Group Discussions

What is your fool proof brand of shoe?

• 
  I am not at all fashion savvy when it comes to shoes. I occasionally will find something that gets some compliments, but I'd love to know what some fashion savvy ladies think. Is there a brand where you can't go wrong?

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by mamajama on 8th November 2007
• 
  Don't go by me - I buy nearly all my shoes at Payless. (I wear a size 5, and they have a surprisingly good selection of them in many of their stores. I also tend to be an independent shopper who usually would rather not be "helped" by a salesperson.) I'll occasionally splurge at the Easy Spirit outlet.
  
  But I'd be interested in the answers to this question too, especially regarding sizes at either end of the spectrum - I'm a 5, but my 13-year-old stepdaughter just started wearing a size 11, and we really hope her feet are done growing!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Florinda on 8th November 2007
• 
  I think the answer is No. Every brand puts out something that someone will think is a bomb every season. Plus, just because a shoe from that brand fit you nicely before doesn't mean that they always will. Shoe companies use lots of different lasts to build their shoes around these day- you never know how they'll work out.
  
  That said, some of the brands that I find I love more things from than not are:
  
  John Fluevog- odd, but so wickedly cool. I also love that it's a family company.
  CYDWOQ- SO expensive, but these shoes are so amazing in real life you have a hard time taking your feet out of them.
  Kenneth Cole- Certain seasons are lots of fun. Others? Really SO not.
  Naughty Monkey- just silly good times.
  Born- I don't always like the looks, but I always like the comfort.
  Camper Twins- TOO much fun.
  
  Umm- I could go on FOREVER. But I won't.
  
  Some brands for lots of sizes, especially larger: Simple, Reiker (if they exist anymore!), Wolky, Dansko (though anyone with knee problems should be wary of Dansko clogs).
  
  That's all I can scrape off the top of my head today!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by heels on 8th November 2007
• 
  I am not really a show queen, but I've found a few brands that consistently work well and are reliable:
  
  La Canadienne - awesome waterproof boots, leather and suede, that I've come to depend on during the winter (warm also!)
  
  Anne Klein for office type shoes - always finding these on sale (endless is a great place to look for them)
  
  Franco Sarto - great basic casual and office shoes that are not expensive.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 8th November 2007
• 
  It's such a personal thing. Everyone is different, so I think the main thing is choosing styles that fit your personal look.
  
  Here's my suggestion about shoes: don't go to a mall or department store. You get overwhelmed by the choices. I think the best way is pick a store/catalog that represents the look you want. Eg. Ann Taylor, Lands End, JJill, Title9, and then get most of your stuff from that source. Most of them offer shoes that go well with their clothing, usually not manufactured for that company, but made by respected brands like Keen or Kenneth Cole or whatever.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Diane on 9th November 2007
• 
  Thanks ladies, these are really good tips. I'm realizing that I need some shoes that will be practical this winter, and that I'll be able to wear with a lot of different things. I Dread shoe shopping. I find that I never know how I actually feel about a pair until I've already got them home...but maybe that's just a personal shopping problem. I don't know why I have such a hard time though...I have a very very average foot. HA! Anyway, I'll be checking into all of your tips.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by mamajama on 9th November 2007