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Shoes and Your Feet


I have been working in Shoes since 2000. I started at On-Line Shoes in Washington. When I left there and moved back to sunny (far too hot this year) St George, I became the shoe manager at the top Retail store in the area. I am what is known as a "Shoe-dog." I love shoes. I love how they make the foot look and complement an outfit. 

As the saying goes, "Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life." This sentiment rings true for many of us, as we've experienced the confidence and joy that a perfect pair of shoes can bring. 

Let's start with some simple facts about your feet. There are 52 bones in your feet. They make up one-fourth of the bones in your body. Your feet mirror your overall health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, circulatory, and nerve disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet. There are times when the pressure on your feet exceeds your body weight when walking and three or four times your weight when you are running. You sweat a pint of water a day in your shoes. This is why if you are a runner, you should have at least two pairs of running shoes so you can alternate wearing them. Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also improves circulation and promotes weight control. 

Nearly 70% of foot problems can be attributed to tight and poorly fitting shoes. Your feet, nose, and ears are forever changing and growing, which is why you should have your feet measured. You may have been a size six in high school, but as you aged, your feet changed. If you gain or lose weight or are sick, your shoe size will change. Women have about four times as many foot problems as men, usually due to poorly fitting footwear or high heels over a lifetime. And I love heels. But even I know that a four-inch or higher is not a comfortable shoe to wear. Sure, it looks good, but anything above three inches is a "walk-in, sit-down, and look-good shoe" before you hobble back to your car. Your feet support your entire body. They are like tires on a vehicle. You don't want to drive around on bare tread or have tiny tires on your SUV, do you? So wear the right shoes. 

Most people think that if they go up half a size in a shoe, it will be huge. This is because we think in inches. There is a one-sixth of an inch difference in sizes—ONE SIXTH. Everyone has one foot that is wider or longer than the other. You need to fit that foot. Again, this is why you get your feet measured. 

If you want a good exercise to try, take a blank piece of paper, stand on it and trace your foot. Then, place one of your favorite shoes over the outline. 

Now, I love shoes. I wear heels, which has shortened my Achilles tendon, making it painful to wear flat shoes. I have learned not to wear tight-fitting shoes because I do not want a bunion. Contrary to popular belief, having bunion surgery is not the answer. The bunion comes back. 

It comes down to this, wear the right size shoe, and take care of your feet. When you do, they will continue to take care of you. 

Any questions, come see me or one of my shoe specialists at Dillard's. ;)





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