Some of the links below do offer a very small commission. This does not affect the price you pay in any way. However, when you use the links below, it does help offset some of my website expenses and buy an occasional skinny vanilla latte at Starbucks.
This post has been updated as of August 2023 to reflect current styles and links.
I’m pretty sure fall gets the ‘favorite season’ award for those of us living with disabilities and chronic conditions. I definitely don’t experience Seasonal Self-Pity Syndrome like I do in the springtime.
Personally, my body just works better in the fall. The temperatures outside are typically ideal —not too hot or too cold. And with pumpkin spice lattes and the return of all my favorite TV shows(with the strike, probably not this year 😥), life is good.
Of course, one of the best parts about fall as an AFO (leg brace) wearer is that there are way more fashion and shoe options to choose from.
I love that after a long, hot summer of wearing pants and long maxi dresses, I can finally show a bit of leg by pairing short dresses (not too short) with tights and a fab pair of tall boots over my leg braces. But, my favorite everyday outfit for fall is a pair of comfy and stylish jeans with ankle-friendly booties. Be sure to keep scrolling to find links to all of our favorite denim and booties of the season.
Ok, are you ready? Let’s begin with denim.
Disability Friendly Denim
For those of you who think skinny jeans aren’t your thing (yep, they’re back in style again) and perhaps wear bulkier styles of AFOs, you may be happy to learn that bootcut, flare, and straight-leg jeans are also the rage this season.
Although I love wearing my DIY ankle length jeans with frayed/raw hems with cute velcro sneakers, this season’s assortment of wider-leg jeans looks awesome with both sneakers and booties.
When it comes to denim, I look for mid or high-rise jeans (the extra coverage is like built-in Spanx) in a super stretchy poly, cotton, or Lycra fabric. I like my denim really soft, like leggings. I look for denim that’s flexible enough to stretch over my leg braces but not so tight that they hug (and show) the outline of my brace.
Since I have difficulty with buttons due to neuropathy, I’m loving all of the “pull-on” styles of denim available this season. Many of the pairs below feature “pretend” buttons and zippers that disguise their elastic waistbands and look like real jeans vs. leggings.
Slide and click on the photos with links attached below to shop the best pull-on styles of AFO-friendly denim available now:
AFO & Disability Friendly Booties
Now onto the fun part, or maybe the not-so-fun part! If finding and trying on shoes has been exhausting and felt like an intense cardio workout in the past, hopefully, our curated list of AFO-friendly booties below will make it easier.
When shopping for hi-top sneakers and booties (ankle-high boots), I start with ones that are available in wide or extra-wide widths.
Depending on the bootie, some regular widths can work if they have removable insoles and/or footbeds and offer a wide enough opening to easily accommodate my fused ankles and booties.
When a bootie is available in an extra-wide width, I typically don’t have to size up more than 1 to 1 ½ sizes from my regular shoe size.
Also, since I have fine motor weakness in my hands, I look for booties and shoes that have easy-to-grab zippers or adjustable Velcro. I offer a ton more tips for AFO wearers here.
Click on and slide through the photos of our favorite fall AFO-friendly booties and hi-top sneakers below. Make sure to read each description to see if they are available in a wide width size or if they have removable insoles and footbeds.
In Conclusion
Remember, the right clothing and footwear can not only enhance your confidence but also contribute to your overall well-being.
Fall is a time for change and renewal, and with a new pair of trendy jeans and cool booties, you’ll be all set to step into (or, roll into) the season with ease, flair and
confidence.
As always, I love hearing from you. Please feel free to leave a comment in the box below letting us know which jeans and booties you’ve added to your shopping cart.
Cheers to cooler temps, fall colors, and pumpkin spice lattes.
Xo
Lainie
Hi. My beautiful 12-year-old daughter, who’s in a wheelchair, wears AFOs and as she gets older, she will be attending Junior and Senior proms. Now finding the dress is not the problem. The problem is finding dress shoes that she can wear with her AFOs. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing! I get it and your question is why I created this website as I had such a struggle growing up. Keep an eye out (subscribe 6o website) as I will be updating the “12 flats of Christmas post” after Thanksgiving with many dress flats. But, I also want to share that wearing hi-top type sneakers are very popular with teens and adults these days. Have you seen Billy’s? Check them out here. Note, there are many styles : https://shopstyle.it/l/b4nRn
Do you have Instagram?
