Sofft FiorenzaMy parents grew up in during World War II and the Depression.  But instead of talking about being poor, they instilled in me the importance of knowing what you should spend money on when you have it.  High on this list are your feet and your teeth because both are very expensive to replace and directly impact not only the way you feel, but how others perceive you.  Growing up, my mom cut corners on other things but I did not have a pair of cheap shoes in my closet. 

That being said, there is definitely a price range for great comfortable shoes.  So try on a lot of shoes and find what works for you.  I think online shopping for shoes is brilliant.  The good online stores have so much to choose from and with free shipping both ways, you can really look at shoes at home with your clothes to see if they are right for you.  I always try on shoes in the evening when my feet are at their largest size.  I walk around in my house, careful not to scuff the shoes.  I try them on with clothes to see how they will look.  If they don’t fit the bill, I send them back. 

Yesterday, I talked about ASGI.  They are a great brand that is stylish and well constructed, especially women who have issues with their feet.  They come with built in orthotics which can be removed for custom inserts if needed.  My good friend, Caroline is married to an orthopedic surgeon.  Its a good thing because she is his probably his best patient!  She is a huge fan of ASGI and finds Taryn Rose to be a disappointment.  Another friend is a runner.  She has no issues with her feet but is so very careful.  Her feet are very narrow.  Her shoes of choice are Ferragamo and Taryn Rose.  I have always had trouble because of my very flat feet and prefer Cole Haan, Think!, Helle, Dansko and Donald Pliner.  I also love Sofft, which is the brand I will talking about today.

Sofft has flat shoes which are fairly ordinary.  What they really stand out for in my book are their low and mid heel pumps with a ton of arch support so that they look and feel great all day.  A few of their shoes are trendy but most are more of a modern classic.  And for anyone with flat feet or other arch support issues, you will never want to take them off.  A couple of years ago, I made Thanksgiving Dinner for 20 wearing a pair of their low heeled shoes…and wore the shoes all day.  The only tragedy was that I dropped a big glob of turkey gravy on them so they were stained forevermore. 

The Fiorenza is a bold Mary Jane with an oversized strap, patent leather binding, a two-piece squared button and a stacked heel. Available Colors: Black Patent Leather, Chianti Patent Leather, Black Leather.

Check out the Fiorenza by Sofft at Shoebuy.com

Leala Bootie from Donald Pliner at nordstrom.comOne of the big trends this season are exposed zippers.  Zippers are everywhere.  Zippers on jeans.  Zippers on boots.  Zippers on handbags.  Zippers on jackets.  This is a fun trend but the wearer needs to be very careful when wearing this zipper trend not to add unwanted bulk or draw the eyes to the thighs, hips, waist, bust, etc.  Wear the zipper where you want to draw the eye. 

The ankle boots and pumps with exposed zippers are a great way to wear the trend.  However, there are some cheap looking shoes out there with exposed zippers that just look trashy.  You want to wear the zipper, not have it wear you. 

My solution is to look for a shoe like this Leala Bootie from one of my favorite designers, Donald Pliner.  These mid heel ankle boots have an exposed zipper, and a beautiful style that will complement any foot and construction for comfort all day. 

This richly textured croco leather bootie is constructed with elastic panels along the sides for a comfortable fit. The leather lining and sole are elegant and breathable. 

Click here to learn more about the Leala Bootie at Nordstrom.com

Donald Pliner Sophie Crossover BagThis season, women are looking to feel better and spend carefully.  What better way than accessories to add a little pizazz across a wide portion of your wardrobe?  One of my favorite trends in handbags this season is the Crossbody handbag…basically a clutch with a very long strap (about 24”) that you wear across your body…(just like your mother always warned you to carry your handbag so it didn’t get stolen?)  These little bags are about 8 inches square so they fit your basic cellphone, lipstick, license, credit card and a few loose bills.  Very fun for an evening out or Sunday at the opera. 

This is a great treasure from Donald Pliner.  Its on clearance at Endless.com…great price on a great handbag means act now!  Rich skins are very big this season.  When you choose this trend, be sure that you pick a high quality skin. 

This is what Endless has to say about the Sofie Bag.  “The details…Accessorize and instantly personalize your outfit in this hip Hollywood-style evening bag from Donald J Pliner. Beautifully crafted from soft, pebbled leather, the zip-closed Sofie features a shiny croco print patent leather accent on the front and plenty of interior space for your wallet, keys and cell. The long chain handle adds a touch of elegance and can be comfortably worn over the shoulder or across the body for added security and hands-free convenience.”

Click here to Shop IT.