Footwear - this season
…best foot forward for autumn/winter'08…
Shoes, handbags and jewellery take to the forefront of fashion yet again this season.
The emphasis is fun, extrovert and colourful.
It doesn’t seem fair that you should miss out on the fun if you happen to have larger feet. For thousands of us who wear a UK size 9 or upwards - our only resort just a few years ago were footwear specialists whose priority was fit rather than style. Now it is getting a little better for us – although it has to be said that the greatest variety is still only available online. It is encouraging however, that these footwear companies are beginning to get a higher profile in the market - hopefully leading to a lot more shoe stores on the highstreet extending their own size ranges or even including specifically designed collections.
Highstreet fashion shoe retailers like Faith and Office have extended their range to size 9UK on selected lines which is encouraging and Barretts are still producing their Small &Tall collections but it is infuriating that highstreet giants like Marks and Spencer whose plus-size fashion collection still fails in many ways to challenge us at all, we see this missed opportunity is also apparent in its shoe ranges where little or no effort has been made to increase its sizes.
The success of Evans and their seasonal Georgina Goodman designer shoe collection which is always a huge hit and sells extremely well – ultimately proving that there is money to be made in this market.
It is hard to understand in this day and age why we do not see shoes standardised to at least a size 9 if not 10 as a norm – maybe it is time that a nationwide foot and shoe survey is initiated to see how fit and size has changed if that is what it needed to get shoe manufacturers to take notice.
A recent discovery shows us that even Amazon who has added shoes to it offer includes a fair selection in size 9 and 10 – so it can be done!
(From top clockwise - black and white 'Celion'brogue from Faith Shoes, Black and white 'Daisy'ribbon tie from Duo Boots, Black patent shoe-boot from Evans)
(Brown suede shoe from Evans autumn collection)
Autumn/winter footwear highlights include high eccentric heels and platforms…low decorative flats, squared-off toes
Colours – purple, burgundy, red. Texture mixing suede/patent, suede/croc effect…
Surface detailing, bound fabrications…Monochrome – grey, black patent, black & white.
Ribbon and lace-up details…Mary-Janes. Heel detailing, bars, straps, bows.
High-tech trainer shoes, High heeled shoe boots to heavy duty bikers boots.
('Gala' shoe-boot from Lush Shoes)
Team a pair of decorative lace-ups or Mary-Janes with lacy/patterned tights in black or purple or alternatively this season’s favourite opaque tights in bright colours to complete a high-trend look.
Look out for flats in bright colours and with decorative details. Wear black patent flats or low heels and fishnets with cropped trousers to give a chic feel to a work outfit.
(Grey 'Marie-Antoinette' shoe from Angeline Tournier)
…purple - the season's favourite
(From left to right - double strap T-bar from Vivaladiva, ballet pumps from Amber & Jane, Mary-Jane from Angeline Tournier)
We have attempted to compile a list of shoe companies out there that go into or specialise in larger size shoes with a more fashionable outlook.
www.vivaladiva.com www.lushshoes.co.uk
www.evans.co.uk www.totallylargeshoes.co.uk www.faithshoes.co.uk www.officeshoes.co.uk www.selve.co.uk www.houseofsole.co.uk www.cinderellashoes.ie www.amazon.co.uk/shoes
www.largesizedesignershoes.com
www.duoboots.co.uk www.plusinboots.co.uk www.shoetailor.com www.barretts.co.uk
www.angelinetournier.co.uk www.amber&jade.com
(Pesaro biker boots from Duo boots)
Boots for everyone!
Specialist wide-calf boots are available in a large assortment of fashion styles.
Companies like Duo Boots and Plus-in-boots offer a complete service to ensure that you get the right boots for your requirements.
(Jordan in red, Livignio in blue and Cervinia in purple all from Plus-in-boots)
Selve -The Shoe individualiser
A new way of buying shoes when you have specific needs
Choose from a range of ‘classic’ and ‘seasonal’ styles and then discuss your needs from for example a different choice of heel that is more suitable for your needs – a choice of skins and leathers are also given for an individual feel.
Your design is handmade by their Italian shoemakers usually within 28 days of placing an order for shoes and 6 weeks for boots. Sizes available within the range are 1-11
Initially your feet will be scanned at their ‘Foot Lounge’ for perfect fit – your unique specifications are kept on record to make re-ordering so much easier.
www.selve.co.uk
