NO MORE SORE OR SILLY FEET! How I Turned My Shoe Blues into Happy Feet

Have you ever been invited to dance but declined because you didn't have suitable shoes? Or maybe you accepted but felt awkward because your shoes fell off, hurt your feet, or just didn't look right with your outfit? I know how this feels, and I'm happy to tell you I've found a solution.

WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THESE PRETTY SHOES?

• They're lined with leather or leatherette, meaning your feet can breathe, and they quickly mould to the shape of your foot.
• They're soled with suede for slide without slipping.
• They're so lightweight you'll hardly notice you're wearing them.
• The narrow ankle strap provides elegant instep support.
• The magic buckle allows speedy fastening and release of shoe straps.
• They're remarkably cheap.

MY HAPPY FEET STORY

My feet are difficult to fit. They are narrow, have irregular length toes (second toe longer than big toe), and require arch support and good inner sole padding. I've tried so many types of shoes, but none have been quite right. I even researched custom-made shoes (expensive and unachievable for me).

For the last English Country Dance I was so desperate I tried tying my white leather pumps on with wide satin ribbon, mode a la ballet shoe. (That trick may work for some, but not those shoes.)

Then a fashion tip from a friend led me to an overseas online store that was offering everything I wanted in a shoe, including custom heel height, for an incredibly affordable price. The only thing I couldn't do was try on the shoes. How would I know if they were right for my complicated feet? Simple solution: order multiple sizes and styles, and sell off what doesn't work for my feet.

I ordered six pairs. One of those fits my feet. 1:6 is a unusually low ratio for me. I hope it's easier for you to find shoes that fit!

GOLDEN SLIPPERS

I wore my golden slippers around the house for an hour. Result: red dents and pain where my feet bent. Oh dear. I bolstered my courage and wore them again for an hour while teaching girls to waltz. But that time, no marks, no pain!

On the night of our bridal parade fundraiser, I wore them all evening (which included a waltz) and didn't think of my feet once. Except when people from old ladies to little girls exclaimed, "I LOVE your shoes!" When I got home after the show, I realized that I still had happy feet. That is the best dress shoe experience I've ever had!!!

I bought mine from JJsHouse.com. I've also seen them on Wish.com.

My best wishes for your own Happy Feet story!
Narelle

tags: women's child's sparkling glitter heels leather leatherette sandals modern latin ballroom pump with ankle strap buckle dance shoes

Shopper's Guide to Recycled Clothing: Top 12 Tips

At SaveMart New Zealand, over 3000 fresh items of recycled clothing come into each store every day. If stock hasn't sold in 4 weeks, it goes to charity in Papua New Guinea.

For you, that means there's always new stock generated from diverse sources. Provided you remember Boutique Narelle's shopping tips below, and barring sticky trolly wheels, raucous radio, cramped dressing rooms, and staff-only toilet facilities (not all stores are thus adorned but certainly Palmerston North's SaveMart), your shopping experience should be a happy one.

Top 12 Tips for Thrift Store Shopping

1. CARRY A LIST AND/OR A COLOUR SAMPLE of what you're looking for. Be wary of being sidetracked by an apparent bargain you don't actually need.
2. In good lighting, CHECK GARMENTS FOR FLAWS such as rips, stains, loose stitching, snagged fabric, missing buttons, and other problems. Be aware of tag positioning -- removal of the staples may leave holes. (These labels are best removed using a staple remover.)
3. TRY ON EVERY GARMENT AND UNDER THE CONDITIONS YOU EXPECT TO WEAR IT (i.e. over a camisole or t-shirt). Shrug, bend, wriggle, and crouch to check all aspects of fit.  When trying shoes, wear the denier of stockings or socks you would wear with them. Walk in them.
4. TEST ZIPPERS several times.
5. WEAR GARMENTS AND SHOES THAT ARE EASY TO REMOVE for try-ons, such as zipped sweaters, button-up shirts, and slip-on footwear (not lace-up boots!). Don't wear your best duds -- SaveMart is a dusty place.
6. BE AWARE THAT SAVEMART BUILDINGS ARE NOT HEATED OR AIR-CONDITIONED. Plan your trip accordingly.
7. READ GARMENT LABELS for laundering surprises and to check for extra buttons.
8. READ PRICE TAGS CAREFULLY. SaveMart tags are hand-written and not always neatly. Don't rely on colour codes.
9. DO NOT RUSH. Give yourself time to think. If you need the toilet, go, and return to your thinking unpressurized.
10. If the garment has flaws, consider what it will cost you in time and notions to fix it. IS IT WORTH IT?
11. If it isn't right and you can't easily fix it, LEAVE IT. And...
12. COME BACK SOON for another hunt.

Note: We are very sorry about the missing images. They were unexpectedly and irreversibly gobbled by Google+. 😱😭

2 Simple Steps to Find a Modest Fashion Bargain

Are you a modest lady with a tight grip on your purse looking for low cost but good quality clothing that actually covers you?

I know how that feels. For months I've been working hard to solve my own drastic wardrobe situation (I had just one winter-weight skirt!).

