In These Shoes

“Give a girl the right shoes and she’ll conquer the world.” — Bette Midler

BY IRENE SEIBERLING, LEADER-POSTMAY 12, 2010
Red Patent slingback with flower bow with covered platform by Kelsi Dagger $159;…
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Time to put some spring in your step, ladies!

Take your pick — platforms and sky-high stiletto heels, bold wedges, or fun flats. They’re all hot for Spring/Summer 2010.

“Really, there’s a heel for every customer nowadays,” says Jack Allan, owner of Marlers, which has been selling fashionable footwear in Regina for 80 years.

The same is true when it comes to toe shapes, Allan adds.

“You can have everything from really pointed toes to round toes to peep toes. There’s a real mixture, which is great for the consumer because there’s lots for them to choose from.”

And colours have real pop this spring and summer.

“The colours are brighter this year. Last year, they tended to be softer; this year, the colours are more vibrant. The reds are redder and the blues are bluer,” Allan points out.

The gladiator look is prevalent again this season, he says. This season’s gladiator sandal runs the gamut — a perfect match for everything from casual to dressy fashions. If you love high heels, you’ll love this season’s offerings. High heels abound. Shoe designers are taking footwear to new heights with wedges and platforms — creating a more comfortable version of the four-inch heel.

“The nice thing about having a platform on a shoe, it doesn’t feel that high,” Allan says.

High heels are fashionable most everywhere. They can be paired with designer jeans for a night on the town, or with a tailored suit for the boardroom, or worn with a drop-dead-gorgeous cocktail gown.

Marilyn Monroe once said: “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!”

And Manolo Blahnik insisted: “You put high heels on and you change.”

For those of us who are almost six feet tall, the return of flats is a welcome sight. We would live in flats, if we thought we could get away with it. The options this season exude fun. There’s a flat for every shoe personality. Lots of look-at-me detailing this season — whether it’s a bright red patent leather flower or a wild pattern. Gone are the days when Regina women had to travel to fashion meccas like Montreal or New York for the latest foot fashions.

“I go to the same shows as New York shop owners,” Allan was quick to point out. “So our customers get the same styles as you’d find there.”

Because people travel more nowadays, they’re definitely more knowledgeable when it comes to designer brands, he insists. So shoe store owners like Allan have to stay abreast of which are the hottest brands — keeping the popular ones from season to season, adding new brands, and dropping others.

HERE ARE A FEW OF THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST BRANDS:

– Betsy Johnson. Known for pushing the fashion envelope, these high stiletto heels in vibrant colours are designed to turn heads.

– Sam Edelman. The No. 1 look of the season — the gladiator — is a favourite among celebrities.

– Stuart Weitzman. Famous for stylish designer dress, evening, bridal and casual footwear.

– Miss Sixty. Stepping out in everything from flats to wedge heels to stilettos — available in neutrals (classic black is always ‘in’) to vibrant shades, such as yellow and red.

– Fly London. The footwear of universal youth fashion culture.

– Nine West. Featuring dress, career and casual footwear. You name it — platforms, wedges, pumps, flats.

At Marlers, the majority of styles are $125 to $250, but there are also shoes for $400. Footwear designers are continuously stepping up their game, says Allan. “It’s always an evolution. It keeps it interesting,” he says. ” We always try to find new brands and new designs. So we never look tired.”