It has been a couple of weeks since I read this, but with Shomore’s review of the new Kenneth Cole technology, I recalled this article in the Chicago Tribune about a showdown with four shoes and their comfort levels.   Here’s the set up:  Ellen Warren purchased 4 pairs of shoes, then 4 women wore them, giving their assessment of each shoe.  Here are the shoes in comfort order.

Naturalizer’s Magee $70 at Naturalizer.com

Cole Haan Air Lyric Maryjane pump  $182 at Zappos.com

Kenneth Cole Stud Bolt   was $175 at Kennethcole.com but this style isn’t available anymore.  The Stud Bolt does not seem to be a part of the 925 series.  The “hype” mentions that the technology was 4 years in the making, but I couldn’t find the shoe listing any longer.

Taryn Rose Diles $475 at Endless.com

It is a great article with wonderful information.  Read the entire article at Sexy Shoe Showdown.

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When people ask me my age, I often give a smart mouth response.  ”My mind thinks I am 25, but my knees think I am 85.”  My old knees are a result of bad running mechanics, high heels and a really, really stupid mountain bike accident.   

My mind LOVES the five inch double platforms we have seen these past few seasons, however my knees are another matter.  Lately, they have been choosing how high my heels will be.  When you wear heels above 3 inches, it puts ALOT of stress on your knees.  So if you are wearing 4 1/2 inch heels everyday give me a call, I know a great orthopedic surgeon. 

Shomore told us about Andre Leon Talley’s opinion about the absurd heights our designers are taking their heels.   Gioia Diliberto agrees. ”It is nearly impossible to find a pretty, feminine shoe with a normally high heel, say three and a half inches.”  [Huffington Post] 

I can relate.  I decided to see just what I could find with a heel 3.5 inches or less.  Let’s see what I found.

Taryn Rose Canela  is a neat shoe with a cute ornament on the toe. The heel’s width offers stability.  The foot bed had a high tech paddding.   Taryn Rose shoes have been kind to me because she is an orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer.  She feels my pain.

 Chrisian Louboutin offers more than hidden platforms with 6 inch heels.  I am seriously considering purchasing these heels.

Christian Louboutin New Decoltissimo 85  $565 at Net-a-Porter.

  I really like these next shoes.  They are not gladiators (too tired), not too odd looking, but different enough to be interesting.  There is a red and grey combination that is attractive.

  Loeffler Randall Geneivieve $332 at Shopbop.com 

Another interesting design that isn’t the same frilly, girly flower sandal we see everywhere. 

Eilene Shieldsfor Zero + Maria Cornejo Tia

Initially, I found nearly all shoes with less than 3.5 inch heels were either variations on the pump or a slide.  I looked a little harder and found some designers who had some unusual designs that met my 3.5 criteria.  Eilene Shields and Loeffler Randall had quite a few unusual designs.  Cole Haan has several feet friendly designs. 

If two fashion editors are talking about insane high shoes, then others are too.  I am willing to bet the designers will be offering more shoes in the mid-heel range soon.

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  And, whether you have a romantic evening planned with your honey, or are having a single gal’s ’stag’ evening - any excuse to ogle red, hot, sexy shoes is okay in my book.

So, let’s start with some sweet floral shoes that look like romantic bouquets:

Jessica Simpson ‘Josette’ $39.99 @ Smartbargains

Kate Spade ‘Gesture’ $218.97 $297.95 @ Zappos

Kate Spade ‘Carine’ $161.70 $277.95 @ Zappos

Taryn Rose ‘Betty’ $315.96 $394.95@ Zappos  

Moving on to wearing your heart for everyone to see (though on your feet, not on your sleeve):

 Promiscuous ‘Heartless’ $55 @ Zappos

Promiscuous ‘Enticing’ $49 @ Zappos

Promiscuous ‘Fixation’ $53.10 $59@ Zappos

Penthouse 509-Diora Stiletto $72.99 @ Snaz75

 BC Footwear ‘Cuttin and Scratchin’ $80 $100@ Zappos

Betseyville ‘Lenore’ $82 $114@ Zappos

Well, whatever your Saturday has in store for you, there’s always room for another pair of fabulous red shoes in any gal’s closet:

Luichiny ‘Clara’ $90.21 $134 @ Zappos

LAMB ‘Sidney’ $240.30 $319@ Zappos

RSVP ‘Dinda’ $53 $65@ Zappos

RSVP  ‘Rori’ $59.55 $85@ Zappos

Sam Edelman ‘XIla’ $64.43 @ Endless & $85 $123@ Zappos

Via Spiga ‘Mavis’ $122 $197.95@ Zappos

 RSVP ‘Joi’ $56.50 $74@ Zappos

Oh, and if you are one of those ladies who doesn’t yet own a pair of red heels - What are you waiting for? Red is an absolutely fabulous wardrobe neutral that simply exudes confidence from the ground up.

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Remember when Joseph’s had an excellent sale on spring/summer stuff earlier this year? 

Well, it’s time for the fall/winter counterpart.

Want to pep up your winter footwear?  Snag this red patent Lanvin boot for $556 (down from $925… that’s 40% off!)

OK, true, that’s 40% off, but if $500+ is still too out of reach for your credit-crunched wallet (as it is mine), you could go for these ADORABLE Oxford-inspired Taryn Rose flats ($326, down from $465).

Or there are these Deco-y Prada flats, which would look killer with a little black dress for a holiday party, and are now $319 instead of $530.

The mark downs are continuing, so if none of these float your boat at the moment, keep checking back, and who knows what delightful shoes may come along.

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Well, it’s official, Michelle Obama is going to be the next First Lady of the United States of America.  And, regardless of what you may think about her husband’s politics, you’ve got to admit the lady’s got style.  Just look at the Spring 09 Narciso Rodriguez dress she wore on the night of the election.  Sure, it’s gotten mixed reviews from the fashion critics (I come down firmly on the side of “She’s Working It!”), but it’s not a boring choice, that’s for sure.

Me, I’m over the moon that the soon-to-be First Lady of the USA has an interesting fashion sense, as you can see from a few examples here.

Boogying with Ellen DeGeneres.

In a dress from Thakoon’s Resort ‘09 line.

In J. Crew separates and a Moschino shirt dress… both with super cute shoes.

And that brings me to what we love most over here, of course… shoes.

Because, yes folks, you’re eyes do not deceive you.  That is Michelle Obama wearing flats.  She’s a flats kinda woman.  She’s more often shoes under 3″ than in anything higher.  And I couldn’t be happier about it!

A curious reader wrote us asking about Ms. Obama’s footwear choices, and… well… to be honest, I have yet to figure out what those black flats she wore on election night were.  But the woman has some seriously cute pairs of low-heels and flats.

Might I suggest she stick with this plan of comfy and attractive shoes.  Much like Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has done (with great elegance and panache).  We need more high-profile women who know they can be confident and stylish without the super-high heels.

So, instead of going for the 8″ Louboutins that are on their way, how about sticking with something equally chic, but easier on the body, like these tortoise-shell ballerinas.

Since those look like they’re only at the UK version of Netaporter, here’s a Taryn Rose alternative: the Bion.

Or maybe these Chloe purple pointy-toe numbers that are cool and classy, but with a nice hit of style at the same time.

There’s a classic Tod’s skimmer (the Biscuit, in this case) … can’t go wrong there.

Or, for something a wee bit more daring (and yet, totally still something I could see her wearing), there’s this totally adorable Joey McMakin pump.

Tahari’s got these Tessa flats.

I could go on and on and on.  But instead, I will leave with one more suggestion.  Because, for something sporty and supportive, she could go for these Keds skimmers, just one of many Obama shoe designs available here, for those so inclined.

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