Let’s face it: these days, everyone’s looking for ways to save money while maintaining their most fabulous individual look. I’m no different. I dream of leading Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe-tastic lifestyle, but I’m really more like a fashion MacGyver– I’ll wow the crowd with whatever materials and footwear is available, even if I’ve reinvented a certain pair five times. One trick to getting more milage out of your footwear is to take good care of it. But no matter how many protective balms you buy, life happens and shoes eventually show signs of wear. Or maybe you’re just bored with a certain pair, and you want to update your look without emptying your wallet. Well, here are five fun ways to get your old shoes back in business. Enjoy… and once you’ve cleared out your shoe closet, surf on over to Shoefly to take full advantage of our 30% off sale– save an additional 30% off marked prices at check out!
How do you know if something is trendy? Aside from what advertisers tell you (plaid?), it’s hard to know what’s actually turning heads out there on the streets. Since designers showcase their seasonal wares at shows scheduled months ahead of the relevant season, even their best efforts could be way off mark. When you think of it in these terms, following fashion is like following a school of fish that’s constantly shifting shape and switching directions. That’s why it takes focused attention and in-depth analysis to figure out what the average consumer will see as trendy over the next few months–yet the folks over at Forbes report that it is possible. According to their article on Fall 2009 fashion trends, Lazard Capital Markets’ analysts gathered and combed through ten issues of fall 2009 fashion magazines to discover which trends will be big this fall. (Tough job they have over there… maybe I should think about becoming an analyst…) Here’s a summary of their findings:
At first, I was going to steer clear of the Back To School phenomenon, since Shoefly doesn’t currently sell any kids shoes. And then I remembered that we are in the middle of one of the biggest back-to-school waves this country has seen. The dismal economy has generations of adults returning to school after years in the workforce. Not to mention all of the traditional college and grade-school students who will return to the classroom this fall. And so, I’m bringing you a Back-To-School Shoe Special that students of all ages can use. Instead of delving into the details for each school-bound demographic, I’ll lay out a few ground rules for all students, accompanied by pictures of great back-to-school shoe deals from Shoeflyer.com.
Ah, August. The month of hot dog cookouts, backyard barbecues, and poolside antics. Speaking of poolside antics, have you had enough this year? If you’ve been spending too much time in the office, perhaps it’s time to schedule a staycation and slip into a frisky set of sandals. Here are a few tips to help you find a pair of sandals that will catch the smoky eyes of that lifeguard you’ve been dreaming about.
Every once in a while, a new idea changes the way you think. Today, I’d like to feature one such idea: Rollasoles. As the video here shows, Rollasoles are shoes that can be bought from vending machines, mostly in dance clubs. Matt Horan, the 27-year-old inventor of Rollasoles, came up with the idea after noticing the intense pain his lady friend suffered from dancing in stilettos. Like a true knight-in-entrepreneurial-armor, he designed a pair of flats that can fit into your purse. Okay, by his own admission, he was mostly spurred by his girlfriend’s complaints, but still, I imagine that quite a few damsels-in-footwear-distress have been saved by Mr. Horan’s invention.
An article from the Boston Globe, “Catwalk no Cakewalk,” highlights a new trend in wearing pumps: working out. Of course, ladies have always known that a sculpted set of legs makes stilettos look sexy, but as writer Christopher Muller learns after taking a catwalk class, exercise also improves your catwalk. By stretching and strengthening your feet, legs, and abs, you can even wear heels without killing your feet and back.
Happy National Picnic Month! Picnics are more than just an opportunity to breathe fresh air and enjoy good times with friends and/or coworkers. With Americans weighing more than ever, I propose that picnics are a naturally enjoyable way to slim down. First, the fact that you’ll pack your lunch beforehand improves the chances that you’ll get a well-balanced meal. (Also: it’s hard to find a drive-through on the trail.) Second, you’ll have to walk or hike somewhere before you eat– meaning you’ll burn off at least a few calories. Finally, if you’re like me, you’ll be more motivated to get in shape if your picnic companions notice a wheezing sound emanating from your cherry red face as you stumble up the trail. Still, even if your body isn’t exactly your ideal shape, there’s no reason you can’t look good on the picnic path. To encourage all Shoefly readers to get out there and dine al fresco, I’m featuring shoes that are great choices for any picnic, along with a few footgear tips to make your next picnic the best ever.
Ever wonder who gets to choose which shoes appear on store shelves? Those lucky individuals are called shoe buyers, and a whole flock of ‘em will descend on Las Vegas for the World Shoes Accessories show from July 29th through August 2nd. How I wish I could be there! Here’s my daydream itinerary for a fabulous WSA weekend:
Do you ever get sick of seeing at those twiggy, unreal models in the glossies? I do. Don’t get me wrong—I love fashion. I crave the mix of creativity, confidence, and pure poetry that an especially inspired ensemble offers. However, I tire of seeing magazine models who don’t look like any real woman I’ve ever seen—and they’re not. Real, I mean. They’re not real. Those images are heavily altered. The body’s natural distinctions—an uneven eyebrow, a crooked tooth, a birthmark—are removed, until all that’s left is an empty image of society’s unrealistic expectations for beauty.
Although die-hard cyclists usually wear special bike shoes with clips, casual bike-riders will vouch that nearly any shoe may be worn on a bike. Sure, if you’re training for a race, you’ll want clip-ons. But if you’re just biking into the office, why not look cute? Canadians are already advocating a more European approach to biking fashion, as the Montreal Gazette recently highlighted in an article titled, “Cyclistas Spin Into Style.” Apparently, on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s considered normal– or even hip– to wear chic clothes and shoes while biking. In fact, over in Europe, entire blogs are devoted to watching bicycle fashion.
Let’s face it: these days, everyone’s looking for ways to save money while maintaining their most fabulous individual look. I’m no different. I dream of leading Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe-tastic lifestyle, but I’m really more like a fashion MacGyver– I’ll wow the crowd with whatever materials and footwear is available, even if I’ve reinvented a certain pair five times. One trick to getting more milage out of your footwear is to take good care of it. But no matter how many protective balms you buy, life happens and shoes eventually show signs of wear. Or maybe you’re just bored with a certain pair, and you want to update your look without emptying your wallet. Well, here are five fun ways to get your old shoes back in business. Enjoy… and once you’ve cleared out your shoe closet, surf on over to Shoefly to take full advantage of our 30% off sale– save an additional 30% off marked prices at check out!
