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The Worst Summer Shoe and Sandal Mistakes for Women Over 50
Our style expert suggests smarter, stylish options to keep your feet healthy and happy
AARP (DSW, 2; Kohl’s, 3; Target)
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.
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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!
(From left) Better flats: Kenneth Cole Reaction Enrica Loafer in Red Raffia; Journee Collection Women’s Joannah Mary Jane Block Heel Round Toe Flats in Tan; Cliff by White Mountain Cheryl Women’s Flats in Silver Metallic.
AARP (DSW, Target, Kohl’s)
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.
(From left) Comfier block heels and wedges: Everlane The Glove Mule in ReKnit in Classic Red; LifeStride Women’s Kamilla Slip On Wedge Espadrille in Black Linen; Baretraps Women’s Flossey Wedge Sandals in White.
AARP (Everlane, Target, Kohl’s)
3. Thinking high wedges are a healthy alternative.
Women who swapped out high stilettos for “safer” high wedges had better think twice. While four-inch wedges offer the same degree of lift as high heels, and have become staples at outdoor summer weddings where walking on grass or gravel is a given, the no-damage idea is pure fantasy. Your back, feet and mincing gait will tell you so. Sky-high wedges still force you to balance on your toes, and shift all your weight onto the balls of your feet. Ouch!
Opt for a lower wedge, or sturdy block heels, in a height of around two inches or less, with a cushioned footbed. You’ll get a leggy look with less stress on your feet and ankles. Good choices include LifeStride Women’s Kamilla Slip On Wedge Espadrille in Cream Linen or Black Linen ($40, target.com); Baretraps Women’s Flossey Wedge Sandals in White or Black ($55, kohls.com); and Everlane’s The Glove Mule in ReKnit in Classic Red, Desert Tan/Raffia ($128, everlane.com).
4. Choosing ankle straps for style and stability.
You’re a fan of flirty ankle strap styles that tie or buckle around your ankles? What are you thinking? One of the goals of summer shoes and sandals is to make your lower legs look great, even in midi skirts and dresses. With the exception of Kate Middleton, ankle straps don’t do this. Those “sweet” retro ties and girlish straps not only hamper circulation (and often cause swelling), they visually shorten your legs and call attention to things we’d rather not, like thick ankles, chunky calves and leg discolorations.
Here’s a better strappy option: slingbacks. That thin, heel-hugging strap gives legs of every shape a sleek, chic look (check the side and back views!) while adding security and stability to what otherwise would be a mule. Equal parts classy and comfy, slingbacks now come in a variety of summery styles, from square-toed espadrilles like Beach by Matisse Juliet Espadrille Flat in Black ($58, dsw.com) to tailored flats like A New Day Women’s Vada Slingback Scrunch Toe Flats in Tan, ($30, target.com) that are perfect for work, parties and dinner out; and the trendy crochet look of Jones New York Women’s Carolton Woven Slingback Flats in Rose Gold or Black ($33, macys.com).
(From left) Supportive sandals: Clarks Sunmaze Loop Sandal in Beige/White; Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sky Sandals in Pink Punch.
AARP (DSW, Kohl’s)
5. Wearing flip-flops daily.
Nothing says summer more than the iconic rubber thong sandal. Way before pool slides were born, these shoes kept feet safe from the fungus lurking in public restrooms at the pool or the beach. (And they still do.) Slipped on to run errands, hang out at home and walk the dog in the rain, flip-flops make every day feel like a vacation in the Florida Keys.
Keep them for pedicures and occasional protection, not as a daily do. The constant strain on your feet from a lack of support can contribute to heel, arch and toe pain, stress fractures and tendonitis. But keep the flip-flop vibe going with sporty sandals that emphasize sneakerlike comfort with plump, cushioned footbeds and a contoured shape. Try Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sky Sandals in Pink Punch, Sand, or Black ($54, kohls.com) with arch support, secure wide straps at the heel and instep, and an ergonomic platform sole. The FitFlop Women’s Lulu in White ($90, zappos.com) are essentially flip-flops reimagined, with a soft, broad triangular cap and a padded, contoured platform sole. And the Clarks Sunmaze Loop Sandal in Black/White, Beige/White or Pewter/White ($40, dsw.com) has adjustable straps and a wavy, contoured footbed.
(From left) Comfier slides: Gap Biscayne Slide Sandal in Natural; Sonoma Goods For Life Women’s Inaba Slide Sandals in Black; A New Day Women’s Deidra Slide Sandals in Cognac.
AARP (Gap, Kohl’s, Target)
6. Thinking skinny-strap sandals are sexy.
I know they’re all over social media, but spaghetti-strap sandals — whether tubular (like drinking straws) or flat — are not your mature tootsies’ best friends. Narrow, stringy and tight, they dig into soft and bony areas of the feet with a “binding” effect that leads to extreme discomfort, blisters and irritation. They force your toes to do all the grippy work as you walk, and the constant friction on sensitive bunions, corns and hammertoes makes them quickly lose their appeal.
Instead, choose sandals with wide, soft straps that gently but securely hug your feet, like Gap’s Women’s Biscayne Slide Sandal in Black or Natural ($75, gap.com); A New Day Women’s Deidra Slide Sandals in Cognac ($20, target.com); or Sonoma Goods For Life Women’s Inaba Slide Sandals in Black ($28, kohls.com).
7. Not paying attention to the insides of shoes.
Do you ever examine the insides of your shoes and sandals before buying them? Most women are too busy happily gazing at the way they look to do so. That’s a mistake. Those sandals or flats may look gorgeous, but your feet live on the inside, not the outside!
To prevent unexpected blisters, chafing and irritation, play detective and slip the sandals on your hands to feel around. Even the comfiest styles can have irritating interior details such as rough edges and seams. Slide your hands along the undersides of all the straps, around the edges of the shoe’s “collar,” and every spot where the shoe or sandal meets your feet. Any problems? Just say no to the shoes — and the Band-Aids, and the moleskin.
8. Wearing the same sandals or shoes every day.
Summer shoes and sandals can get as stinky as gym sneakers, with heat, humidity and sweat creating the perfect environment for moisture and bacteria. To reduce odor buildup, be sure to air all your shoes and sandals out between wearings, and avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row. It also helps to sprinkle the insides of shoes and footbeds of open sandals with baking soda overnight, emptying it in the morning or before the next wear. Alternating the style and height of your shoes will give your feet, ankles and back a break. Go ahead and rotate from ballet flats to elevated espadrilles to slides, and back again.
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