When I was a kid it seemed like everybody’s grandmother wore these big clunky ‘orthopedic shoes’. I don’t make a habit of studying people’s feet, but it seems they aren’t around much anymore.
Is that right? Maybe I’m just not noticing them. Or did some form of ‘better shoe design’ (like arch inserts?) take their place?
With all the talk about obesity you’d think there’d be more concerns about feet than ever.
Elderly women now often wear sneakers r other 'sensible" women’s shoes. Back in the day the only women’s shoes were high heels or orthopedics.
They’re still around, but shoemakers who specialize in these are better at disguising them. I had a pair of large-but-normal-looking cap-toes with orthotics glued into the sole and vamp.
When I was a child, my orthopedic shoes were made of leater. Now I can get plastic orthotics and put them in normal shoes.
I think with modern plastics and foams and things, the newer trend it orthotic inserts that just go into normal shoes. I know a few people who use custom orthotics, but you would never know it if they were just walking by.
They still have them. I run into them a lot on Zappos because I am looking for wide-width women’s shoes. When I narrow down my search a lot of the shoes I run into still have that “orthopedic” look but not nearly as bad as days of yore.
I was looking at New Balance shoes today and while their shoes look like any other running shoe and are very popular, many of their shoes actually qualify for Medicare reimbursement as a “diabetic shoe.”
In the late 50’s I was diagnosed with pronation & flat feet. So, every year, Mom took me downtown to the store where they sold horrible oxfords that they then customized. My dear sibs called them “polio boots.” Eventually I stopped wearing them & did OK. Now, during Houston’s many hot months, I wear some of the less heinous SAS sandals–or thongs with thick soles for non-work informal occasions. If cool weather shoes or boots make my legs ache, arch supports from the drug store will do the trick. (Ooh! SAS is making mary janes!)
So–modern orthopedic shoes don’t always look orthopedic. (Well, they ain’t Louboutins or Manolo Blahniks.) Even most prescriptions can probably be handled with orthotics.
I was never, ever tempted by Dr Martens oxfords…