are related to arthritis, not a result of wearing various squishy footwear styles.
My tip with the ‘ballet’ flats style is to always have a thin, heel piece added, (sometimes two) it really does make such a difference.
Enjoy reading your posts and am looking at the sandals for our upcoming summer – yeh one month till spring 🙂 Sam the Aussie - Jane Dalea-Kahn says:
Love those sandals. Beautiful and flattering. I bought 2 pairs of Eileen Fisher flat sandals and they are GREAT. Get many compliments on them and have worked 2 tradeshows in them without any pain! Something very cool about a woman wearing cool flat shoes. She’s not trying too hard. She respects herself.
- Zara says:
Love my blue Camper sandals – loads of compliments and loads of support for those of us who love flat but now neee support for our poor feet…. And of course the Birkenstocks- nothing like them…
- Suzy says:
I’m never out of Ecco: shoes, sandals, boots, trainers. I didn’t really think my feet were “fat” but when I lost weight they were definitely bonier and in need of protection from the pavements. I just don’t even bother with any other range now, though I love to look!
- Margaret Overton says:
Two products I highly recommend for foot therapy: L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream for Dry Skin – nightly, rubbed in both feet, you will feel the difference.. The second: “Sole Energizers” from Canyon Ranch. This lovely spa offers a 30 minutes class in how to use these half moon shaped buggers – and they seriously help plantar fasciitis as well as just help your feet relax after you spend too much time on them. I used to have lovely feet! I was so proud of them. That was twenty years and a couple hundred thousand miles ago!
- Little Brown Bird says:
I can recommend Flexitol for baby soft feet.
Also, for sufferers of plantar fasciitis, I was offered the choice of physiotherapy for months on end or a steroid injection from the GP. I took the latter, it burned like buggery the next day but the following day I was back at work doing a 10 hour day on the shopfloor. Never had a problem since.
- Elaine says:
I’ve been applying moisturizer to my feet every night just before I crawl into bed for many years. As I result, my 63 year old feet are in pretty great shape.
- Mrs Tonia says:
I do yoga and swim all the year round so need to keep my feet looking decent. Tips use exfoliating cream on your feet in the shower when you do your legs. As mentioned here, use a foot file on callouses, balls of feet and heels. Rub moisturiser into soles of feet and heels after bath or shower. I see a chiropodist once or twice a year and get occasional pedicures in sandal wearing weather. I always paint my toenails in a coral colour. They look far nicer with nail varnish. Yes to fit flops, Birkenstocks and my newest discovery a German brand of comfortable shoes and sandals Think. So many more attractive and comfortable shoes available now.
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My old feet and their plantar fascitis need padding! I am enjoying these Taos sandals from last summer (need to be replaced): http://www.footwearetc.com/womens/sandals/_/taos-gala-black-multi-womens/#sthash.9ujTrIFU.dpbs