{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
July 27, 2011 
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I filled you in when Crocs went from being the favored footwear of the medical professional to something that I, a non-medical professional and die-hard slave to footwear fashion, would step out in. I mean seriously, how cute are these Kaela flats and Mimilita wedges?
Now, I feel that it’s my duty to inform you that the folks over at the famed clog company have put their design hats on again and decided to branch out into the athletic footwear space. The men’s line became available this past spring, but the women’s collection hit stores just recently. And the verdict is: We like it!
At a time where we can purchase glow-in-the-dark sneakers, sneakers with springs or tubes in their soles or even tush-toning trainers, the Croc sneakers have traded in flash for class. Available in slip-on or lace-up styles in either leather or canvas, these sneakers are sporty, lightweight, and perfect for getting you through the remaining days of summer and into early autumn.
If the look of these shoes seems a little dull to you, there’s always the option of purchasing them in a bold hue in order to turn the volume up on your overall look. The sneakers are not only available in neutral shades of white, brown, and black, but you can also get them in bright shades of red, blue and lemon yellow.
According to marketing chief Andrew Davison, Crocs launched the sneakers in an effort to appeal to all buyers and be a shoe for all seasons. He also noted, or warned depending on how you view Crocs, that over the “next couple of seasons, you’ll see us push the boundaries of what a casual shoe is.”
Lianne Woolley and Dana Robinson
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night. Dana Robinson is the Editorial Manager of myShoes.com.
July 19, 2011 Comments (0)
Flicking through the pages of my favorite fashion magazine, I couldn’t help but notice that “Flatforms” were mentioned not once, but three times, as the “it” item for summer. Flatforms are essentially the offspring of a platform and a flat and were first spotted all the way back in September on the runways of Alexander Wang and Derek Lam. They were also popular at the 3.1 Phillip Lim, Prada and Michael Kors shows (just to name a few!)
Following on from season after season of sky-high, vertigo-inducing stiletto heels, I find flatforms somewhat refreshing! I get to keep the height, which I love, while maintaining all the comfort associated with my favorite flats and those well-worn flip flops. My only concern? Some of the versions of flatforms that I’ve spied have come out looking a little…well, less than sexy. Some standouts that I did manage to fall in love with, however, include Derek Lam’s espadrille-inspired Akiko version and the cute Boca style from Elizabeth and James.
If you’re ready to get the most out of the last remaining days of summer, consider trying flatforms with a truly summer-y, barely there style, like the Betty from Delman. Pair it with a flirty summer dress and you’ll be on trend for the rest of the season.
Lianne Woolley
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night!
July 14, 2011 Comments (0)
It’s nearly back-to-school time, but there are plenty of parents who most likely won’t be putting their young daughters in a pair of Sketchers this fall. Skechers hit pay dirt when it launched Shape Ups, its line of toning shoes for women looking to remove a little jiggle from their wiggle. However, their attempts to market these same products to young girls were met with controversy from parents and podiatrists alike shortly before the summer season officially began.
In ads for the product, slender cartoon girls are depicted running away from tired looking boys dressed as hot dogs, cupcakes, and ice cream. Meanwhile, a girl band playing at a concert sings “Heidi’s got new Shape-ups, got everything a girl wants. She’s got the height, got the bounce, yes, she’s looking good and having fun.”
Critics contend that marketing the shoes only to females—and not offering an equivalent for boys—creates a double standard in terms of body expectations between boys and girls. In a petition to the shoemaker, Change.org said “Skechers is sending a clear message to girls and women–you’re never too young to start hating your body.” Parents, meanwhile, are less than enthused that the shoe maker is suggesting that their pre-school and grade-school aged daughters already need to tone their butts.
Skechers president, Leonard Armato, countered that the company is trying to send a positive message about fitness, noting that “the whole message behind Shape-ups is to get moving, get exercise, and get fit. This is the same messaging being used by the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative, which is aimed specifically at children.” Moreover, a spokesman for the company indicated that the shoes are not aimed at preschoolers, but are instead designed for girls aged 7 and up.
Meanwhile, feet specialists have warned that the shoes might not be healthy for growing feet. Foot care expert Suzanne Levine noted that, “the shoe’s rocking bottom can cause ankle injury, especially if these little kids are running around a lot…you don’t want to disrupt the normal gait pattern in a growing child.” Moreover, she suggested that the shoes may increase the risk of ankle sprains, as well as toenail injuries.
Lianne Woolley
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night!
