Let’s talk swollen feet people.

I know.  It’s all glam and posh topics on Bower Power.  We are basically Vogue over here.  But swollen feet are real.  And the pain of squeezing your feet into uncomfortable shoes is one that hits a little close to home for me.  Am I right Kim Kardashian?

In the last eight years I have been pregnant five times…and my pregnancy symptoms are always a little different with one exception….I swell like a Thanksgiving float with an anaphylactic reaction to air.  It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter.  It doesn’t matter if I lick a salt cube or cut out sodium completely.  It doesn’t matter what I do or do not do….I’m swelling.  I say that my body knows something is different and it reacts with “DEF CON FOUR PEOPLE PULL THE RIP CORD” and that’s not far from the truth.  My body just likes to swell…..my legs, my face, and especially my feet.

So I thought it might be helpful to some of my fellow mamas out there to share some shoes that fit swollen feet.  Obviously the flip flop is a crowd favorite and rightly so….they are cheap and easy and you can buy some really comfy pairs up a few sizes and it doesn’t burn as much when you need to chunk them during your postpartum deswelling.  That’s a technical term by the way.

Personally I prefer to buy shoes that I can actually keep long term….so these will be some of my favorites that I bought fully intending to wear long after the baby arrives.

Some of them are dressy and some of them are sandals and some are more appropriate for winter wear.

And obviously anything you can try on first is ideal.  But here are my tips for buying shoes when your feet are giant fluffy marshmallows 🙂

FLATS

• Flats with a stretchy material are always best
• Get at least a black and a nude flat as they work with pretty much everything
• You may have to bump up a half of a size so keep that in mind
• Pointy toes elongate the foot to make it look slimmer
• Flats with metal or decorations may pinch that area more and allow for less stretch

SANDALS

• Sandals with elastic straps are super comfortable
• Look for sandals that have adjustable straps
• If you need gladiator style sandals, go for ones that have ties that adjust from bottom to top
• Pick sandals with nothing that crosses the center of your foot as this is where the majority of swelling occurs
• Sandals with ankle straps or ties are great as long as they are adjustable or elastic

BOOTS

• Boots with low heels are great for the entire pregnancy
• Slouchy boots are great – go up a half size
• Boots with elastic backs or adjustable buckles are usually winners
• Avoid over the knee boots as your feet might be disproportionate while pregnant
• Uggs are easy for sliding in and out of
• Avoid any slim heel as your balance while pregnant is off
• Wedge boots are always preferred over a chunky heel for comfort
• Look for wide versions of your boots and you can still wear them later with extra socks

SNEAKERS

• Your foot may expand or lengthen while pregnant so some pre pregnancy sneakers may fit – just switch thick socks out for super thin ones
• Opt for wider sizes when available
• Sneakers that adjust with laces or velcro usually snap back for post pregnant feet better than stretchy materials
• Get a shoe horn to help slide your feet into tighter shoes and wear polyester based socks vs cotton

Here are some of my favorites.  All of these I own or have a very similar version of so I can vouch for them!