About the Casual Shoe

By Josh Habre

“If only I could find shoes that feel like my sneakers, but look like normal shoes.” Exasperated customers share this sentiment with me every day. Today’s consumer is not willing to sacrifice feel for look as has been the case in the past. The thrill of the hunt for that perfect shoe drives some consumers, and drives some consumers crazy. Here are some helpful hints for whichever category you fall into.

First, find a retailer that offers a large selection of different styles. The larger the selection to choose from the higher your chance of finding something that fits your needs. It used to be that the only comfortable shoes were “sneakers” or “orthopedic,” and nobody wants to wear orthopedic shoes. The footwear industry has changed over the past couple of years, accounting for the fact that people want to look good and feel good. Manufacturers such as Dansko, Merrell, Ecco, Beautifeel, Sanita and others have seen this and developed some innovative product lines.

Second, find a retail location with shoe- fitting professionals. The best shoe in the world is a waste of money if it is fit improperly. A shoe-fitting professional will always offer to measure your feet – both of them. Most people have two differently sized feet. The best advice is “Always fit the larger foot” and “Give yourself some toe room.” Having your feet measured is a great opportunity for the shoe fitter to learn about your feet as well as to visually identify any abnormal characteristics of your unique feet.

If you have custom orthotics or any other foot supports, discuss this with the shoe salesperson. This will be a tremendous help in the footwear selection process. Communicate your needs. They can be one of your biggest assets in finding the perfect pair of shoes. A shoe-fitting professional will also have good knowledge of the product and be able to share any relevant information and truthfully answer any questions that may arise in the selection process.

Third, be open-minded. There are shoes available from all over the world in unique patterns, styles, and colors. Sometimes we look at shoes and think, “I could never wear that it looks too…[fill in the blank].” Try it on, after all, try-ons are free. Who knows, it may be just what you were looking for. Remember some shoes look better on the foot than on display.

Fourth, be flexible and understand that the perfect shoe may actually be more than one pair. I have people ask for a shoe that they can dress up for a formal occasion in a neutral color with a low heel that will be comfortable for 10 hours a day walking or hiking and will work with their custom orthotic.

This spring and summer sandal selections are full of color with pink, baby blue, lime green, purple, and orange leading the way for women and basic brown or blue for men. The influence of “flip flops” on fashion has led to some very interesting and innovative styles. Brands such as Dansko, Mephisto, and Indigo by Clarks offer slides or flip flops for women, with great support under the foot and the ability to go a little dressier. Keen, Merrell, Chaco, and Reef offer similar features with more casual or outdoor styles for both genders. For more support around the foot as well as underneath, brands such as Ecco, Keen, Birkenstock, Chaco, Sanita, and Merrell provide styles and colors to match any summer outfit.

The Mary Jane style for women, with the distinctive strap across the instep, can be worn for dress or casual. This style is great for ladies who like the secure feeling of being strapped in or want to hide their toes. It is also a fun and practical style for those with orthotics. Dansko, Ecco, Keen, and Stonefly offer this style with an emphasis on fit and comfort.

Clogs or mules are nice for after sport, weekends, or the even the office. They can be dressed up or dressed down and have become a more acceptable style for men in the last few years. The easy on-easy off feature combined with good support or removable and upgradeable footbeds make brands such as Merrell, Keen, and Dansko must haves.

The “retro” craze and inspiration from the athletic industry has renewed interest in the most practical of all styles, the oxford. The twist of taking the best of athletic shoes — fit, support and cushion, but using traditional leathers or suede treatments have made oxfords from Ecco, Keen, Cole Haan, and others a cool new addition to any wardrobe.

Everybody loves a new pair of shoes. Find a shoe-fitting specialist to help you navigate your way through the selection process. Be flexible and open-minded to new styles and colors, make shoe shopping a fun experience.