Comfortable summer shoes

Finding comfortable summer shoes can be challenging. Summer is one of the hardest times to keep our feet cool and comfortable. Choosing shoes that fit well and suit our lifestyles is incredibly important. Manufacturers are waking up to the fact that we need shoes that are smart, on trend and that we can easily walk in. A new pair of shoes can lift our spirits and put a smile on our face. However a painful blister can do the reverse and ruin our day. Especially if we are on holiday and exploring the local beauty spots.

Increasingly, the gap between sensible and chic shoes is narrowing. Mid heels, mules and flats have never been so acceptable.

These are some of the styles I have been wearing this year.

So far this summer (fingers crossed) I have not suffered from one blister. I choose my footwear carefully. I tend to wear socks, footsies or trainer socks with my sneakers. I find that this helps to prevent blistering.

When it is warm feet swell. Make sure your shoes can accommodate this extra size. The best time to buy new shoes is late in the afternoon. I have heard surgical spirit rubbed over the feet and between the toes can help prevent feet getting too sweaty. I have not tried this however I find a fine dusting of talcum or foot powder helps.

Sandals that are completely flat can put a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet, especially the joint of your big toe. This can make your feet feel tired at the end of the day. I have a pair of orthotics which I sometime slip into my flats (obviously you can’t do this with sandals).

More comfortable shoe styles:

My favourite and most comfortable shoes are Paul Green. They are not that easy to find here in the UK. Luckily the small shoe shop in our village occasionally stock a few of their styles.

These two sites have a good selection Paul Green shoes at Nordstrom Paul Green shoes at Zappos

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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kathryn51 says:

11th August 2017 at 01:17

Hubby and I just returned from our first (non-business) trip to London/Edinburgh. I read your blog religiously for weeks in advance of trip to pick up pointers/tips regarding weather and appropriate footwear! I’m glad we packed the raincoats – they were used often. Unfortunately, my Paul Green flats – that I purchased months ago and tried to break in – were never comfortable. Four block walk in London convinced me they would not work on cobbled streets of Edinburgh, but I fortunately packed sandals (very similar to the Gabor pair you show) that I wore often. Not a single blister on the entire trip – a first for me. I cannot wait to return to your lovely country and I frequently bookmark your hotel/B&B posts for future trips.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  11th August 2017 at 12:11
  
  Hi Kathryn
  You definitely will have needed the raincoats this summer. Sorry to hear about the Paul Green's all mine have been very comfortable. Glad you are looking forward to visiting our green and pleasant land again soon.
Lizer Pearl says:

11th August 2017 at 07:33

Hi
You would have thought I had copied your shoe blog today, our tastes are so similar (excellent). I swear I didnt, though.

Love
Lizer Pearl
An Eye For Detail says:

11th August 2017 at 16:35

I tend to think that summer shoes/sandals are SO much easier to get right than winter shoes! Anything with an open toe will suit me better than closed shoes..... My Geox sandals, bought for my trip to London, have been so very perfect. No break in and totally comfortable and so good looking! Don't know Paul Greens but will investigate.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  11th August 2017 at 18:02
  
  I agree Geox are very good forgot to mention them. Paul Greens are quite pricey but seem to wear well.
Judy Starling says:

11th August 2017 at 17:34

I always love reading your posts, Josephine. My feet aren't very pretty so I never wear sandals, but when we were in Majorca in May, i bought some menorcan sandals, and am well and truly hooked! They are unbelievably comfortable, with a sling back and a front which covers my bad bits! I bought them there in a lovely dusty blue colour, and I have bought another pair in pewter from a UK website, Varca. I am about to order another in a different colour as they are so comfortable. You can also get them on Amazon, and a very wide variety of colours direct from the Avarcas website in Spain.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  11th August 2017 at 17:57
  
  Hi Judy
  I had a look at the website and they look very nice. Just wondered if the sling back stayed up. I often find that ones without buckles that you can tighten tend to fall down. Thanks for sharing.
  - Judy Starling says:
    
    11th August 2017 at 18:13
    
    Yes, they do, Josephine! I have been wearing the first pair since mid May and have had no problems at all.
Gail Lentz says:

11th August 2017 at 17:34

Please share if you know of other brands which are not so expensive, but equally comfortable. Thank you!
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  11th August 2017 at 17:49
  
  Hi Gail The two pairs featured at the top of the image are both by MarksandSpencer. The black ones with studs cost me £35 and are very comfortable. If you live in the States they have a separate website MarksandSpencer USA
Chicatanyage says:

11th August 2017 at 18:01

Thanks, Linda. Personally, I prefer pointy shoes (but they must not be too narrow) as I have small feet to height ratio and look a bit top heavy with round toes.
Belinda Manley says:

11th August 2017 at 20:04

What is surgical spirits?
chicatanyage says:

13th August 2017 at 11:10

Surgical spirit is a liquid topical antiseptic. Referred to as a rubbing alcohol. In the UK you can buy it in most chemists. (Definitely not to be consumed) It is drying for the skin so maybe that is why it is recommended for feet. Maybe it has another trade name in the States. It is old fashioned most antiseptics are in cream form these days.
Jane says:

21st August 2017 at 23:02

Hi Josephine, You can Paul Green shoes in the UK online at Peter Hahn, who also do lots of shoes with orthopaedic insoles and also removable insoles - really important if you need to wear orthotics, for instance to help with Plantar Fasciitis. I really like the style of the shoes, but they are a bit more expensive than on the high street.
Chicatanyage says:

22nd August 2017 at 09:08

Hi Jane
Yes I have come across Peter Hahn so might try them next time I want a pair of Paul Green shoes.