It is said that you can't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. After tackling the jeans issue last week, I felt it was only appropriate this week to explore the second most important part of every female's wardrobe: shoes.
I love shoes; I'm a shoe-a-holic, if you will. I've been known to make my away message the same as Carrie Bradshaw's answering machine: "Hi, I'm not home right now, but my shoes are, so leave them a message."
I could write endless sonnets and poetry about my great love for fabulous footwear, but instead, I decided to be practical and let you know what I consider to be the four essential pairs of shoes that every woman must have in her closet. Afterwards, I'll fill you in on my (surprising) favorite shoe designer. Oh, the suspense!
This season's quintessential pair of shoes is (drumroll please) the simple, black ballet flat. Versatile and chic, stylish and practical, a pair of ballet flats will match with any outfit and keep your feet happily comfortable, day and night. Lanvin kick-started the trend last year with a satin version, and this fall, ballet flats are on the feet of anyone who's anyone in Hollywood. Go for a leather or faux-leather pair so they can be easily cleaned and touched up with a permanent marker if they get scuffed.
Next on the list is a pair of simple, black, oval-toe, closed-toe pumps. These babies are as classic as Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and are suitable for internships and interviews as well as bars and clubbing. Like the ballet flat, these should be simple and black so that one good-quality pair will last you for eons. Feel free to play with texture and height, but make sure that they're plain enough to be versatile for years to come.
The third most important type of footwear? Simple, flat, black or brown, knee-high or ankle-high, suede or leather boots. Perfect with tights, leggings or skinny jeans, a pair of classy yet comfortable boots give a Sienna Miller flavor to any basic ensemble. Another plus? You can tuck last season's flared jeans into a pair of knee-high boots to achieve this season's slim silhouette. Try tucking the bottoms of your jeans into your socks before pulling your boots on to avoid bunching.
Simple ballet flats, simple pumps, simple boots - now for the fun pair. Every girl needs a pair of fun, flirty "going out" shoes. These can be any style you like to suit your personality; the only requirement is that they scream you, you, you! Razor-sharp stilettos are not made for walking, but lucky for your feet, this season's clunky platforms are. Popular styles are either brown leather or metallic jewel colors with lots of detailing or hardware and an almond toe (the perfect mix between pointy and oval). No dainty Jimmy Choos with crystals and lace - think clunky Marc Jacobs or any pair of celebrity-fav Christian Louboutins.
Whether you're an H&M or a Barney's shopper, it's always wise to be cautious when purchasing trendy shoes. It may be tempting to go cheap, since they will only last a season, but then you sacrifice comfort. I bought a pair of awesome black wedges (Via Spiga knockoffs) from Target last year for $19.99, and as much as I love those shoes, I've only worn them once, because they give me blisters within 10 minutes of wearing them.
It may also be tempting to splurge on designer footwear for the longevity and authenticity, but this route is not so frugal, since next season's styles will be completely different.
What to do? My favorite shoe locale is Steve Madden for dead-on knockoffs of all the latest styles with the perfect mix of quality, comfort and, most importantly, affordability.
I was walking through Holt Renfrew (Canada's equivalent of Neiman Marcus) over Columbus Day Weekend wearing my favorite Steve Madden black ankle boots (loose Chlo?© knockoffs) and a salesperson stopped me and asked me where I got them. When I informed him that they were Steve Madden, he scowled, and I could tell he was embarrassed for thinking they were the real thing.
Don't get me wrong, in principle, I am very against what I consider plagiarism of high-end designers, but for something like shoes where the real thing costs upwards of $300? Ludicrous unless you plan on eating, breathing, living and sleeping in them.
At the same time, while Target's shoe aisle is the first place I run to when I enter the store, the amount I spend on Band-Aids for my feet ends up being more than the cost of the shoe. $20 for a pair of shoes sounds too good to be true because ... it is. Flats should cost around $40 to $80, and heels should cost three digits if you want to actually enjoy wearing them.
And isn't that the point of shoes?
Jyll Saskin is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
