On Comfort
Thank you, readers, for all the great Vietnam tips! It seems sandals and showering twice a day is a common denominator, while paying (off) airport workers is a point of contention. INTERESTING. I brought this up at dinner last night and we couldn’t decide one way or the other, either. I guess principle vs. convenience will be tested once we get there!
For the Vietnam trip, May and I began browsing for comfortable sandals we could walk around all day in. You know, when you’re shopping online and along with your shoe size, you check the “COMFORT” box in your search query. When it comes to shoes, comfort has never been a top priority for me. In fact, it seems the more painful a shoe appears, the better it looks. That slender arch! The ridiculous heel to platform ratio! Have you seen the shoes I wore for 12+ hours on my wedding day?
In the past, I’ve never been one to complain about hurty feet. Husband even made the observation that despite always wearing heels to go out, I never seemed to complain that my feet hurt. I think this came after we observed a group of girls at a club dancing BAREFOOT in a circle around a pile of heels. 1. You’re gross. 2. If they hurt your feet, don’t wear those shoes anymore.
But in more recent times, my feet seem to have had quite enough. Suddenly, I feel like my feet are ALWAYS HURTING. ALWAYS aching. WHY do you press against my bones like this? Our trip to London this past winter was….a struggle. It got to the point where Husband began researching bunion surgery. DON’T LOOK AT ME, I’M HIDEOUS.
Well, I wasn’t ready to go quite as far as bunion surgery, but wearing more sensible shoes? Ok, fine. So shoes for Vietnam? May and I took a trip to DSW to sample the likes of Clarks, Aerosoles, and Born. Oh…lord….
“Oh my god, try these on.”
“HAHAH oh my god, so gross. No, what about these?”
“No, these!”
“……these all look like shoes my mom bought at T.J. Maxx….”
“I think my mom does have these sandals.”
In my mom’s defense, the majority of her shoes are much cooler. But to our chagrin, once we slipped our feet in each of the sandals, it became more and more difficult to forsake the bendy soles, squishy padding, and conservataive height. Suddenly, our outbursts changed.
“Oh my god. These are really comfortable.”
“REALLY comfortable.”
“Wow, these ones are even MORE comfortable. I think the soles of these shoes are melding with my feet.”
“I think these are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn in my life.”
So you know back in the day when you used to see your mom slipping her feet into a clunky pair of Naturalizer mules and you thought to yourself,” I will NEVER wear shoes like that.” Well, we then realized that IT WAS HAPPENING. RIGHT THEN.
“Oh my god, you’re ‘Bac May.”"
“HAHA! Dung pha dep cua Bac May.”
So we spent the rest of the afternoon calling each other “bac” (older Vietnamese aunt) and telling each other not to mess with our “dep” (sandals). But I was actually glad we got to try on all those shoes at DSW because we realized that even a wedge with a height like the one above was TOO high for the purposes of travel. Thus, this is what I ultimately decided on:
CUTE, RIGHT? RIGHT? I really think they’re cuter in real life, you guys. A little bit 60′s-70′s vintage, a little bit Doc Martens. Super comfortable sole, a very low and sturdy heel, ankle strap to keep your feet secure, sandal-like cut to let feet breathe, closed front to protect toes. HE’S PERFECT. And add to cart, and checkout.
21 March 2013 by phi style | Categories: outfits | tags: clarks, shoes, shopping | 13 comments
WHO HIJACKED YOUR BLOG? hahahaha.
but it’s okay. bc since YOU’RE pretty. the shoes need not be AS cute.
My SE Asia trip is the first time I wore CROCS. The sandal kind, not the bread shoes. The little nubs massage my feet plus they were super light, squishy, and hygienic (supposed to not get bacteria/fungus on the material or something)… I even hiked/biked in them!
But right after I left the last airport in SE Asia, into the trashcan they went… Good luck with these!!! Much much cuter
I am imagining your ghostly high-heeled spirit in a sea of old Asian aunties wearing squishy shoes chanting ‘ONE OF US! ONE OF US!’
What does it say about me that I thought the first pair was actually kind of cute?
The second pair though.. hmmm I’ll take your word on them looking better IRL.
I think walking all day is just tough to do when you don’t walk all day, everyday normally. When I travel I’ve had good luck with Melissas. They are like crocs in material but are WAY CUTER. Oh and smells like bubble gum!
Good luck!
I’ve heard that Melissas were super comfy, but have never actually tried a pair on! Worth looking into, thanks!
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, my eyes! Why you hurt me!
Just wear slippahs (like Reef flip flops). Or cute Crocs. SHH! Don’t tell anyone, but I bought a pair of Croc flat jellys last year (where there is no visible logo), and they are my GO-TO for comfort when I drive, walk the dog, run errands, go beach. They’re ergonomic and don’t promote Stink Foot. Oh, and they’re kind of cute.
Cute wedges: http://www.crocs.com/crocs-leigh-wedge/11382,default,pd.html?cid=45E&cgid=women-footwear-sandals
Adorable – barely there sandals: http://www.crocs.com/crocs-womens-really-sexi-sandal/14175,default,pd.html?cid=060&cgid=women-footwear-sandals
Cute Jelly flats: http://www.crocs.com/Adrina-Flat-II/11831,default,pd.html?cid=060&cgid=women-footwear-flats
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-adrina-flat/11238,default,pd.html?cid=43P&cgid=women-footwear-flats (These are my dailys for when I’m driving and walking during my lunch break… then I change back into heels at the office… I wore these on 3 separate vacations… Have not yet worn out, despite being on my feet almost every single day for the last year!
And I’ll agree with Yang.. Melissas are ADORABLE and comfy.
I bought a pair of CROCS FLIP FLOPS for the trip! I plan on throwing them away after LOL. Thanks, Mae!
LOL! I still have mine! They make me barf, but they are SO comfy! HOpe they serve you well during the trip! <3
how did you wear those HEELS for 12+ hours?! my goodness, you are awesome.
You don’t need to bribe the airport officers in Vietnam. Those who live in Vietnam that are leaving the country will need to because it takes longer for them to have their passports and documents verified. I went in and out of the airport in 3minutes. If you look like you’re thinking about bribing or worried then it will be an issue and they would expect you to give money to them.
Also when you land in Vietnam airport there will be some vietnamese airport luggage handlers in the airport and if they keep insisting in helping you collect your luggage it is assumed that you would give them money for them to help you. They expect $10 (200 000 dong).
Wear sandals or joggers for day roaming around Vietnam. Clubbing at night it really doesn’t matter, alot of girls wear heels there. Just don’t wear light colored shoes or suede shoes! They will get ruined!
Thanks! I have decided that I WILL NOT bribe officials lol. Husband made me fit all 10 days into a carry-on (!) so no luggage handlers here!
I think those shoes are fine! They look comfortable and are still stylish. I would get both of them.
Kate from Clear the Way