July 12, 2011 Comments (0)
As you may recall, back in April shoe designer Christian Louboutin, creator of the famous red-soled shoes, filed a lawsuit against YSL for trying to market shoes with those signature red soles in some of New York’s finest retail stores.
Court papers stated that, “Mr. Louboutin is the first designer to develop the idea of having red soles on women’s shoes. The location of the bright color on the outsole of a woman’s pump is said to provide an alluring ‘flash of red’ when a woman walks down the street, or on the red carpet of a special event.” The designer, who trademarked those red-lacquered soles in the U.S. way back in 2008, added that having another brand use his signature red sole was “likely to cause and is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the relevant purchasing public.”
Louboutin asked the court to order YSL to stop manufacturing the four shoe styles in question, and is also seeking approximately $1 million in damages in the case.
There’s no word on the outcome of the lawsuit just yet, but it got me thinking about some of my favorite Christian Louboutin pumps. The shoe designer creates everything from the office-worthy Simple100 pump to the sky-high patent-leather Bianca platform (for party girls only!) to the red-carpet ready Fifi–a sparkly silver peep-toe that simply whispers elegance.
Be sure to keep checking back with myShoes for updates on all of the courtroom drama!
Lianne Woolley
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night!
July 6, 2011 Comments (0)
Shoes are a wonderful thing. They have the power to make you feel sexy, confident, fashionable, or sometimes even just comfortable and happy. We all love shoes, but there are people in this world who don’t have the luxury of purchasing a pair of this season’s must-have strappy sandals. They just need a pair that’s in good condition to keep their feet clean, protected, and dry.
In response to the global need for shoes, Wayne Elsey created Soles4Souls, a charity that collects shoes and donates them to people in need. To date, the organization has given away over 14 million pairs of shoes to people in more than 127 countries. They’ve even donated shoes in response to disasters, including the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011 and the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia in 2004.
To give someone the gift of a sturdy pair of shoes, all you need to do is dig through your closet for gently loved shoes. Then visit Soles4Souls to identify your nearest shoe drop-off location. If, however, you don’t think last season’s Mary Jane’s will be of use, you can also opt to financially sponsor pairs of new shoes to be sent to those in need around the world.
Lianne Woolley and Dana Robinson
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night!
Dana Robinson is the Editorial Manager of MyShoes.com.
July 3, 2011 Comments (0)
As the season reaches its mid-point, nude-hued shoes continue to rule. Below are the best nude wedge heels at every price point:
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If you’re saving your pennies for a tropical vacation and only have a few dollars to spend on the shoes meant to get you there, consider the seriously chic Maribel by Merona. This versatile pump belies its less than $20 price tag with geometric cutout designs, a flirty peep-toe and a stacked wedge heel that measures about 2 ½ inches. This sandal would be perfect paired with jeans for running around town or with a more casual suit for a day at the office.
Another great option if you want a little less coverage is the Egger by Gabrielle Rocha. This dainty summer sandal boasts an open toe complete with feminine bow detailing and two slender straps at the forefoot that finish in a sling-back with delicate metallic buckle detailing.
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For those with a little more money to spend, we love the Desmond by Vince Camuto. This grown up sandal boasts a soft suede upper accented with metal disk embellishments, a bold T-strap, and exposed side cutouts. This sandal is finished with a 3 ½-inch contoured cork wedge heel hidden beneath a layer of smooth suede.
Another great option is the classic Harlow by Franco Sarto, which features a patent leather upper, a peep-toe and a shapely 3-inch wooden heel.
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If the status of your bank account is less of a concern, we recommend the high fashion Pali by Dolce Vita. This cutting-edge sandal boasts a series of bold straps that bisect the forefoot and leg before finishing just above the ankle. A rear, exposed zipper and a nearly 4-inch heel complete this daring look.
If you’re in the market for something a little more classic, check out the Annie by Elie Tahari, a classic nude, rounded toe shoe that holds a dark secret… a snake print 4-inch contoured heel.
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And finally, if your budget knows no bounds, then why not step out in the Vail by Michael Kors. This adorable patent shoe boasts a peep toe, a contoured element at the forefoot, and contoured side panels. This stunning shoe is finished with a covered 3-inch wedge heel.
If, however, you’re in the market for a barely there style, check out the Clume by Kate Spade. This shoe, which also boasts a patent leather upper, features a slender strap at the toe and a matching strap at the forefoot that finishes in a wraparound ankle strap. The real show-stopper, however, is the wedge heel, which features a series of horizontal stripes in complimentary shades of coral, seafoam, and chocolate brown. Perfect!
Lianne Woolley
Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night!
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