So Many Shoes, So Little Time

Women and shoes - its an endless love affair! No matter your body shape or size, you can always find something that will fit your feet. Did you know that the pair you select can complete your outfit (for better or worse), make a statement about your personality, as well as cover/protect your soles when you're out and about?

Each of the many styles that are available probably warrants an entire Hub all to itself. But for those that want to see it all.... you've come to the right place. So let's take a "walk," shall we, into a woman's dream shoe closet.

With summer just around the corner, let's start with the most casual of all shoes: the flip flop. Years ago, people would only wear these to the beach or the pool. Today's dressed-up styles of thongs, and a trend toward casual wear, have resulted in the flip-flop being worn to the mall, to work, and even to the White House! I tend to agree that these shoes are a bit too casual, even with rhinestones and the best pedicure ever, to be worn into professional settings.

Below is a photograph of the college women that were criticized for donning flip-flops to see the Commander-in-Chief. You can see in the picture that, although comfortable, they look a bit sloppy compared to the girls wearing sandals. I am all for comfort, but when going out in public if you want to look your best, add a bit of a heel, even if only 1/4 inch. It will look much more polished and give your legs better muscle definition (i.e. sexy calves). Bottom line: find a nice sandal to wear to worship and definitely into the boardroom! Just about any other place is fair game for thongs.

Click on the small thumbnail images to the above right to see an enlarged photo of several casual versions of this popular footwear.

Another popular casual shoe is the sneaker. There are so many choices out there, your head will spin! Retro is hot these days, with Converse making a comeback. Other manufacturers, including Nike, are capitalizing on the look as well with some of their own styles. Vans remain popular, as are Keds.

Depending on their age and interests, women enjoy bright tennis shoes, funky patterns, and even designer brands (i.e. Coach and Burberry). Sketchers has a wide variety of sneakers, some of which can almost double as flats.

Like the flip-flop, care has to be taken in determining the appropriate time to don tennis shoes. Ellen DeGeneres can pull off wearing them with a suit. Most of us non-celebrities cannot. Sneakers look sporty and carefree - great with jeans, a denim skirt, sweats, or shorts. Make sure that they are clean and up-to-date. Also, running shoes aren't cute with jeans. They look frumpy. Keep your exercise shoes for only that purpose. Get a couple of pairs of casual sneakers to wear at other times for the ultimate in comfort.

Doesn't the name just sound so cute and adorable? Trust me, if you purchase the right size/width of shoe, you will love this style! It is excellent for just about any occasion (work, casual wear, dress). The heel is low enough to prevent discomfort, particularly if you are prone to bunions. Generally, a "kitten heel," is about 1/4-1 inch. In addition to regular shoes, manufacturers have added these heels to mules (shoes without a back or back strap) and flip flops. I own several pairs to give me that extra lift I mentioned above when wearing skirts, capris, denim or even suits. They are so easy to slip on and go, particularly if you wear them without socks.

You can purchase kitten-heeled shoes in a wide variety of colors, leathers, prints and price ranges. Pictured to the right is a pair of Manolo Blahniks. Gorgeous! Click on the other thumbnails to see other great styles.

One additional tip: If you purchase pointy-toed shoes, they will elongate your legs and help you appear slimmer. Fortunately, square-toed shoes, which are also in fashion, do not add apparent weight to your body. Try on several sizes and widths to make sure you get the best fit. Pointy-toes do not necessarily equal discomfort.

For most women (and men), this is the essence of femininity. Nothing says, "look at me," like a nice quality pair of heels. Once again, there is a wide variety of styles, from "regular" heels (1-3 inches), to stilettos. For professional women, the standby pump is a classic. Well-maintained and polished, it can set off your suit in a classic manner. For elegant occasions, strappy numbers are popular. These tend to be less comfortable than many other types of shoes, particularly when the wedding reception is in its third hour and you're still dancing.

Stilettos are ultra-high heels, from 3 inches and up. They can make your legs look great, but your toes and arch could pay the price. If you have bunions, the extra pressure that will result on the ball of your foot may exacerbate the condition. There are probably not many podiatrists that would recommend this shoe to their patients.

Another variety of heels is the platform. These have come back into vogue after being a big hit in the 1970s. A platform shoe has an additional 1/2-2 inches of height in the toe of the shoe, in addition to the heel height. Of course, you can imagine that they may be difficult to walk in.

With heels, it is especially important that you try them on before purchasing. Put them on both feet because there may be a slight difference in size. Manufacturers' sizes vary, so even if you believe you wear a 6.5, you may want to purchase a 7 in one brand, or a 6 in another. Walk around and see how they feel. If you wobble or have difficulty, and particularly if the shoe pinches at all, it is probably time to find another style.

Being as it is springtime when this Hub is published, it is really difficult to discuss boots, or even flats. Boots are seasonal and are very stylish (and practical) when the weather turns cool. Many versions are simply designed for fashion, though, as they have high heels, soft leather and other components that would not fare well if repeatedly exposed to Mother Nature. Then there are Uggs, and other... well, ugly boots. These appear to be practical for snow and sleet, but Hollywood has shown us that even when the sun is shining and its 60 degrees outside, it may be Ugg weather. Look for a follow-up Hub in about 4 months.

With respect to flats, I have a personal opinion that if you are looking for comfort, go with a tennis shoe or flip flop. Flats, to me, are not flattering. I much prefer buying a shoe with a small bit of a heel to add a bit of flair to my outfit. Flats, such as penny loafers and other sensible shoes are not very feminine. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet constantly, then definitely get a few pairs. But if you are selecting a shoe to wear to the PTA meeting, or other casual event, there are many better styles from which to choose.

And, finally, one of the worst shoe-offenders ever: the Croc! They may be cute for your kids, but really.... you are a grown woman. Pick something less plastic to wear on your feet. Even the new styles are still made out of faux material. You've worked hard. You deserve better. If you want a casual shoe for the summer, pick out a nice flip-flop. Too cold? There are plenty of stylish sneakers. Enough said.

One thing to remember with respect to shoes is to keep them in good condition. You would not wear a shirt or coat with stains or holes, would you? If you dress well, then you need to make sure that the look is consistent from your head to your feet. Polish your shoes frequently. Examine the toes and soles for signs of separation or other damage. If you have invested wisely, it is worth your money to take them to a professional shoe repair person. Discard shoes that are scuffed, ripped, broken or otherwise beyond repair. You can wear the hottest jeans, the nicest suits, or the most beautiful gowns, but if your shoes are in ill-repair, they will destroy your entire look.

In a similar vein, make sure that your feet are well-groomed before you don sandals or open-toed shoes. Regular tub-soaking, exfoliation and pedicures can improve the overall look of your feet. Shave your toes, if necessary! There is nothing tackier than chipped polish and dry heels on public display.

So, let's go shopping now! So many great styles and only so much room in the closet, right?