Real stories · Comfort in the sunshine

The summer sandals that finally give my feet some proper support

I'm 67, and every summer it's the same story with my feet. They ache and swell by the afternoon, and the flat little flip-flops everyone wears give no support at all. The prettier sandals always seemed to pinch or rub, so more often than not I'd end up back in my trainers — in the middle of a heatwave.

All I wanted was a sandal that was cool and summery and actually looked nice, but that gave my feet something to stand on. It felt like too much to ask. Comfort or looks, never both.

Then I found the Talia sandals from a British label called York Boutique. A supportive little wedge sandal with a cushioned footbed, in the summer sale. I chose the navy, and I wasn't expecting a great deal.

What a difference. The footbed is cushioned and contoured, like a soft slipper underfoot, and there's a gentle wedge rather than a hard flat sole, so my feet feel properly supported. The soft toe-post keeps everything secure without rubbing, and they're light and airy in the heat. The navy has a smart bit of gold on the strap, too.

Cushioned like a slipper, but smart enough for lunch in town.

Two supportive sandals like these, I assumed, would be sixty pounds. But York Boutique sells direct, so they were £29.95 in the sale. I was so pleased I've had my eye on the sky blue as well.

A friend caught me up on the high street to ask where they were from — that little glint of gold had caught her eye. They come in six colours, and in sizes 3 to 10.5.

If your feet suffer in the heat the way mine do, do have a look while the sale's still on. The Talia is rated 4.6 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.