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In the footwear war between style and substance, comfort remains king.
Shoe makers are streamlining their styles and injecting coziness into their shoes more than ever before Leslie Gallin said after scouring the offerings at the World Shoe Association Show in Las Vegas.
Gallin hand picks the high-end brands showcased at The Collections at the show. The former Geoffrey Beene vice president said the wobbly economy means consumers will ditch their Carrie Bradshaw ways in coming months and instead make like Cinderella, using more discretion when choosing which shoes are best for them.
Gallin noticed five footwear trends that could help shoe buyers make dashing decisions:
Keeping comfort close — Shoe designers are making way for such amenities as silicone foot insoles that add cushy support and specially treated leathers that help shoes fit like gloves. The comfy luxuries aren’t just being reserved for sneakers anymore. Gallin said fashion-forward shoe companies are taking big risks to make their designs feel as fabulous as they look.
“I think Generation X realized it first,” said Gallin. “The Baby Boomers were still sacrificing comfort for style. Then, we finally discovered you can have both. Now, I think everyone is on the same page. Designers and manufacturers are putting real scientific knowledge into their shoes in order to save the comfort.”
It’s a jungle down there — Call it a comeback. From python to zebra skin, animal printed shoes stampeded across the WSA Show in several different styles. This time, however, texture has become just as important as the pattern itself. Shoe makers are now making it a point to infuse slick and velvety depth into animal printed shoes without compromising the integrity of your own hooves.
“It doesn’t have to be real, but it’s doesn’t also have to appear fake,” said Gallin. “Manufacturers are doing a great deal with paper. It’s eco-friendly and looks like snake skin, yet it’s strong enough to use to make shoes and handbags. I defy most people to tell the difference between it and real snake skin. It’s completely unbelievable.”
The push for prints isn’t limited to creatures. Wallpaper-inspired designs are coming off the walls and onto consumers’ feet. Designers displayed several formal and causal shoe styles at the WSA Show that were embossed with rich and regal patterns worthy of being glued to the most formal of rooms.
Old is new again and again — Vintage styles and colors from the 1930s to the ’50s have left a lasting impression on the footwear industry.
Jewel tones and old-school metallics such as rose gold and muted silver continue to be popular choices for women’s footwear. Peep-toed shoes also have become an elegant but not over-the-top shoe construction staple while classic one- to two-inch heels provide modern comfort.
“That really translates across America regardless of price-point,” said Gallin. “They tend to be far more realistic. Yes, the high, high heels are certainly here, but that’s more for dressing up and going out, not necessarily your average shoe. These vintage-inspired styles really lend themselves to shorter, comfortable heels.”
Making another statement — The green movement has extended to your feet. Almost.
“It still has a way to go,” said Gallin. “It’s going to take Europe embracing this trend and mixing it with the technology. The top of the shoe might be eco-friendly, but the bottom might not be. There’s definitely a shift in that direction because it also makes the shoe lighter. Anything that makes a shoe light is good.”
Meanwhile, non-leather vegan shoes were more prominent at the WSA Show, thanks to advances in synthetic manufacturing and chemical treatments. The materials are virtually identical to their genuine counterparts, but they’re still more expensive, which means consumers looking for animal-free shoes don’t have quite as many options.
Flats will get you everywhere — Don’t worry, ladies. Flats — ballerina, square, platform, whatever — are here to stay. Gallin said the simple style that has been sweeping the industry in the past five years shows no signs of leveling. Despite a desire to introduce new trends, shoe makers had plenty of new non-heeled slippers to show off to retail buyers. It’s another example of comfort.
“Every maturation of flat is here to stay,” said Gallin. “That kind of comfort will never go out of style.”
for more information, please visit www.ishoesclub.com
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Biological Masterpiece, But Subject to Many Ills
The human foot is a biological masterpiece. Its strong, flexible, and functional design enables it to do its job well and without complaint—if you take care of it and don’t take it for granted.
