AARP Hearing Center

Every summer, your bunions, corns, hammertoes and tender soles think: “Oh no! Hope she stocks up on Band-Aids!” What’s supposed to be a blissful return of sandals, flip-flops and pedicures can be far from fun in reality. Dazzled by new styles and cool trends (let’s face it, summer shoes are more exciting than winter ones), we ignore the possibility of blisters, irritated skin, achy arches and cracked heels. As a fashion editor and personal shopper for women over 50, I hear “Why did I ever buy these sandals?!” all the time. Here are the most common hot-weather shoe and sandal mistakes, plus how to prevent them.
1. Buying the wrong size.
Like your breasts, your over-50 feet change shape and size with age. Those reliable trotters lose padding, feel bonier and may even be bigger than they were at 35. In fact, one foot is always a little larger than the other — up to half a size, even — so always try on both sizes when shopping. Don’t get too stuck on a specific size, either. Like jeans, each shoe brand has its own idea of a size 7 or a 9.
Whether shopping in-store or ordering online, try shoes on at the end of the day, since feet swell to their maximum after hours of standing and walking around. Many women buy too-small sandals, where their toes or heels hang over the edge of the front or back of a sandal. Or they go too large in a sandal or shoe, thinking it will accommodate swelling. Then their feet slide forward or backward as they walk, which causes blisters on the soles of their feet from the increased pressure to stop the sliding!

2. Falling for superlight, flimsy flats.
After months of heavy boots, clogs and winter shoes, the idea of light, barely-there flats with breathability is so appealing. That’s why ballet flats and Mary Janes with paper-thin soles and see-through mesh shoes have grabbed the spotlight this year. Don’t be fooled. I call them “the emperor’s new shoes” because you might as well go barefoot for all the support and protection they provide.
For example, the upper part of most mesh shoes tears easily, lacks structure (you can see your toes wiggling!) and often leads to stubbed toes (try wearing them in a crowd!). The soles of many flats are so thin you can practically bend them in half, and they can cause plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis and months of pain.
So here’s the solution. True fashionistas can try a thicker, more substantial mesh with a reinforced toe and shape, like Kate Spade New York Women’s Whimsical Garden Mesh Espadrille Flat in Light Beige ($198, nordstrom.com), while peekaboo fans wanting more structure can try shoes in woven raffia like the Reaction Kenneth Cole Enrica Loafer in Red Raffia, Tan Raffia or Black Raffia ($60, dsw.com); perforated faux leather like Cliff by White Mountain Cheryl Women’s Flats in Black Burnished Smooth or Silver Metallic ($38, kohls.com); or a fisherman style like the Journee Collection Women’s Joannah Mary Jane Block Heel Round Toe Flats in Tan or Taupe ($60, target.com) in vegan leather. All four have cushioned footbeds and sturdy, steady soles.
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