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. ~

Shoes – the Down and Dirty About ‘Um, by Cathy Berger

There are different degrees of shoe-awareness. There are people with “shoe fetishes” – obsessive collectors with Imelda Marcos-like stockpiles that fill closets. There are the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, patrons of Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo‘s high fashion. There are those who seek out form over function and make comfort their main priority over style. Then there are those who never know the right shoe for the occasion.

There are different degrees of shoe-awareness. There are people with “shoe fetishes”, there are the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, there are those who seek out form over function and then there are those who never know the right shoe for the occasion.

I was recently at a reception, and the honoree’s shoes had really seen better days – they needed a scrubbing, a polish and a resoling. I can’t tell you how many people I overheard talking about it. Both men and women noticed. It isn’t just a cliché –shoes really can “make or break the man”.  Sadly, sometimes, we do need to send a favorite pair to shoe heaven.

Why is footwear perplexing? Any pair will provide basic protection from the mean streets of the world. But which to wear can convey so much about ourselves. Even when times are tough, spending a little more on a classically designed, well-made pair of shoes not only shows you are practical (real leather, sturdy stitching, and quality soles last longer and can be repaired over time at a fraction of the original price) but they tend to fit better and be more comfy. Remember this: A good pair will outlast almost any other item in your closet, especially true for high quality men’s shoes and classic women’s designs, like basic pumps, flats, and loafers.

But, some of you may be protesting, what about fashion? What about sexy stilettos, platforms with embellishments, and pointy-toe boots with kitten heels? Shoes are an important fashion statement, and we all know, it often takes some discomfort to look good.

Have you ever seen pictures of women who participated in the ancient Chinese custom of foot binding? It’s extreme, but it’s the result of, for lack of a better term, a “fashion craze” that went overboard. Even today, sitting in a pedicure chair, you can see the evidence of women (and men) who are victims of ill-fitting shoes. Pointy-toe styles cram toes into narrow spaces and can cause ugly, painful foot afflictions down the road. Wearing a shoe that fits well is so important, no matter the trend du jour.

If the proper shoe truly makes the person, then it’s important to wear the right shoe for the right occasion which looks good and feels good. It’s an obvious way to ramp up your social and professional image. When you get right down to it, out of anything you wear, shoes are the clearly the most important element of your style.~

6 Must-Have Men’s Shoes | Color Ahead Fall/Winter 2012-13

1. Captoe – Conservative but elegant even in a casual format. Finally – what every man might secretly desire. Because what well-dressed man doesn’t love shoes? Blacksuede cap toe from Mark McNairy, $398.00

2. Monk Strap One step beyond the one thick strap you usually find on a monk-strap loafer, this modern version has two thin straps with a lighter buckles.
Choose this in the morning when you feel like making an understated, stylish statement. Leather shoes ($1,260) by A. Testoni.

3. Wing tip – Most high-powered execs have got a need for them Not all wing tips look right with suits. But this pair, with its closed-lace construction, slim leather soles, and rich brown patina, could hold its own with most any two OR three-piece suit.
Leather shoes ($595) by Fratelli Rossetti.

4. Oxford Lace-up – Casual dress down days for sport coats with slacks You can’t get much more elegant than a finely made black lace-up, particularly when the toe looks like this: not too pointy, not too round, and not remotely square.

5. Loafer – Say no to laces. Face it; some days just call for no ties. A hand-rubbed, skillfully shaped pair of do-I know-what-to-wear-or-what loafers like these Berlutis are just the kind of shoes that command respect. Even at the office. Leather loafer ($760) by Berluti.

6. the Derby – For Every Day: The Shoe You Can Wear Anywhere. In dreams there’s one pair of shoes you can wear everywhere, all the time, from tuxedos to track pants. We’ve looked, and honestly, dreams are just that. What we have found though, is one pair of shoes that you can wear almost everywhere: these chestnut-brown derbies from the undisputed champion of Swiss footwear, Bally. Leather Scribe derbies ($725) by Bally

Color Rules: You need 3 different color shoes- dark brown, black and cordovan. Want to focus on one? Dark brown owes its versatility to a few key features: their rich color (a dark brown beats black for versatility any day), their knack for blending well and being less obvious than black, and their range in hue which reaches farther and wider than pretty much anything else around. Consider them the skeleton key to your closet and wear them with care. Because most other colors aren’t nearly as versatile. Relax on the weekend and on a casual evening with a light shade of brown and for an elegant night, or an important meeting, a dark chocolate-ly shade.

Fighting Lupus is the Fashion for May Lupus Awareness Month

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More than 300 New York’s leading “bag” ladies gathered April 25th at the fourth and largest annual S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s New York Bag Ladies Luncheon in NYC.  The gala raised $250,000 for those struggling with the devastating disease lupus. Kicking off May Lupus Awareness Month, the event included a silent auction of 140 donated designer and celebrity handbags.

Two outstanding women were honored for their long-time support of the work of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation: Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State, Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA National/International and author of the new book The Person Who Changed My Life, and Mary E. Belle, President, Licensing at The Jones Group which includes iconic lifestyle brands such as Anne Klein, Jones New York and Nine West.

Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies, opera legend and S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board member Jessye Norman honored Mary Belle. Introduced by good friend and S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board President Richard DeScherer, Governor Mario Cuomo had the special privilege of presenting his wife with her award.

Board member Jennie DeScherer presented the most moving honor of the afternoon. In memory of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s co-founder who died this month at nearly 102, the Foundation’s New Investigator Grant Program will be named: The Morrie Golick New Investigator Awards in Lupus.

Who’s Who of Attendees Touched by People with Lupus
In addition to Governor Cuomo, several members of their family including Dr. Margaret Cuomo, Maria Cuomo Cole and Cristina Greeven Cuomo were among the audience recognizing Matilda’s contributions. Additional S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board members in attendance include Founder and Vice President Susan Golick; Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, wife of Senator Frank Lautenberg and Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Credit Suisse. Also from the Foundation’s Board were Fern Tessler; Betsey Selkowitz; Carol Weisman and Kate Kelly.

Working Miracles
The event turned generously donated designer and celebrity handbags into pocket-books full of miracles; a silent auction raised funding for the science needed to find a cure for lupus as well as the necessary services to help patients live with the disease day-to-day.

“The funds raised today literally work miracles for those faced with lupus,” said Margaret Dowd, Executive Director, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. Dowd also announced that the 2012 Life Without Lupus Gala will be held November 19 and will honor the very active Foundation Board member and noted philanthropist Fern Tessler.

About Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is a chronic, complex and serious autoimmune disease affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs — the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. Lupus is difficult to diagnose, difficult to treat, and a leading cause of premature cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke among young women.

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.

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.