Shoes buying guide

It s difficult to contain 2500 pairs of shoes in our closet, but a good collection will serve will also provide a wonderful outlet for personal whether you love dress shoes, flat shoes, boots, sneakers, stilettos heels, ballet flats, flip flops, platform shoes, mule, loafers, ankle strap or peep toes, this guide will help you find the style that is right for you.

Fitting and sizing

To protect and support the feet that the function of the shoes. Finding the proper size is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the shoe buying process. The length of your foot definitely plays a part, but other factors, such as width, arch and the activity for which you will use the shoe, will change the size. To complicate matters, sizing will change from manufacturer to manufacturer and according to international standards. The most important part in finding the perfect shoe is how it feels on your foot, but don`t forget - they can look good too! Your toes should not be pushing against the end of the shoe, rather there should be about a half an inch or more worth of space. There`s no such thing as `breaking in a shoe` that goes for all types, from sneakers to boots. It`s therefore a good idea to measure your foot each time you buy a pair of shoes or sneakers. Different brands have different sizes; just because you`re a 12 when it comes to your sneakers, you`re not necessarily a 12 in your loafers. A key factor in getting the right shoe size is making sure your heels and toes fit snugly, without causing discomfort. To know if your shoes are fitting correctly around your heel, use your index finger to fit behind the shoe`s heel and your heel. It should slide between them with relatively little force. If your finger cannot fit, the shoes are too tight. If your finger has too much room, the shoes are too large. At the other end, your toes should be able to wiggle comfortably. You should be able to fit the width of your thumb in between the tips of your toes and the end of the shoe. Your mother probably

Style: Women shoes

What we should find in every woman`s closet, for the most fashionable… the top trends and latest styles, this is where you`ll find the hottest women`s shoes and tips on how to wear them.

The hottest trends in Fall shoes and boots for 2008 include menswear-inspired styles, cut-out booties, and lots of fringe, but those aren`t the only styles being ushered in this Autumn.

Hot Colors in Fall Shoes
Without a doubt, purple is the shoe color of the season. What`s nice about purple is that it`s much more wearable than some of the bright. Other hot colors for 2008 include cognac, gray, berry shades, red and mossy shades of green. But don t forget except this kind of colors the grey and black ll be also the “must have”

Winter Boots
Women,this year you are lucky, you can put on all the boots that you want: Booties, ankle boots, knee-high boots, rain boots, Biker boots, rocker boots , fringe boot, rugged boots with lots of hardware are all hot, and no matter what you`re heel preference is, there`s plenty of variety. They can be found with low or high heels, with or without buckles, straps, decorative zippers.

Riding Boots
Equestrian-inspired boots are never really out of fashion, this season we are looking for the horses in the city…so the riding boots are everywhere, while they`re still casual in nature. riding boots have a more posh, upscale vibe than a lot of other flat boots.

Buckled, Belted Winter Boots
In addition to the straps, belts and buckles that can be found on many of the styles listed above, belted and buckled boots have become a trend in their own right. Belts, Laces, ties, wraps and other strappy things on everything from urban styles with flat heels to ultra-feminine high heel stunners.

Must have

But in a women life and especially in her wardrobe, there are some essential basics called: the “must haves”. While footwear comes in all styles, shapes, and colors, it never fails, something comes up, and the perfect shoes are nowhere to be found.

The "Little Black Dress" of Shoes: A Low Heeled Black Pump
For this kind of events where being too dressy is inappropriate, too cold to put on sandals, but perfect for a business meeting, a last minute cocktail , with low heeled, comfortable black pump is essential to every woman`s shoe collection.

Neutral Pumps
Even with as versatile as black pumps are, they simply will not go with everything. Add a neutral colored (beige, cream, off white...) and you`ll have the "basic pump" category of women`s shoes covered. Always elegant and very simple with a nice brown skirt or a cigarette pants.

A Semi-Casual: Flat
The perfect one to run everywhere, shopping day, travel, exhibition …with the babies you stay pretty even with a jean because it’s not so casual. It could be your everyday comfortable shoes.

A Black High Heeled Dress Shoe
Nothing too strappy, these will never go out of fashion this is a basic but a black, dressy high heel is definitely an essential

The "Show Stopper”: A silver High Heeled Dress Shoe There are some special occasion outfits that black shoes just won`t work with. For those, try a silver evening shoe. Shoes like these are ideal with pastels, silver, grays and whites, but will still work great with black dresses too.

A pair of sneaker
Again the choice is huge from the simply white one to the edgy, retro high top; old-school sneaker for your chill weekend or your walks in the park needs a sneaker.

