If the Shoe Fits…YOU!

I’m not home, but my shoes are. Leave them a message,” — Carrie Bradshaw, Sex in the City.

Although they don’t retrieve your voicemails, shoes are of utmost importance for your overall stylish look. Sex and the City style icons and local fashionistas alike hold their footwear near and dear to their haute couture hearts. Find the right shoe for you by keeping location, current trends and foot-friendly fashions in mind and you’ll walk the line straight to footwear fabulocity.

Whoever coined the phrase “no pain, no gain” certainly intended to leave footwear out of the equation. The right shoe adds sass to your step, while the painful shoe leaves you wobbling and wincing along the way. Try shoes on before you buy them, and keep the comfort factor in mind. If you simply must purchase them anyway (we all feel your pain), Aldo, in Kenwood Towne Center offers great small footpads made to cushion the ball of your foot and prevent it from sliding forward. You can also find their full leather insole on their Web site or similar versions at Kroger or Walgreen’s.

The beautiful weather adds spring to your step and countless shoe designs to heat up the new season. Spring’s must-haves include beautifully busy and innovative styles that take you from the office straight into Cincinnati nightlife scene.  Creative fastening like zips and lace up heels take center stage along with buckles, studs, metallics, patent leather and snakeskin designs. Chose from these current trends with sassy styling to start the season off on the right foot.

T-straps (front forms a “T” from your toes up to your ankle) are big this season and add an elegant twist to your wardrobe from the office to the town. Victoria’s Secret has a plethora of these stylish sandals at affordable prices. Our favs are the studded T-strap sandal for $59, or the woven T-strap ($40) for a more casual look with added dimension. High heel t-straps are a great way to dress up your look for cocktails at Twist, and t-strap flats like Bandolino’s Jolisa sandal ($60) take the place of flip-flops fashionably and comfortably.

Fashion forward flats are still on trend as we step into the Summer season. Perfect with a simple cotton dress, or cropped skinny pants, flats add comfort and a fun twist to any casual outfit. Our favorite new local boutique, Snap, in Hyde Park Square, houses affordable yet uniquely stylish flats to feed your shoe fetish. Their patent buckled Chinese Laundry flats hit two trends in one shoe, while their Ursula Mascaro zebra print flats bring out your wild side! The words “Be Inspired” grace their innovative shoe wall and they’ve done just that with unique and affordable shoes — fit for a Queen City!

Gladiator sandals are the epitome of Greek chic. Channel Russell Crowe by dressing down with the Dorian gladiator sandal ($49.95) from Bakers. Pair them with shorts or the casual chic Charlotte Ronson Denim Jumper ($198). Go urban warrior by sporting our high-heeled favorite Candice gladiator platform sandal ($69.95) also from Bakers. Pair them with the same denim jumper for a daring nighttime look perfect for the Pavilion on a Friday night.

Local boutique Alligator Purse hits all the trends with an assortment of styles from designers like Bettye Muller and Rafe. Their shoe wall explodes with color and designs that ensure no two shoes are alike.

 Our favorite online option is the addicting Piperlime. This fabulous Gap Inc. brand offers countless footwear designs as well as Piperlime perks you are sure to love. They offer a 100 percent price match (if you find it cheaper elsewhere, you’ll get a credit), free shipping and returns and credit card benefits if you use your Banana Republic, Gap, or Old Navy credit cards. Brace yourself for more shoerific news: Your favorite discount shoe store, DSW now allows online shopping!

Adding shoes to an outfit can magically transform the overall look from casual to date-night ready. Use them as a tool to recycle your wardrobe in fun, fresh new ways and show off those fabulous feet!