Shoes Across America
Do you ever stop to think about the reasons you are attracted to the shoes you buy? Why some women drool over a Louboutin with a 4-inch heel, while others have a pair of Crocs in every color? True, footwear selection is most often influenced by your sense of personal style, but I suspect geography has a bit to do with it as well. Think about it … if you live in a city where you do a lot of walking, sooner or later the 4-inchers won’t even sound good because their very mention connotes a sharp pain. Or, if you live someplace where the mercury dips more often than it rises, you are bound to be a boot-lover.
A recent pile-up of business trips and vacations took me on a 15-day cross country tour from New York to the Midwest to the West and then back to the East Coast. Most people check out landmarks or restaurants when they travel … I check out shoes. Here’s a glimpse of what fashion-savvy women are wearing on their feet this summer across our great nation …
East Coast - I spend most of my shoe-gawking time on the streets of Manhattan, and this city gives me a lot to look at! It takes just a few blocks to realize that the summer apparel essential is the sundress. Strappy or sleeveless, short or long, flowing or stretchy … no matter how you wear it, the sundress is an ideal way to stay fashionable and cool on those muggy city days. The other great thing about this wardrobe lifesaver - there are lots of shoe options to match. Two of my favorites are espadrilles and thong sandals. The espadrille is a clever way to add height without foot pain.
My travels also took me a little further east … to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. To describe the attitude that hovers over the Cape as “laid back” would still not accurately depict the mellow individuals I encountered in this part of the country. Whether you have a summer home there, or are simply spending a long weekend exploring the beaches and stuffing yourself with seafood, this is not a place to break out the high heels. Flip flops prevailed in this cozy coastal area, though certainly not those rubber monstrosities from convenience store endcaps. When it comes to flips, only creative and colorful will do for the Cape.
MidWest - Even though I am now a New Yorker, I will always think of St. Louis as home. After all, I was born in St. Louis, and more than 50% of my possessions are stored in my parents’ basement there. Though in the middle of the country, St. Louis fashion is by no means middle of the road. Ladies in the Show Me State know how to show off their pedicures in sassy shoes while clubbing on trendy Washington Avenue in the downtown area, or enjoying long dinners in the outdoor cafes of the Central West End. Local glossy St. Louis Magazine — along with its oh-so-stylish readership – is loving metallic wedges for summer. In a city known for July and August heat waves, a little metal adds just the right amount of sizzle.
West Coast - From the hot lights of Vegas to the Fair Isle sweaters of Seattle to the beaches of LA, the one common element among West Coast fashion is diversity. I visited Las Vegas (hey, it was for work!) during a steamy week of temps above 105 degrees. But that didn’t stop tourists and locals alike from steaming up their wardrobes with unbelievably sexy shoes! Forget the poker table, the true queens in Vegas are the stilettos. I spotted the lofty shoes paired with everything from jeans to shorts to micro minis. Those spike heels can take you from the Hard Rock’s Body English nightclub, to the sophisticated dining of Caesar’s Palace’s Bradley Ogden, and even to the smoky depths of Fremont Street. Now that’s what I call a jackpot!
In the hills of San Francisco, the story is a little different. The climate — languid sunny days and fresh, chilly nights – sometimes means the shoe you’re wearing at 8 a.m. won’t be the shoe you’re wearing at 8 p.m. Bay Area ladies are often spotted toting an extra pair along in a chic bag … just in case. Lots of walking and cable car rides means comfort is key … but not at the sake of fashion. Bay Area ladies pound the pavement in funky, comfy sneakers. And for nighttime, chill breezes and hilly streets make boots over jeans a favorite look.
Expert Shopping Tip - The online shoe sales arena is overflowing with contenders right now, which means each one is competing for your business with some terrific deals like free shipping and major sales. For example, check out the Shoes.com Saturday Sale. On the second Saturday of each month, Shoes.com offers up to 60% off a huge selection of men’s, women’s and kids’ shoes. Brands include Hollywould, Delman, Bruno Magli, Stuart Weitzman and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
