With September only a day away, it’s time to say “So long!” to sandals and “Welcome back!” to boots. Yet, as I was thinking about making the transition to fall footwear, I started really grieving the ease and convenience of sandals. Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to the added hassle of pulling on a pair of boots or strapping myself into some other winter-approved shoe in order to brave the elements — especially when I’m in a hurry or only headed out for a quick errand. But with a cold and wet fall coming, anything else is just too impractical, and if you’re native to the Pacific Northwest like I am, you know the rain isn’t very friendly to just any shoe. And sleet and snow can be just as ruthless. Thankfully, I just discovered the perfect shoe for fall and winter.
I read a blog post this morning from the New York Times. The author briefly discussed her inability to part with a pair of old running shoes she’d worn in high school. The post also mentioned a woman who, despite her husband’s vocal opposition, has managed to hold on to at least 30 pairs of old running shoes she’s used throughout her life. Apparently, the woman has a special bond with each pair. Granted, I personally don’t know much about running shoes (seeing as my experience with the so-called sport is limited to running out of the rain or down store aisles during early morning door-buster sales), but I certainly know a thing or two about designer shoes. And while it’s a stretch for me to understand why anyone would bond with a pair of mud-stained, sweaty-smelling running shoes, I can certainly connect with the fondness one has for a pair of seriously-cute, wonderfully-fashionable heels (like the Charlotte Ronsons pictured right). Who wouldn’t?
Jessica Joyner, like many women, once dreaded opening her closet to search for that perfect pair of shoes. It didn’t matter if she was going to work, to a social engagement, or just to relax — choosing the right shoe from amidst a plethora of possibilities gave her a headache. That is, until she discovered the secret to shoe selection. If you want the skinny on her top five shoes every woman should own, read on.
Shoeflyer is predicting that 2009 will be the year of Shoe Individualization. No more will consumers be forced to match their style to mass-produced shoes. You can now paint your shoes, cover them in stickers, or even design them online. Of course, we hope that some of our carefully selected pairs will tempt you, but we’re tickled pink that the DIY sustainability revolution has spread into footwear. To take DIY principles to the next step, find ways to reuse and repurpose your shoes. Instead of throwing them out to languish in a landfill, find a way to extend their life by using them in crafts. Or just use shoes as an inspiration to create new art.
With September only a day away, it’s time to say “So long!” to sandals and “Welcome back!” to boots. Yet, as I was thinking about making the transition to fall footwear, I started really grieving the ease and convenience of sandals. Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to the added hassle of pulling on a pair of boots or strapping myself into some other winter-approved shoe in order to brave the elements — especially when I’m in a hurry or only headed out for a quick errand. But with a cold and wet fall coming, anything else is just too impractical, and if you’re native to the Pacific Northwest like I am, you know the rain isn’t very friendly to just any shoe. And sleet and snow can be just as ruthless. Thankfully, I just discovered the perfect shoe for fall and winter.