I’m so sorry for the delay. We are Trend.Able on Instagram.
Hi Lainie,
I have MS and only wear a AFO on my left leg. Are there any companies that you recommend that will sell 2 different size shoes. I often have to buy 2 pairs of shoes in different sizes and it is just too expensive. Thank you for your time.
Carol
Hi Carol,
Yes! I actually have a post on the subject which you can read here: https://www.trend-able.com/odd-shoe-out/
I hope this helps. Also, an awesome one that’s not in the post is Billy’s Shoes. Use this link: https://billyfootwear.com/collections/most-afo-friendly-shoes
Hi – I’m doing some Christmas shopping for my niece, who is 10 going 22. She’s in-between big girls and juniors, so it’s really hard to find her jeans and shoes. She wears a woman’s size 7 and has been wanting some combat boot style shoes for awhile but I can’t seem to find anything that would also fit her braces. Any recommendations or tips of where I can shop for her would be very helpful!
hi Angie, I sent you an email
Lainie, have you tried or reviewed the Vessi Chelsea boot? I just bought a pair. They are GORGEOUS, waterproof, warm, incredibly comfortable, and my Allard ypsilon AFOs fit inside just fine. They slip on, with a loop in back to help. I really couldn’t be happier facing a long cold winter for the first time in AFOs — and wanted to know if others have tried this brand.
Hi Michele, Thank you so much for sharing! They look great! Personally, I don’t love a pull on kind as I would break every nail. I’m really glad they work for you. I just posted a ton of other styles. Have a great week
Thank you so much for all of this wonderful information and the product recommendations!!! It’s obvious that you’ve invested a lot of time and effort into sharing with us, and I, for one, really appreciate it!
That said, almost all of the products shown are way far out of my price range, considering things like:
•My Social Security Disability income isn’t very high.
•I’m not physically able to earn extra money at this point, so my low-income of SSD is also, unfortunately, fixed income which very much limits my budget’s flexibility.
•I would need to decide which necessities I would choose to go without for a few months just so I can buy some footwear and perhaps a couplee pairs of jeans that actually fit my body AND my AFOs, aren’t threadbare, and which could actually be much desired, cold-weather-appropriate clothing, for a change.
Do you have, perhaps, similar recommendations for those of us who are considerably financially limited? I’ve spent way too much time in thrift stores, searching and sorting through the racks, only to check the time and realize that it has been 3-4 hours wasted, with nothing to show for it.
All suitable, high-quality yet low-cost recommendations you could provide would be remarkably useful and especially valued!
Thank you so much! 🙏
Hi Susan,
Thank you for writing and I totally understand. I tried to post a variety of shoes for different budgets but sometimes the less expensive ones are no longer available. If you want to send me your shoe size, I am happy to send some links of shoes that are very budget friendly. Let me know what kind of brace you wear . You can email me directly at info@trend-able.com Let me know what size shoe fits your brace now. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you. Lainie
I live in snow country. I wear tall Arizona AFO on both feet. Hard to find light comfortable winter waterproof boots that’s really work in rain and snow.
Hi Francis, how about these in the EE size – https://shopstyle.it/l/bpcUt
I just discovered you via a comment on Fashion Meets Faith FaceBook page. I had polio as a baby and I am supposed to wear braces but I am finding it difficult to find any shoes except sneakers so this is very helpful. I normally wear girls’ sizes (and I wear two different sizes which is sometimes hard to match and gets expensive) so am hoping some of these options will work with the braces causing me to have to get larger sizes. We will see!! I love your EmBRACE it shirt! Thanks for showing you can still be joyful.
Hi Barbara, Welcome! Thanks so much for writing. Please reach out anytime if you have difficulty finding shoes or with questions. I am happy to help & as you know, I get it! ?
