{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
March 31, 2011 
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To commemorate the launch of Ivanka Trump’s debut shoe line, we figured we’d showcase just a few of our fave styles from this mogul mama-to-be!
Best Office Pump
When it comes to selecting a shoe for the office, it’s no surprise that the daughter of “The Donald” has it well and truly covered. The Gurdia is a sleek and sensible pump that boasts a smooth leather upper, an elongated pointed toe, and sexy cutout detailing at the side and heel. A soaring 3 1/2-inch stiletto heel ensures that you’ll be standing tall all day long.
Best Business Flat
If you have a job that has you darting here, there and everywhere, then you’ll need a fashionable flat that will go the distance. Enter the Magnoli, a soft, classic ballet flat featuring smooth leather, a rounded toe, ruched detailing at the side, and a lightly cushioned midsole. We think you’ll agree… making a coffee run has never looked more chic.
Best Party Pump
She might be all business in the boardroom, but Ivanka likes to cut loose and her shoe line shows just that. We suggest you take a walk on the wild side with the stunning Pinkette pump, which features a sexy leopard print pony hair upper, a rounded toe, and a soaring 4-inch heel.
Best After-Hours Flat
When you work a 9-5, the weekends are all about running – for errands, for shopping, for fun! Ivanka has you covered with the adorable Scapoli, a jelly-like flat that is available in a host of far from business-like hues (OK fine, they have black too!) These chic flats are embellished with gold buckle and leather detailing at the toe, making them look far more expensive than their $80 price tag would suggest.
Best Wild Card
With all her fame and fortune, Ivanka has walked a red carpet or two in her life and has shared a design that is sure to wow even the toughest fashion critic (we’re looking at you Joan Rivers!) The Bulbli is available in your choice of classic black, a rich navy, or a sexy red hue, and features a patent leather upper, a flirty peep toe, and exposed side panels. The real show-stopper, however, is the sexy ankle strap with buckle detail and covered 4-inch stiletto heel. Perfect-o!
Lianne Woolley
March 30, 2011 Comments (0)
You probably have a load of flat T-strap sandals and gladiators in your shoe closet, so go for an edgier look this season with lace-up sandals. What’s our favorite thing about lace-ups? They’re comfortable, easily transition from day to night, and they add a trendy spin to your summertime wardrobe.
Mad for Madden
If you need a black pair of sandals that say “summer,” go for the Steve Madden Gilliee sandal. The sandals are ideal for day or evening and have a subtle wedge that can work for serious walking tours in an unknown city or dancing the night away. When wearing the Gilliee sandal in the day, go for casual tops and shorts or a tank dress. For evenings out, go with a body conscious frock or a racer back tank in a feminine fabric (think silk or lace overlay) with a skirt that has movement. Gilliee sandals are also available in a warm cognac tone, making them the go-to lace-up sandals for those with medium or deep skin tones.
Tan-Tastic!
The Cabaret sandals from Joie are available in tan and black, but it’s the tan version that has our hearts. That fabulous shade works with just about anything! Wining looks for spring and summer include prints like paisley as well as geometric shapes and ikat. The tan Cabaret sandals look trendy without competing with such bold styles. Cabarets also allow you to experiment with your pedicure color. When wearing a neutral shoe color, like tan, go with statement-making polish colors like bright blue or lavender.
Gray is the Word
Gray is a smart shade for spring and summer. It’s neutral, but looks a bit more fashion forward than other versatile colors. The Baroque sandal from Mia is available in this fabulous gray shade and has subtle slits that offer a peek of skin throughout the upper. The sandals have a small wedge heel, making them a great pair of shoes to wear with dressy shorts or a sun dress. Because the shoes are a dusty gray color, you’ll want to play them up with bright shades. Try pink, neon hues, and jewel tones to add that summer vibe to these neutral sandals.
Samantha Cabrera
March 29, 2011 Comments (0)
A new report by ShopSmart magazine, a sister publication to Consumer Reports, has unearthed a number of interesting facts and statistics regarding women’s shoe buying and wearing habits.
The Survey Says…
According to the survey of 1,009 American women, women own an average of 17 pairs of shoes and buy approximately three new pairs per year. On average, it seems we’re keeping the purse strings firmly tightened, spending approximately $49 per pair of shoes. However, nearly a third of us admit to doling out more than $100 for those gotta-have-it-shoes at one point or another.
Perhaps more telling, however, the survey found that 14 percent of ladies have concealed a shoe purchase from a husband or boyfriend at least once.
In terms of our buying habits, 29 percent said they like to do their shoe shopping online, up from 14 percent in 2007. However, 39 percent said that they’ve had to return at least one of those online purchases. In addition, one in five women indicated that going shoe shopping is their activity of choice if they’re feeling down.
Heel Height
As for what we’re buying, the survey reveals that 40 percent of women are keeping it comfortable, opting for flats, while 8 percent are buying heels that are only around 2 ½ inches. However, a quarter of survey takers revealed that if it’s a special occasion, they want to stand head and shoulders above the competition in heels that measure over 4-inches tall.