The foot can be compared to a finely tuned race car, or a space shuttle, vehicles whose function dictates their design and structure. And like them, the human foot is complex, containing within its relatively small size 26 bones (the two feet contain a quarter of all the bones in the body), 33 joints, and a network of more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, to say nothing of blood vessels and nerves.
Tons of Pressure
The components of your feet work together, sharing the tremendous pressures of daily living. An average day of walking, for example, brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on the feet. This helps explain why your feet are more subject to injury than any other part of your body.
Foot ailments are among the most common of our health problems. Although some can be traced to heredity, many stem from the cumulative impact of a lifetime of abuse and neglect. Studies show that most Americans experience foot problems of a greater or lesser degree of seriousness at some time in their lives; nowhere near that many seek medical treatment, apparently because they mistakenly believe that discomfort and pain are normal and expectable.
There are a number of systemic diseases that are sometimes first detected in the feet, such as diabetes, circulatory disorders, anemia, and kidney problems. Arthritis, including gout, often attacks foot joints first.
Specialized Care
Your feet, like other specialized structures, require specialized care. A doctor of podiatric medicine can make an important contribution to your total health, whether it is regular preventive care or surgery to correct a deformity.
In order to keep your feet healthy, you should be familiar with the most common ills that affect them. Remember, though, that self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one and is generally not advisable. You should see a podiatric physician when any of the following conditions occur or persist.
Athlete’s foot is a skin disease, usually starting between the toes or on the bottom of the feet, which can spread to other parts of the body. It is caused by a fungus that commonly attacks the feet, because the wearing of shoes and hosiery fosters fungus growth. The signs of athlete’s foot are dry scaly skin, itching, inflammation, and blisters. You can help prevent infection by washing your feet daily with soap and warm water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture. Athlete’s foot is not the only infection, fungal or otherwise, which afflicts the foot, and other dry skin/dermatitis conditions can be good reasons to see a doctor of podiatric medicine if a suspicious condition persists.
Blisters are caused by skin friction. Don’t pop them. Apply moleskin or an adhesive bandage over a blister, and leave it on until it falls off naturally in the bath or shower. Keep your feet dry and always wear socks as a cushion between your feet and shoes. If a blister breaks on its own, wash the area, apply an antiseptic, and cover with a sterile bandage.
Bunions are misaligned big toe joints which can become swollen and tender. The deformity causes the first joint of the big toe to slant outward, and the big toe to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to run in families, but the tendency can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot and toe. There are conservative and preventive steps that can minimize the discomfort of a bunion, but surgery is frequently recommended to correct the problem.
Corns and calluses are protective layers of compacted, dead skin cells. They are caused by repeated friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas or against an irregularity in a shoe. Corns ordinarily form on the toes and calluses on the soles of the feet. The friction and pressure can burn or otherwise be painful and may be relieved by moleskin or padding on the affected areas. Never cut corns or calluses with any instrument, and never apply home remedies, except under a podiatrist’s instructions.
Foot odor results from excessive perspiration from the more than 250,000 sweat glands in the foot. Daily hygiene is essential. Change your shoes daily to let each pair air out, and change your socks, perhaps even more frequently than daily. Foot powders and antiperspirants, and soaking your feet in vinegar and water, can help lessen odor.
Hammertoe is a condition in which any of the toes are bent in a claw-like position. It occurs most frequently with the second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it, but any of the other three smaller toes can be affected. Although the condition usually stems from muscle imbalance, it is often aggravated by ill-fitting shoes or socks that cramp the toes. Avoid pressure on the toes as much as possible. Surgery may be necessary to realign the toes to their proper position.
Heel pain can generally be traced to faulty biomechanics which place too much stress on the heel bone, ligaments, or nerves in the area. Stress could result while walking or jumping on hard surfaces, or from poorly made footwear. Overweight is also a major contributing factor. Some general health conditions—arthritis, gout, and circulatory problems, for example—also cause heel pain.
Heel spurs are growths of bone on the underside of the heel bone. They can occur without pain; pain may result when inflammation develops at the point where the spur forms. Both heel pain and heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the long band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. Treatments may range from exercise and custom-made orthotics to anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone injections.
Ingrown nails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe, with toenail clippers. If the ingrown portion of the nail is painful or infected, your podiatric physician may remove the affected portion; if the condition reoccurs frequently, your podiatrist may permanently remove the nail.
Neuromas are enlarged, benign growths of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. They are caused by bones and other tissue rubbing against and irritating the nerves. Abnormal bone structure or pressure from ill-fitting shoes also can create the condition, which can result in pain, burning, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot. Conservative treatment can include padding, taping, orthotic devices, and cortisone injections, but surgical removal of the growth is sometimes necessary.
Warts are caused by a virus, which enters the skin through small cuts and infects the skin. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults. Most warts are harmless and benign, even though painful and unsightly. Warts often come from walking barefooted on dirty surfaces or littered ground. There are several simple procedures which your podiatric physician might use to remove warts.
Top Ten Foot Health Tips
Diseases, disorders and disabilities of the foot or ankle affect the quality of life and mobility of millions of Americans. However, the general public and even many physicians are unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and well-being. With this in mind, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) would like to share a few tips to help keep feet healthy.
1. Don’t ignore foot pain—it’s not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.
2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete’s foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running).
7. Alternate shoes—don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.
8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body.
9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
10. If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.
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Foot health is especially important for people who have diabetes, because of the risk of complications.
Diabetes can limit blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well, while the lack of feeling means you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. If you have diabetes, you’re 15 times more likely to have a limb amputated due to infection-causing gangrene.
“The risk of complications can be greatly reduced if you’re able to bring your blood sugar levels under control,” says podiatrist (foot specialist) Mike O’Neill.
“Ensure that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also monitored and controlled with medication if needed. Smoking is also not a good idea as it has an adverse effect to the blood supply to your feet.”
If you have diabetes, it’s important to:
See a private or NHS podiatrist at least once a year. Ask your GP for a referral.
Keep your feet clean and free from infection.
Wear shoes that fit well and which don’t squeeze or rub.
Don’t ever walk barefoot, especially in the garden or on the beach on holidays.
Make sure your toenails are cut or filed regularly.
If you develop corns or hard skin, don’t treat them yourself. See a podiatrist, who will advise you on the best way to manage your foot problems (no matter how trivial you may consider them to be).
Seek professional treatment from your GP or podiatrist if blisters or injuries do not heal quickly.
Ulcers should be treated as a matter of urgency within 24 hours, especially if there is redness or swelling around the area, or where you have previously been warned to seek immediate attention.
Seek medical attention immediately if:
You see breaks in the skin of your foot or a discharge.
The skin changes colour and becomes either redder, bluer, paler or darker over part or all of the foot.
You notice extra swelling in your feet where there was a blister or injury.
Real story
’I was terribly ill and my foot was black’
Anna Levis, 36, is a legal secretary from Essex. Last year she had her little toe and part of her foot amputated due to diabetes-related gangrene
“I’ve been diabetic since I was four years old. I first went to my GP about my feet in August 2006 after a new pair of shoes caused blisters on both my little toes. I had the blisters dressed daily for two weeks by my GP practice nurse and also visited A&E because I was so worried about them.
“But over one weekend gangrene set in. I was living alone at the time and spent a Saturday night delirious with fever and pain. By Sunday morning, I was terribly ill and my foot was black. I was rushed to hospital but had to have my little toe and part of my right foot amputated.
“I’ve since had to have a whole year off work. I’ve taken such strong antibiotics for so many months that I’ve gone from a size 12 to a size six. I’ve only just recently been able to walk and get about normally again. No matter what age you are, if you have diabetes you must make sure you have good foot care.”
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Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis affect your foot health, but there are ways to treat these problems.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that causes inflammation in many joints of the body, including the feet.
