Jacket Fabric!?

My mother wore heels all the time, too, until she realized that her Achilles tendon had shrunk, and she couldn't put her foot on the floor. She spent the next six or eight months wearing lower and lower heels until the tendon stretched out to normal length again. From then on, she rotated shoes so that it didn't happen again.

I'm not challenging that Birkenstocks may *feel* good, but do you consider them "dressed-up" apparel? Would you wear them to a special occasion if your DH were wearing a nice suit or tux, for instance?

Just sayin'....

Beverly, who hasn't worn a heel higher than 3/4" for years.

Have done.

Whatever floats your boat... ;-)

Beverly

I take my nightshirt off at bedtime.

At the moment -- almost bedtime -- I'm wearing DH's flannel nightshirt. I guessed wrong at how long to make it, decided it was easier to make him another one than to lengthen this one. It's just right for me. (Mine is floor length and I keep rolling the typing chair over it.)

But I'm going to have to get around to putting apron-height pockets on it. Shirt-type pockets are no use to me.

Joy Beeson

One of my DDs has sworn by her Birks, and now you say they help you. Maybe I'll try a pair; would they be good for sitting long periods in the car? I did well with my Crocs on the plane 2-hours from Houston to SC; of course, with support sox. Emily

The last time I had to go somewhere was when DH was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame. I got a nice new dress, and off we went. We left as soon as we could without being rude, because neither of us enjoy those sorts of things. I wore Birks because the alternative would be a wheelchair, and I'm just not ready for that. I don't usually go to these affairs, and he goes but just puts in an appearance. Apparently, some people actually enjoy these events. *shrug* Not us.

They would be better than "dress shoes" for sure. They have built-in support, and come in sandals and closed shoes, and several choices in between. Knock-offs don't match up - it's not a style issue, it's structure. They do make orthotics that go in ordinary shoes, too. I can't use them because I have an extremely high arch, and have had a hard enough time finding anything that I can wear. Most Birks have adjustable straps. I love clogs, but can't get my foot into most of them.

From what I understand, it's not good to sit for long periods on planes or in cars. You need to get up and walk around so that a clot doesn't form in a vein. Dangerous stuff. With a car, you'd have to find places to stop every hour or hour and a half, so you could stretch your legs and move about. In a plane, you just make trips to the loo, whether you need to or not. ;-)

Definitely a Dress Up occasion, that, and worthy of a new jacket.

It's one of the advantages about living in this corner of England. The disadvantages almost outweigh them...

I have to admit that dressing up includes heels for me. Most of my posh frock and 'work' shoes have heels since I lost weight. But indoors, summer and winter, you are unlikely to find me even in socks, never mind shoes... A gal of extremes, me! :D

Well, if it's that or agony, wear 'em! Personally, I hate them and find them very uncomfortable. The lumps and bumps in the sole that are supposed to support are in all the wrong places and it feels like walking on cobbles. My mules for slopping about outside, dressing down but still wearing shoes to protect my feet, or for cushioning my feet when the fibro bites them are Rhode.

It's surprising, but they do fit me well. My doctor told me to get inserts for metatarsal support because I have a Morton's neuroma. The problem I had with those was that they stuck really well when my foot was out of the shoe, but when I put my hot foot in, the glue would soften and the insert drifted about. As soon as I took my foot out, the glue would grab and I couldn't get the danged things out or moved where they were supposed to be. I messed with that for nearly a week then discovered the Birks. Ahhhhh, relief!!! Tossed those inserts in the trash -- when I could pry them out. Come to think of it, I think I tossed the shoes, too. They had sticky spots inside.

My feet are so wide that inserts are not an option: I'd need to get shoes made! I was told this by the podiatrist, who also told me to wear bare feet as often as I could, as I was A: used to it and therefore my feet were underformed and strong, and B: feet were never designed to have shoes on them, and bare is best unless you actually have a problem that need extra support.

I'd need to go up three sizes to get enough width for the inserts, and then the shoes would be so long that the places they flex would be in the wrong place for my feet - and this with wide fitting shoes! As it is, I just buy decent shoes that fit in whatever style I like, and then hardly wear them! But all soes, ESPECIALLY tarty party shoes, have to be comfortable enough to see me through a whole day's teaching without being 'worn in' or I don't buy them!

Oh yes, she had to, she's like that, Kate is. ;-> (But if you're fortunate you get invited for working together with her and then you're just a short trainride away from all the joys of London, too. And not to mention being put up in her phantastic library.) ;-)

Oh, what could that be? Lovely skies with great clouds? Green hills? Quaint little houses? A motorway far less noisy than the one that passes by my home? ;-) Nah, it's all right, I'll stop teasing; every place has its disadvantages, though strangers might not see them. And, let's face it, if it's good for the goose it's not necessarily good for the gander, too. A huge field of wheat in front of your house is fine as long as you're not allergic to the pollen. (I remember, see!)

U.

My DFIL considers Birks dress shoes. Well.....only his good, nice pair. Not the ratty pair that he wears all the time. And only if it's not really, REALLY cold. Slightly cold, he can wear wool socks with them. Really cold, he will wear his birk clogs and wool socks. Really, REALLY cold, he has to wear his cowboy boots. I can't think of a time in the last

18 years that I've seen him wear anything other than birks, boots, or tennis shoes. I think he wore the really nice boots to give away my SIL at her wedding. But that's because she told him he wasn't allowed to wear the birks. ;) I'm pretty sure he's worn the nice birks to a couple other weddings where he was simply a guest. ;) (and yeah, he wore ties to those too.) He's so much fun.

Sharon

I'll agree with all the above except the Birkenstocks. I have a couple of pairs of a backless style one pair in an old gold and one pair in a bright red which I wear with a nice dress in the summer if the weather is up to it, or trousers if it isn't. I am NOT a heels type of gal, just don't do them, nor can I bear sandals with toe-posts.

Lizzy

About 2 months before my middle daughter got married I fell and broke my ankle and leg. As I was sitting on the operating table waiting to get a spinal, I burst into tears. The nurse kept saying, "You'll be fine don't worry, try to relax, it will only hurt for a second." I told her I wasn't afraid, I didn't want to wear sneakers to my daughter's wedding.Everyone in the operating room started laughing. I said you have to understand, I just spent almost $200.00 for a dress and sneakers just won't go. Well as it tuned out I didn't have to wear the sneakers, I did wear flats and haven't put on a pair of heels since. I just wish I had the confidence Sharon's little friend had, that sneakers look great if you feel great in them. I did have to wear a small leg brace but was glad I could walk and dance. Juno

Yes, you're right. When I fly, I always find a reason to go to the loo, as you say, often and we stop at least every 90-minutes when driving.

I have had varicose veins for over thirty years and then I developed diabetes some 12-years ago at age 65, which is why I wear support hose at all times.

The Crocs that I've worn for the past 2-3 years, I have 4-pair, are supposed to be good for diabetics and orthotics. I didn't have problems the last few times I've worn them on planes.

DD talks about how comfortable Birks are, and then your comments about them, makes me want to run to the store and buy a pair, especially before we take a 2,000+ trip next month. We're driving to Orlando for the oldest DGD's wedding; thank goodness, it is not a very formal affair. I have my dress, but have to decide on shoes. Emily