Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008 - Fashionista by Kelly Krieger

Women can never have too many pairs of shoes. There have been many times when I have sacrificed comfort in the name of fashion. This is not the smart thing to do, but when you find yourself in a Carrie Bradshaw - Sex and the City moment, there is no better feeling than buying a great pair of shoes (regardless of the fact that they will cause great pain after two hours).

Recently, I've realized my feet are suffering way too much and I have been making better choices. No one wants to get those painful nasty bunions or shin splints. There are shoes out there that combine fashion and comfort (not all comfortable shoes need to look like grandma's orthopedic specials.) Remember, shoes are meant to protect our feet. They should be comfortable from the moment you try them on in the store. If someone tells you they will feel better when you "break them in" they are probably wrong.

The following are a few tips according to footcarecentral.com that will help guide you in the shoe decision-making process: 1. Shop for shoes later in the day. Our feet swell during the day and this will give a better idea for a true fit. 2. Buy shoes based on your larger foot. Our feet are not the exact same size. 3. Measure your feet standing up. 4. Allow for room (approximately a thumbnail in width) between your big toe and the tip of the shoe. 5. If you have problems with your feet, perhaps have a podiatrist evaluate where your key problems are. This will help guide you towards the right style shoe. Some people have a high arch, low arch, in-step or heel problem and don't have a clue. 6. Make sure you don't have too much room in the heel area causing your feet to slide back and forth. Equally as well, you don't want the fit to be tight, causing cramping and pinching in the toe area. Did someone say blisters, blisters and more blisters?

Now that you have educated yourself, it's time to shop. Shoes really define your overall appearance. You can make your daytime attire change from casual to sexy with a change of shoes. Check out the Cole Haan collection (colehaan.com, saksfifthavenue.com or Saks Southampton location). The Air Jena Ballet, priced at $185, Jena Air High Pump, priced at $275 and Jena Air Mary Jane, priced at $295 (available in black patent or pinot noir suede) are great options for the office. Each offers a sophisticated stylish look combined with Cole Haan's trademark Nike Air cushion sole for added comfort.

If you want to achieve that Sex and the City look, there are many high-end styles to choose from. Sara Jessica Parker has spurred much attention over the years with her collection of shoes. High-end couture became a coffee break discussion each week at the workplace for many. In the Sex and the City movie, Carrie had many costume and, more importantly, shoe changes. She wore Dior Extreme Python heels in brown and black, Proenza Schouler strappy heels, Sigerson Morrison booties, Jimmy Choo pumps and of course Manolo Blahniks, just to name a few.

Classic shoes are worth investing in because they will always stay in style and Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo and Christian Dior designed a few of my all-time favorites.

When investing in an expensive pair of shoes, it's important to protect and care for them properly. Always wipe down your shoes and neatly store them in an appropriate box or shoe bag. The days of ruining your high heel by getting caught in awkward situations i.e. cracked pavement, wood decks and grass are over. A new invention created by Becca Brown and Monica Murphy of Sole Mates is the answer to your prayers. A small plastic covering that caps over the bottom of your high heel is all you need. I can't tell you how many times I've ruined a favorite pair of shoes. Check out solemates.com for more information.