While 60 percent of us indicated that we’re willing to “suffer for fashion” in sky-high heels, up from 49 percent in 2007, we’ve gotten super savvy about it. About 60 percent of us have learned to tote around an extra pair of comfy shoes for the end of the night.
Commenting on the results of the study, Lisa Lee Freeman, ShopSmart’s Editor- in-Chief, noted that, “shoes never make your butt look big, you don’t have to worry about squeezing into them if you’ve put on a couple of pounds, and they can instantly make you feel sexier. Maybe that’s why, despite the economy, we’re still buying shoes.”
So what do you think? Do you believe this survey has captured your shoe habits, or are you going against the grain?
Lianne Woolley
March 28, 2011 Comments (0)
Cork heels are fabulous because they look stylish, but they’re also incredibly functional. They create a soft tread for your feet and feel comfortable for hours. Whether you’re traveling or just trotting around town, cork heels are brilliant for adding a little texture to your look and keeping your tootsies grounded.
Retro ‘70s Style
The Hannah sandal from 7 For All Mankind combines the block-heel trend along with the cork heel. The nude leather straps reach across the top of the foot and have a buckle closure at the side. Hannah sandals can add a ‘70s touch to any outfit and look great with shorts. The heel is high enough to add some drama, but the nude color and block heel prevents the look from being a bit overbearing. Wear the Hannah sandals with sun dresses, shorts, capri pants or skinny jeans this spring.
Feminine Details
For a dainty take on cork heels, try the Carmelized sandals from Rocket Dog. These tan sandals have an ankle strap and cage detail across the top of the foot with a peep toe. The stacked heel is easy on the feet and measures in at 3 inches. These girly sandals can go from day to night by adding a few gold accessories. In the day, wear the Carmelized sandals with a print blouse on top and capri pants. For evening, switch out to a sun dress or maxi dress and pile on the gold bangles or a pair of large golden hoop earrings.
Glamed-Out!
Go for major glamour in a cork heel with Hide Away platform sandals from Chinese Laundry. They’re statement-making shoes fit for a breezy summer night and your favorite little white dress. These sandals aren’t for every day, but they work for those nights when you need a fairly comfortable shoe that looks hot! If you want to dress them down a bit, try an asymmetrical blouse with tapered slacks or a simple top and skinny jeans.
Samantha Cabrera
March 24, 2011 Comments (0)
Do you suffer from one of these “rude shoe” habits? You might not even know you’re committing one of these no-nos, but they can impact your image and even your job!
Clunky Wooden Heels
You may love the look of a wooden-heeled pair of shoes, but they can be so noisy on linoleum break-room floors or hardwood floors. (You want to look fabulous, but you definitely don’t want to be the girl who makes that clop-clop-clop noise all around the office.)
Solution: Look for wooden heels that also feature a thin rubber pad to soften your step. And like mom always said, remember to pick up your feet when you walk.
Smelly Shoes
I once worked in an office in an extremely cold part of the U.S. Due to the low temperatures, many of my co-workers usually slipped off the heavy boots they wore to the office and wore booties and slippers while sitting at their desks during the day.
Take an office that’s got the heater blasting, plus multiple pairs of musty boots, and you can imagine the less-than-favorable environment that surfaced from time to time. One offender would leave the office smelling almost like a men’s locker room!
Solution: Rotate your shoes to prevent the bacteria from thriving in that hot environment they love so much. Or at the very least, lock the old boots up in that bottom drawer of your desk.
Out-of-Season Eyesore
It’s hard to work in face-to-face customer relations as it is, but when you’re wearing out-of-season footwear, it’s even harder. White leather pumps in the dead of winter will look strange with a black suit, and it can be off-putting to co-workers and style-conscious customers. Those pumps aren’t exactly ideal for the weather conditions, either.
Dressing appropriately for your job is a small, but extremely important, way to help push you up that corporate ladder. So make sure that your style has flair, but is appropriate for the season.
Solution: Buy styles that can take you from one season to the next. Classic black ballet flats will see you through spring, summer, and most of the fall, while low-heeled boots can typically be worn from fall to early spring.
Shoe Pain on the Job
Have you ever worked with someone who complained that her feet hurt? Whether you’re simply making the rounds in the office or hitting the road on assignment, don’t drag co-workers down because you’re fending off blisters and painful sores. Wearing shoes that are good for unexpected scenarios will keep you from being a “pain” to your office buddies.
Solution: When you get a new pair of shoes, test them out. Walk around the house, out to the mailbox, even to the grocery store. This will let you know if they’re comfortable enough to handle your 9-5.
Any other rude shoe issues that bother you? If you work in an office, you can probably come up with one or two… list them below!
Meieli Sawyer
March 23, 2011 Comments (0)
We might complain about shoes that look great but fall apart after they’ve been worn two or three times, or the trials of finding divine shoes only to discover they come with astronomical shipping costs, but we should be glad we have it so easy. A weekend marathon of films featuring 1920s silent film star Clara Bow, who also appeared in a few talkies, such as The Wild Party, Dangerous Curves, and The Saturday Night Kid, revealed what shoes were really like more than 90 years ago—and it wasn’t all Hollywood glamour.
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