Heeled Casual Shoes and Booties Very trendy for this season, nothing can dress up a casual outfit and make you feel better about yourself, like adding a bit of height. It doesn`t matter how high or low the heel is. The most important is the shape of the booties. Match with all dresses, leggings and jeans… but forget the mini skirt…

Tall Boot
Whether it`s a high-heeled fashion boot or a warm and comfy casual style, colder weather screams for boots. Plus, depending on the boots you choose, everything from skirts to jeans can look fantastic with them. Every woman`s wardrobe should have at least one pair in brown or black. I like boots with a low heel that can go casual or dressy.

Walking shoes

Flat and No Flare
Walking shoes should not have a high heel; the heel should be no more than an inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot. Walkers strike first with the heel and roll through the step, while some running shoes have a built-up heel for the runners who strike mid-sole. Walkers also do not need flared soles. These give some runners stability but get in the way for heel-striking walkers.

Flex
Walking shoes must be flexible or your foot will fight them as it rolls through each step, leading to shin splints. Twist them - they should twist. Bend them and they should bend at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the arch. Set them down and poke the toe. It should rock as the toe should be slightly off the ground. If it passes these tests, it may be ok for walking. Take note of any areas that pinch, chafe or squeeze. You may need to go up a half-size or add an insole, cushion, or pad.

Running Shoes

A good pair of running shoes is the most important equipment for any runner. So check first what you need like comfort, cushioning and stability before picking shoes based on price, brand, and style. Each foot has different needs and each brand has his specificity (classic, running, fitness, sporting), all put out numerous shoes for different types of runners.

Check for manufacturing defects to have your money`s worth. Running shoes are usually expensive, so it wouldn`t hurt to take time in doing this.

Check for manufacturing defects to have your money`s worth. Running shoes are usually expensive, so it wouldn`t hurt to take time in doing this.

Running shoes are divided into three major categories (cushioned shoes, stability shoes and motion-control shoes), which are based on an individual`s biomechanical needs, and three minor ones (performance training shoes, racing shoes or trail running shoes), which classify specific running conditions.

The truth is, the big brands are the most reliable in terms of innovation, of technique, diversity of design (lighter, more specific and fitted for all type of sport). Every foot and every runner is different.

Pick the right size
Whether you are a distance runner or just enjoy light jogging, it`s important to pick the right size shoe. When in doubt, opt for the larger size of the two you might be considering (anywhere from a half to one size bigger is in order). This will save you from getting bruised toes and toenails by giving you enough space in the toe box after your feet start to swell.

Break your shoes in before going for a long run!
Try wearing them at home or out and about in dry weather to loosen them up.

Wear the right socks
It`s the same with all sports where your feet might sweat. If you wear cotton socks, the perspiration will be soaked up into the fibers, either making your foot cold or causing blisters. Synthetics are more breathable.

Men’s shoes

You’d be surprised how many guys end up settling for a size smaller or a size larger just because they`re too lazy to go one store over, or wait an extra week for a new shipment of their preferred style. Trust me: It`s vital that you get the right shoe size. Shoes should fit right the moment you buy them

Dress socks are usually made from silk, cashmere or fine variants of cotton and wool. Casual socks come in cotton and wool, and are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and thicknesses. Athletic socks are usually cotton and available in gray or white. This type differs most obviously from casual socks by virtue of their size. Athletic socks tend to come up to the mid-calf and higher, or simply right above the heel (ankle-length), making them invisible when wearing sneakers. Your sock size should be 1 to 1.5 sizes bigger than your shoe size. In other words, a size 12 shoe means a 13.5 size sock. Some brands divide sock size by small, medium and large Color.

Matching Socks to Shoes
When wearing dress shoes or casual leather shoes, always match your socks to your pants. So forget the white socks with your black leather shoes!!! You can wear athletic socks and casual socks with sneakers. But unless you`re on a basketball court, don`t wear sneakers and shorts with anything other than ankle-length casual socks. Black shoes work well with navy, grey or black pants. Brown shoes are best suited to tan, brown, beige, greens, other darker earth tones. Burgundy shoes work well with khaki, lighter browns, blue and grey.
Tan shoes look great with lighter earth tones, blue, beige, lighter tan or white.

Men`s Shoes for Jeans
You can wear almost any color or style of shoe with jeans, it ll depend of your shirt. It has to match with your outfit. So we have the choice: boots, lug soles, sneakers, loafers, sandals all work great with jeans. Whether you call them Dockers, chinos, or khakis, there are a variety of loafers, oxford and other men`s shoes that work well with casual pants.

Men`s Shoes for Dress Pants
With dress pants, shoot for the same type of shoe that you might wear with a suit. Shinier materials usually indicate a dressier shoe, as do less bulky heels and soles. Choose a shoe that is the same color or darker than your pants, and if wearing a belt, match your shoes to it.