Perfect_Shoes_as_a_Solution

PERFECT SHOES AS A SOLUTION By: Mildred Wenzler Shoes are an essential part of ever Americans life. Shoes do play an important role in our daily lives as they define our individuality and/or lifestyle, and allow us to be accepted in our society. Without shoes a person would not be able to be accepted in public places and most stores, they may also be frowned upon by other members of society for deviating from the norms. We are expected to have our feet covered in public. We cover our feet with clogs, stilettos, mules, pumps, flip flops, tennis shoes, boots, and sandals just to name a few. Just because our feet are covered doesn’t necessarily mean that what we put on our feet is really beneficial to the general health of our feet. The wrong size, fit or type of shoe can cause foot disorders and pain. You’ve heard the old expression “walk a mile in my shoes.” When it comes to foot gear, will yours go the distance' The first thing a person should consider is to purchase shoes toward the end of the day, when your feet tend to be the most swollen, for a truer indication of foot size. A person’s foot should be measured manually using a device to determine the correct shoe size. Be sure to measure both of your feet, one foot is almost always larger than the other, so make sure your shoes fit the larger foot comfortably. Remember to take along the socks or hosiery that you will routinely wear with the desired shoes. A shoe should fit in length, width, and depth when standing. A proper shoe fit is a “feel” not a size. Don’t make the mistake of choosing style over comfort. Shoes should not need to be “broken in.” Try the shoes on and give them a good test drive around the store. If the shoes are uncomfortable in the store, they likely will be uncomfortable later. Choose shoes based on the activity you will be doing while wearing them. Shoes that will be worn often should have extra padding and protection on the instep and all pressure points of the foot to withstand the person’s weight on the foot for a long time. The shoe should have proper arch support so that the arches will not ache. Women buying dress shoes have to choose from what kind of toe shape is most comfortable to them, such as square, round, or pointed toe. The toe box should be wide and deep enough for wiggling the toes periodically. If heels are to be worn, select a sensible heel. A shorter, wider heel will be kinder to your foot. If you do wear heels, don’t wear them for extended periods of time. A comfortable shoe should offer the proper support, make the wearer’s foot feel good, and allow for natural movement while walking. Although a shoe may be comfortable, comfort is not what people see first, style is. Shoes are selected first for how they look and then tried on for comfort. The style of the shoe should fit a wearer’s personal style as well as the needs of the individual at the same time. Shoes can tell quite a bit about a person. Someone who is up on fashion may wear all the latest trendy styles and names. Some current popular shoe designers are Christian Dior, Manolo Blahnik, and Tom Ford, who designs Gucci. The styles that are trendy for this summer are clear, lucite heels, heels that lace up, and low one half inch kitten heels. Extravagant people may draw attention to their feet by wearing eccentric patterns, colors, and designs. People who are very basic may decide to wear flip flops or loafers. A person’s shoe style should coincide with his or her lifestyle and needs at the current time. A professional may need to wear closed toed, not extremely high heeled, basic color and styled shoes. Shoe styles should also be chosen by what may be appropriate or needed for certain situations. A prom date may require shoes that are more elaborate and flashy. A nurse just needs white shoes that are comfortable, as there should not be much focus on style. A business executive should wear a shoe that is attractive and well kept. Surely you would not expect a surgeon to be wearing full scrubs with some pink gators (shoes made from crocodile skin) on his feet. Also one would not expect for a wall climber to be wearing six inch heels. A person’s shoe style completes the outfit one wears and is often used as an extension of a person’s own personal styles. Lastly a person should pick a pair of shoes that fit their budget. No one wants to go into debt over buying a pair of cute shoes. That is why staying within your budget is important when buying a pair of shoes. A pair of flip flops at Old Navy cost $3, which is not a big impact on the wallet. A pair of Nike Shox, the most widely recommended workout tennis shoe is $100 for women and men, $85 for boys and girls, and $40 for toddlers. A pair of Manolo Blahnik sandals cost on average $485, and a pair of Giorgio Armani wing tipped loafers for men cost $2,095. Everybody’s salary varies but an individual knows how much money is a reasonable amount to spend on shoes. As the price of a shoe increases, usually the quality does not vary that much. Designer names and exotic, unique materials make the price of a shoe go up. In some instances, it may make sense to spend a few extra dollars on a more expensive pair of shoes for the quality that has been proven. For example it may make sense to buy a pair of Nike Shox for $100 for exercising than to keep on replacing your sneakers that you bought from Wal-Mart for $20 six times in a year. Always remain reasonable. No one should choose between eating for the week, and getting those cute limited edition stilettos at the Dior boutique. It is important to choose a pair of shoes that are affordable. In conclusion, a good pair of shoes can be obtained by anyone. Proper footwear is essential for good foot health and the impression one wishes to impose to others. It is important to understand that shoes are used as a barrier in our society. If you do not wear any you will be shunned. Our children may be teased if they have a pair of shoes that are not in the current style or have a particular label or emblem on them. Wearing a pair of dirty shoes may suggest to others that you are unclean. In our society shoes are an accessory to our clothing, and tell a lot about us. Yet some people pick shoes just for the sake of having their feet covered. Many people wear shoes that are the wrong size, are ill-fitting, uncomfortable, ugly, and do not show anything in regards to who they are. So many people, I have seen, wear shoes that are totally inappropriate. It is possible to find the perfect shoe by choosing one that is comfortable, fits your personality, needs for style, and is appropriate for your budget. From high heels to low heels, ill-fitting shoes can result in minor foot irritations such as blisters or swelling to more serious problems, including bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, and arch or heel pain. Never underestimate the gift of pain, because it can signal that your feet need a rest or that a shoe is causing damage and should not be worn. Wearing appropriate shoes is the best way to keep your feet healthy. So, before you buy your next pair of shoes, be sure they measure up by doctor recommended standards. Then, if the shoes fit, by all means, wear them.