Nothing causes a fashionista to totter in horror more than the term 'comfort shoes' - think ugly, bulky footwear that supports the foot but limps in the sartorial stakes.

However, Singaporeans are getting used to the idea of donning these uggs, now that some brands are stepping up the style quotient.

British brand Scholl, for example - known for its variety of footbed technology that supports different parts of the foot - reports an annual double digit growth here in turnover.

In recent years, it's been printing patterns on the footbed and manufacturing uppers in bright hues to boost its appeal.

Over the past year, two new multi-label stores devoted to selling comfort shoes have also upped the pace.

Arch Angel, which opened at Delfi Orchard last June, retails Israeli brand Naot, American brand Oh! and Dutch label Xsensible. At Suntec City, Comfort Shoehaus opened in March last year selling German brands Josef Siebel, Ara, Romika and Gabor.

Both say they saw a niche in the shoe market that they could fill.

Retailers point out that manufacturers are trying hard to do away with the 'ugly' tag comfy shoes are saddled with.

Danish label Ecco, for example, turns to trends for design inspiration. Italian label Geox is using striking colours like gold and silver.

If podiatrists had their way, towering stilettoes would get the boot. Podiatrist Daryl Dupreez of the O&P (Osteopathy and Podiatry) Centre at Tanglin Shopping Centre ruefully acknowledges: 'Most comfort shoes are usually unfashionable.'

Podiatrist Melissa Phua at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's podiatry centre says even people with foot ailments such as calluses can wear 'normal' shoes, as long as they watch the shape of the footwear.

Here are some pointers for buying new shoes:

• There should be about one thumb's space between your longest toe and the front of your shoes.
• Go wide on the toebox, especially when you have calluses and corns, to reduce irritation to the area.
• Slip-ons need to be a tight fit to stay on, which adds pressure to the foot. Those with adjustable buckles are a boon.
• Heels should be broad so that pressure is evenly distributed.
• Heels should ideally be 2cm high at most to prevent your foot from sliding downwards and adding pressure to the ball of the foot.
• Wearing slippers usually mean you have to use your toes to grip the footwear and there is little support for the heel.
• If you're going open-toe, get some slingbacks that hook the shoe onto the foot and prevent swivelling on the ball of the foot.
• If you have foot pain but still want to wear stilettoes, make sure you don't stand too long in them. Or switch shoes throughout the day.
• Get fitted in the late afternoon when your foot size has expanded to its maximum.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Mar 20, 2008.