Shoes
Do you choose shoes that are comfortable to walk in, or that match your outfit? The latter seems to be getting more and more important. Luckily, brands like Nike, Adidas and Birkenstock now offer more and more shoes that combine both qualities.
Shoes for Every Occasion
Shoes are there to protect our feet, but what's become very important nowadays is that our shoes look good too. Sneakers are sporty shoes that can be worn with many outfits. These shoes usually have good soles, so besides being the finishing touch to our outfit, they also offer support. Sneakers are also widely used for sport. For a slightly dressier look, there are casual shoes, which can be worn with both a summer outfit and a suit.
The Summer Look
To finish off a summer outfit, people often choose slippers. These airy shoes, which stay on your feet by means of one or more straps, come in many different models. Of course, sneakers and loafers or espadrilles are also suitable to wear with your summer outfit.
Shoes in Winter
In winter we recommend wearing warm shoes. As long as your feet stay warm, the rest of your body usually stays at temperature too. Snow boots and winter boots are suitable for protecting your feet in cold conditions. These shoes are mostly water- and windproof, and the soles have plenty of tread, so you keep your grip on slippery surfaces too. Men's winter boots come with laces, while for women there are snow boots with and without laces. Many snow boots are finished with a layer of faux fur.
Foot Protection
Shoes primarily serve to protect the feet against cold and sharp objects. Shoes also offer support: the sole provides cushioning, relieving the joints and reducing the risk of injury compared to wearing no shoes at all.
Foot Problems
Many people walk around with foot problems. This is often caused by wearing the wrong shoes. When a shoe is too big or too small, this can have unpleasant consequences for the feet, such as blisters, bumps, calluses or corns.
Sustainable Shoes
A popular trend in sustainable shoes is making them from recycled material. Recycled PET bottles and recycled rubber, for instance, are two commonly used materials in eco-friendly shoes. The production process, too, is often given extra attention when it comes to sustainability, for example by reducing water use to a minimum and producing as little waste as possible. Vegan shoes are also becoming increasingly popular: these are made without using animal products, with vegan leather as an alternative to animal leather.
Tip
For people with weak feet, it's not wise to wear shoes without lacing them up. Because you don't have a good grip inside the shoe itself, your body will unconsciously correct for it, which can lead to unpleasant injuries.