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Amy Isikoff Newell's avatar

I bought my first pair of clogs when I quit my admin job to become a software engineer. But then, later, when I needed to be able to assert dominance in an overwhelmingly male profession without, you know, actually asserting dominance, I learned the value of footwear as a tool of indirect dominance, specifically boots, specifically very tall boots ( see instagram.com/amywearsboots for an endless catalog of said boots). Boots with stiletto heels clicking on the concrete floor of the tech company where I was director of engineering. Heels that made people say "wut? She's an engineer? wait, she's The Director of Engineering?" I still can't get over the feeling of personal power conveyed through those footwear choices.

But the truth is now I mainly stick to flat or platform boots for daily wear and save the stilettos for the photo shoots and parties, not running errands around town.

Protip for folks who do love heels but struggle with foot pain -- check out dance brands like Burju Shoes https://burjushoes.com/ (women owned, too!) They offer choice of heel height and style as well as extra comfortable insoles that can make pretty shoes feel less disastrous.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

As a chiropractor I have worked on hundreds of lovely feet with these kinds of problems. Fortunately I live in a small, mountain town where I don’t get push back when I tell folks they need roomy, Mom type shoes. We literally live in Blundstones (at least mine are red).

I came of age in the 80’s and lived in heels until I became a chiropractic student and they had to go. Now I occasionally still wear a heel to wall from my car into my office, just so I don’t forget how to do it!

It took me a decade to stop buying shoes for the life I wish I had rather than the one I do have. (I love the life I have, it’s simply devoid of heels and sparkle of any kind!)

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