Shoes in the News: The Pope Retires

Yesterday was Pope Benedict XVI’s last day as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.  He’ll most likely be remembered for being the first pope in, oh, six hundred years to step down from the pontificate instead of leaving it via death, but I personally will remember him for his shoes!

Come on, those are kind of rockin’ shoes for a pope, and you know how I love a bright pop of color with a simple outfit.  But, like most things in the church, there is a liturgical reason for them:  “The tradition of the red papal shoe goes back the time of ancient Rome, when they could only be worn by the Emperor, the Empress and the Pope. John Paul II gave up on them but Benedict XVI brought them back. According to his private secretary Monsignor Ganswein the Pope wears Red because it's the color of martyrdom.”  (From no less a source than GQ.  When was the last time a pope was in GQ?  He was even named Esquire’s Accessorizer of the Year in 2007!  What is this?!) 

Ahem.

When he first took the post, a rumor went around that the infamous red shoes were made by Prada.  That’s not true (unfortunately).  But in the spirit of the pope’s last day, here’s a pair of red Prada loafers for you!

The Smoking Loafer by Prada is just that: a slip-on loafer made of red leather, with a round toe and Prada logo in gold at the tongue.  Also available in blue, nude, and black (the latter trimmed in white around the foot opening—nice!), but really, they can’t hold a candle to the red.  Find them at Nordstrom for $490.

Now that he’s Pope Emeritus, Benedict will be leaving the red shoes behind and entering retirement in “a pair of hand-crafted brown loafers made for him by artisans in Leon, Mexico, and given to him during his 2012 visit.” 

It’s only fair I give you a pair of those, too!

Classy.  The Fuller by Naturalizer is a faux croc loafer in a chocolate brown, with a tapered squared toe and a 1.5-inch heel.  (Though I believe these are made in China, and not Mexico.)  Also available in brown Fellini leather, black Fellini leather, and black croc; take your pick from Shoebuy for $71.

Stay tuned to see what footwear the new pope will pick!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Save 40% on all full-price items, plus an extra 20% off sale items

Lord & Taylor: Save 25% on regular and sale shoes

Macy’s: Save 10% and free shipping on orders over $99, plus save 20-30% on select styles

Nine West: End of season sale: up to 70% off, plus free shipping on any purchase

Nordstrom: Shoe clearance: save 33% or more

Steve Madden: Free shipping on orders over $75 with code SMFREESHIP