Shoeflyer | Shoes, Trends & Reviews

Time to start writing the Shoeflyer post for today… I’ll just take a look around the web for shoe news… ho-hum, blah-de-blah—WHAT?  FLIP-FLOPS ARE DEADLY?  That’s right.  Take a turn around Google News for yourself, and you’ll find no less than nine articles on the insidious danger of thongs for your feet, one titled “Warning: Flip Flops Can Kill You.”  Local news stations across the country are dedicating hard-hitting journalists to this  silent pedi-threat.  Why are flip-flops so dangerous, you ask?  Well…

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Nurses.  Teachers.  Factory Workers.  Their  feet take a beating on a daily basis. These are the people who somehow manage to work double shifts, all on their feet.  I know from experience in the classroom how long hours spent on your feet can make you feel like you’re walking on glass.  In empathy for those tough-as-nails workers, I’m offering the following five tips to keep your feet healthy and happy, especially if you depend on them at work.

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Earlier this month, Peggy Spencer celebrated her 25th year working with shoes at a department store in Iowa. She first started way back in 1984 (a year that I personally remember because, well, that’s the year I was born) and has since become one of three managers in the store. To her friends, she’s just Peggy, but to the majority of customers who happen her way, she’s known as “The Shoe Lady.” In fact, Spencer even admits to often hearing the phrase “There’s the shoe lady” from time to time. When I first read this story, I knew that I wanted to share it with you because one, I still can’t believe this lady has been selling the same shoes almost everyday of my entire life, and two, I think it’s a great accomplishment to faithfully serve in one place for so long. Just for fun, I put together a little something as a tribute to the Shoe Lady of Iowa…

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I read somewhere this week that the only things recession-proof were wine and condoms. Go figure. Though, the author did also make a convincing argument for women’s shoes. In fact, she wrote of a woman who owned 90 pairs of shoes — obviously not in need of any more — making a conscious effort to cut back on her spending during a troubled economy. Despite her lofty aims, however, she’s admittedly still in the market for more shoes. And her only excuse: shoes are the one thing you have to look at all day — everything else needs a mirror. Brilliant, if you ask me. Now, about my next pair of shoes…

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As I was perusing through Shoefly Guy today, I kept finding myself drawn to different pairs of shoes crafted by a single designer: Ryan Rowe. I was a little surprised that I gravitated toward one designer just with the handful of shoes that peaked my interest. So, since Rowe is obviously doing something right by capturing my attention with a number of his styles, I’ve decided he deserves some time in the spotlight this week. According to Rowe, his mission is to present a “concept of modern luxury which is about quality, accessibility, simplicity, attention to detail, getting back to nature and being comfortable.” I think you’ll find the shoes I’ve featured below all reflect this mission in one way or another — from his intentional use of earth tones to his innovative detailing and accent colors — not to mention, they’re just down-right hip shoes.

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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.

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Where have your shoes been?  What do they say about you?  From doodles to rips, heels to boots, your shoes express your personality, perhaps more than any other piece of clothing.  We stomp, run, and play in our shoes.  We spend hours and pound miles of pavement in them.  As a result, we don’t talk about wearing someone else’s sweater; we invoke empathy by inviting our friends to walk a mile in our shoes.  The classmates of a deceased boy scout in Omaha have moved beyond this cliche, however.  In memory of their friend, Ben Petrzilka, they have created a book titled Our Soles. The book pairs their writing with pictures of their shoes.

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With the fall fashion season just around the corner, it’s time to start taking a shoe inventory. For many, fall is the start of  a new busy season where the light at the end of the tunnel looks a lot like — dare I say it — Christmas. Hopefully, with a thorough assessment of your current shoe status, when fall gets here you’ll be able to hit the ground running, so to speak. Fashion author Samantha Cabrera says there are some “must-haves” styles for any closet regardless of the season, so take a moment to round up any shoes gone astray and head to your closet to give it a once-over. Then ask yourself: Do I have the following shoes in my closet?

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The fashion community prepares for seasons far in advance. The Fall 2009 pieces, for instance, were catwalked last winter.  Although I understand why it’s necessary to show fashion lines so early (so that distributors, ready-to-wear-ers, and marketers can do their thing), it does seem strange that designers should be mum now, when women are actually beginning to think about what they’ll wear this fall and winter. And so, all this week, Shoeflyer has been featuring fall trends, to help you get ready for the chilly days ahead.  At least you have one consolation as the summer fades:  fall and winter mean you can wear more leather!  Today’s trend is all about leather (or imitation leather).  Perhaps due to the tough economy, designers have been pairing leather with plenty of biker/punk flair, including buckles, safety pins, grommets, and hooks.

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Welcome to the second installment of Shoeflyer’s exploration of fall shoe trends.  Yesterday, we welcomed back booties. Today, we’re glitzin’ it up with ornaments.  I, for one, couldn’t be happier that glam rock seems to have invaded the shoe world.  This is another trend that will stretch past this summer.  Sequins, feathers, bows, and ruffles are here to stay, at least for one more season.  To get in on the glam, look for luxurious, Moulin Rouge-esque materials and eye-popping heels.

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