The Eyes Don’t Have It- Nine Essential Shoe Tips for Men & Women in 2014

by Cathy Berger, Fashion Societe

Why since the dawn of time is there so much fascination about footwear? After all, shoes simply provide protection from the dirty mean streets of the world, right? A “good pair” will outlast most clothing. But does a pair of shoes get noticed before a pair of eyes? Eyes are windows to the soul but shoes, they say, Make The Man – and women are, admittedly, addicted.

For anyone female or male, young or old, rich or poor, who is looking to sartorially reveal something about themselves, shoes are a most popular indicator. The wrong ones invoke hushed snide remarks. The right ones invoke stares and envy. Articles abound that proclaim to reveal what shoe choices really mean about the wearer.

So Ladies first – here are five points for successful shoe looks at work and play:

1. High heeled pointy shoes are all the rage. Studded, colorblocked, ankle-strapped, D’Orsay– we encourage you to peruse with pleasure. Problem is, this trend is hell on toes. If you can’t/won’t wear them because of discomfort, there is an option: Companies like Nike have paired with Cole Haan to offer sleek looks that offer delightfully comfortable toe boxes. This allows breathing space at the point via an ever so slightly round or square “cut off” that still has that desired sex appeal like the pointy toe sports.

2. Know how high a heel you truly can pull off . Face it, not everyone is meant to walk around in five inch stilettos! While sky high heels do look great and make legs look long and beautiful, so do certain lower heels when cut low on the vamp and high on the back of the heel. This gives the illusion of a deeper decline. If you still can’t balance yourself properly with a heel, then try a platform shoe which conceals the elevated area underneath the ball of the feet.

3. Ever leave the fun behind because “my shoes are killing me”? Proper fit is key to happy feet and a good attitude. Make sure your shoes hug the sides and length of your feet regardless of the “size”. Space = Sliding and sliding creates nasty, painful blisters.
Dr. Scholls and others sell padding options that close gaps and ease pressure — use them!

4. Treat yourself to a stylish pair of flats which have been and will remain so on-trend in 2014. Carla Bruni looks hot in them standing next to her husband, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. For us mere mortals, choose something pretty in a neutral color with a little sparkle for an easy go-to, run- around shoe. And a word to our fellow party-lovers: always keep a pair on standby for those nights when you know your feet will need a break from heels.

5. Take care of your shoes. Clean them, polish them. If they are becoming
worn-looking, take thee to the shoemaker and have them repaired with new taps or soles. [This goes for men too, who also should make sure laces are in good shape and not frayed.]

We find men often have more questions about what pant length should be worn with their shoes, rather than what shoe styles are essential.  So Men — here are 4 pointers to guide the right overall look from your knees down:

1.  Jeans – look best when worn with boots or sneakers or casual loafers. The hem should cover the back heel and you should not be able to see the socks (if worn at all).

2.  Chinos – best worn with edgy (not gym) sneakers and should hang quite long over your shoe.

3.  Cuffed [Suit] Pants – should be worn with classic, clean line shoes, nothing casual or thick-soled. Wear with a sharp crease down the front; let them cover and sit on top of the shoe.

4.  Un-cuffed Suit Pants – can be worn with classic, somewhat casual yet current shoes and the hem should come down a little further than with cuffed suit pants and allow for a small break.

With a new year ahead, what better time to “get it right” by starting at the bottom and working your way up! Style and comfort is our fav blend for 2014. Just don’t forget to think of something as you walk that makes your eyes sparkle as well. ~

What Spring Shoe Sizzles for What Style?

Running on with our theme of how the shoes make the man (or woman), it’s essential to know what silhouettes go with what shoes. For example, pencil skits look fantastic with a stiletto and the newest stilettos with the covered platform are fantastic for work.

Fashion Societe loves this look for the office.

These shoes also look great with slim-fitting ankle-length pants.

Ballet flats are still getting tons of traction in the fashion world, but it’s important to remember that flats can make thick calves look thicker, so we recommend wearing them with pants, just like timeless Audrey Hepburn did in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

And now that warmer weather is upon us, don’t forget about cork wedges, which go great with everything, from skirts to shorts and every length pants in between!

Summer Styles

uncomplicated chic

What is your signature summer style? C’mon, we all have one. Well, if you haven’t figured out what yours is yet, there’s still time! And thanks toThe New York Times Magazine you’ve got some inspiration to help get you there. Maybe you’re a hot weather siren, draped in crimson as the temperature rises. Or are you currently trapped in electric ladyland mixing bright accent with bold garment. Personally, we’re spending this summer both uncomplicated and chic with distressed boyfriend jeans, feminine heels, and blousy tops a la Katie Holmes. Whether you’re ready to change up your style halfway through the season or just need a little motivation to bring this summer home, T magazine has it in their Summer Style article. See ya under the sun, gorgeous.

