Here's a topic many women can relate to: Dancing in Heels. So here's some straight shoe talk from everyone's favorite ballsy bridesmaid, Titfield Thunderbolt!
I love shoes. Don't we all? And for me personally, there's nothing like slipping on a pair of heels and feeling the all-that-is-woman power. But let's be honest, how many shoes actually exist that are cute AND comfortable (for women)? And how many cute shoes are actually GOOD for your feet? I have a hard time believing when a lady tells me "Oh these are comfortable heels!" No. Nothing that forces you to balance the entire weight of your body on a steep incline and a spike is comfortable. Nothing. Unless you have found blessed, miracle heels from comfort island, it's not scientifically possible.
And as I get older, I find myself sacrificing the cuteness of a shoe for good old fashion foot comfort. But as my footwear is getting less cute, my feet and body are getting happier.
But the Bowie wedding is a special occasion, and special occasions call for cute shoes. It's practically a law. I figure the ceremony is the perfect time to wear a pair of fabulous shoes. I get to show them off, be appreciated, endure any foot discomfort for only about hour and then trade them in for for some dancing kicks. But the dance floor is the biggest challenge for me. I need something that is going to sustain maximum comfort for AT LEAST four hours of rocking my body right. So what do I wear? Do I forgoe any kind of cuteness and slap on my Asics that I play softball in? Or will I be able to compromise and find a shoe out there that will be semi-stylish AND built for a Bowie dance party in the USA?
How many of you are bringing an extra pair of shoes to change into post ceremony? Have you found the ultimate pair that will sustain both the ceremony and the reception? Are any of you going barefoot? If you went out dancing right now, what would be your shoe of choice?
I have found one brand of shoes (Nina) that I am actually comfortable in for four hours of dancing. For me. I've learned this is different for everyone. (Someone recommended Naturalizers as super-comfortable and I've never been more miserable in heels in my life.) So Nina's are now my go-to. And after four hours, I go barefoot and don't care. Happens every time. Maybe for the wedding I'll bring back-up flip flops. Or maybe I still won't care.
ReplyDeleteI always carry a pair of flip flops with me in my purse for the reception. It may be frowned upon but I don't really give a shit.
ReplyDeleteSo I was totally on board with that whole post (I just had to return a pair of rockin' shoes, in part because I couldn't keep them on all day), but that last photograph sent me straight to yucktown. Seriously, ew.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, no such thing as comfortable heels. I have ones that are relatively comfortable, meaning I can stand in them for an hour or two, but nope, actually comfortable ones don't exist. On my wedding day I'll be rockin' my DIY stilettos for the ceremony and through dinner, but then will be breaking out some platform flip flops for the rest of the night. Or else I'll have had enough drinks at that point that my feet will be numb and it won't matter what I'm wearing! Looking forward to seeing what shoes you'll go with!
ReplyDeletei actually stopped at target on my way from the ceremony to the reception to buy a pair of flip flops, because i COULDN'T WALK in my heels anymore.
ReplyDeleteand i've routinely worn my converse chuck taylor's to and from if i've had to walk a lot, with my heels in the purse.
and then barefoot. don't underestimate barefoot.
i actually feel like wearing heels is a way for power to be taken AWAY from women (because it slows you down, limits your movement, etc). and i have never experienced any heels that are comfortable. so i have given up wearing them except for work events a couple times a year. i wear nice flats or kitten heels to weddings.
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ReplyDeleteI'm changing to a pair of old-school black/white checkered Vans that I bought especially for the reception. I even bought an extra crinoline to push out my dress so I can wear flat shoes during the reception. Then I'll change into my second dress towards the end of the reception. I just don't care if it looks strange, as long as I'm comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI was told to try professional dance shoes. I bought salsa dance shoes for my wedding...they were comfortable in the store..let's hope they're comfortable all night!
ReplyDeleteI find that any shoe with a "hidden platform" is more comfortable than one without. The flat bottomed (I'm talking near the toe/ball of the foot) are like slamming your foot right against the ground every time you take a step, but with the hidden platform there's a barrier so it helps. The next issue is finding one that doesn't rub on the top of your feet. Ah, the price of cute shoes :) I hate to say it, but I'm one who is more comfortable in heels than flats. It's just what I'm accustomed to really! The most comfortable shoes I've ever owned? A pair of black peep toe pumps with hidden platform... FROM TARGET.
ReplyDeleteI had two pairs of shoes - a higher sexy red heel I wore for most of the photos and through the ceremony and a second lower more comfy gold pair of heels to match my reception dress. Needless to say, after the cocktail hour I was over it and when I changed into my reception dress I grabbed a pair of the flip flops I had left out for guests as dancing shoes and the little pretty gold heels never made it to my feet that night. You just gotta do what makes you feel comfy...but definitely be prepared...no way I could have lasted all day and night in heels!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair I wanted to dye for a bridesmaid dress but I found out I couldn't dye them, then couldn't return them.
ReplyDeleteI'll end up barefoot but if your dress is long you might want to think about the hem so you don't trip over it while you're dancing.
Oh & that last pick gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I generally find if the heel has some sort of strap, it helps. Pumps always slip off my feet so I have to clench my foot to keep them on. And that always leads to disaster. I think I'm going to try ballroom dance shoes too as someone mentioned higher up.
ReplyDeletei don't know if it goes for all their shoes but i bought this pair of extremely pointy and hot pink heels on sale at steve madden a couple years ago and they are ridiculous comfortable somehow
ReplyDeleteI don't know the first thing about heels. I can't wear them for longer than 45 minutes. And I walk like a zombie in them.
ReplyDelete@Los Angeles Love- I just found out about Nina's like two seconds ago on a another blog, which also said some good things about them.
Oh, and that last picture almost made me ralph.
For the Aussie wedding I'm going barefoot for the ceremony, flats for the reception.
ReplyDeleteFor Ireland I'm doing little heels for ceremony, most probably gumboots for photos (I can't remember what non-Australians call them- for wet weather which is bound to happen) and flats for the reception.
I heart the way I look in heels - I do just feel extra va va voom but man do the feet ache by the end of the night. (and that sexy bunion I'm developing certainly doesn't help!) And if you ever try taking them off just for a minute and then putting them back on...forget about it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten as far as to think about shoes yet but I want some colored heels to at least begin with but after a few drinks I will either most likely be barefoot or too drunk to notice the pain.
I have to note as well - that last photo is foul. blech!
i'm totally grossed out from the last pic i keep feeling the heel of my foot to make sure im not growing those
ReplyDeletei'm buying some super comfy ass flats from payless for my reception because my hot fuckin purple rocketdogs are not comfy and i will be crying if i wear them longer than 2 hours
I wore a pair of Clark's Artisan heels for both the ceremony and reception, and they were quite comfy. Though by 3 am, my feet were hurting. But considering I had worn them for about 10 hours, I figure that is about as good as a pair of heels can get. :)
ReplyDeleteThey weren't as sexy as I had initially envisioned, but they were sassy and fun. A photo is here:
http://cuvikingadventures.blogspot.com/2010/03/re-wearable-wedding-shoes.html
And I also have heard of people that buy dance shoes (heels) to wear, which are also supposed to be comfortable.
My high heels are always all nice comfy for the first hour or two... But I'm sacrificing my comfort for 4" heels because I'm a short a**. But once ceremony and first dances, etc are done and over with.. Into my TOMS I go!!
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