We’ve talked about Devotte shoes round these parts before.

But they make such gorgeous sandals that are fun and playful (and not insanely high-heeled, either) and stylish that they’re worth a post all their own, if you ask me.

Nancy Kim is the design force behind Devotte, and she knows what she’s doing after spending time at D&G and menswear’s Y-3. And she’s designing from the right point of view, in my opinion. We’re firm believers here at Shoeblog that there’s no need to compromise your style for some comfort, and Nancy agrees.

I understand the lifestyle of the cosmopolitan woman. There is never time to go home and change. I am born-and-bred NYC; I know the importance of stylish shoes that are still comfortable. These can be worn day to night, like your favorite jeans.

Sounds good, right? So let’s point out some of the beautiful spring/summer creations that could take you day to night. The Helena nods gracefully at the gladiator sandal without giving up any of its ladylike beauty. Perhaps its name is a nod to Helen of Troy, whose ladylike beauty was enough to cause all kinds of trouble.

The Leeloo has a whimsical name and a fittingly flitting butterfly-wing design.

The Shirley’s playful tuxedo styling makes me want to put on my tap shoes and head off to the Good Ship Lollipop. It’s equally cute in white/gold or white/black.

And if you’re after a little height and disco diva color, you may want to opt for the Courtney, which distills the essence of Studio 54’s heyday into something just a little simpler and chicer so you won’t have people thinking you’re living a life of over-the-top excesses.

Now it’s true, these babies aren’t cheap, but if you peek around the internet, you can find some Devotte deals (usually in select sizes, as per usual) like the heart-embellished Adore ankle-straps for $138

or the cute Clara skimmers for only $71!

No matter what, you’re sure to end up with something feminine and classy that’ll prove your style chops to anyone who sees your adorably-clad feet.

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No matter what the weather’s like around me these days (alternately cold and spring-like, sunny and rainy by turns), I’m determined to think about pretty pretty shoes for any season. And after a visit a few weeks ago to a showroom full of Elizabeth Brady’s Spring 08 line, these have stayed in my head.

The spring line (which isn’t available to buy online yet) is full of colors and textures inspired by Elizabeth’s trips to the green market, which makes me long for green market weather. Check out the easy chic Diane.

And the Fall 07 collection (which you can shop through over here) is full of shoes inspired by great women of the 1920s and 30s, like the Ella (presumably after Ella Fitzgerald), which is steely gray strength and pretty embroidered femininity in one sexy pump package.

And Elizabeth herself is a great example of a strong and independent-minded woman. She started up her business all on her own in 2005 with an eye to producing artisan-crafted shoes made with the highest quality leathers, skins, and fabrics (most of which come from Italy and are pieced together in her factories there). She came armed with an inside view on the shoe industry from her grandmother’s successful shoe business, and once Elizabeth taught herself Italian, she was off to Florence to set up her design studio.

Her shoes are creative and a touch playful, but stick to classic silhouettes that are universally appealing. And her shoe design philosophy is something I think every woman can get behind.

There should be a beautiful shoe for every part of a woman’s life! I truly believe that shoes are an expression of who you are and the sensibilities that you carry. We all have a sexy side, a daring side and an “I just want to feel beautiful” side. When I design, I develop collections that can challenge women to make a statement no matter what they are doing. Each collection includes styles that go from day to night and every shoe is an interesting mix of color and texture. Shoes should be fun. Shoes should be a part of who you are!

I say we all go out and arm ourselves (or leg ourselves) for the new season with shoes that make a statement and let us have the footwear to match the women (and men) we want to be.

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Forgive me the Latin-related pun in this post title, but I just wanted to remind you all out there in shoe land that there’s only a day left to enter your name (over here) in our contest for $100 off at the Nota Bene online store.

I know I mentioned it in the original post, but seriously, Jennifer Lovitt Riggs, the founder of Nota Bene, has her priorities in SO the right place when it comes to fashion and comfort in ladies footwear.

On women wearing painful, pointy, high heels:

“It is not that women are being silly,” Riggs said. “We are taught things like ‘beauty is painful’ and ‘no pain, no gain.’ So, we grit our teeth and bear it – the pointed toe and the stiletto heel are a badge of feminine machismo.”

On the importance of comfort in women’s shoes:

“Comfort is not a nicety. Shoes are the only article of clothing that can impact women’s long-term health and mobility.”

Her Nota Bene’s are put to the test in a serious way. Every style is road tested for 4-6 days (at least a mile a day) by real women, then refined based on their feedback, then tested again. That’s all before the shoe goes into full production.And she’s done wonders, with a line that offers refined, stylish women’s shoes that are made of shock-absorbent, high-quality materials. Come on, do these look like your average “comfort shoe”? I don’t think so!

As Ms. Riggs puts it:

“You only get one pair of feet, and they have a long journey. They are worth protecting.”

She’s so right. Drop your name in the “hat” if you want in on this highly admirable philosophy.

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Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
We love our feet,
And Nota Bene does, too.

Yes, shoe lovers, hot on the heels of our Glory Chen contest (and congrats to our lucky winner), here’s another chance to help yourself into a great new pair of shoes that will let you love your feet the way they deserve. Valentine’s Day may have passed, but there’s no reason not to treat your feet well for the rest of the year, too.

Nota Bene is a company that’s got their priorities in the right place. Here’s a quote from their mission statement:

Whoever she is, when the Nota Bene woman stands in front of her closet in the morning getting ready for work, she wants a beautiful pair of shoes she trusts will take her everywhere she wants to go that day. When she packs her suitcase, she wants versatile shoes. When she shops, she wants to find what she is looking for quickly and reliably. And at the end of the day, she still wants to love her beautiful shoes.

Who can’t get behind that kind of philosophy, I ask you? Shoeblog certainly can.

Nota Bene has worked out how to make shoes that don’t look like “comfort shoes” and still offer all the important features that keep your feet happy and comfortable through the day. Check out this comparison x-ray shot. The shoe on the left is a high end designer shoe, and the one on the right is by Nota Bene.

Look at all the ways the toes on the left are crunched and cramped into that space. They have no room to move, and that stresses the small bones in your toes in a major way. On the other hand (other foot?), the Nota Bene shoes keep the toes nice and straight and well separated, giving them freedom to flex and spread and grip and all those other great things toes do for us.

I took a pair of Nota Bene’s for a test drive (the Anne in bronze leather), and I have to say they did very well.

I’m always a little worried about a shoe like this, because they often end up rubbing in unforeseen places on my feet. But the Anne not only didn’t do that (the only rubbing I had was a bit on the inside of my heels, which is actually because they were a tad big–damn me and my size 8.25 feet–a toe pad will fix that right up), but it also kept my feet nice and comfy on a day when I ended up doing a higher than average amount of walking. I often have trouble with pointy toes, because my feet are very square and fairly wide at the base of my toes, but these left plenty of room for my feet, and only started to taper past the point where they’d have squeezed uncomfortably. Overall, quite enjoyable.

And I must also say that of the other styles Nota Bene sent me to try, a number of them were quite nice as well. Surprisingly, I found their heels to be the most stable, supporting, and comfortable to wear. I can’t rave highly enough about the sexy, chic Rosalind, which was pointy and sleek and toe-cleavage-y in just the right way, and yet managed to feel like a shoe you could actually wear and walk in all day long (although I would recommend going up a half size in that one, since most of the size 8s I tried were the best fit, but the Rosalind in 8.5 was just right).

So, how does this translate to you? Well, the folks at Nota Bene and the folks here at Shoeblog wanted to encourage some not-just-on-Valentine’s-Day love (since, after all, partners may come and go, but your feet are likely to be there for the long haul), so we’re offering you a shot at a $100 gift certificate at Nota Bene’s online shop. Leave a comment here to enter yourself in the contest (by midnight PST on February 26), and we’ll pick a winner at random.

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Here’s another excellent example of a once-fuddy-duddy brand that’s been working on a total style revamp without giving up their comfort.  Think Easy Spirit.  Think Aerosoles.  Think Naturalizer.

They’ve been working to make well-fitting, comfortable women’s shoes since 1927, when women’s suffrage had succeeded and was offering women all kinds of opportunities they didn’t have before.  Including (and I do not mock here) fashion ones.  They had a chance at shoes that weren’t torture devices, and the rising hemlines to show those shoes off.

And Naturalizer has been making shoes with that spirit of fashion and comfort ever since.  The style emphasis has recently gone leaps and bounds forward.

Want proof that this ain’t your mama’s walking shoe company anymore?  Just look at the smart and sassy Ami peep-toe wedge ($75).

Love the button, love the gray, love the sleek silhouette.

The Castell (from the Signature collection) will make you blink and rub your eyes and pinch yourself to make sure you’re really looking at something from a comfort shoe brand.  Sexy and divalicious, no?  Plus, it’s currently on sale for only $40!!

 How about the sexy vintage styled Focus t-strap?  Also on sale for $50 right now, this one’s begging for a spin around the salsa dance floor.

 I’m particularly all about the Marc Jacobs-esque Looloo kitten heel, which you can snap up for only $30 on sale.  The navy patent leather and the cut-outs at the heel are stylish and modern, and I love them.

 Any one of these could show up in a high fashion line, and I wouldn’t think twice about its style belonging there.  Nice going, Naturalizer!  Keep em coming!

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