What shoes to pair with a cocktail dress?

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: i’m going to a wedding in july, bought the dress its terani style 35056C short to the knee cocktail dress in solid black with gold boatneck appliqued bodice all around neckline detail. What color of shoe and style would best fit that type of dress? thanks GIGI

A: Dear Gigi!
I do love a wedding! You don’t tell us where the wedding will be? Beach? NYC hotel? But just going with your description, I’m feeling a real Greek vibe. And what better way to show off that Greek look that some strappy gold sandals.

Ravenna by Sofft is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

The Ravenna by Sofft is a gladiator style (Greek/ Roman – close enough) sandal with a low heel.

Touch Ups Aphrodite Gold at DesignerShoes.com

Aphrodite by Touch Ups is a High Heel Dressy Sandal

The Aphrodite by Touch Ups takes the higher heel approach.

Want more choices? Here are 70 different versions of a gold sandal:
http://www.designershoes.com/?color=36&style=83

Have fun!
The Shoe Lady

Fitting shoes for me – Quality Matters!

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: Dear Shoe Lady, i LOVE the samanta viv pump in beige and the ellie black 8400, my foot measures 28 and a half cm long by 10.25 cm wide using your measuring guide. what sizes should i look for in these shoes? thank you!

Samanta Viv Pump Beige at DesignerShoes.com

Viv Pump by Samanta is a High Heel Dressy Pump

8400 by Ellie is a High Heel Dressy Pump

A: My Dear Isobel,
You sexy thing. You should be looking at a USA size 14. It sounds like you have a relatively narrow foot so you may need to add an inner sole to keep these pumps pumping. The Viv Pump runs on the wide side. I believe the Ellie 8400 is a good medium.

I hope that answers the “fit” questions. But please keep in mind there is a HUGE difference in the quality and styling detail for these shoes. The Viv Pump by Samanta is in a “couture” class, using premium materials, comfort features and styling like the hidden platform. The Viv Pump is all leather and is a shoe for your lifetime. Ellie is meant to be a special occasion shoe to get you noticed but don’t expect a lot of hard ware. It is a fun HIGH heel, but it is not leather.

The Shoe Lady

Reader Email Updates

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Shoe Lady – President of DesignerShoes.com

We are beyond thrilled with the amount of questions submitted through our AskTheShoeLady form. The ShoeLady is working hard to reply to each and every email. There is only one of her. Me (shoelady’s assistant) is not qualified to answer to your questions…..yet!

New guidelines which I will add to the submit form –

1) If you have an event or time sensitive question please add ASAP to the subject and body of the email.

2) All questions that could benefit our readers will be posted on the blog. If you don’t want your question posted please note in your email.

3) If you prefer a generic name to be used please let us know.

4) All questions used on the blog will be offered a 10% off discount coupon if you make a purchase at DesignerShoes.com BUT you must request the coupon!!

5) We reserve the right to change the rules whenever we see fit!

Well that’s it!

Wedged Heels for the Summer?

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: Dear Shoe Lady, Are wedged heels still in for the summer?

–Nicole

A: Hi Nicole,

Wedged heels are still popular this summer. They have the ability to add that extra boost of height. Wedged heels have the beach-ready look that easily puts the summer into city style. The styles range from classic corked wedges to more solid bases. Here are a few selections to get you started. The best part is browsing to find the one that suits you!

This yellow slingback wedge, Sherene from Naturalizer, also comes in red and white stripes. It harnesses the spirit of summer with its woven base and sunny yellow upper.

Softwalk by San Pedro shows exposed stitching details to create an earthy look.

Fruit Plush by Aerosoles has a sueded footbed that adds a soft touch for all-day wear. The crossed straps create a dynamic finish to the shoe.

Best,
The Shoe Lady

DesignerShoes.com – June Blow Out Sale – 25% Sale Items!

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

I wanted to let all our loyal readers know DesignerShoes.com is offering 25% off over 900 shoes already marked down as much as 80% off. Offer expires on July 4th! Use coupon code – JUNEONSALE!

Forgotten Soles shoe is marked down by 50%. Add the additional 25% coupon – JUNEONSALE – that’s saving 75% at DesignerShoes.com!

Falconette by Naturalizer is a Mid Heel Casual Sandal

Falconette by Naturalizer shoe is marked down by 60%. Add the additional 25% coupon – JUNEONSALE – that’s saving 85% at DesignerShoes.com!

Dainty by Annie is a Mid Heel Dressy Slingback

Dainty by Annie shoe is marked down by 40%. Add the additional 25% coupon – JUNEONSALE – that’s saving 65% at DesignerShoes.com!

General by Aerosoles is a Mid Heel Dressy Boot

General by Aerosoles shoe is marked down by 20%. Add the additional 25% coupon – JUNEONSALE – that’s saving 55% at DesignerShoes.com!

Happy shopping!

Shoe Art Project: Senior Collection 2011

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Vanessa

Katey Reim’s Cities of the Dead Senior Collection – DesignerShoes.com

Katey Reim’s Cities of the Dead Senior Collection from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Fashion Department debuted on May 18th, 2011. Katey was able to showcase her work over the past year alongside the redesigned dyeable shoes originally from DesignerShoes.com. The blank slate shoes are typically reserved for simple dyeing projects to match outfits. Reim took the concept of the dyed shoe and added a new level of sophistication and enhanced the idea of customizing footwear. Katey’s artist statement highlighted her inspiration:

“Ready to wear inspired by the above ground cemeteries found throughout the city of New Orleans and the photographs taken by E.J. Bellocq. All fabrics have been digitally printed or hand dyed and incorporate elements from the cemetery. Each piece has its own personality, but a strong color and print story unifies them”.

