Women and their shoes: unrealistic expectations?

Abstract

Is it unrealistic for a woman to consistently expect fashion and comfort in the same shoe? Probably so, unless, of course, the current fashion is shoes with a low heel, round toe, and cushioned sole. But, if the fashion trends of the last 300 years are any indication, it is doubtful that this will be the case any time soon. However, a woman who is willing to compromise with a properly fitting, low-heeled, extra-depth or combination last pump augmented with a good quality cushioned insole has a better chance of finding comfort in a shoe. Although it is possible to have an orthopaedically sound shoe in a reasonably fashionable style, there is still room for the manufacturers and designers of shoes to improve the details of design. It is important to recognize that as long as society defines "fashionable" as a thin-soled, stiletto-heeled, narrow-pointed shoe, comfort and fashion are, to some extent, mutually exclusive. Any woman who wants the comfort of a tennis shoe will probably have to wear a tennis shoe.