shoesandfashion

Like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, I have an obsession with shoes. I think any person who tries to look fashionable, also appreciates a good shoe. What makes a good shoe? In my mind, they have to be attractive, wearable, comfortable, and affordable. Much as I would like to, I’m not going to break my budget for a pair of Manola Blahniks. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t think I should have to - and nor should anyone else.

Let’s face it, not everyone can wear high heels. Not everyone likes to wear sandals. I personally think of sneakers as a non-option unless I’m exercising. Flats, however, are pretty much a universally-accepted shoe that anyone can wear. And there’s tons of variety, which makes them possible to wear for any occassion: at home, at work, out with friends, on a date, out to dinner, at church or for any other occassion.

Some flats are plain, and some are simple with a little something, like these $168 shoes available at kaboodle, pictured below. Flats can be found anywhere, though, from Wal-mart to Payless to Macy’s and beyond.

Some have fun patterns, like these ones, and some are plain, like the ones pictured at the top.

The thing about flats is that they’re easy to wear, they’re comfortable, and they can easily dress up a plain outfit.

I love wearing dresses, and I know many other people who do, too. There’s only one problem: sundresses. Many people feel they’re only appropriate for certain places, like an evening out or on the beach in the summer.

Those people are wrong.

One of the best things about sundresses is their versatility. They’re great for spring or summer wear on those beautiful, warm days and a nice evening out. You can make them work appropriate with a simple jacket and church appropriate with a simple cardigan. If the cut is too low, you can put a camisole on underneath.

These same technique makes them wearable in fall, and even on dreary winter days when you need just a little reminder of summer.

This season’s color combinations are bright and bold. In fact, the brighter and the bolder the better. And if you’re comfortable with wearing colors on opposite ends of the color wheel, you’ve got it made. Bright yellow coats, blue dresses and bold shirts are all the rage.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable going all out, there’s nothing wrong with that, either. Instead, consider pairing a bright shirt with jeans or a black skirt. It’s still fashionable, and it’s less… bright. Besides, unless you’re on the runway, and trying to make an uber-loud statement, there’s really no need to go for all bright colors. But then, I could be wrong.

Ironically, pairing black and white together is also currently in style, so that could be a really easy fix to things if you’re not a big fan of the color choices available.

It’s ironic that with the economy taking a turn for the worse, gas prices and prices for everything else are going up. Shoes are no exception. Even Payless has already raised their shoe prices, and other shoe stores are expecting to increase their prices by 5 to 12 percent. Not the end of the world, maybe, but it’s still a significant increase, and that will only grow.

It’s too bad, too, because most of the shoes this season aren’t even all that cute. Many are a cheap throwback to the 80’s, and the rest are just painful. Funny that now the prices are rising, no? If you don’t believe me, check out the pictures of these Payless shoes, all between $15 and $23.  By the way, if you buy them online (www.payless.com), sometimes they’re less expensive.

Here’s the thing: I love flats. They’re cute and comfortable. The kitten heel though removes the “flat” from the flat.

I really hate these. They clomp and they don’t actually seem to match. I thought the point of a heel was elegance…?