Select a style that flatters and works with your foot. Look for cushioned insoles that can minimize the shock your feet feel while walking. The older you are and the more you weigh, the more stress on your feet's shock absorbers. Be sure to look at the shoe from the back, not just the front. And, look at the shoe while you are standing.
Feet swell in the afternoon and in the heat.
So, try on new summer shoes in the afternoon to check how they will feel in the dog days of summer. If you feel self-conscious about ugly toes or toenails, wear a more closed summer shoe like a fisherman's sandal. Be sure to treat yourself to a pedicure before you break out the open-toe shoes. Or, have a 14K anklet enlarged by your jeweler. Remember that your and your style are worth more than rubber flip flops.