THE EASY WAY TO GREAT CLOTHING BARGAINS
Clothes wear out faster than most people can make them, so my best tip at this time is to get yourself on the e-mailing list of your favourite stores. They're doing their utmost to get people to buy, offering huge and frequent discounts to loyal customers.

How do you know which shops provide the kind of clothing you're looking for? Use our Modesty Mall to browse your region for online stores that stock modest garments.

Add your email address to their list via their website, and all you have to do is keep an eye on your Inbox (or mail box) for sales promotions. Reductions are frequently 50% or greater. Stores like Ezibuy offer weekly discount specials, and even high end fashion stores send out 'secret mailers' to preferred customers offering up to 70% discounts for 2-4 days prior to offering what's left to the general public.

THE TWO STEPS YOU CAN TAKE NOW to get your next bargains sooner than you may think:

1. Browse for modest fashion stores using BN's Modesty Mall.
2. Subscribe to the shop's email list or catalogue mailer list.

Every dollar counts when you're trying to save money!

See PLAN AHEAD.

Bargain Hunters Plan Ahead, updated

Bargain hunters plan ahead -- we get on the mailing list of stores that provide clothing we like! That way we get first dibs on sale and super-sale items.

Bargain Hunters and Plan Ahead were posted in 2009. The advice still stands, and to make it easier for you to benefit from that advice, I've created a Modesty Mall, Boutique Narelle's list of recommended online stores that have consistently provided MODEST clothing options for women.

Get on the mailing list of your favourite stores
so you know when the bargains are ripe for picking!

Disclaimer: Boutique Narelle personnel have not purchased garments from all stores in the list, so we can not vouch for quality or service, nor do we claim all stock in these stores to be of a modest nature.

Plan Ahead

Caught short of modest clothing?

The best way to avoid this is to plan ahead and be prepared. Buying on impulse or in a rush is rarely helpful in the long run.

1. Make a list. Figure out what clothing you're going to need in the coming seasons to fill the holes in your closet array, both the type of garment (shirt?) and the style of garment (dressy?).

2. Be informed. Set up a system to alert you when sales are on in stores that stock modest clothing (see "Bargain Hunters" post).

3. Browse. Search the options for what's on your list and select bargain pieces that will meet those needs in a versatile, practical way.

Tall By Design - Fashion with Height

Tall Women's Clothing

If you're a tall woman looking for fashionable tall clothing that fits – then check out Tall by Design. They are a specialist tall women's clothing store based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Fashion with Height

At Tall by Design all of their garments are created in the same long lengths no matter what size you order – whether you are a size 8 or size 20. They have created a fashionable range of tall garments that are stylish, essential pieces.

In this video clip, watch Tall by Design's Joan Oxspring talk to TVNZ about her store initiative, while famous tall girls model Tall By Design outfits.

More Boot-Buying Tips

If you're shopping for boots, you may find the following reader comments helpful.

Sarah says:

"I have loose ankles (my ankles twist really easily, the opposite of strong ankles, I suppose -- if my shoes don't have a supportive heel, my ankles will be twisting all day) and my left arch is quite high, so I have to make sure that the boot is a neat fit for support but doesn't put pressure on the top of the arch, and that my heel has an adequate platform to stand on. I must have a full zip, otherwise I can't get my foot in. There mustn't be any seams on top of my foot because these create pressure points. I definitely have to stand and walk around in the boots for a couple of minutes to make sure there's no excessive sideways wobble and that I can confidently put most of my weight on my heel. This fact alone makes me hesitant to try mail-order boots, as I might love the look of it, but there's no way you can tell by the picture if boots have too much slope under the heel so that most of the weight is constantly sliding forward onto the ball of the foot. I think that would always be the case once the heel is over three inches, and these are the boots and shoes that give the wearer very sore feet after a short while. The ball of the foot is not designed to carry one's full weight for any length of time.

"The only difficulties I have with high heels is when driving and trying too walk fast! I fix the first problem by having more comfortable footwear along for wearing in the car, and the second just requires practice.

"For the rest of the purchase decision, it's a matter of finding decorations I like [accents such as tassles, studs, or ruching], and a toe shape that fits and suits my foot. A softly pointed tip (nicely rounded) looks good on my feet and fits my narrow foot and tapering toes (second toe longer than the rest)."

An avid boot lover, who admits to owning 7 pairs, says:

"When buying boots, I recommend you go for comfort. There are some lovely flat boots around if you want to be mega-comfortable, but if you want to feel a bit fancier and want a heel, I would say a wedge is a great idea. They're fashionable, but comfortable and they don't have the teeter factor that thinner heels have. I stomp around in mine all day long and don't get sore feet and I have very wimpy feet. Overland Shoes have some of the nicest and most comfortable boots I've ever tried on. They have an Italian brand called "Isabelle Anselmi" and though they're usually a couple of hundred dollars a pair, they last forever and are lovely.

"My favourite boots are the ones I'm wearing now. They're a rich chocolate brown with a stacked wooden wedge heel. I polish them with bees wax.

"I think the look of boots with a mid-calf length straightish skirt and a long coat looks great in winter!"

For expert advice on boot care and how to measure your feet, ankles, and calves to get the appropriate size and style, visit DuoBoots.