I Love Your Shoes!
How often do you hear that?
If someone is wearing a beautiful pair of shoes, or even strange ones for that matter, they demand our attention.
The term ‘well heeled’ literally references those with a big enough budget, who are able to drop £700 on a pair of shoes without batting an eyelid.
The right shoes can go a long way to making you feel confident, special, dressed–up or ready for a meeting involving important decisions.
Shoes also show the individuality of the person and help people to be expressive and creative.
For many, a personal style and outfit, will start with the shoes and the outfit can build from there.
Top ten tips for feeling great in your shoes.
Choose a pair of heels you can walk comfortably in.
Shoes that are too high or uncomfortable, will affect your walking and posture.
Shoe shopping is best at the beginning of the day when your feet are fresh, and not swolen.
Take foot hosiery or tights with you when trying on shoes, not every shop has them.
Practice walking in your heels with your head held high, chest out and stomach in and you will walk more naturally.
If you look down at your feet, chances are you will end up there with them!
Wear a lower block heel if you are not used to wearing heels, as this will build confidence.
If your feet are on the large size, look for a rounded toe to give the foot a smaller and neater appearance.
Wear a nude heel to make your legs appear longer and slimmer.
Have a least 1 pair of ankle boots, nude heels and 1 pair of metallic finish boots or sandals. These will go with everything in your wardrobe.
Read this potted history of 3 influential, iconic & contemporary shoe designers.
Doctor Klaus Maertens, from Munich, Germany served as a Doctor in the 2nd World War. He injured his ankle skiing in the Bavarian Alps and could not wear his issued army boots so while he was recovering, he developed a way of adding cushioned soles to the existing boot later named ‘AirWair’
This was the beginning of the iconic Dr Martens boots.
In the first decade of the boots’ life, women were responsible for 80% of sales, they loved the comfortable and durable soles so much!
Manolo Blahnik, one of the world's most influential shoe designers also knows a thing or two about shoes and believes ‘Shoes help to transform a woman’ he should know. He has kept women well heeled and happy for the past 30 years and designs 600 new creations a year. He also continues to make the wooden lasts by hand himself.
Christian Laboutin is another name synonymous with shoes and he is renowned for his signature red soles which came from an idea he saw of a drawing of a woman’s shoe with a sharp heel, slashed out with a red line.
Both Blahnik and Laboutin have lent their designs and inspiration to films, shows (I’m looking at you Sex & the City!) and celebrities alike and they have beautiful websites where you can learn more about their work and the projects they are involved in.
