5 Best Shoes for Pregnancy and Postpartum Comfort (That Still Look Cute!)
Dana Weinstein, Something Good Styling
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Hello FIT4MOM DC! I'm Dana, your Stroller Barre Instructor AND personal stylist (visit my site to learn more about working together!). Today, I wanted to talk about something I spend a lot of time thinking about: shoes.
More specifically, finding shoes that are comfortable and supportive during pregnancy. It can be difficult, because your feet may change sizes, you may have to deal with swelling (which can be mitigated through exercise!), and you may just have trouble finding a pair that’s comfortable. To save you from the pain (and shopping) I went through, I'm sharing my five best shoes for pregnancy and postpartum comfort.
(Note: You're going to catch on to a theme in this post pretty quickly: not needing to use your hands to put your shoes on is key.)
The Sneaker: Kiziks
Sneakers are a must-have for pregnancy. It's not a debate, your whole body needs the support. But, while there are a lot of amazing sneakers out there, there are only a few that you can take on and off without using your hands. Why is this important? Well, at a certain point in your pregnancy, you're going to reach a stage where you can't see your feet or easily bend down to put shoes on. That's why I recommend buying Kiziks as your sneaker of choice. Kiziks are designed specifically to be put on and taken off without the use of your hands. This is amazing for pregnancy when you can't reach your feet and even better for postpartum when you're trying to put on shoes with a baby in your arms. I bought two pairs of Kiziks during my second trimester and wore them through the rest of my pregnancy and postpartum.
Plus, if you have slightly older kids, they've just released a line of sneakers specifically for kids! No more rushing your kids to tie their shoes when you're trying to get out the door!
On a tight budget? No problem! While slip on sneakers can run a little pricey, I've found a less expensive option here and another option here.
Clogs: Rothy's
Why do I love clogs? Let me count the ways: they're comfortable, they go with everything, and they slide on easily. If you search "mules" on my blog, the results are endless. For pregnancy however, I'm pretty specific with the type of clogs I would pick. In this case, I want a clog with no heal, a lot of footbed support, and room for stretch. For this, I would pick the Rothy's clogs. Yes, the Birkenstock clogs are good (they've been around for so long for a reason), but I'm going to say it, the Rothy's are better. They feel like you're wearing clouds on your feet AND they're washable.
While Rothys and Birkenstocks are pretty comparable in price, they are slightly more expensive than your average clog. If you're budget conscious right now, this is an amazing low cost version (but still great quality!).
Summer Sandals: Regular and Rubber
Once you realize that there is a 100% chance that you're going to be either pregnant or postpartum during the summer, you realize that you'll probably need a comfortable pair of sandals. When it comes to comfortable sandals, I've narrowed it down to two categories: regular sandals and rubber sandals.
Regular Sandals
I'm going to cut to the chase on this one. I love Birkenstocks and Cushionaire (a less expensive version). Whether you go with a two strap version, or cross strapped, you know that you're in for comfortable sandals with a good amount of support.
Rubber Sandals
Rubber sandals? I know it sounds like I've lost my mind, but these shoes are surprisingly comfortable. Like walk for a while with no blisters comfortable. These were actually one of my favorites pre-pregnancy, but they stayed at the top of my list through pregnancy and postpartum. Not only are they comfortable to wear for long walks, but they work well as pool shoes. Plus, with all of the fun color and design options, you can find the shoe that's perfect for you. This brand is my favorite, but this is a great less expensive option as well!
Winter Boots
Finding shoes to wear during the winter (that weren't sneakers) was pretty tough for me. I depended pretty heavily on mini Uggs since they were comfortable, warm, and had good support. Also, they were easy to get on whenever I was dealing with swelling. I've also found an alternate, lower price option that is just as good!
However, I had the luck of not having to deal with that much snow. If you're in a snowy location and need something water-resistant, I have two recommendations. The first is Zip Up or Pull-On LL Bean Boots. This pair and this pair both give you the security and perks of an LL Bean Duck Boot without having to deal with lacing. You may have to sit down to get them on, but you won't have to deal with laces. The second is one that I've seen, but haven't gotten the opportunity to try out yet. Remember when I mentioned the Kizik sneakers? Well, they they also have a snow boot and an outdoor boot. You can put on both pairs without using your hands and they offer all of the perks of a regular snow boot.
Bonus: Shoes for Work
Loafer, Black Flat, Cap Toe Shoes
We're reaching the end of this post and I bet you're thinking "But Dana, I can't wear sneakers or sandals to work!" Don't worry, I have some suggestions for that too.
Let's just assume that heels are out of the question at this point. The first shoe I would point you to is the Rothy's Point. Rothy's are great because they'll mold to your foot and stretch as you need them to. They're also washable and their inserts are washable. And if you need a heel, don't worry, they have those too!
If you need something a little nicer, one of my favorite shoes is the Sam Edelman Loafer. I love these because they're comfortable right away and there is no break-in period. They also come in so many colors that you'll be able to find something that fits your wardrobe.
Finally, I have not tried these shoes myself, but I've heard rave reviews about the Margaux Demi Flat and how comfortable it is. However, be warned that these shoes are expensive, so if you think your foot is changing sizes and you won't be able to wear these post pregnancy, don't get them.
Remember, whatever shoes you end up buying for pregnancy and postpartum, make sure that they're comfortable and fit your lifestyle.
P.S. Would you like to learn more about working with a personal stylist? Visit this page to learn more or email me, dana@sg-style.com. I'm waiving my $50 security deposit for all FIT4MOM DC clients, so mention it when you reach out to get this discount.