Style in comfort with Vionic footwear

At the pre-lunch before restorative yoga recently, the ladies, aged 40 upwards, were talking about shoes. About how, suddenly, our feet become problematic as we get older. Mysteriously they suddenly get bigger, or wider. Suddenly there are bunions, which rub against our shoes, and weird things like plantar fasciitis. You can read about why some of these things happen, and what we can do, in my article on feet.
And we're all desperate for shoes which look good, but feel comfortable.

There are now a few brands which specialise in this: Strive, Rieker and Vionic are three examples. I was sent a pair of Laurie sandals by Vionic (they also come in tan and tan leopard).  I've put them through road tests (!) and they really are very comfortable.  Your feet seem to sink into soft rubbery bliss.

The science behind the Vionic brand is its innovative podiatrist-designed FMT Technology, which provides superior orthotic support, relief and stability to help realign the feet back to their natural position.

You can walk comfortably all day in wedges and heels thanks to Vionic's enhanced cushioning under the metatarsals for ball-of-foot support and the full contact with the arch of your foot,
which evenly distributes pressure. The deep heel cup enhances overall stability.

If you do have plantar fasciitis, Vionic footwear can really help. Plantar fasciitis can develop when your feet roll in too far as you take each step. This rolling is known as over-pronation, It's sometimes exacerbated by unsupportive flat shoes as well as being overweight or pregnant, having poor calf muscles or suddenly increasing physical activity. The Vionic technology coaxes the feet back into a normal position without over-pronation.

Are they stylish? If you like to wear flats and loafers, Vionic is a great way to do it. Normal ballet flats are terrible for the feet, as are flip flop type sandals. The Vionic ankle boots are great - I can easily see myself wearing a few pairs. Look at these fabulous Faros fringed boots, in three colours.

I'd like to some Mary Jane type shoes and maybe a pair of lace-up brogues, and if these were in metallic or "unusual" colours, even better.

The advice on wearing the shoes is to start for a couple of hours to allow your feet to get used to the different position.  The first time I wore them, they felt instantly comfortable and I could have worn them all day, except that the strap across the top of the foot rubbed against both my little toes. Of course, a schoolgirl error: I should have been wearing pop socks the first couple of times.

It's possible also I should have had a bigger size.  I have always been a size 6 (UK - which a 39 in Europe), but have recently found a 6 and a half is better because my feet have indeed got wider all of a sudden. A 7 is usually too big. So I urge shoe retailers to bring back those half sizes.  They are very difficult to find. Vionic do have half sizes for some of their shoes, including the Laurie.

Now that my little toes have healed, I find the Vionic sandals wonderfully comfortable to wear and they will be a great addition to my holiday wardrobe where you sometimes have to walk a while to get to the restaurants and you know that normal flip flops will be harming your feet. In winter I will happily choose a couple of pairs of ankle boots. Prices are reasonable: the Laurie sandals are £90 and the Faros boots £100. They even do slippers - very tempting! And a couple of pairs are currently on offer at £25.

Footnote (!): if you've often wondered what  the difference is between a podiatrist and a chiropodist, the ladies at restorative yoga included a podiatrist. Se explained that the term "chiropodist" was almost wholly exclusive to the UK. A podiatrist is more highly qualified, with a degree, and able to carry out small operations and prescribe medication.

I was gifted a pair of Vionic sandals: my review is entirely objective, based on my experience of the footwear. 

Sharing this post with Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style,  Celebrating Style at Vanity and Me, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Saturday Share at Not Dressed As Lamb.

FOR MORE MUTTON 

For more Mutton follow my blog on Bloglovin and receive a weekly email on my updates. Don't miss "shoe of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards. I'm also on Instagram.