This post has been republished from an earlier date to include current shopping links…
It’s that time of year when we’re all tired of wearing sweaters and snow boots and ready to pull out the warm weather clothes. After almost an entire year of quarantining and pandemic insanity, we need springtime and sunshine this year like no other!
Although the days are longer and temps are beginning to rise, it’s not yet warm enough to go outside without layers, or to wear sandals without getting hypothermia. If you’re reading this and thinking to yourself, “how does she even wear sandals with afos/leg braces?”, then I suggest you begin by reading my post, Skinny Jeans & Leg Braces.
Of course, as a person who relies on two leg braces to walk, I love that the fall and winter seasons give me the opportunity to wear short dresses with tall boots over my AFOs. This is the dress and boots I wore pre-Covid New Year’s Eve 2020.
Finding cute and wide flat boots to fit over AFOs is not easy. If you want to know what to look for, read my post, Finding Mr. Right Boot. This winter has been brutal on both my body and my temperament. After months of dealing with the snow, ice, and record freezing temps, I’m officially over Winter and ready to give it the boot…rather, the bootie.
What’s a bootie? A bootie is a cross between a shoe and a boot, and it’s the perfect transition shoe to take you from Winter to Spring. Also, booties by their very nature, have built in ankle support – a bonus for those of us who have foot drop and neuropathy.
Since I choose not to show my AFO’s on a regular basis, I like to pair my booties with cropped denim that hits my legs right at the top of each shoe. For example, in the image above, I’m wearing an old pair of jeans that I cropped and frayed myself to wear specifically with booties and hi-top shoes. You can learn how to do this easy hack in my post, How To DIY Frayed Denim.
Shopping update: Some of the booties originally featured here are no longer available. I’ve gathered my current picks in one place so you can browse styles, sizes, and widths on ShopMy.
Shop my current AFO-friendly bootie picks
Every AFO and foot is different, so check each style’s opening, width, and insole details before ordering.
Found a pair you love? Let me know in the comments below!
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Xoxo
Lainie
I wear a new type of AFO that was carbon generated. My ankle is locked in place. My ortho guy is wonderful and has done all he can for me. I wish there was a heavily padded sock, or gel filled sock that would cushion my protruding ankle and the outer edge of my foot that is sore from calluses. Do you have any suggestions.
Signed,
In Pain
Hi, these are awesome https://shopstyle.it/l/bV8AU
You can put them directly and the brace where they rub or on your ankle. They also have a few other styles. I hope this is helpful.