You know by now that I’m always on a quest to find stylish and comfortable shoes. It’s bordering on an obsession but I can’t help it. Life is way too short to suffer through shoe-induced achy feet. Besides, you can’t put your best face—rather, foot—forward at work or a cocktail party if you’re silently enduring numb and pinched toes while teetering on 4-inch spikes.

Why the heck am I thinking about this topic yet again? Well, I just stared down a small crisis when the T-strap of my eight-year-old Pikolinos literally snapped off as I was running the gauntlet that is Whole Foods on a weekday evening. More distressing than hobbling through the store past posture-perfect, yoga-toned twenty-somethings loading up on kale was the prospect of tracking down a worthy replacement. The Pikolinos were my only pair of brown shoes that carried me through fall, winter and spring. Ack!

Fortunately, I was based in McLean one day last week and visited Comfort One Shoes at Tysons Galleria. I’ve had great luck with them before—and my latest adventure was, thankfully, just as productive:

My savior: Ara Randi pump in tan leather. They fit like a glove right out of the box (I don’t believe in breaking in shoes) except they were slightly too long. Added a pad in the cushioned footbed and voilà, problem solved.

The heel is 1.5 inches, and the sole has rubber traction.

Simple and versatile, they cost a relatively reasonable $145 (plus I got a 5% discount with a loyalty card). Right off the bat, I wore them for twelve hours straight without a hint of discomfort.

As a bonus, I also found a sweet pair of suede ballet flats. (I still love my Attilios from last spring but their light color makes them feel too summery in colder weather.)

Gray-beige feminine flats from Bailarina. (Have I mentioned how much I love greige?) Made in Spain.

Nubby rubber sole is a nod to driving moccasins.

Practically a steal at $125, these come in other colors like taupe, burgundy, black. Not that I’m tempted…

In general, I live by the 90/10 rule: the vast majority of the time, I wear shoes that I can run around in for hours. On rare occasions, though, I’ll knowingly slip on the pretty but painful stuff:

Gucci mules from fifteen years ago. Wouldn’t they look chic in Palm Springs with a Calypso St. Barth flowing dress? Hey, a girl can dream…

Here’s to keeping your feet happy!

Other comfort shoe brands you might like:

Anyi Lu: If the Shoe Fits: Part Three – And the Winner Is…

Attilio Giusti Leombruni: Attilio the One

Børn flip-flops: Børn to Run

For context, my first post about feet: Rex-N-Effect

Get happy! An array of summertime make-up and fragrance. Photo via the New York Times.

Asian women don’t look good wearing colors described as “moss,” “mushroom,” or “mousy” (that last one is not legit but you get my point). Color Me Beautiful taught me that back in the ’80s, duh. So instead, my autumn/winter inspiration board had been awash in jewel tones:

Fall/winter visuals featuring jewel tones and strong shapes.

Fast-forward several months and we’re now on the cusp of summer. The warmer weather and longer sunny days beg for soft pastels and some levity (yes, dear God, some much-needed levity):

A breath of fresh air: my light and airy “springboard.”

Top image: 37 y.o. carefree model Carolyn Murphy rockin’ Charlie by Matthew Zink shorts with white piping. Bottom image: model Raquel Zimmermann in a sublime silk printed dress by Rochas.

Models Karlie Kloss and Caroline Trentini in double-faced silk shift dresses with bejeweled necklines by Gucci. I just love the sweet (read: forgiving) silhouettes—you could actually eat dessert wearing these!

Items of note: the hot air balloon in the background of the J.Crew ad packs such visual punch…Living in DC, I like the cherry blossoms on the birthday card…Pantone Peony is pretty perfect.

Update on September 20, 2013: If you wanna see some really elaborate inspiration boards, check out these beauties on Design Sponge. Whatever gets your creative juices pumpin’.

I, on the other hand, do not like feet. They’re funny looking. They sweat. A lot. They smell. They’re sometimes hairy. You can’t put lipstick on a pig? Well, sorry but ya can’t put nail polish on your funky toes and call it a day either!

My own “lipstick on a pig”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m in awe of my feet. They’ve carried seven-times-my-weight as I’ve pounded the pavement over many miles and many years. And they haven’t rebelled yet by besieging me with plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma or ingrown toenails. So what’s the secret to appeasing the podiatric gods?

Here is my one Indisputable Rule for Shoes (I.R.S.): if they’re not comfortable from the get-go, they NEVER will be. No stretching out, gel-injected insoles or fancy orthotics will ever make it better. And adorning your feet with a patchwork of visible Band-Aids, corn cushions and padded moleskin is not exactly stylish. All those haughty New York fashion publicists who swear that scampering around in 6-inch Louboutins is a breeze? Hmm, is that why they’re scowling all the time?

I for one have fully embraced the comfort shoe category. They’re not fuddy-duddy, geriatric-looking occupational shoes anymore. Really! But while I bow at the altar of my sensible ECCO Mary Janes, Paul Mayer flats, and Tretorn Tournaments, they’re way too pedestrian (haha) to be photographed.

Lest you think I’m a Communist who wears a Snuggie and Birkenstocks, I do still rock some bitchin’ fine heels on occasion:

Anne Klein Collection. Price upon request. Hours of wearing till I want to kill someone: 2

Gucci. Price upon request. Hours of wearing till I want to kill myself: 1

Tod’s. Price upon request. Will suffer for as long as necessary.

Rex, darling, please contain yourself.

Update on July 9, 2012: Some tips to keep your feet looking good. (I can’t follow this routine, though. It’s too high maintenance!)