Katey Reim’s Cities of the Dead Senior Collection – DesignerShoes.com

The garments boast an array of tops and bottoms that are colorful, and vibrant, while carrying an underlying controlled quality. The playful fabrics balance the cleanness of the lines in her collection. The collection came together in a way that paired the shoes with the clothes that could be mixed together in a number of different ways. This was Katey’s original intention, and it was successfully realized. No one pair of shoes belongs with a certain designated outfit. This was a sound idea when also thinking about the shoes outside of the collection. The high-heeled collection can be taken beyond the collection’s scope, and added to a myriad of other outfits. Katey’s Senior Collection demonstrates the artistry and significance of completing an outfit.

Lost Recent Emails!

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Shoe Lady – President of DesignerShoes.com

Any ShoeLady fans that sent an email using our submit form between May 22nd and May 25th I am SORRY to report that I lost them! The form works perfectly. Complete human stupidity.

I wanted to post about the problem because I would hate for our loyal readers and submitters to think I forgot about their question or to feel it wasn’t important enough to garner a response.

If you submitted a question and didn’t receive a reply please please please resubmit here –

https://www.asktheshoelady.com/submit-question/

On a side note if ANY out there knows why that stupid thumbnail keeps appearing above the slideshow on the blog let me know! The blog (as you can see) is a work in progress and a labor of love. I truly believe in the dialogue we are starting. Women struggle to find that perfect fit and we want to help!

Lots of Love,

Shoe Lady and her sometimes stellar assistant.

International Sizes?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: My shoe number in EU is size 40. I have ordered size 9.5. Is that correct?

A: Dear Lisbeth – With no additional information on the shape, width or girth of your feet, 9.5 would be our best guess for you. If they fit, that’s great. But whether or not they are a perfect fit, please read our articles in our website: How to Measure your Feet Correctly so you will know more about measuring your feet, assessing the shape of the shoe and getting the best fit when you shop on line.

Aerosoles Temptress Grey Combo at DesignerShoes.com

Temptress by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Loafer

Thanks!
The Shoe Lady

Hammer Toe Tips

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: My elderly aunt has very painful and difficult feet to fit. She wears a size 11.5 and needs a wider rounded toe to accommodate her hammer toes, but has a narrow heel. Also, she does better with her heel slightly higher than her toes, but not more than 1 inch.

Can you recommend any shoe styles for me to look at for her??

Thank you so much.

A: Dear Kristen-

Aren’t you the perfect grand daughter! Were you trained or do you come by this compassion naturally? A well brought up young lady is such a treasure!

I am in total sympathy with your grandmother, who I am imagining as an otherwise spry, relatively young 70. Hammertoes are ….. well they are the pits. Surgery doesn’t really work well. Those little Dr. Scholls cushions are helpful but annoying because they slip around. The hammertoes get corns and that is painful. So keep that compassion flowing.

Yours truly, the Shoe Lady, is a size 11.5 with a narrow heel and with hammertoes. So I bring more than the usual amount of expertise to this shoe question.

I recommend the big toe box, for sure. When you can’t find a big toe box in shoes, shoes for a dressy occasion for example, get shoes that are either soft leather or fabric (like dyeables) and take them to a shoe repair shop to have the toe box stretched upward to accommodate those hammertoes.

Look at DesignerShoes.com’s SoftWalk brand styles:

For example, Jupiter style:

Softwalk Jupiter Navy at DesignerShoes.com

Jupiter by Softwalk is a Low Heel Casual Flat

Mary Jane straps are a great design feature when you want a wider toe box but have narrow heels. It keeps the shoe on your foot!

Look at DesignerShoes.com’s Trotter’s brand styles:

For example, Heloise style:

Trotters Heloise Pewter Metal at DesignerShoes.com

Heloise by Trotters is a Mid Heel Dressy Loafer

A woven leather will give more flexibility on the top vamp. The vamp comes higher up your foot so it stays on your foot better. The texture makes any “toe bumps” less noticeable.

Whatever you do, do NOT buy styles that have reinforced leather, or toe cap seams across the top of the vamp where those hammer toes will hit. That makes me wince just thinking about it! A seam or a thicker piece of leather will be like steel or a rod against those poor defenseless toes.

Best to your Grams!

The Shoe Lady

Shoe Art Project: Final Designs Part 2

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Vanessa

Annika Benitz along with a packed audience witnessed her maternity wear walk down the runway on May 7, 2011. The venue for Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Senior Collection Fashion Show, Voltage 2011, was held in the open-air Power Station in South Boston. The exposed brick paired nicely with the warmth of the flooding light from the runway. It was thrilling to see everyone’s hard work and care for their collections over the past year. Below is an opportunity to see what came before Annika’s vibrant solutions to shoes from DesignerShoes.com for the expectant mother, as well as the final results!

Before Photos

Clockwise from top left: Meredith by Diane Lynn, Honey by Touch Ups, Meredith by Diane Lynn, Shannon by Special Occasions, and Venus by Touch Ups.

Photo by James Mason

Katey uses a full spectrum of color in her designs, adding to her concept of the seasons for her maternity collection.