Hello Barbara,
I have CMT and wear AFO’S. I wear two different sizes. 8and10 wide. I have 3 pair of new shoes. If I can help you email me for more information.
Evohn R..
Thanks for sharing!
hello .i get your very good blog..i am disabled .i take part in a lot lot research
my blog.http;//mark-kent.webs.com
twitter.supersnopper
I loved the shoe post, I’m looking for a companion article to your pants for leg braces for guys.
Hi Kalisto,
Please send me an email or Facebook message via Trend-able page about what you’re looking for. Info@box2387.temp.domains
Hi Lainie
I love your posts very inspiring. Am looking for booties for winter. I don’t have AFOs but have quite deep orthotics (no arch left due to collapsible damaged ankles.
Would the boots you recommend for AFOs be suitable for orthotics?
Thanks
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Depending on how deep the orthotics are, yes!. Can you send me a photo of your orthotics? Info@box2387.temp.domains
Spanx jean-ish leggings are by far the best denim for AFOs IMO. And, would love to see work-wear and shoes that are dressier. Even blue rockers say no flats like this, so suggestions that adhere to AFO requirements would be awesome (ie holding the foot in firmly, but also dressy).
Hi Alexis,
Do you wear your Afos on the outside of your Spanx jeans/leggings? I am not sure about “Afo requirements” and personally wear any shoe that fits comfortably & feels secure. I think the instructions that come with Afos are pretty general & dependent on the individual. With that said, there are plenty of sneakers in my Grandma’s shoes post here: https://www.trend-able.com/not-grandmas-shoes/that fit the bill but look dressier than your basic sneaker. Please feel free to write me for more specific help. Info@box2387.temp.domains
Hi Lainie,
I wear A phatbrace which is like an afo/exosym. It wraps around my whole foot and as of yet, I can Only wear men’s size 8.5 eeee extra wide. There in flexion whatsoever for me to get my foot in. What shoes and size would you suggest. I’m sick of going to weddings with sneakers!!!
Thanks
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for reaching out. I just looked up the phat brace and do see why you need the width. Obviously, as you probably already know, you need That open at the sides with zippers or velcro. You didn’t mention what type of shoe you are wanting? Assuming an alternative to a man’s gym shoe right? Have you seen the Billy shoes btw? I do have some thoughts. You can email me at info@box2387.temp.domains .
BTW, I wear narrow width shoes. My left foot is size 9-half, bit of a foot drop. Right foot is size 10. Trying inserts (etsy) which fit in front of toes on left foot. Cheers ladies!
Hi Suaan,
I’m not sure if you wrote another message before this that didn’t come through or not? I rode a whole posts called Odd Shoe Out That also has a pair of insoles meant to fill up space in a shoe that is too large. Hopefully the ones you bought from at se that also has a pair of insoles meant to fill up space and a shoe that is too large. Hopefully the one she bought from Etsy work though ?.
I pick up my first AFOs today and will go shoe shopping as I have none that will take an AFO. I am so used to not finding my size (8AAAA) in shoe stores and having to order them that it will feel very weird to wear a more normal size. Will try for gym shoes first as that should be the easiest to fit. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to wear boots, but it will be 84 today and maybe not cold enough all winter. I’m still in sandals! This will be an adventure!
Hi Lesley,
I am jealous of the 84 degrees as it is getting cold here. Wow! That is a narrow foot. I have the opposite problem. As I told you in the email, good luck with the afo and reach out to me on Facebook anytime with questions.
Hi Lesley, I have been through 3 different types of UFO’s, so I asked my doctor if I could wear boots. Her answer to my question surprised me, and she said yes, BUT they had to be hiking boots, work boots, cowgirl boots or any over the ankel boot which could accommodate my orthodics. I have blue hiking boots and purple work boots, love them. I have a 4A heel and thin foot and exrremely thin leggs. Hunt around and find something nice which offers your ankels good support. I currently live in Arizona and wear boots year round, but I’m ok with that. I am older also, 70. Happy Birthday to you enjoy your day!