Dr. Shoe

I have several pairs of heels that I can wear all day and some lower ones that I can only wear on special occasions.

Right let me clear up a few myths. Myth: High heels lead to foot deformities. The deformity described in this thread is something called a bunion which is an enlargement of the big toe joint and nothing to do with pointy toes or high heels though this footwear will not help. Poorly fitting shoes and even socks that are too tight will aggravate the condition but not cause it as a "sufferer" is born with large joints just the same as some people have longer fingers or bigger noses etc. Another deformity hinted at is something called hammer toes. This is not a genetic condition and IS caused by tight footwear or socks. The fault for this rests solely at the door of manufacturers' reluctance to supply a choice of widths (except in USA) and sizes above UK8. If a woman with size 8.5 feet buys a court shoe (pump) then they will almost invariably be forcing their toes up into the toe box. Hammer toes are found just as often on men as women. Myth: Some woman have had toes removed. Unless they have done it themselves :-0, thenit would be doubtful that it would have been done for fashion. Digit amputaion is not something undertaken lightly. However, some women do have bones taken out, metatarsals fused, joints reset and bunions filed down to improve shoe fit. Many of these procedures will be for medical reasons as well.

Right let me clear up a few myths. Myth: High heels lead to foot deformities. The deformity described in this thread is something called a bunion which is an enlargement of the big toe joint and nothing to do with pointy toes or high heels though this footwear will not help. Poorly fitting shoes and even socks that are too tight will aggravate the condition but not cause it as a "sufferer" is born with large joints just the same as some people have longer fingers or bigger noses etc. Another deformity hinted at is something called hammer toes. This is not a genetic condition and IS caused by tight footwear or socks. The fault for this rests solely at the door of manufacturers' reluctance to supply a choice of widths (except in USA) and sizes above UK8. If a woman with size 8.5 feet buys a court shoe (pump) then they will almost invariably be forcing their toes up into the toe box. Hammer toes are found just as often on men as women. Myth: Some woman have had toes removed. Unless they have done it themselves :-0, thenit would be doubtful that it would have been done for fashion. Digit amputaion is not something undertaken lightly. However, some women do have bones taken out, metatarsals fused, joints reset and bunions filed down to improve shoe fit. Many of these procedures will be for medical reasons as well.

CONTINUED. 1. Draw around your foot. 2. Pour some plaster of paris into a condom so that you have a ball about the size of tennis ball, tie off and force into the toe box. 2. Repeat same for heel seat. 3. When they have hardened, remove, take off condom and place within drawn foot-print taking care that the width matches, the toe should stick out at the front. 4. Stick together with body filler or more plaster of paris. 5. you should now have a model of the last that the shoe was made with from which you can make a last. To make the last itself, you must have some means to shorten it. Professional lasts have a strong hinge that requires a special tool to work it. This prevents the last from folding under the pressure of lasting. I'm sure that FF will come up with an alternative.

Slightly concerned. The basic idea is quite brilliant if not somewhat old hat. Bespoke shoe makers have been doing the same for years. My concern is on two points; practicality as a tool and comfort. A "proper" last is jointed so that it can be shortened for removal from the shoe or boot much the same as the foot bends when you take the shoe off. With a one piece molded last, the shoe will stretch or tear. Even pumps or zip boots. The only kind of footwear you can make would be sandals. The second problem is comfort. Yes the shoe would exactly match the foot shape and that is the problem. You may have noticed that in your most comfortable shoes or boots that there is a space of around 0.5cm at the toes. This is because your toe joint flexes and the shoe is not jointed so the shoe shortens as your body weight passes over the shoe. Moreover, you might not get the pitch identical on both shoes and over long periods, it is very uncomfortable to stand for long periods or walk for any great distance with one shoe at 4" and the other at 37/8" A much better way would be to get a pair of old shoes and pour your resin inside and then adapt the toe shape to one of your own design. You can use double-bond or car body repair.

Whilst driving my truck, I see a lot of heels varying from 1" wedges to the pair of 4.5" skinny posts I saw Friday. Sometime ago though, I was driving around Brighton and I saw a sight that made me double-take. There were what I thought were four girls with two holding hands but it was three girls and a boy around 15-17 years old all in high skinny heeled boots the lowest of which was 4". The boy's heels looked like they were around 4.5-5". They all seemed to be able to walk in them very well and no one seemed to bother about his footwear.

Caesar sic in omnibus, Brutus sic in at. Whilst we're on the subject say this out loud: Si senor, dar daygo; Forti lorris inaro; Demain lorris, demmis trux; Carin cowsin sheapen dux.

Perhaps, perhaps. I have a nice 20" leather skirt I could wear with knee highs. Mind you Ruth will go berserk just for me suggesting it

Actually , I have always said that a toe-post sandal is the footwear equivalent of a g-string.... ....as long as the sandal has at least a 4" heel (pref stilettoe )

As aprofessional, I abhorr the idea of bending shanks and adding to the heel. The problem isn't the shank, the problem is the fact that this would change the pitch of the shoe and cause the heel to "kick out" which is dangerous. Years ago, cobblers used to offer a heel lowering service for high heels. This is now actually outlawed because a lot of ladies were getting injured in falls because their heels were "kicking under" with the stresses being focused on the back of the heel instead of the seat of the heel.

For a cheap source of leather: Go to a charity shop and buy an old leather coat/skirt/pants. If the leather is too soft, you can "back it off" with canvas glued to the back with evostik. Spread it thinly on both pieces, allow to dry then heat them with a hairdryer (small bits) or hold them under an electric grill for 5-10 seconds then press them together. Alternative use an old iron.

Yes!! Tight stretch jeans with a zip at the ankle. Wear with high wooden soled mules or knee length boots (pull-on by preference) with 4-5" skinny heels. However, I do like the look of some scruffy slightly flared jeans with a nice pointy toe just about showing out from underneath.

In my opinion, trainers running shoes or sneakers are a conspiracy run by stiletto wearing aliens who want to enslave the entire planet by forcing its population into these disgusting styles. Sorry, it's late saturday night and I've smoked something I shouldn't have!!!

Perhaps, perhaps.....

Stamina Components in Northampton would be a good start. See old board.

I agree, you could try stitching it in for added strength.