Ever tried wearing sports shoes to a party? Or those beautiful Jimmy Choos on the jogging track? Sounds silly, doesn’t it?
But just as this may seem silly and a bit too funny, there’s something that even more sillier than having wrong shoes at the wrong place. And that is, to have the wrong shoes in the wrong feet and even for the wrong purpose!
Be it either Jimmy Choo or Catwalk, shoes that keep you standing straight and walking with your head up, without having to watch your step, are the ones for you!
Shoes that look nice, must feel nice is the funda and we tell you why. Moreover, you know you would not wear the three inch heel on jogger’s park, and sports shoes while at a candle light dinner, so it’s also important to know how to wear the right shoes, at the right time, in the right fit and the right look!
Love at first sight:
What’s the first thing you see for in a shoe? Its colour? Its look? Its shape? Oh! How much you like it, and the very next thing is to try on the pair, and smile to yourself if it suits, else you curse the maker and move on to the next. But while you are on your shoes shopping spree: remember these basics that can keep your foot in good shape and health, while it makes you look good:
Wear shoes that are comfortable: Here, comfortable does not only mean that the shoes fit your size, but that the shoes you wear are your foot type, help you walk right, without tripping over to either side. Consider the shape and size of your feet when buying a pair of shoes.- Wear shoes as per your frame: A three inch plus heel if you are overweight, can mean lots of health problems, it can mean leg ache, your ankles can get injured and besides, there can be complications with your ankle bones due to stresses in the area. Better then to opt for what suits your frame best and keep yourself from embarrassment.
Now that you have your basics in place, let’s move on to customization. No, not that you can get a Jimmy Choo customized as per your tastes with your signature, but ones that are made especially keeping in mind your physical health:
Running shoes: You cannot have the same shoes to run, ones with which you dance!
If you have decided to run, remember, the kind of shoes you select will have a major impact on your workout success. Having the basics I your mind let’s move on to what’s peculiar about shoes meant for running:
- Make sure to get your foot measured while you're standing.
- Your running shoes should be 1/2 to a full size bigger than your regular shoe size, so that there is plenty of space for your feet. If your toes are crammed in the front of the running shoe, you could develop bruised or black toenails.
- Before buying them, wear them with socks in the store, and run. This will help you determine whether your foot rolls inward or outward when it strikes the ground.
- Keep in mind, the turf you will be running on, the regularity and speed of your run.
- If you develop blisters or foot pain, after a few days of buying your shoes, understand that they are not meant for you. If you may be lucky, you can get them exchanged, else, let them be used by your siblings.
- Replace your shoes every eight to ten months.
Dancing shoes
Okay so if you thought it was just heels that were needed to be able to shake a leg in the ballroom class, you just couldn’t be far from the carpet. Here are some great moves that you can keep in mind:
- For salsa, jazz, rock n roll or any other form of ballroom dance you’re into, your shoe must be comfortable, must provide excellent support, and must have a sturdy flexible sole.
- Select ones, keeping in mind, the kind of floor you will be dancing on, be it carpet, tile or wood.
- If you have enrolled in multiple dance forms, have several pairs of shoes with soles ranging from slippery to sticky, depending upon the floor. The sole materials used in dance footwear are usually chrome, suede and leather.
- Suede soles, give a good amount of traction, especially on the standard wooden ballroom dance floors. Smooth hard leather is the most slippery and rubber with some sort of design is the stickiest.
- Between open toe and closed toe shoe styles, the closed toe shoes give you extra protection and shield your toe nails from your partner’s shoes.
All of these points can help in keeping yourself injury free, and your body, flexible and agile, without having to undergo pains and aches.
Walking shoes:
Wrong shoes used for day-to-day walking, can cause a lot of pain, and injury. And you don’t feel the pain only on your feet but also in the legs and your overall posture also gets imbalanced. To avoid these hassles:
- Buy those that fit your feet well as it can help prevent injuries such as blisters and calluses.
- Your walking shoes must neither be too narrow, nor too wide, and the toe box (area near the toes) must provide enough room for your toes, else it can aggravate foot disorders.
- Try on both shoes, wiggle your toes and check for at least a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- It should be light weight so as to allow you to walk freely and smoothly.
- Replace them after having walked, 400 to 500 miles, unless you use your shoes only for walks.
- Your heels must have cushions, as it is there that the most forceful impact occurs and, cushions also at the forefoot, where you press off with each step.
So, now that you know what kind of shoes would be great for three of your most to-do functions, viz, dancing, walking and running, go ahead and buy what suits you the best. For know this, that Everyone's foot is different, but there are some universal basics!
