... AND HERE’S THE STYLE THAT’S THE BEST MATCH FOR YOU
A IF YOU can roll the shoe up like a ball, put it back on the shelf — thin-soled shoes are a disaster for this type of foot type, as they will force the big toe to bend, which it does not want to do. Instead, opt for wedges — these are great because they don’t ask your big toe joint to bend. Lace-ups such as brogues (below, €274,
robinsonsshoes.com) are also good because of their nice stiff sole with a minimum heel height of a quarter of an inch — the optimum to support the foot. ANY shoe with a quarter of an inch heel is best, because it catches the foot as you step, which prevents it from tilting too much. A small heel, such as a kitten heel (below, leopard kitten heels, €90, boden.eu), is good. There isn’t a heel that’s too high for flat feet — just use common sense and what feels most comfortable for you. C DON’T be fooled into opting for slip-on shoes, thinking they’ll be easier to get on. The downside is that you’ll be clawing your foot to keep the shoe on. Instead, go for shoes that open up — so you can get your foot into the shoe — then fasten back up. Laces are good and the invention of Velcro is also great. Not the most glamorous, you might think, but funky trainers (below, €192, ashfootwear.co.uk) are having a style moment. BUY shoes to fit this second toe rather than the big toe, as would normally be the case. Pointy shoes normally pinch but not in your case — they suit your foot shape very well, giving plenty of space to that protruding second toe. Heel height isn’t an issue — pick whatever feels most comfortable. (Below, Carvela Alison ombre courts, €145, brownthomas.com)
E LOOK for narrow fittings with straps, laces or buckles to keep the shoe safely on the foot (below, velvet Mary-Janes, €41, net-a-porter.com). Wear the heel height that’s most comfortable for you and make sure the shoe is the correct length for your foot. Lots of shoe shops and websites now have ranges that cater for narrow feet — including Clarks and narrowfitshoes.com F THE Duchess of Cambridge’s favoured style of nude shoes (such as these courts, €47.30, asos. com) are your best friend. This is because they make the leg visually merge with the shoe, creating the illusion of smaller feet. Look to such brands as Tory Burch, whose shoes have recognised emblems on the end that act as a visual ‘full stop’. THERE isn’t a ‘best’ type of shoe for the rectus foot, because shoes should be rotated to ease pressure points, but I often recommend a low, sturdy block heel like on a fiftiesstyle pump (below, Odette red pumps, €199, pretty
ballerinas.com) as the heel is in the perfect position to support the heel of the foot. Remember my ‘trouser rule’: wear a flat shoe under trousers and keep the heels for skirts and dresses. It gives the foot a break and will help to make sure you keep your perfect feet
all your life. H AVOID pointy shoes and those with seams that might press against a joint. But that doesn’t confine you to boring, sensible shoes. I suggest Strictly Come Dancing shoes: open-toed or round-toed salsa types (below, gold sandal heels, €31, simplybe.ie) They have plenty of room for the toes to wriggle, a lovely heel to encourage the bigger bones in the back of foot to take the weight and are very glamorous.