Dress Shoes for a Wedding for Feet with Bunions

Dear Shoe Lady,

Need a pair of comfortable dressy shoes, pumps, sandals, 2 1/2 ” heel to go with a raspberry lace sheath dress. Very bad bunions and big toe that crosses over. Help.
Size 8 1/2.  I try to get the widest width I can to go over my very prominent bunions , but sometimes the heel slips then and it doesn’t work.   Sling backs are the best option for me when I can find a wide width shoe.

Janice

 

Dear Janice,

What you want is a deep toe box, that is deep from top to sole, and a soft material on top.  I suggest you take a look in the “Bridal-Dyeable” Collection   and look for slingbacks with this configuration.  Do not buy them too wide if your foot is not really wide.  I’ve included a photo of a shoe with a rhinestone oval ornament.   It is stretchable (wider only) and dyeable.
Then… get or  find a good shoe repair place.   You will need to have them both dyed to the color you want AND spot stretched to accommodate the “issues” around your forefeet.  Only spot stretch where necessary but do it enough that you will be comfortable.
You should find a much wider range of the heel height and silouette you want in the bridal – dyeable styles. They are all white but can be dyed to match your dress, or maybe a soft grey or paler pink.
Have a wonderful time!
The Shoe Lady

How to Measure Your Feet

Dear Shoe Lady,
My feet have gotten wider as I have aged and have a bunion on left foot. As well lost a considerable amount of weight of the last two years. Not sure what I size I actually wear now. How do I measure my feet?

Dear Linda from Dallas,
Congratulations on your weight loss and keeping it off for over 2 years! With weight loss comes a reduction in the width of your foot and at times even the length. Good idea to measure again at your new svelte weight! Here is a how to guide and the full guide plus size chart can be found by clicking here.

Step 1) Trace your barefoot on a piece of paper. Place weight on the larger foot. Hold a pencil straight up and trace a line around your foot (keep the line as tight as possible to your foot).

Step 2) Measure two perpendicular lines: one straight across the widest part of the foot, the other a straight (not diagonal) line from the toe to the heel.

Foot Measurement Guide

Foot Measurement Guide

Keep these two dimensions: Ball WIDTH and heel to toe LENGTH, on hand when you ask us about a shoe. Also, you must consider the shape of your feet. Thickness (muscularity), thinness, hammer toes, bunions and other shape features should be considered as you look at the size, width and shape of the shoe.

For bunion-proof shoes, you likely are looking for kitten heels, and shoes make of softer material. The Annie Geneva Brown Velvet Suede shoes are the perfect material for bunions.

Annie Geneva Brown Velvet Suede at DesignerShoes.com

Annie Geneva Brown Velvet Suede is a Low Heel Casual Flat

On the other hand, if you want to keep the same footwear without sacrificing heel height, may I recommend the Aerosoles Tapestry Red Patent heel give that va-va-voom look without forcing you to walk home barefoot!

Happy Holidays and please let us know the results of your measurements Linda!