Real stories · A little height, proper support

The wedge sandals that give me a little height and all-day support

I'm 67, and finding a summer shoe that's smart, comfortable and easy to get on has been the bane of my life. I like a touch of height — it just feels tidier — but a heel is out of the question, and flat sandals leave my feet aching by teatime. Fiddly little buckles don't help either, not with hands that aren't as nimble as they were.

What I wanted was a proper supportive sandal with a bit of a wedge, something that looked neat with trousers or a summer dress but felt as kind as a slipper. It seemed too much to ask for all at once.

Then I found the Catriona sandals from a British label called York Boutique — closed-toe leather wedge sandals, in the summer sale. I chose the soft taupe, thinking it would go with everything.

They tick every box. There's a gentle wedge that gives me a little lift with real stability, so I feel steady, and a cushioned footbed that's soft underfoot — no more aching by teatime. The closed toe is neat and protective, the caged leather lets my feet breathe, and best of all there's a wide velcro strap I can fasten and adjust in a second. No fiddly buckles at all.

A gentle wedge, a cushioned footbed and an easy strap. My feet don't ache and I feel that bit smarter.

Supportive leather sandals like these, I assumed, would be sixty pounds. But York Boutique sells direct, so they were £29.95 in the summer sale. I was thrilled.

A friend admired them at a garden lunch and couldn't believe how comfortable they looked. They come in four colours — taupe, white, black and a lovely burgundy — and in sizes 3 to 10.

If your feet want comfort but you'd still like to look smart, do treat yourself to a look. The Catriona is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 300 women, it's £29.95 in the summer sale instead of £60 — half price — and the middle sizes always seem to go first.