I’ve wanted a pair of Chie Miharas for the longest time, but between their high retail price (in the $300s) and the abundance of high-heels styles she has produced of late, I’ve had a hard time deciding. So I’ve waited–for about 1 1/2 years, to be precise (that’s how much it takes me to mull over things). Finally, at some point last month I said, that’s it, I’m getting them! It may have helped that I had recently finished my PhD and the euphoria hadn’t worn off yet, plus my birthday was up, so I felt a slight sense of entitlement. I ponied up a LOT of cash for these (I got them from the lovely people at Ped Shoes, who, by the way, have a decent collection of interesting shoes), but I can say I don’t regret it: they’re gorgeous, and super-comfy, and go well with just about anything. Also? They come with heel replacements, which is just about the coolest thing in the world.

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I live in a walker’s city, so naturally the (female) company I keep is of the, um, walking persuasion. And of course, of the fabulous footwear persuasion, too–it goes without saying. A recent friend I made, who is a slender, petite actress, asked me for some advice regarding shoes. “I love to walk around town,” she says, “and I’m on my feet a lot, but I also need to keep a polished look and I really need the height.” To accomplish that, she often resorts to wedges, but she wondered if there is more to life footwear than that. I’ll start by telling you all I said before, which is, stick to lower heels or flats with good arch support, value health AND comfort over short-lived glamor, keep yourself informed about shoe brands with a reputation for comfort, heed the advice of experts (e.g., try on shoes in the evening when your feet are most likely to swell, shoes should fit right out of the box, with no “break-in” period, etc.). But, when you need the extra height, and you need to look glamorous for your job, AND you need to traipse around the city while looking glam and somewhat tall(er), then…you’re either in for a tough break, or you need to start making some compromises. Yes, do the wedge thing as much as you can, but if you want heels you can walk in, forget stilettos; wear those only in extraordinary circumstances (the job requires it, and you only need to do a limited amount of walking). However, you can still achieve the height and the look with some more sensibly-shaped heels, such as any 3″ or slightly higher from the Taryn Rose collection. The Canela, for example, is super-classy and kinda tall (3 1/2 inch high) and at $545 yes, kinda expensive, but see above re: compromises:

Why would I recommend such a high-heeled shoe? Well, here’s the thing: I own a 3″ pair of Taryn Rose pumps and they’ve been more comfortable than certain flats I own. I am not sure where this magic happens (nothing short of alchemy, if you ask me: turning painful high heels into golden comfort wear), but it’s probably a combination of materials (lightweight Poron), padding, built-in arch support, and angle of the heel relative to the sole. One of the issues with Taryn Rose shoes is they often tend to look orthopedic (at least they did in the beginning), and if not so, then a little stodgy and on the mature side. Or, let’s put it this way: they’re not exactly youthful. I can certainly understand that: given their prices and emphasis on comfort, you don’t want something that may go out of style by next year. Sometimes, however, the style reflects the current fashion, such as in this “Cheval” oxford sandal ($495 at Zappos):

Or these metallic peep-toes, Calexa ($475 at Zappos)–which are also timeless and elegant:

Apart from Taryn Rose, there are precious few brands that I can recommend for this particular problem. I LOVE Thierry Rabotin, definitely some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, period, but they are often stodgy and seldom give you the height you may want. There is Donald Pliner, which I would qualify as only semi-comfortable at heights over 2.5″. There is Anyi Lu, but they cater to the more mature, over 40 crowd, and you can sort of see that in their designs. Oh, I know–there is Robert Clergerie, also very high end, and definitely not for everybody (definitely for me, though!); these beaded sandals are kind of sexy and are only 3″ high AND on sale at Zappos for $297 (down from $500):

One brand that I want to explore and about which I heard only good things is Chie Mihara. They don’t market themselves as a comfort brand, that’s true–but there is attention to comfort in the cushioned molded insoles and the overall architecture of the shoe (no stiletto heels, for example!). These strappy numbers, the Bankok model, are chic, edgy, thick-heeled, and….padded ($368 at PedShoes):

We invite you to share your experiences of fashionable and comfortable heels in our forums. We’re always eager to learn!

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I’m leaving for Seattle later this morning so I’m running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cruelly cut off, and generally getting stressed out of my mind–a sport I’m a champion at, by the way.

And so it struck me that I *GOTS TO* find ways of de-stressing, and then, bam, the second revelation: what better means of de-stressing than beautiful shoes?

“Shoes?” my brain will say. “Shoes? THERE IS NO TIME FOR SHOES!”

Except, there is, especially when they induce you into an adoring stupor and switch gears from “hyperventilating” to “lovingly drooling”:

I loooooove these Chie Mihara simple flats, in all their crackly-silvery-goodness–and of course, the crucial detail, the cherry on the shiny cake, the double-colored nude strap at the back–so simple, so effective in textural and color contrast, so très, très chic! They’re almost $300 at Anthropologie, and I’m almost believing that’s worth the price of de-stressing.

(PS: On second thoughts, perhaps I should apply for a grant to study the effect of beautiful shoes on women’s psyche. Wouldn’t you all volunteer for that??)

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Warm weather is coming my way–so I dream of greener pastures (I’ve been bundled up in my parka for way, waaaaaay too long). The whole coming season is shaping up to  be green, if you ask me–as the eco-chic movement is gaining momentum. Speaking of green, who can resist the simplicity and elegance of these sandals:

They’re the Chie Mihara Jari style, $326 at PedShoes. I’ve always been partial to this new designer’s style–it’s robust and elegant, effortlessly cool, and–the cherry on the cake–the shoes seem to be made with the comfort of the wearer in mind. A Brazilian educated at the New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Chie Mihara makes her shoes in Spain–and makes them well.

If you’re craving the green goodness and comfort of these sandals, but the T-strap just ain’t your thang, there’s another style that’s equally delicious:

This Chie Mihara Jade suede banded sandal is $315 at Shopbop. It might swallow my entire sandal budget for the summer–but by golly, they’re worth it!

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There is something very sturdy and satisfying about Chie Mihara’s designs. They are substantial, earthy, if you will, but not earth-bound: they’re imaginative and colorful and overall happy.

The “Chiwawa” T-strap sandal in a delicious orange and cream color scheme is just that: a delightful, every-so-slightly-retro confection, that will make you, and everybody looking at you, happy. They’re $320 at Piperlime.

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