Shoe Savvy
This November, if you’re feeling a bit low, buy a pair of good heels and stand a little taller.
Women have had a long, torrid love affair with footwear. Fashion trends come and go, yet a high heel has stood the test of time — literally. From horseback riders and royalty, to celebrities and rock icons, the high heel has been an accessory for both functionality, power, stature, esthetics and seduction. High heels in present day are typically worn by females according to social mores, though fashion icons like Prince, The Beatles and David Bowie were known to don a high shoe. French monarch, Louis XIV wore a scarlet soled high heel shoes, which were believed to have inspired the hue on the most coveted high-dollar shoes from Christian Louboutin.
“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” –Marilyn Monroe
Women love beautiful shoes, and they love purchasing pair after pair. No matter your fluctuation in dress size, your shoe size typically remains constant. The case for wearing a fabulous shoe is almost exclusively based on esthetic reasons. Certainly a higher heel will make you stand taller, elongate the leg, accentuate the calves, enhance your posterior and shift your gait seductively from side to side. Still, putting on a well-fitting gorgeous high heel can also make a woman feel powerful, intimating and attractive. There is something to be said about the ability to walk and conduct big business in a 4 inch pointy-toe pump. A hot shoe can be a significant mental and physical confidence booster.
“I’m not afraid of heights, have you seen my shoes?” –Carrie Bradshaw, Sex in the City
There is no denying that our footwear is sometimes incredibly torturous, wreaking havoc on our feet. Ill-fitting shoes and death-defying heels can cause any number of medical problems. Podiatrists and orthopedists curse and applaud shoe designers simultaneously. Proven to cause tendon and lower back pain, and deformities including hammer toe and bunions, we simply offer the aches up as penance and continue to feed our shoe addiction with purchasing a stunning high heel.
“There is nothing wrong with a chunky bootie.” –Aimée Gowland, ALG Style
Fortunately Fall/Winter 2016 has a bit of practicality for those looking to embrace the latest trends, while still being comfortable. Stacked and block heels are pervasive this season as well as a modern clog and a low boot or bootie with a chunky heel. We looked to our favorite local shoe mavens at Emma’s Shoes & Accessories and Angelique Boutiques to stay current on what should be added to our shoe collection. These well curated and appointed shops have all the styles we covet. “Ankle boots are everything this season — the trend seems to be stronger than ever,” says Stephanie Hines, owner of Emma’s Shoes in Mandeville and on Metairie Road. Hines is also thrilled about the rich burgundy, blue and gray-hued shoes coming in both suede and leather.
The right heel can make you appear longer and leaner as well. Courtney C. Jones at Angelique in Lakeview keeps us informed on the must-haves. “Give your stilettos a break and buy a high block heel,” she says. “When worn correctly, it can make your legs looks incredibly toned.”
Always on trend is a tall boot. “Watch for super luxe details like fur, studs and lavish fabrics,” Jones says. Although we might be dying of heat stroke, tall boots are a constant fall pre-requisite. No matter the temperature, “We cannot wait to wear all our fall boots,” Hines says. Pick up all your fabulous fall shoes at:
Angelique Magazine
5421 Magazine St.
504.891.8992
Angelique Maple
7725 Maple St.
504.866.1092
Emma’s Shoes & Accessories
115 Metairie Road, Metairie
504.407.0668
Emma’s Shoes & Accessories
4040 Hwy. 22, Mandeville
985.778.2007
Happy shoe shopping!
–Aimée Gowland and Corrie Pellerin, ALG Style