Shoes.. I Love Shoes

I'm one who's very very particular about shoes. I'm the type who find polishing or cleaning shoes to be therapeutic, and it gets me happy whenever I see my shoes are cleaned or properly serviced.

"Feet is the only part on the body that does not put on weight." How true!

Don't get me wrong. I love my other accessories and clothings. But I love shoes a tad more.

There has been a wider variety of shoes in the market now, and I'm really happy to see Giuseppe Zanotti to open his boutique in Singapore at Palais. I was there 2 weeks back but devastated to learn that the size in my dream pair (which was featured in my earlier blog entry) was sold out.

I've yet to visit the store again, the staff has called me, I've made a date with them. So this weekend I shall be there to check them out again.

I've bought cheaper shoes with pretty designs before, but failed, because they bite. Yes. They sure hate my feet and they bite hard. Maybe because the soles are synthetic, and that upper materials are as bad, they do not, over time, stretch to form a gentle shield around my feet. I've got really broad feet and to squeeze into covered shoes of synthetic leather makes me live in agony for the whole day. I felt claustrophobic, and my feet can't breathe!

So it's not that I am picky, or that I am a spendthrift. Simply because I believe that our poor feet carries the entire weight of our body, it should be treated with extra tender love, and so a well-fitted pair of shoes that protects your feet for the whole day while you are out is the only thing you can do to thank it.

And because I have fat calves, a not-so-perfect body, and broad feet, somehow, my expectations for that pair of shoes are much higher as a form of compensation.

I'm not exactly a high-heels person because I get backache easily, even on slides. I know the poise, height and everything that comes with it, and so I do fall prey on them. But if given a choice, I still prefer my good old flats.

Here are my recommendations.

Work
Nothing fanciful. Good sturdy designs that gives you an image of professionalism. Some sharp front shoes are equally classy and professional but it's not easy to find one with the perfect sharp angles. Peekaboos are great too, but make sure your toes are painted!!

Christian Louboutin has perfect work shoes. For a slightly cheaper version, try Ferragamo. It is dependable ( I can run in them and they are really lasting!), keeps well in shape even after several years (but of course you need to send it to the cobbler's for maintenance on the outer soles and the heel replacements). An even cheaper version would be Pura Lopez, which was once available at Tangs&Co and now Hue.

Some open toe heels with or without sling-backs are equally nice, but they'd look even better on swinging dresses. Imagine a chic babe sashaying! But I must agree nice open toe slides with heels are very difficult to find these days.


Weekends / Casuals
Flats and more flats! They are ultra comfortable! Flats that are covered and flats that shows off your pretty pedicured feet! There has been a trend of bejeweled sandals and Giuseppe Zanotti sure knows how to craft that perfect pair of bejeweled sandals.

I know I've become so particular when it comes to bejeweled sandals that I scrutinize every piece of jewel that gets set on the footwear. Craftsmanship can break or make a pair of sandals to become a piece of accessory on your feet.

Kate Spade has nice sandals too. On Peddar Red at Ngee Ann City does bring in nice sandals. Check out Tangs&Co too.

Last word of advise, before you put on that perfect pair, please make sure your dead skin on your feet is removed, and your feet is nicely pedicured. After all, in enhances the beauty of the feet and the footwear at the same time, don't you think?