I was always just like you describe--hated shoes, hated buying them, resented the money I had to spend on them, absolutely detested wearing them. Had never had a truly comfortable pair of shoes in over 55 years. At any given time, it was rare for me to have more than about 3-5 pairs (one dressy, a pair or 2 of sandals, a pair or 2 of sneakers. Like you, my feet are over 1/2 size different from each other. Then I had a foot problem and made a visit to a WOMAN podiatrist. Not only did she help the immediate problem that sent me to her, but she evaluated my feet--they're basically shaped differently than most of the population--and she recommended a couple of brands of shoes. Now? I LOVE shopping for shoes, love wearing them. I'm more comfortable in them than out of them now that I have great shoes that fit well, and I don't mind paying $50-60 per pair, because I know I'm getting my money's worth--in both comfort and quality (the first pairs I bought at her recommendation, over 3 years ago have been worn a lot, but still look like brand new). Guess my point is, maybe finding the right brand of shoes for your feet might make a difference to you. This is one branch of medicine where I believe it's important for a woman patient to see a dr. who is a woman--not only do they know the medical info, but they undertand fashion concerns as well, and can give really good advice. If you could find a brand that is as comfortable for you, as I have--might be worth spending a few $$$ for a podiatrist visit? Good luck.

Your best bet is to ask your podiatrist what she recommends (I do hope your Pod is a 'she'--one area of medicine where it makes a HUGE difference, IMO. Women pod. are much better able to understand BOTH the medical and FASHION issues of their patients--LOL) I have heel spurs and plantar Fasciitis. I also have rather unusually shaped feet, apparently. My podiatrist recommended that I wear only 3 brands of shoes, ever--Clarks, White Mountain, and New Balance. As soon as I put on my Clarks my feet feel like they're in heaven. They are so well made, so well-shaped, that I haven't needed to have orthotics made. Now--they may or may not be good for your foot problems, so you really should check with your dr. Will ad this, though. One day last week, I was going out, it was raining cats and dogs, and I really didn't want to ruin an expensive pair of Clarks, so I dug out some old sandals. Just wore them for an hour or 2, but boy, did I notice the difference. They're in the Goodwill bag now. Just not worth wearing the wrong shoes.

Shoes. Always a problem. My feet are flat skis. I wear a size 10 AAAA. I walk out of almost all shoes so have only a few pair. I've worn the same pair of size 10 4A with a 6A heel dress pumps to everything for 20 years! Found those precious shoes quite by accident, a brand no one has ever heard of, in a shoe warehouse for something like $50, the only pair there among thousands that I could wear, and they fit well except for the heel. Something about the vamp, I guess. The old man in my shoe repair shop has reheeled and resoled them, kept the leather in good condition, and he did something to the inside heel twenty years ago so they stay on my feet. BUT....he is going to retire next year and nobody wants to buy his business. Woe is me, even he chuckles and says he doesn't know what I'm going to do when he's gone. I don't know how much I've invested in that one pair of shoes over the years. It's better that way. I'm jealous of people who can have lots of shoes. Eta grammar. Oops.

Honestly, I don't think you're too old if you can wear them and feel comfortable. There might be an age limit on thigh high leather boots (one that I've probably passed) but I think platforms in some ways are even more practical. You get even more physical height without as steep of a pitch in the shoe. To me a platform block heel shoe works well with the style of dress. It's not a dainty princess dress or a 1950s church dress. It's a fashion forward style and I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing some edgy shoes with it at any age. Edit: Obviously this is just one anonymous stranger's opinion. At the end of the day, you will know what feels comfortable for you and fits your own personal style. :-)