Archive for January, 2009
Cobble, cobble.
The warm amber hue caught my eye, and lured me in for a closer look. The pebbled leather was soft to the touch; the wooden stacked stiletto heel was right up my alley. Classic, versatile, and oh-so-cool, I had to have them: the BCBG Paris t-strap Mary Jane pumps. (Never mind the fact that I stole these from my sister’s closet; finder’s keeper’s, I say.)
Off me and my Mary Janes went, prancing down Newbury Street with jeans and a cashmere turtleneck for a Saturday afternoon shopping spree; with espresso-colored tights and pencil skirt to the office; and coyly paired with cigarette pants and a tunic on a Saturday night at the Beehive. Wear and tear - the heel was caught in many a cobblestoned street, the toes stubbed against a gritty subway floor, and their lustrous shine lost its gleam - caught up with my girls, and I knew that the next rendezvous for us would not be Starbucks, but a visit to the neighborhood cobbler with whom I’d trusted so many other pairs of worn shoes over the years.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I typically buy to keep. Even the most jaw dropping pair of $500 Manolos will eventually need a TLC. That’s where the cobbler, a venerable shoe cobbler, comes into play. A cobbler goes beyond polishing a shoe: the good ones can repair broken straps, insert new cushioning, and even replace entire soles and heels entirely. The cost for their services varies; a polish typically runs about $5, whereas a heel replacement (which a pair of suede ankle booties of mine recently underwent) can cost upwards of $30 or more. If you’re buying shoes you plan to keep around for at least a few years, these costs are completely justifiable, or, if you’ve just got a favorite, funky pair that you know you can’t find anywhere else, a cobbler’s services may work wonders for you. I’ll cover details in what sets apart a well-made shoe in another post, but traditionally don’t bring my cheap, “I don’t care if these wind up in the trash in 3 months” kicks in for repair when they kick the can.
Check places like Yelp and the Yellow Pages or a shoe repair shop near you. Somerville and Cambridge ladies take note: Savis Shoe Repair - commonly known as Davis Square Shoe Repair - works wonders on even the most battered of heels.
Girls tend to be brutal on their baby dolls as children - is there any surprise we’re rough on our soles as adult women?
Posted by Karyn Polewaczyk on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | Pumps, Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments
What kind of shoe is Michelle Obama?
With Barack Obama’s inauguration abuzz across virtually every media outlet around the world, everyone wants to know: what will Michelle Obama wear to the inaugural ball? And here, at Sole Envie, we ask: what kind of shoes will our future First Lady dance on?
Michelle has appropriately paid homage to American designers throughout Barack’s entire campaign, from Oscar de la Renta to J. Crew and back, sticking with classic yet stylish looks that complement her famous athletic build and often paired with low-heeled pumps and flats to offset her 5′11″ frame. At last check, the word was mum as to what she’d choose for what will arguably be the biggest social event of 2009, but one assumes that proper care will be placed on such selections while making history. How can a woman, after all, help reach for the stars while standing on solid ground?
I envision her in a gown of sorts, paired with metallic ankle strap sandals - perhaps silver - and with a three inch stiletto heel. American shoe designers have gone the way of the jelly shoe; there are hardly any (well known, at least) to be found. After researching one of my favorite brands, Cole Haan, I learned that not only did it establish its roots in Chicago in the 1920s, but that it’s currently headquarted in Maine (though now a subsidiary of Nike), with a design center in New York City - you can’t get more American than the home of Lady Liberty and fellow shoe fiend Carrie Bradshaw. Perhaps Michelle will pick a pair from Cole Haan’s eponymous G-Series line , which includes actual Nike sole support, to help her dip, tango and twirl her way to the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Or, in the spirit of keeping us on our proverbial toes, perhaps she’ll surprise us, accompanying the change that will serve as the breath of fresh air we’re all in need of.
Posted by Karyn Polewaczyk on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
The five F’s of shoe shopping.
When shopping for shoes, there are a plethora of minute decisions a girl makes well before slipping her tootsies into a sole. Consider the following the five F’s - a handful of factors that go into almost every decision I make on a shoe - before your next purchase.
1. Find.
Are you perusing for the perfect pair of camel riding boots (I know I am) with time to spare, or do you have 15 minutes to score some strappy slingbacks for something festive? Time, the luxury with no price tag, can direct where to browse - and where to avoid. Keep mental notes of consistent lines; Aldo, for example, can always be counted on for sparkly and well-heeled party shoes at a reasonable price, and Bloomingdale’s has great after-season sales on the normally pricey Frye line. (Don’t forget to check out your local consignment shop for especially sweet deals on gently worn shoes - I’ve been pleasantly surprised more often than not.)
2. Function.
Clogs may be work well for the weekend, but can they deliver at the office? How often will you really wear lace up gladiator stilettos, aside from that one night with that one dress and those gold hoop earrings that complement them so well? If you’ve got specific shoes for specific tasks, great; some of us (yours truly included) try to get the most bang for our buck. This is, of course, where price starts to come into play. Try to envision a variety of places, people and purposes you can wear your prospective new purchase(s). I buy to keep, rarely choosing seasonal styles that come and go like the wind. And if you’re determined to spend a month’s rent on something outrageous and impractical - all the power to you.
3. Fit.
How well does your shoe fit? Form goes well beyond the scope of heel height. Without sufficient space for your feet to breathe, every pinched nerve, squished toe and misaligned arch will feel that much worse. I recently learned how going a half size up - despite being a coveted 7 for almost ten years - made all the difference.
4. Fabric.
Being high maintenance is not just about more drama for your mama. How far are you willing to go to keep a pair of say, sandals, around for five weeks, five months or five years? Shoes made of satin, while lovely, can make their way to an early grave with an undetected spill of red wine. Quality leather should be polished and moisturized on a regular basis to avoid looking like a South Beach octogenarian. Scuffs, soles, and the tiny rubber pieces that mold to the bottom of even the pointiest stilettos - these all eventually need TLC, even more so if you’re a city slicker constantly on the go. On the plus side, your favorite pair of shoes will remain that way for years to come.
5. Fun.
Bring on the leopard print! And the patent leather in sherbert shades of yellow, pink and orange. Experiment with new styles, colors, designers and heel height. Mix and matching can give even the most lifeless of wardrobes extra oomph. Veering off the straight and narrow can change your look - and, dare I say - change your life.
Above all, be true to yourself - and be confident with each step that you take!
Posted by Karyn Polewaczyk on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 | Boots, Flat, Pumps, Sandals, Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments
