Unusual question about recruitment attire - Page 3

AZTheta · #1 05-12-2016, 07:50 PM

*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.

jolene · #2 05-12-2016, 07:57 PM

Lobleedsorange, if you have cowgirl boots, I bet you can make it work, especially in Texas.

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.

Depending on your school, you'll only go to two or three pref parties.

AnchorAlumna · #3 05-12-2016, 08:16 PM

I would mention it to my rec writers.
Just MHO.

Lobleedsorange · #4 05-12-2016, 10:48 PM

I'm not so bad that I can't walk without the orthotics. However I'll tear a ligament and put myself back in a boot if I'm not REALLY careful. I did this after I wore heels when I was a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding.
I think cowboy boots are my best bet for the casual days. For philanthropy day, I can try to find some comfortable wedges (I've been looking, some of the comfortable ones really aren't bad). And on pref night I'm going to carry bigger purse or take a wal mart bag and hide it in a bush and put on my heels at the last second, and just deal with the pain. At my school you can go to a maximum of two pref parties (there are only 6 sororities on campus). hopefully I'll be lucky enough to be invited to two and if I show up to bid day in a boot, then it was worth it. If I make sure my hair is amazing, my cat eye is flawless, and my clothes are cute, nobody is going to pay that much attention to my shoes.

DeltaBetaBaby · #5 05-13-2016, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobleedsorange

And on pref night I'm going to carry bigger purse or take a wal mart bag and hide it in a bush and put on my heels at the last second, and just deal with the pain.

Talk to your Rho Gamma. She should be able to help you out with this.

KDCat · #6 05-13-2016, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobleedsorange

I'm not so bad that I can't walk without the orthotics. However I'll tear a ligament and put myself back in a boot if I'm not REALLY careful. I did this after I wore heels when I was a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding.
I think cowboy boots are my best bet for the casual days. For philanthropy day, I can try to find some comfortable wedges (I've been looking, some of the comfortable ones really aren't bad). And on pref night I'm going to carry bigger purse or take a wal mart bag and hide it in a bush and put on my heels at the last second, and just deal with the pain. At my school you can go to a maximum of two pref parties (there are only 6 sororities on campus). hopefully I'll be lucky enough to be invited to two and if I show up to bid day in a boot, then it was worth it. If I make sure my hair is amazing, my cat eye is flawless, and my clothes are cute, nobody is going to pay that much attention to my shoes.

I'm a mom. The idea that you are going to tear a ligament just to wear cute shoes to pref is giving me a heart attack. Don't do it! Can you wear sequin Converse for pref, and have your Rho Gams drop a word to the pref chairs?

Okay, random act of Momming over. Ignore me as you wish.

KDCat · #7 05-13-2016, 03:27 PM

Sequin Converses:

http://www.amazon.com/Converse-Sequi...equin+converse

Lobleedsorange · #8 05-14-2016, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDCat

I'm a mom. The idea that you are going to tear a ligament just to wear cute shoes to pref is giving me a heart attack. Don't do it! Can you wear sequin Converse for pref, and have your Rho Gams drop a word to the pref chairs?

Okay, random act of Momming over. Ignore me as you wish.

Your concern is actually really sweet. My mom said, "do what you have to do" but I'm going shopping on Monday (after I get my paycheck) and hopefully it won't come to that!

DubaiSis · #9 05-13-2016, 09:44 AM

At most schools the first round/s of rush are quite casual. I don't see the Converse or cowboy boots as a problem. But I think I'd get working on finding a cute functional shoe that is a smidge dressier for preference. One really good shoe in a neutral color is worth the significant expense. If you take care of them they can last you for years. It doesn't need to be a high heel. And I personally think total flats are gacky (maybe my brain defending my inability to wear them). But there's a lot of ground in between those two ends of the spectrum. And yes, my princess feet do great in a wedge, even a high one.

Good luck!

AZTheta · #10 05-13-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

But I think I'd get working on finding a cute functional shoe that is a smidge dressier for preference. One really good shoe in a neutral color is worth the significant expense.

I'm sure everyone posting (non-orthotic-wearing) means well - I'm sure, because I "know" you guys from your posts. That said, I'm totally losing it here. THERE ARE NO REALLY GOOD SHOES IN ANY COLORS that will accommodate many/most orthotics. I'd gladly spend a thousand dollars or more to have that "one really good pair" if only they existed. I'm positive that the OP has been searching for footwear and is having the same experiences that I have had (and so many others, FWIW).