The sooner it’s diagnosed, the more effective your treatment can be. Don’t ignore joint pain, as RA often shows up in the feet first. You can be referred to an arthritis clinic by your GP. NHS rheumatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists (foot specialists) can also help.
Treatment
Drugs such as analgesics (painkillers) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and swelling. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) slow down the effects of RA on the joints.
If your arthritis is advanced, you may be prescribed corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Orthoses are a special type of insole that help to minimise the pressure on your feet.
If your toes are beginning to stiffen or curl, it’s important for you to wear a shoe with an extra deep toe box. Your podiatrist may refer you to have special footwear made to fit your exact foot shape.
Protective shields for your toes can relieve pressure and reduce friction.
Surgery can correct any bunions and hammertoes (a partial or complete dislocation of one of the joints in a toe) caused by RA. If it’s extremely painful to walk, your joints can be fused together (a treatment called arthrodesis). Although it results in a loss of movement in that particular joint, it can reduce pain.
Painkillers or steroids can help the pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is often called the ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. It usually appears in people over 40 when the cartilage between bones has become worn and is no longer cushioning the joint as well as it used to.
OA affects joints that have been under pressure and is common in feet, especially in the joint at the base of the big toe.
Treatment
Exercising and stretching regularly can help nourish the joint cartilage and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the joint. Podiatrist Trevor Prior recommends you put your feet side by side and try to move your big toes towards each other three or four times a day. Yoga is a great exercise for all your joints, including your toes. Swimming is also good because it doesn’t put pressure on your joints.
It’s a good idea to ease the pressure of weight on your feet by keeping yourself slim
Painkillers or steroids can help the pain. There are also creams and gels that can be absorbed into the bloodstream when rubbed on the affected joints.
You can use foot padding, orthoses and special shoes.
Many people claim that supplements such as glucosamine and chondoitin help with relieving the pain caused by OA. But more research into such supplements is needed before their affects are fully understood. They may not be suitable for everyone, e.g. it’s not advisable to take glucosamine if you have a seafood allergy as it’s made from shellfish.
If your problem doesn’t improve with the above measures, you may be referred to a podiatric surgeon for surgery. There is a range of procedures that can help, including removing the surface of the affected bone and fusing joints together, or repositioning bones or joint implants.
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roper footwear can reduce foot problems
From ancient Egyptian times down through the centuries, footwear has been designed to meet mankind’s real and perceived needs—protection, support, comfort, sturdiness, and stylishness.
Feet endure tremendous pressures of daily living. An average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons on them. They are subject to more injury than any other part of the body, underscoring the need to protect them with proper footwear.
Doctors of podiatric medicine are health care professionals trained for both palliative and surgical care of the foot and ankle. They also are fully qualified to recommend selection of the right pair of shoes, or address other aspects of foot health, for all members of the family.
Children’s Shoes
When a child begins to walk, shoes generally are not necessary. Allowing an infant to go barefooted indoors, or to wear only a pair of socks, helps the foot grow normally and develop its muscles and strength, as well as the grasping ability of toes.
As children grow more active, and their feet develop, the need for shoes becomes apparent. It becomes necessary to change shoe sizes at a pace that frequently surprises and even dismays parents, to allow room for growth.
When purchasing shoes for children, remember these tips:
Examine the shoe itself. It should have a firm heel counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot bends—at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the shoe.
The child’s foot should be sized while he or she is standing up and fully weight-bearing.
There should be about one-half inch of space (or a thumb’s width) between the tip of the toes and the end of the shoe. The child should be able to comfortably wiggle his or her toes in the shoe.
Have the child walk around the store for more than just a few minutes wearing the shoe with a normal sock. Ask the child if he or she feels any pressure spots in the shoe. Feel the inside of the shoe for any staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation. Examine where the inside stitching hits the foot. Look for signs of irritation on the foot after the shoe is worn.
Shoes should not slip off at the heels. Children who tend to sprain their ankles will do better with high-top shoes or boots.
