Many offices have a formal dress code and women employees are expected to wear formal women's shoes. Women are also expected to wear shoes for parties and similar functions, which will enhance their appearance. Some restaurants and other places have a dress code, where formal shoes are required. Women also wear shoes while walking, jogging or running. While there are a wide variety of women's shoes available, finding comfortable women's shoes remains a major challenge for women especially for formal wear to office, parties and other functions.
One of the main reasons why it is far more difficult to find women's shoes is because of the shoe design. While for a slipper, the foot is almost completely open, for a shoe, the toes are enclosed in the shoe. The shape of the foot for a woman will vary to a great extent, and is determined by hereditary and other factors. Some women are fortunate to have feet which are of the standard size and shape, which the shoe manufacturers consider while making their shoes. Other women have feet which are far wider than the shoes which most manufacturers are considering, so they will find it difficult to get comfortable shoes.
While the comfort of the user is a major consideration for sneakers and shoes for running, jogging and walking, for formal shoes, the focus is on looking smart. So many of the formal shoes have narrow toe areas. Though these shoes may look attractive in the shoe shop or online store, before purchasing the formal shoes, it is important for the buyer to check all the dimensions to ensure that their feet fit comfortably. If the shoes are too loose or tight, the user will get shoe bites, which are extremely painful, and will make it difficult to even walk. Often the user will have to cover the feet with bandages to reduce the pain caused by the chafed foot skin.
Other considerations while purchasing the shoes are the sole material. A thicker sole from rubber or similar material is preferred, since it will cushion the feet while walking on hard or uneven surfaces. The sole should have enough traction, so that the user does not fall even while walking on slippery surfaces especially when water or oil has been spilled. A multi-layer out-sole is usually preferred for better cushioning. The sole for sneakers is usually made from PVC or similar material. The insole of the shoe should be designed for comfort, so that it will cushion the feet, and absorb the sweat. The sole should dry quickly if it becomes wet.
Formal shoes usually have leather uppers, which will get spoiled if it remains wet for a longer period of time, while Sneakers have textile uppers, which can be washed. While formal shoes are slip on type, most of the sneakers have laces which have to be tied while wearing the shoes. For applications where the shoes have to be worn or removed quickly, it is better to purchase shoes with Velcro straps, which are faster to wear and remove. However, the main consideration while choosing shoes is ensuring that the right shoe size is selected, especially while purchasing the shoe online, to avoid wasting time.