Total flats, if they have enough "volume", may work with orthotics. It's all a matter of luck, truthfully.

That's the bottom line. My hope for the OP is that this will become a non-issue as her recruitment progresses.

Alpha O · #11 05-13-2016, 05:15 PM

I have custom-made orthotics. I'm not really sure how large yours are, but I didn't get a choice in size and I'd say that mine are pretty thick to accommodate my high arch. I used to have to wear them almost constantly for about a year when I was experiencing severe foot pain.

What I found is that I was most easily able to accommodate my orthotics in boots, just like you can in cowboy boots. I remember when I went to pick them up, I was wearing moccasin boots, and the orthopedist was surprised that they accommodated my orthotics once I took their insoles out. Luckily for me, the fabric that they were made of had enough give that they were able to accommodate the orthotics. Unfortunately, I didn't really try the orthotics out in summer-y type shoes (preferring to wear walking sneakers and deal with foot pain when I absolutely had to wear something dressy on my feet--I don't always make the best decisions :P), and thankfully it's no longer something I worry about (I'm mostly orthotic free now).

Additionally, I've seen my BF's mother wear Mary Janes and I've been told she wears orthotics as well. I'm not sure where they were from, but they looked like they could've come from Clarks or a similar company. I'm not sure what her orthotics look like, and I wonder if she had special "dress" ones made like a previous poster mentioned.

If you're going to go looking for shoes, I would suggest looking for shoes that are pretty padded and have removable insoles. They should already be made to fit a bigger insole than normal, and you'll hopefully be able to remove them to fit yours in. Also, look for shoes that are made with an upper that allows stretch and try sizing up to see if that allows your orthotics to fit. I think Mary Jane flats with removable insoles might be a good idea, as long as they can fit your insole, since they have more structure than a regular flat.

I understand what it's like to have foot pain, and I really hope you can find something that works for you!

KDCat · #12 05-13-2016, 05:24 PM

Would Mary Janes like this work?

http://www.zappos.com/gabor-gabor-35...k-samtchevreau

AGDee · #13 05-14-2016, 07:56 AM

I get a catalog about once a quarter from a company that has a variety of 'good' shoes. I have a very wide foot and also have a hard time finding fashionable shoes. I did a quick Google search and found a few links that have one or two options that could work for Pref.

http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-sh...ct1,sf471/1/60

http://www.zappos.com/footwear-ortho...alesStyle/desc

Alpha O · #14 05-15-2016, 10:02 AM

I just caught up on the replies (had only read the first page before I initially posted), and I agree with KDCat. Definitely, definitely, definitely do not wear heels if you might tear a ligament. This is coming from someone who admittedly wore shoes that caused her tendon pain while she was dealing with tendonitis in her foot. Eventually I just wore comfortable shoes because I realized it wasn't worth it to be in pain. A torn ligament is not just painful, it can be very serious, and I would not wear heels if that is what you're risking.

If wedges are comfortable for you and you're not going to risk tearing your ligament, I would recommend wearing wedges to preference. If that's not the case, then look for something else, but do not wear shoes that you're going to risk seriously injuring yourself with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I get a catalog about once a quarter from a company that has a variety of 'good' shoes. I have a very wide foot and also have a hard time finding fashionable shoes. I did a quick Google search and found a few links that have one or two options that could work for Pref.

http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-sh...ct1,sf471/1/60

http://www.zappos.com/footwear-ortho...alesStyle/desc

This are great links!

This shoe in particular caught my eye. If it can fit your custom orthotic, it seems like it could be a cute and comfortable choice.

http://www.zappos.com/revere-charlotte-black-mesh

SigKapSweetie · #15 05-15-2016, 11:10 AM

Disclaimer: I'm coming from an SEC perspective, not a Texas perspective.

I actually sort of love the sequin converse idea for prefs. If the sister commented on your shoes (which I would expect, WITHOUT FAIL, to be some variation on 'how cute!' or 'those are so unique!' rather than anything negative - you are a guest in their home and their manners should prevent them from saying anything critical), I would respond with "Thank you! I actually hurt my foot, so I can't wear heels. It's so sweet of you to be cool about it."

And then the conversation will move on. No muss, no fuss.