Both feet should be measured, and if they are two different sizes, shoes should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.
Women’s Shoes
Women inflict more punishment on their feet in part from improper footwear that can bring about unnecessary foot problems. Some of the problems result from high-heeled shoes (generally defined as pumps with heels of more than two inches). Doctors of podiatric medicine believe such heels are medically unsound and attribute postural and even safety problems to their use.
To relieve the abusive effects of high heels, women can limit the time they wear them, alternating with good quality sneakers or flats for part of the day.
They can also vary heel height. There are comfortable and attractive “walking” pumps (also called “comfort” or “performance” pumps) for work and social activities, that blend fashion considerations and comfort. These pumps offer athletic shoe-derived construction, reinforced heels, and wider toe room.
Activity has a bearing on the considerations; wearing the right shoe for a particular activity is probably as important a factor in the choice of shoes as any.
Perhaps the best shoe for women is a walking shoe with laces (not a slip-on), a polymerized composition sole, and a relatively wider heel with a rigid and padded heel counter, no more than three-quarters of an inch in height.
Men’s Shoes
The best shoes for men are good quality oxford styles, shoes ordinarily associated with wing-tip or cap toe designs. Also suitable are slip-ons, dressy loafers, and low dress boots.
Men as well as women should buy shoes for work, leisure, and special activities, matching the shoe to the activity.
Male (and female) office workers should earmark three to five pairs of shoes for business hours—general oxfords and loafers for men; pumps and oxfords for women. Cushioned-sole shoes that give good support are essential for those who spend most of their working days on their feet.
There is no question about the need for foot protection for those who work in heavy industry. Safety shoes and boots—those that are waterproof or water-resistant, with insulated steel toe caps and soles of non-conducting materials—help prevent injuries to the feet and reduce the severity of injuries that do occur.
Shoes for Athletics
Different sports activities call for specific footwear to protect feet and ankles. Sports-specific athletic shoes are a wise investment for serious athletes, though perhaps a less critical consideration for the weekend or occasional athlete; nevertheless, it’s a good idea to use the correct shoe for each sport. Probably a more important consideration is the condition of the shoe—don’t wear any sport or other shoes beyond their useful life.
Athletic footwear should be fitted to hold the foot in the position that’s most natural to the movement involved.
For example, a running shoe is built to accommodate impact, while a tennis shoe is made to give relatively more support and permit sudden stops and turns. For sports, “cross trainers” are fine for a general athletic shoe, such as for physical education classes. But if a child is involved more heavily in any single sport, he or she should have a shoe specifically designed for that sport.
Shoe Care
For longer service, keep shoes clean and in good repair. Avoid excessive wear on heels and soles. Give your shoes a chance to breathe—don’t wear the same pair two days in a row (you prolong the life of shoes by rotating their use). Never wear hand-me-down shoes (this is especially important for children).
Seal of Acceptance
The American Podiatric Medical Association awards its Seal of Acceptance to a wide variety of shoes (and shoe-related products), which have been deemed to enhance a consistently applied program of daily foot care and regular professional treatment.
The intent of such endorsements is to make a significant contribution to the foot health and foot health education of the public.
For a list of shoe companies holding the APMA Seal of Acceptance, visit the APMA’s online seal information.
Buying Tips
Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. Your feet do get larger, and lasts (shoemakers’ sizing molds) also vary.
Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
Be sure that shoes fit well—front, back, and sides—to distribute weight. It sounds elementary, but be sure the widest part of your foot corresponds to the widest part of the shoe.
Select a shoe with a leather upper, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
Buy shoes that don’t pinch your toes, either at the tips, or across the toe box.
Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings you expect to wear with the shoes.
If you wear prescription orthotics—biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.
Your podiatric physician/surgeon has been trained specifically and extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all manner of foot conditions. This training encompasses all of the intricately related systems and structures of the foot and lower leg including neurological, circulatory, skin, and the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves