Sunday, October 31, 2010

How Opposite Sexes Decide on Beautiful Shoes

To Buy or Not to Buy: How Opposite Sexes Make Shoe Decisions

How opposite sexes make decisions regarding shoes
Alina Dizik ON May 18, 2010

When Anna Vaysman needed shoes for her Chicago wedding -- she ordered eight pairs. Taking advantage of Zappos.com's lenient return policy, she tried them all on but only kept two of the eight pairs for her big day. She admits browsing through hundreds of shoes -- both online and off -- before making her choice. On the other hand, her husband picked "The" shoe after carefully examining only six pairs. "I'm not a shopohalic, but I like shoes a lot," Vaysman admits.

She's not the only one. With sales of shoes at $1.5 billion in October, this is an objet d'art for American women and one we're still eager to purchase. The right pair of heels is the ultimate accessory to the perfect outfit, and the search for a comfortable sole is endless. "Women make more impulse driven purchases while men buy more for necessity," says Eileen Lewis, director of fashion strategy at the shoe retailer, which sells thousands of shoes each year.

For men, this process is more straightforward, and here the differences begin...

Men: If the shoe fits -- they will buy it

While it may not seem like it, men also have a shopping approach, it boils down to two words: be efficient!  "My strategy is to buy a shoe that is going to last -- not only in durability, but in style," says Nathan Geddie from New York. "I want a simple shoe, one that can be dressed up or down."

As women, this is tough to understand. We're surprised that there are rarely emotional strings attached. At the store, men walk in and can walkout with a shoe that's simply good enough minutes later. There's never a yearning for the famous Christian Louboutin red sole -- instead it's more utilitarian, explains Stephen Hoch a marketing professor at the University of Pennslylvania Wharton School who co-authored a study "Men Buy, Women Shop." For example, in the study men ranked the difficulty of finding parking close to the entrance (29 percent of men surveyed) as the number one problem in their shopping experience, while the women were concerned with "lack of help when needed" (29 percent of women surveyed) as their top deal breaker.

The simplicity of buying online is another matter. Currently, men spend 70 percent more on shopping online than women, according to Forrester Research. Unlike women, they're also not swayed by easy returns and would rather order the product than keep searching.

Women: Always waiting for the "right" moment

We agree when other women compare finding yet another pair of perfect shoes to walking on air or even falling in love.

But it's not only the shoe that has to impress -- it's the entire package. Customer service is a must explains Delia Passi, CEO of WomenCertified, a marketing firm in Hollywood, Florida. "They not only want to be pointed in the right direction, but to be escorted and empowered to make the right decision," says Passi and adds that women, unlike men, regularly turn to sales employees for help. "If she is not treated the way she wants to be treated she will talk with her feet and walk."

And unlike men, those of us without the Y chromosome consider walking into some shoe stores a pleasure in itself. Our favorite? The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store Shoe Salon which boasts it's own zip code. The eighth floor space also has its own express elevator, a VIP room and a repair service. "Value must exceed cost to win her over, and that means being treated well," adds Passi.

Being at a sale is another story. Once we find the perfect fit, we're willing to scoop it right up -- no questions asked.

So what does this all mean during the busiest shopping month of the year? Research suggests it's best to go your separate ways and meet back at home. With such different styles of shopping, a male-female holiday trip to the mall is bound to turn into a battle.

And now that we've deciphered how exactly it is that you shop, it's time to tackle that pressing question of storage space. We, for one, will ask Santa for a walk-in shoe closet.

MY THOUGHTS

"men buy. women shop" that's why shopping together is not a good idea. i'm not a shopaholic myself. well,not anymore. but i love shoes. and i don't follow the principle of "if the shoe fits." shoe manufaturers seem to understand the buying habits of the opposite sexes. men won;t shop because there's no reason to. they don't have much to choose from in terms of style.

fashionably comfortable beautiful shoes

Fashionably Comfortable: You'll Flip for These Funky Flats

From steals to splurges, these shoes were made for walking! (43 Photos)
Kristen Green ON Oct 12, 2010 at 3:55PM

Not-Blue Suede Shoes

Seasonal suede to the N'th degree! We love the twee bow styling of these  ($55 at Topshop), which come accompanied by modernized grommets for the sweet girl on the go.

Mad About Shoe

Almost the perfect melding of L.A.M.B. and Louis Vuitton, the Luiza Barcelos Women's Av042 Ballet Flats ($184 at Endless) will dress up or down (and with Mad Men appeal, to boot).

Pretty Patents

If you love feminine flats, then Miu Miu's Powder Tooled Patent Leather Bow Flats ($396 at Bluefly) have got your number. We're digging the tooled details on the toe and heel, which shows off the nifty contrast between the dual-shade kicks.

Bronze Metal

Been looking for that ideal oxford shoe? Then Belle by Sigerson Morrison's 6198 Oxfords ($122.30 at Zappos) are here to quench your thirst. Personally, we'd showcase the cutouts on these by accessorizing with a pair of dark tights for contrast.

Strap to It

If you need an all-purpose shoe, then we're vetting Kooba's Faye Flats ($229 at Zappos). We dig how the studded ankle strap gives our legs definition and offsets the design simplicity of the classic black flat.

D'Amour Couture

Hey there, weather girl! We've got the perfect seasonal flat for you with Juicy Couture's Chyna Flat ($54.40 at Zappos), which comes lined with soft faux-fur lining and sequined snowflakes to twinkle your toes through the cooler months.

Suede Brigade

Throw on your lady garb and take these delights for a spin -- Marc by Marc Jacobs 694145 Flats ($99 at Footnotes) are the perfect mix of old style and new materials, and his reimagining of a classic is just another reason to hop on the Marc train.

Queen of Hearts

Do you love fashion? Then wear your heart on your feet with these Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa Zen Girl Flats ($134 at Zappos). We can't wait to wear ours in the rain in lieu of our leather flats!

Don't Boohoo this Boho

We instantly fell in love with these boho chic Reed Evins 500 Ballet Flats ($175 at Jildor Shoes), which will pair with whatever your little heart contents.

Think Pink

Hey, life is fun, so why not treat yourself to some of it! If you start with shoes, try these sassy F-Troupe Bathing Shoes ($40 at Gargyle) to spice up things up.

Gold Metal Winners

We remember our favorite shoes in college were a gorgeous pair of gold flats that literally matched everything that we owned. They served us well, much in the way that Sigerson Morrison's 9517 Flats ($231 at Zappos) will no doubt serve you.

Chain of Cools

Sometimes, instead of a movie, we'll go to a store and visit the Lanvin collection. It's like visiting a high-fashion museum, where all the clothes are lit ethereally and are breathtakingly beautiful. We especially love these Lanvin Silver Lambskin Chain Ankle Flats in Silver ($580 at Bluefly).

The Look for Less

If Miu Miu's prices seem a little mucho-mucho, then check out Misbehave Milly Flats ($25.30 at Endless) -- they've got the charm of added trinkets without the added dollars.

Like Gifts!

Kate Spade has never shied away from bright colors and adorable accessories, so if her Fiona Flats ($77 at Zappos) were anything but, frankly, we'd be disappointed. (Luckily, we're not!)

The Cat's Out of the Bag

Really, have we ever met a leopard-print accessory that we didn't love? Add some studs and you've got Be & D's Tres Joe Flats ($350 at Shop the Shoe Box). Plus, what a great day-to-night transition shoe!

MY THOUGHTS

love'em all. too many shoes to dream about...

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The World's Oldest Beautiful Shoe

Talk About Retro: The World's Oldest Shoe

Imagine what future generations will think of our kicks
Ysolt Usigan ON Jun 10, 2010 at 2:27PM

Before sky-high Louboutins and Manolos, people (cave men and women, to be specific) wore lace-up flats. And to think, I assumed our prehistoric ancestors walked around barefoot. Silly me -- of course, they wore shoes!

And now, there's proof. Archaeologists discovered the world's oldest known leather shoe while excavating a cave in Armenia. The 5,500-year-old shoes, which are made out of cowhide and tanned with oil from a plant or vegetable, were preserved under layers of sheep dung. Who knew the very thing you're trying to avoid stepping on is what could save your footwear?!

"While the shoe more closely resembles an L.L.Bean-type soft-soled walking shoe than anything by Jimmy Choo, 'these were probably quite expensive shoes, made of leather, very high quality,'" lead scientist Gregory Areshian of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles, told the New York Times.

I wonder who actually wore this particular pair?! Scientists have yet to uncover more details -- after all, these were created before we had user reviews -- all they know is, they were likely worn by a woman with size-7 feet, just a tad shy of the current average of 8.5.

Centuries from now, wouldn't it be cool if excavators discovered our beloved shoes? I wonder what the people of the future would think of our ballet flats, peep-toes and booties?

MY THOUGHTS

amazing that the oldest shoe was probably worn by a woman. with big feet. and with style. leather 5500 years ago.

Mariah Carey's own line of shoes and jewelry

Mariah Carey is expecting -- to launch her own line of shoes, jewelry and more on HSN

By Lindsay Goldwert
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, October 29th 2010, 11:46 AM

Singer Mariah Carey is thrilled to announce her latest offspring -- a line of lifestyle products and jewelry for the Home Shopping Network.

The pop star diva, who has also announced that she is expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon, will be taking to the small screen to hawk her designs starting on Nov. 29, according to Women's Wear Daily. Carey said that she is always looking for new ways to express herself creatively and jumped at the chance to develop her own collection of shoes and jewelry and more.

Once she, HSN CEO Mindy Grossman and designer Joan Boyce put their heads together – part of which was a meeting in Carey's own shoe closet – the ideas for a more complete lifestyle brand started flowing.

Much like the woman who starred in the 2001 film "Glitter", the collection is going to include a lot of sparkle.  Expect pave-set 'initial' pendants and limited edition sets of Carey's fragrances set in Swarovski crystal.  The jewelry will also feature the butterfly, one of the singer's favorite motifs and the name of her mega platinum-selling 1997 album.

The shoes will be tall but with a nod toward comfort.  "A platform shoe grounds you a little more. I try to make my designs more practical as well as pretty. One of the things I thought about was how I could do affordable, really nice, comfortable shoes that are still flattering to the leg," she told WWD.

The shoes will be priced from about $69.90 to $199.90, while the jewelry will be available from $39.99 to $199.95.

MY THOUGHTS

sounds interesting. better check out home shopping. not necessarily to buy anything.just curious...

Affordable Alternatives to Carrie's Studded Pumps

Affordable Alternatives to Carrie's Studded Pumps

We love her Brian Atwood heels, but not the price tag
Ysolt Usigan ON May 28, 2010 at 11:05AM


We love this Carrie Bradshaw ensemble from Sex and the City 2. We've been wearing plaid all year,  and the light-colored denim and lavender heels update the trend to another level.

By the way, did you know the cropped jeans were from Sarah Jessica Parker's own closet? "I wore them to set that day. Pat [Field] saw them, tossed previously set costume, ran and got a shirt from her store, and ten minutes later, we were shooting," she said in Sex and the City: The Stories. The Fashion. The Adventure., a book on the sequel's style.

The plaid top is $48 (not bad!), but the nearly 6-inch Brian Atwood Loca Studded Pumps will set  you back $800 at Net-A-Porter.com. I suppose spending nearly four digits on a pair of shoes is a little loca, so I went on a hunt for cheaper versions that do the trend justice.

Consider these:

• Tristano Pumps by Steve Madden ($99.95 at SteveMadden.com)

• Studded Velvet Pump ($25.80 at Forever21.com)

• Guess Carlile Pump with Studs ($54.42 at Endless.com)

MY THOUGHTS

studded or not i'm way past wearing these pumps

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Shoe store offers comfort to remain competitive after four decades

Shoe store offers comfort to remain competitive after four decades

By Dwight Dana
Published: October 24, 2010

FLORENCE --  Personal service has been part and parcel of Jack’s Comfort Shoes for 40 years.

Richard Sawyer, 64, and his wife Pat are owners of the independent business. It is located at 1506 Second Loop Road.  Sawyer said Jack’s Shoes was founded more than 100 years ago by a Mayesville entrepreneur. Although there were several stores throughout the state, including Columbia, the only other one now is located in Sumter.

Sawyer’s store is not only stocked with shoes, but is also uniquely decorated with a covey of displays Sawyer was sitting up front in an easy chair listening to Christian music when approached by a reporter. Among the hymns playing was a Palm Sunday mainstay, “All Glory, Laud and Honor.”

He was flanked by an old gas stove on the left and an American flag and 1950s rotary push mower on the right. “Comfort is the best investment in shoes today,” he said. “We sell comfortable shoes that are made of high quality material. We have all sizes and widths.”

But Sawyer and his staff go the extra mile for their customers. Sawyer said the combined service of himself, his wife and two other employees represents 115 years.  “We measure our customers’ feet so that they can get the right size for the most comfortable fit,” he said. “Although we don’t claim to be a corrective shoe store, we can help people who have problems with their feet.”

And they go out of their way to measure feet.  “We use a Brannock Double Measuring device because most problems are caused by improperly fitting shoes,” he said. “It’s about as accurate as you can get.”

And he practices what he preaches. Among his best selling brands are San Antonio Shoe Co. shoes (SAS) and Red Wing.  Sawyer was wearing a comfortable pair of San Antonio shoes.

But comfort and measurements aside, what else does Jack’s Comfort Shoes offer?  “Our prices are competitive,” he said. “They are less than the factory outlets. Our goal is to keep our prices right and our service superior.”  Sawyer’s customers come from throughout the state and up into North Carolina.

MY THOUGHTS

i so welcome that - getting your feet measured. these days, simply giveing out your shoe size doesn't work. somewhere along the way the shoe size standards got all mixed up.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Men Don't Notice If Women Wear High Heels

Relationships Study: Men Don't Notice If Women Wear High Heels

By: Megan Friedman
Topics: attraction, fashion, high heels, Men, relationships, style, Women

What is love worth? It's one of the universal, unanswerable questions we answered for you yesterday (you're welcome by the way). But ladies, here's one revelation about what might not be worth it: Enduring the agony of high heels.

Researchers at Northumbria University have found that men cannot tell whether women are wearing high heels when they walk. (Meanwhile, another survey today shows that 1 in 4 Americans remain "plugged in" to the Internet during sex)

The study is part of a larger investigation in evolutionary psychology, examining the signals men and women send when they walk or dance.

(More on TIME.com: See pictures of a day in the life of a Fashion Week model.)

Why focus on heels? The researchers wanted to know whether the changed posture that comes with high heels — longer legs, accentuated rear and tilted torso — get noticed by men. Turns out, not so much. Think about that next time you pick up a pair of stilettos.

(More on TIME.com: See a video about the hazards of high heels.)




MY THOUGHTS



why would they? they would be on the look out for the legs - doesn't matter what's attached to it.