SHAPE Magazine Offers Advice on… Shoes?
Most people don’t regard Shape Magazine as a “fashion foward” magazine… But you’d be surprised as the number of amazing tips they give you through their section titled “Look Great“!
In this month’s issue, Shape’s monthly “Fashion Workbook” offers up The Shoes You NEED In Your Closet. Unfortunately, only two examples out of their six necessities were under $300… Being an avid shoe connoisseur, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes and inquisitively peruse their suggestions. They are as follows:
STRAPPY SANDALS
I tend to agree with this, even though I don’t personally own any strappy sandals. I think that they’re a wonderful addition to a summer cocktail dress and look great under boot-cut jeans with a flowy top, but I’m annoyed that I cannot wear them so much in winter because they tend to look unsightly with opaque tights, unless the perfect pair is discovered (in which case ##contact me immediately after finding!). Also, really strappy sandals have the tendency to cut through my skin and gnaw on my delicate little foot-bones, which is not a good look.
However… Strappy sandals are extremely aesthetic and sexy, which is why I have to throw out some options, naturally. 
Their Suggestion:
Stuart Weitzman “Submit” Sandals $315
My Picks:
 GUESS by Marciano Trivan Sandal from Endless $109 $93.90 |
 Nine West Gisellan Sandal from Endless $49.47 - $89.95 |
 AK Anne Klein Mariah Pump $78.95 $70.90 |
HIGH IMPACT HEELS
This suggestion, I couldn’t agree with more. According to their description (”memorable” being a key term), it complies completely with my statement theory - meaning a shoe that will stand out and even work as the focal point of your entire outfit.
This season, it’s all about glamour: feathers, ruffles, satin… Mixed with hard edgy accents like zippers, hardware, and leather.
Their Suggestion:
My Picks:
 Hale Bob Shaina Sandal from Endless $89.21 - $104.95 |
 J. Renee Idol Pump from Endless $89.95 |
 Cindy Says Willow Pump from Endless $89.95 $49.97 |
KITTEN HEELS
As Shape Magazine is, after all, a women’s health magazine, it makes sense that they would suggest and advocate a healthy break from sky-high heels. While I’m personally not a fan of kitten heels, they definitely have a point when saying that your feet (and calves) need a break every now and then.
I suppose I can oblige.
Their Suggestion:
Aerosoles “Treat Yourself” Pump $70.95
My Picks:
 Carlos by Carlos Santana “Chime” from Piperlime $89 $49.99 |
 Nine West Ciscos Pump from Endless $79.95 $34.90 |
 Arturo Chiang Gregory Jet Pump from Endless $109.95 $60.47 |
FLATS
Oh, flats are absolutel essential - I couldn’t agree more. Over the past few years, the appeal of flat shoes have skyrocketed, therefore producing some of the best designed shoes I’ve seen in a long time. Not only are they currently amazing, new ideas and sketches come out every season of new, wonderful flats with added featured like peep toes, mary jane straps, and buckles.
Their Suggestion:
Chinese Laundry Discrete Flat $69.95
My Picks:
 “Carry Me” Flat in White from ##stevemadden $59.95 $47.95 |
 Bella Vita Vera Ballet Flat from Endless $79.95 |
 Clarks Lakeville Flats from Piperlime $80 $49.99 |
PUMPS
Talk about the most broad category for a shoe! Pumps can be anything from peep-toe to pointy-toe, black to pink, t-strap to d’orsay, maryjane to slingback… You smell what I’m steppin’ in here.
To say that pumps are essential to your shoe wardrobe is basically to say that oxygen is essential for living. Anything I say about their usefulness is going to be redundant, as each and every one of you will likely skip over it as a product of having that knowledge since birth. So let’s get on with it.
Their Suggestion:
Botkier Tiffany Pump
$395
My Picks
 “Tinkle” Pumps from ##stevemadden $79.95 |
 Nine West Nastro Pump from Endless $49.47 - $88.95 |
 Miss Me Vivian T-Strap Heel from Endless $33.95 |
OXFORDS
2008 has been an amazing year for the oxford. Whether wearing them beneath jeans, with tights and a chic dress, or just on their own with some shorts and a sweater, they’ve quickly climbed the “Miss Elle’s Favorite Shoes” chart.
Their Suggestion:
Coach Claudine Oxford Pump $318
My Picks:
 Bongo Pack Leader Oxford from Endless $49.95 |
 Plaid oxford shoe-boot from Amazon   $49 $39 |
 Madden Girl Women’s Jonahh Oxford from Amazon  $49.95 |
While this concludes a fairly comprehensive list of really amazing, and definitely essential shoes… Nothing’s ever perfect. I think this list could have definitely used a knee-high boot category, flat sandal category, and a platform mary jane category… But this is also coming from a lady who has 45 pairs of shoes…
…and counting. 
xoxo.
Oh seriously, HOW could they have omitted knee-high boots? Good catch, lady. And GREAT alternatives to the super spendy Shape choices!
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I know - no knee high boots? That’s like saying you don’t need a bra in winter!
…or something.
I LOVE the high impact shoes they listed, but HOLY COW, there’s NO WAY I could ever (unless I miraculously become a multi-millionaire) justify spending $700+ on a pair of shoes!! We are pretty down there on the economic scale, so while I love shoes, I have to limit myself. I have never spent more than $30 on a pair of shoes, and I always find great shoes! A lot come from PayLess, and while those aren’t my favorites, they are cute! My favorites, I find at Ross or TJ Maxx, and wow! I find some great shoes there!
And I LOVE Oxfords! I don’t own any yet, but I will! I think they’re so classy and stylish!
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I have oxfords EXACTLY like their example - peep toed and ribbon “lace” even!
I got mine at Target.
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I saw those, too!! Damn, I should have used ‘em.
I’m into the Chinese Laundry flats, cute buckle detail in the front & even better price!
Yeah, that was their best pick, in my opinion… Put it seems weird to put a $70 shoe in the same article as a $700 one, you know? Let’s have a little consistency, eh?!
I love the Bongo Pack Leader Oxford’s! Just bought them the other day in a pinch and was surprised to see them here.
Honestly, they look great and I only spent $40 for them at DSW. Highly reccomended.
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