5 Ways to Soothe Sandal-Beaten Feet

Letting your feet fly free in the summer may feel good at first but after a long day pounding the pavement in strappy sandals they need some TLC. Taking care of your feet is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body—they support you, they keep you active, they give you an excuse to spend too much money on fabulous shoes! But tending to your treads is a unique process, one that must begin with a thorough cleansing. Sanitize your feet first and then follow up with a deep soak. Now that your tootsies have been primed and relaxed, emplore a quality scrub to slough away dead cells and break down troublesome calluses. Give your dogs a massage with hydrating lotion and finish by coating them in a night cream under a sock (a surefire way to lock in that moisture!) Follow these steps and more at InStyle magazine and learn how to keep yourself glowing with their broad range of summer skincare tips.

Michelle O marches into Manhattan

With her husband’s party facing an uphill battle in the here-before-you-know-it midterm elections, First Lady Michelle Obama could at least count on support among her fashionable base Monday evening.

Obama and her vice presidential counterpart Jill Biden jetted to New York for a cocktail-hour fund-raiser at Donna Karan’s Central Park West penthouse, where a host of New York designers, including Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Georgina Chapman, Nanette Lepore and Isaac Mizrahi, gathered to show their support.

The First Lady arrived shortly after 5 p.m. and was quickly hustled inside by Secret Service agents. Barricades and some preexisting scaffolding on the building’s facade ensured that onlookers would only get a side view of Obama on her way in. Those quick enough to catch a glimpse saw that the First Lady, now a veteran in such matters, wore a camel-colored coat over a dark dress — both by Donna Karan — with silver heels.

After the Karan-hosted cocktail party uptown, Obama was Broadway-bound. Sarah Jessica Parker, another design-friendly Democratic pal, was due to host a special performance by Patti LaBelle at the St. James Theater.

Guests who attended the evening’s Act I sung Obama’s praises as they headed back out into the fall chill.

“I think she is the perfect trifecta,” Kors said. “She is powerful, human and galvanizing.”

Nanette Lepore said that even though the encounter was short, it was well worth it. “It is so important to get the enthusiasm back to what we had two years ago when the President was elected,” Lepore said.

“She is gorgeous and smart,” said von Furstenberg, who dashed off early for another political event. “Unfortunately I had to leave before she spoke, because I had to support [Richard] Blumenthal, hopefully my future senator in Connecticut.”

The early goodbye was something of a theme on Monday night. Russell Simmons left about 20 minutes before Obama arrived. He had thought about sticking around to chat to the First Lady about well-being initiatives in schools, a topic he’s raised with her before.
http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/michelle-obamas-manhattan-moment-3342907?module=featured_stories

Fact: Those “to-die-for” High Heels May Alter Anatomy

(HealthDay News) — High heels may turn heads, but new research shows the long-term cost of wearing them is even steeper than the sky-high price tag of some coveted brands.

• High heels do put stress on the back and knees. Squeezing into high heels with narrow toe boxes can cause a condition called Morton’s neuroma, a painful thickening of tissue between the third and fourth toes.

Another horror- “Haglund’s deformity”, sometimes called the “pump bump,” occurs when back straps of heels dig into the tissue around the Achilles tendon. Too-tight shoes can bring on bunions, an enlargement of bone or tissue at the base of the big toe that pushes the big toe toward the second toe.

• Pointy shoes can worsen hammertoe by forcing the toes to bend at the middle joints, eventually causing them to stay bent and rigid even when barefoot.
• And then there are those uneven-sidewalk wipeouts that lead to ankle sprains and breaks.

The fix for many of these conditions, podiatrists said, may come as bad news for those emulating “Sex and the City” fashionista Carrie Bradshaw: Box up your stilettos and wear more sensible footwear. 

That’s what podiatrists say. To that I say, BOO HOOOOO.  Put a pair of flats in your bag and definitely use them for extended walks.  But nothing changes your look, your attitude, a bystander’s glance… like a pair of sexy high heels.

Love this post from Who What Wear about the Lace up boot trend…

Utilitarian Boots / Sam Edelman Vancouver Booties ($225)
There is nothing like an outdoorsy boot to get us in the mood for a little power walking, which is why we’re so excited about fall’s rugged options! This season, high-heel boots are taking on new terrain and going utilitarian, bringing us to our next essential pick for the autumnal season: Sam Edelman’s Vancouver Booties. These heavy-duty lace-up booties are certainly stylish, and they offer an easy way to give your look an earthy vibe. We suggest pairing them with Fair Isle sweaters, cozy knit layers, and shearling jackets for a spot-on ensemble.