Whoever said diamonds were a girl’s best friend, clearly never saw a woman’s shoe collection. A poll by TIME found that on average, men own 12 pairs of shoes while the opposite sex more than doubles that number with the typical closets of most American adult women boasting 27 pairs of shoes. It’s a stereotype for a reason; women love and know a lot about shoes – and they can find almost any reason to go shoe shopping to buy a new pair.
However, just because women love shoes, doesn’t mean they are buying the right shoes for their feet and individual problems. As much as women wish it wasn’t true, there is a lot more you have to consider when purchasing a new pair of shoes other than how they look and what outfit they’d pair perfectly with.
Here are a few expert tips for your local foot doctor to take with you next time you go shoe shopping:
Shop Later In The Day When Going Shoe Shopping
If you’re in need of new shoes, plan to do you shopping in the afternoon. It has been found that your feet naturally expand throughout the day and you want to be sure your shoes can accommodate this increase in size.
Get Measured
No matter if you’ve been measured a hundred times in the past, you should always get measured before you try on new shoes because your size may change over time. Additionally, you should measure both feet. If one of your feet is larger or wider than the other, go with a shoe size that accommodates the bigger foot.
Get Moving
Trying on a new pair of shoes sitting down won’t hep you determine if you have enough room for your feet. After you get them on, stand in the shoes and walk around to make sure they fit snugly, but not too tight. Shoes shouldn’t pinch, hurt or slide off your feet.
Don’t Depend on the Label
Unfortunately, shoe size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Instead of trusting the description or size on the label, be sure to try on every pair of shoes to make sure each is comfortable and the right fit.
High-Heel Hiatus
If you’ve been dealing with consistent foot or ankle pain, you may want to save your high-heeled shoes for special occasions. Prolonged pressure from this type of footwear is likely to lead to bunions, hammertoes, corns or calluses.
Consider Arch Support
Your podiatrist can diagnose whether or not you should be wearing shoes with arch support. A majority of the population needs it, but most aren’t wearing shoes that support their arches.
If you’re not sure what shoes are the best fit for you, whether you need arch support or if should refrain from wearing heels altogether, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrists today. We can help you assess any conditions that may require special footwear or custom orthotics, and we can point you in the direction of trusted brands providing shoes specific to your individual needs. As South Florida residents, our staff understands just how important it is to find the perfect balance of comfort and fashion. And with multiple podiatry clinical locations from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm City, it is easier than ever to be sure you’re wearing properly-fitting footwear.
