You are correct, they were not cheap and I got the smallest ones the man could make for me. I'm worried that combat boots or booties might look strange in the East Texas in the middle of the summer. I'm going to go shopping on Monday and hopefully I can find something. I'm halfway tempted just to wear a boot on the bad foot with a cute shoe on the good foot

" I'm halfway tempted just to wear a boot on the bad foot with a cute shoe on the good foot"

Ha! That's what I was thinking! I broke my toe and had to wear a bootie to a formal event. It was no big deal, at all.

I am very much aware that this school is not UT as she said "small" Texas school. I am also very much aware of the ins and outs of recruitment in many parts of the US, but particularly the south and Texas. I am also much more familiar with your school's recruitment and you'd be rather shocked to know how familiar I am. The artificial "competitiveness" caused by IU's failure to comply with recruitment procedures followed by every school in the country still has nothing on the southern recruitments. Tromping around in Converses beyond the first day would look just plain weird. You're the one who has a lane to stay in on this topic.

Can her rec writers add a note in the rec that by Dr.s orders she can not wear heals or shoes without support? Just a heads up that it is not a lack of fashion sense but a true medical reason for the shoes she is wearing.

OP - I will message you tonight, I promise! You're not alone, you're not the only one, it's gonna be fine. You're getting some good suggestions here, hope that your stress level about footwear is dropping a bit.

For the love of Mike, I totally get what she's saying about orthotics and ugly shoes. I'll leave it at that.

^^^ Please send me the info, too. I also have to deal with orthotics and I'm always open to suggestions!

Meanwhile, does anyone else find it amusing that "Sororitysock" is adamantly stressing her knowledge of appropriate recruitment footwear? I thought her expertise was limited to socks and sock puppets, but apparently it extends to shoes as well! ;)

That's actually a really good idea! I have a few rec writers who know me very well and I will ask.
Ya'll have been so helpful and kind and I can't thank you enough for all of the suggestions. I feel a lot better knowing there are women out there who want to help.

Excuse me, but you forgot UT, the rest of Texas, AND Indiana's recruitments. Sheesh, sis, get it right!

I would not have rec writers address the issue. I think it is calling undue attention to something that (like it or not) may get distorted into a bigger issue than it really is.

Can you wear "normal" shoes for any length of time? Could you wear your orthotic shoes to walk from house to house, and then just wear the cute shoes when you go into the party? I'm sure you couldn't wear heels for any length of time, but could you wear a sandal or a flat shoe for a short party in which you would likely be seated much of the time?

OP, I'm not quite sure if you have to absolutely wear orthotics all of the time, or what type of foot surgery you had (no need to disclose) . If you have issues related to your toes and need a roomier toe box you might want to look at Danskos. I tend to have foot problems and lower back issues if I don't wear good shoes and I'm on my feet a lot. I actually got a cute pair of closed toed clogs in a neutral color to wear with my spring sundresses if it ever stops raining. Also Taryn Rose does have good shoes although they are a bit pricey. Also depending on the norms of what's in at your school will likely dictate fashion/shoe choices. But may of the other posters had great suggestion on shoe brands to look into as well.

Also if someone is looking down at your feet which if they are then perhaps say I've had surgery on my feet and can't wear heels etc. But I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about that. I think if you wear attire to go with the campus norms hopefully the shoe thing won't even be brought up. Best of luck and I hope you keep us posted on how things go for you or if you find a good shoe option. :)

Well, if it's that odd, why are several chapters at the smaller Texas schools wearing them in their social media photos from philanthropy events, recruitment events, social events, etc? Please check out some of the social media at these smaller schools, they are not quite as "high fashion" as you would like to believe. I did a quick look at several facebook pages and saw tons of cowboy boots (which I thought was awesome) and Chucks.

I also would not have made the recommendation about the shoes had I not checked with a college aged women (one who just finished traveling for her organization, not mine, and travelled throughout Texas) who said that Chucks or cowboys boots would be much better choices than Born, Merrill or Dansko. Her words not mine "no one under the age of 40 would be caught dead in those type of flats".

Also SororitySock, your "neck of the woods" reads heavily with snark. I attended a university with over 35,000 students and live in an area with over 250,000 people, I don't believe there are any woods to speak of. Please don't insult any Big Ten university and imply that it is backwoods or unsophisticated enough to know what fashion is. That's what annoyed me. I also don't claim that my alma mater gets recruitment right, but ask most women who have been through it and they will tell it's tough. If for no other reason, there is no other campus in the country with 23 NPC chapters which makes for a grueling schedule.

I like irishpipes suggestion of wearing the converse from party to party and then changing before you walk in the door, provided that you can wear regular shoes for a short time. You should not be standing too much during the parties.

Best of luck to you!


Why does this initial reply require a sock puppet account?

*Putting on irritable/annoyed face*

Totally understand the OP's situation. I cannot wear any type of "stylish" footwear at all. Period. If I would attempt to walk in anything that didn't have my foot orthotics (and now an ankle-foot orthotic), I'd be doing a face plant on the first step. THAT would be a lot worse than wearing Converse shoes (which are cute, and if you have to make them work, then let's figure out how to help her make them work, and not get sidetracked because that's not helpful to the OP at all). BUT, I am not the one going through recruitment. The OP is, and I will do my utmost to help her, because she sounds like a very sweet PNM who is requesting support. I can do that.

Lobleedsorange, if you have cowgirl boots, I bet you can make it work, especially in Texas. :D I bet you can make Converse and cowgirl boots work through most rounds, but during pref, as someone else suggested, can you swap some dressy flats for right before you enter the door? The only tricky thing would be pref, but if there are some foot-friendly flats, that would be golden. :D Depending on your school, you'll only go to two or three pref parties.