Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,

I am a teacher interested in a pump that goes well with my brown skirts or tan slacks, that I can wear to work and sometimes for those after-work-but-no-time-to-change occasions such as dinner or a reception (I have those with parents at the school where I teach).  I need a modest heel—2-2.5 inches at most.  No squared-off toes, though don't mind pointy toes.  I prefer something pretty conservative, and would like a closed heel, not a strap.  I wear size 8; sometimes wide, sometimes not.  I am on my feet for much of the day, going up and down three stories of stairs, but want to look and feel like an adult.  I can spend about $35-60, but of course prefer a bargain!

Helena

Dear Helena,

A brown pump—is there anything more perfect for fall?  Let’s see what we can find...

The Kashmir by Life Stride is a dark brown faux croc pump with a two-inch heel and bow detail at the pointed toe.  (And look at the little gold buckle!)  Subtle, yes; boring, no.  Also available in black, burgundy, or a sort of light gold—find them at Macy’s for $60.

Perhaps a satin?

This brown beauty is the Abby by Touch Ups is a satin peep toe with a 1.75-inch heel and pleating detail across the front.  This would look lovely under pants or a skirt!  Also available in white or silver; yours from Endless for $54.

How about a metallic for a special touch?  The Vivia by Sofft is a warm metallic brown, with a solid stacked 2.5-inch heel.  It also has black detailing around the foot and across the round toe, and the best part?  They’re by Sofft, so you know they’re comfortable!  On sale for $65 from 6pm; also available in black, black patent, or Chianti.

Whatever you pick, this is the right time of year to find a great brown pump.  It’s hard to go wrong!

- The Shoe Fairy

Party Redux

Well, here we are on the other side of Philly Shoe Fairy’s first birthday!  I think the party was a rousing success—thank you to all who came to celebrate!  I am happy to report that many found just the pair of shoes they were looking for... maybe two!  Here are some shoes that found happy homes Sunday morning:

This bright number went home with Rosie: “I’ve been looking for red shoes forever!”  The Minnie by Liz Claiborne are red patent leather peep-toe slingbacks with a 2.5-inch heel—perfect for work!  You can find them online at DSW.com for $40 (also available in navy and beige), but Rosie got hers for 30% off!

Another pair of red shoes went home with Maria:

“Look at the way they shine and change color in the light!  The epitome of cuteness and class,” she gushes.  And she’s right: the Vega by Sofft are black cherry beauties practically glow from inside.  They have a 2.75-inch heel, sweet buckle, and round toe, and while they’re not on DSW.com, you can find them at SeaSoles for $69 (but Maria got hers for 30% off too!).

Mia picked up two pairs—a sneaker and a heel:

“Classic snakeskin in lavender with a feminine bow and my go-to walking shoe!”  The heel is the Pippy by Moda Spana, and while technically the color is listed as “taupe” Mia and I both agree it looks like a soft lavender.  It has a 3.75-inch stacked heel and a three-quarter-inch cork platform, and you can find them on DSW.com for $60 (also available in yellow!).

The sneaker is the Gel Cumulus by Asics.  It has cushioning designed especially for women’s feet and a ton of other features... apparently even the eyelets that hold the laces were specially placed!  I can’t find them at DSW.com, but they are at Lady Foot Locker for $95 (though Mia got hers for 30% off!).

Renee left with two pairs as well!

 “If it has chains I probably love it,” she says.  And the Ariel by Mix No. 6 (on the right) certainly has chains—and flowers and beads and awesomeness.  Check them out for yourself at DSW.com—they come in the red multi Renee got, and also a nude and brown combo.  Both beautiful; each $45.

 

“I’m not a flower girl but I just love these!” Renee said of the Apple of my Eye by Poetic License.  It’s got a 4.25-inch heel and one-inch platform in a lovely blue, with a bronze strap across the toe with three tulle roses and patterned fabric up the front and around the ankle.  Also available in a cool red combo; while I can’t find them at DSW.com they are at 6pm for $43.

 

Shoes were bought; prizes were won; fun was had; shoevenger hunts were completed; muffins were eaten.  A very, very special thank you to Nancy (the KoP DSW manager) and her wonderful, wonderful staff!  If I ever go into the shoe-selling business, I want it to be with them.  They were beyond fantastic!

 

Halloween (Part I)

First of all: welcome to PhillyShoeFairy.com! Same great shoes, new virtual home. Now, down to business: Halloween. I love Halloween. I begin planning for Halloween in August. (I know. It’s unhealthy.) Costumes, candy, pumpkins, spookiness, crunchy leaves under your feet... to my mind, there is nothing better. Speaking of costumes, no costume is complete without the right shoes! On Friday I’ll look at some real costume shoes, but sometimes you want shoes that you can wear again in your real life. So if you’re being Dorothy, you might not want the classic square-heeled sequin shoe—you might want something like these! (What? I would wear these in my everyday life.) Satin heels, peep toes, platforms, and the classic little bow on the toe. This Dorothy has style! Whole sizes from 7-10; yours for $45 from Halloween Express.

Now Cinderella. There aren’t a lot of clear shoes out there that don’t make you look (1) like a pole dancer or (2) like an eighth grader going to winter formal, but these are lovely! This pair from Ellis has two straps covered in silver rhinestones and a nice little platform. And a five inch heel... no wonder Cinderella lost one while running away from the ball! It’s a wonder she could run at all. Available in whole sizes 7-12 (12!) for about $52 from Amazon.

Another classic: Cleopatra. Snake sandals probably aren’t so rewearable. These? Much more so!

The Ravenna by Sofft have a leather-lined footbed, cushioned footbed, and a zipper up the back and buckles around the ankles so you can adjust them. And apparently they are so comfortable you could not only run Egypt in them, you could run across Egypt in them. Also available in black for $80 from Zappos. 

Me? I’m being Sherlock Holmes. If you are too, and the awesome boots from Rocket Dog weren’t enough for you, how about these? The Morgann by Rampage is a nice flat (easy for chasing after criminals!) with a fabulous patent leather bow on the toe. Black and white is just so crisp, isn’t it? Find them at DSW for $40.

Stay tuned: on Friday, costume shoes so wickedly awesome you can’t wear them every day!