With age comes sense right? and with sense and age comes bad joints. Last month, when it took me 48mins to walk a 15min journey home I decided enough was enough. Me and my poor legs/feet couldn't take the dumb-ass shoes anymore. Purely down to vanity did I not just wear my trainers to and from for the commute: I judge you women who wear a suit with trainers, I'm sorry but I do. And yes, I did try it once but I felt so unattractive and unconfident I just couldn't do it again! So, tell me, finding a pair of decent shoes that are not only hard wearing, comfy, wont hurt your feet and yet don't look like you're wearing a pair of trotters. Tell me where I can get me some of them.. First up I tried buying some simple ballet pumps from New Look but yes, they are pretty, but are they comfy? Are they heck. Rubbing my heels raw, with blood everywhere doesn't make me walk or look any better but imagine how much worse it is when the artificial inners make your feet sweat.. yeah smell much!?!?
So, second on my trials is some pumps from Shoe Therapy by Seraphina. A brand I hadn't heard of and quite frankly now, I'm kicking myself. Selling from website Seraphina and yes before you all ask, I am not pregnant. These shoes are made with your feet and comfort purely in mind. They have a medically trialed sole that gives your posture a bit of a boost, improves circulation (and we know what that means - lack of cellulite!) and they look sodding gorgeous. So here is how it works:
And here are my shoes:
I approached these shoes with trepidation really. Firstly, I was not a pregnant woman and truth be known I had no idea how to feel about wearing a pair of shoes that are essentially advertised as such. But just looking at these pumps I knew these had something special: The quality was obvious to see. Well made, stitched, lined and constructed, these shoes felt solid, nothing at all like the type of ballet pumps you normally see in the shops. When I put these on my tootsies the fit was perfect. These weren't too slim fitting and weren't too wide they slipped or rubbed. The extra moulding on the heel section instantly gripped my foot keeping it in place in the shoe, the toe section was light and airy without being too flat that I didn't have any comfort or padding.
The real test was walking in them. Throughout my many experiences with new shoes I am aware that my heels often rub on shoes and packed some extra plasters in my bag, y'know, "just in case" The walk was solid and comfy. My strides were stronger, my foot didn't slide anywhere and the slight heel the shoes had, made me feel like I was standing much taller without tottering on heels that were difficult. Wearing these for both the journey to and from work and during the day I expected some sort of moisture or sweat from my foot to build up, and yes my feet did get mild but there was no slipping and sliding unlike the other pumps I had tried. The soles were light and airy and the added cushioning in the shoe meant at no point did I get the dreaded 'burn' from anywhere on my feet.
After the first day, I did have an initial slight stiffness on the heel and it did start to rub a little making the skin slightly red, but this did soften up by day two on wearing them so I think it's a case of wearing them in.
Day two came, and ideally was a wet, rainy day. Normally I would swap right out of pumps and insist on wearing something resembling wellies, but today I decided to put these to the test on its grip and waterproofing. Once again, even through the rain, there was no moisture felt through the sole of the shoe, or either at the sides. I purposely walked the long route to the train station in order to test walking down wet slopes... this was slightly worrying, as Queen of the 'fall-over' I expected to go over within seconds, but not this time. The shoes gripped well without putting my feet under any additional pressure.
Technical shindig aside, these pumps are beautiful to look at too. Leopard print for me is a classic at its best, and these look just gorgeous with both trousers and dresses, tights or no tights. I had so many comments about them, with many asking if they were furry.... yes, they are, feel free to stroke me.
I have trialled these pumps for over 3 weeks now and I love them. I have noticed my aching feet have decreased ten fold, and my general muscles in my legs do not seem as heavy as they normally are when I have done the day's commute. My feet have stayed fresh as a daisy and have never got wet. I am still breaking them in and have found that because of my nobbly anklebones I will remember to do this more with my next pair. Yes, my next pair. Overall I will most def be buying more of these pumps, one in every colour if possible. With prices from £69 - £79 these aren't the cheap option for your typical ballet pumps, but they work and are made to last. They are the adult ballet pump, the pump that is less frivolous, less spur of the moment and more safe, stylish and classic, which for me is perfect.
Stay tuned for my next shoe trial!
*please note: these ballet pumps were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own, and I really do love them*
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