Marion Parke Podiatrist Foot Care Recommendations
6 Foot-Care Essentials to Invest In, According to a Podiatrist
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the first instalment, we spoke to Marion Parke, podiatrist and shoe designer, about her top picks for optimal foot care.
Marion Parke is a popular shoe label not only because it's a trusted brand of First Lady Jill Biden — though her public appearances surely helped spread the word — but also because it was founded by a podiatrist. So what does that mean for the eponymous brand? Medical grade insoles that offer stability and structure, to start. Marion Parke, DPM, is a podiatric surgeon trained in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery. When she embarked on a mission to provide women with stylish, yet discreetly comfortable shoes in 2016, the task was more of a side gig. A year and a half later, Dr. Parke realised she had to choose between seeing patients and operating or running a company, and the footwear business won out. However, she still keeps up her licence and attends annual surgical conferences to continue her medical education.
From nail cuticle oil and moisturising lotion to travel essentials and covetable fashion items, Parke's must haves prove she's equally versed in style and self-care.
The reason is obvious: Dr. Parke wants to continue creating the very best for her customers while maintaining a thorough understanding of her production process and how it affects the foot. "At the core of every shoe is a twice-patented insole, which is invisibly integrated into every design from flat sandals and loafers to stilettos and boots," she tells POPSUGAR via email. "The insole is permanently applied in the production process. It's not removable, so it doesn't shift around while you're wearing it, which is particularly important in shoes with heels. Classically and even newer footwear brands that we see emerging, the thought is that extra padding is the answer. The truth is that stability and structure are what make a dress shoe or boot more comfortable and easier to wear for an extended period of time."
For those of us who wear heels often, Dr. Parke offers a reminder that even the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends avoiding wearing high heels repeatedly, day after day, so routine calf stretches are highly advised to avoid plantar fasciitis. Needless to say, the Marion Parke Classic Pump is currently the bestseller, especially since Biden's partiality became known — a feat Dr. Parke still celebrates. "The honour and excitement of knowing she wears my shoes has not faded in the least," she says. "My husband was sorting through the mail, laughed, and said - 'Well, you don't see this return address every day.' It was from The White House!" Of course, knowing that family and friends are still wearing her original Bernadette Mary-Jane that debuted at time of launch is most special. In fact, the team is currently working on bringing back the silhouette with a fresh collection consisting of intriguing heel shapes, new toe characteristics, and hardware.
Dr. Parke likes to be clear about the fact that her shoes are not meant to guarantee solutions to injuries and are really just built around average, or "normal" feet. That being said, she does have reliable tips and product suggestions for optimal foot care, all of which are outlined below. From nail cuticle oil and moisturising lotion to shower essentials and covetable sandals from her line, Dr. Parke's must haves prove she's equally versed in style and self-care — which is the exact sense you get when shopping on her website.
Marion Parke's Foot Care Must Have
Public Goods Tea Tree Essential Oil ($7, originally $10)
"Tea tree is a natural antifungal, which is great for places like showers and sneakers that are harbour for fungus. Not a terribly sexy subject, but we're talking about taking care of your feet! A few drops in the shower every day or spraying down sneakers from time to time is a great way to reduce the fungal load and reduce odour."
Marion Parke's Foot Care Must Have
Tweezerman Sole Smoother Callus Stone ($19)
"Everyone should have a pumice stone with a handle in their shower. The handle is key to letting the pumice stone dry out between showers. Avoid metallic devices that have blades. It's too easy to overdo it and cut yourself, which is especially risky for diabetics who are prone to infections."
Marion Parke's Foot Care Must Have
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturising Cream ($20)
"This is a great drugstore option for body lotion that isn't too heavy. I also like that it comes in a pump instead of a tub."
Marion Parke's Foot Care Must Have
L'Occitane Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil ($22)
"My friends will all attest that I live for this cuticle oil. It's especially nice in the winter, but makes your fingers and toes look like you just got a fresh mani-pedi all year long. I give this as a gift often."
Marion Parke's Footwear Must Have
Barefoot Scientist Sleep on It Overnight Moisturising Gel Socks ($24)
"These overnight gel socks are great for dry cracked heels. Be sure to check in-between your toes each day to make sure you're not getting 'over moisturised' while trying to treat dry feet. If you find you're having that problem, then this company also offers a product that goes around the heel only."
Marion Parke's Footwear Must Have
Marion Parke Ellison Flat in Silver ($550)
"From the newest collection, I love the Ellison flat in silver mirror metallic. I plan to wear it day and night."
