dawn8's blog

I know that Dansko shoes often get a bad rap in terms of style. But I’ve got to speak up for them. Yes, my Dansko love is primarily comfort-based, but if I had to choose one (comfort or style) for the rest of my life, comfort would win hands down.

When I had recurring foot problems last summer (and the summer before that), my Dansko Margrete’s were the only shoes I could wear that didn’t hurt my feet.
dansko margrete

Here’s my impassioned defense of these poor maligned shoes (with a liberal helping from my past as a shoe sales representative).

The Dansko brand is officially approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association as having the correct combination of support and materials to provide not only support for your feet, but to put your legs and spine in the correct alignment. As a result, Dansko makes a whole bunch of shoes for medical professionals who are on their feet all the time and a whole bunch with non-slip soles for restaurant workers, where oil and grease are more likely to be on the floor.

Dansko also offers the look of wooden clogs and sandals without the drawbacks of real wooden soles (lack of shock absorption and flex). Instead, the Dansko polyurethane soles flex with your feet (but not so much that there’s no support) and offer shock absorption so your bones and joints aren’t taking the added stress.

If you’re interested, Dansko’s web site has a whole section devoted to the technical specs of each of their lines. If you’re a shoe geek like me, some of the information there is very interesting.

Now, here’s for the style defense. Dansko, like many comfort shoe companies, has upped their style quotient in the past few years. To wit, here are a few of their new styles:

dansko risa boot

the Risa tall boot ($180 at TheWalkingCompany.com)

Dansko Rhea low boot

the Rhea low boot (on sale from $165 to $129 at Clogscentral.com  Timberland Bootsplus enter dansko10 at checkout and receive another 10% off)

Dansko Rue slingback

the Rue slingback ($145 at TrackAndTrail.com)

Dansko Reese pump

the Reese pump ($149 at Zappos.com)

Dansko Daphne sandal

the Daphne sandal ($110 at Onlineshoes.com)

Dansko Roxy ankle strap

the Roxy ankle-strap ($145 at ClogWarehouse.com where entering d88 at  Moncler Coatscheckout will get you another 10% off any clogs)

No, these are never going to be the most stylish of all shoes. But for how  Louis Vuitton Mens Shoesdivinely comfortable they are, these are some mighty fine stylish options in my book.

Here’s this week’s Spot the Shoe on Sale: this unassuming pair of burgundy loafers from Camper, the ‘Boys and Girls’ style (from the Twin collection). Two inch heel, nappa leather upper,  Jimmy Choo Bagsrubber sole, suede decorations. Regular price is about $150. Today you can find them as follows:

- Shoemall for $149.95;

- Zappos for $135.35;Here’s this week’s Spot the Shoe on Sale: this unassuming pair of burgundy loafers from Camper, the ‘Boys and Girls’ style (from the Twin collection). Two inch heel, vibram five finger shoes nappa leather upper, rubber sole, suede decorations. Regular price is about $150. Today mbt shoes you can find them as follows:

- Shoemall for $149.95;

- Zappos for $135.35;

And the winner is:

- Nordstrom for $74.90.

Happy bargain hunting out there, you shoe lovers!

And the winner is:

- Nordstrom for $74.90.

Happy bargain hunting out there, you shoe lovers!

I’ve become acquainted with the peculiar Welsh custom of surveying women over their earthly (read: fashion) possessions a while ago, upon reading a story according to which ‘Women in Wales carry the most expensive handbags in Britain.‘

Now, according to their earliest poll, Welsh women can put under their belts (or in their very expensive handbags) yet another dubious statistic:

    When Space Board loft insulation asked 500 homeowners what items they would never get rid of, one in 12 women in Wales said their old shoes.

The article hastily leaps to the conclusion that Welsh women step right into Imelda Marcos’s shoes (ahem) and have become a nation of shoe-hoarders. This leads to the even more dubious notion that women’s love for shoes accounts for homeowners’ running out of space. The nerve!

The most interesting statistic quoted in the article is that a British woman is now estimated to buy 700 pairs during her lifetime. I believe it! It made me think of all the pairs I bought in my lifetime, replica handbags not that I could keep count, mind you, but still, I’m pretty sure it’s somewhere in the (lower) hundreds. Already.

That aside, it’s preposterous to think that what sounds like a very limited and, undoubtedly, not very scientific survey, can be quoted as evidence casting a very biased, pejorative light upon women, based on their love of shoes. I’d like to know how ‘old’ is defined, and when one is actually supposed to throw away ‘old’ shoes. Jimmy Choo ShoesIs ‘old’ last season? 5 years? 10? 20 years old? Or just shoes that don’t fit anymore, or need repair? Meh. If anything, it should prompt companies to think of better, more efficient ways for shoe storage. Such as the Shoe Wheel :) . Christian Louboutin Black Sandals Or not. I’m just saying.

I would definitely not be part of the ‘1 in 12 women’, since I’ve had no compunctions about cleaning out my shoe closet in the past, getting rid of shoes I liked but couldn’t wear anymore, or shoes I had bought by mistake and just had no justifications for keeping. Besides, cleaning our your closet only makes room for more shoes!!!

I know, I know, it’s a tad too early to get excited about summer,  Giuseppe Zanottibut indulge me! I just found out that Nanette Lepore is doing a line for Keds, arriving in February (perfect time to start thinking about your spring wardrobe, methinks)–and well, yes, I’m excited.
nanette-keds.jpg

Too bad we can’t really see the models yet (not until February!)  Antigua CollectionThey look fun, flirty, youthful, whimsical, and comfortable, purrrfect for a romp in the grass in a breezy, flattering,  Moncler no-fuss sundress or shorts. Can’t wait!

I’m fascinated by the history of the shoe and I can’t help being amazed at the beautiful creations masters of the past have produced, some of them bolder and more innovative than any pair of designer shoes today. Christian Louboutin Boots And some other times, I marvel at the kookiness or even downright cruelty of a model. Christian louboutin So, let’s reserve a little blog corner every week for a piece of shoe history.

Without further ado, here’s today’s shoe:

delman-vintage.jpg

Delman vintage red and gold satin platform booties with instep hole  Christian Louboutin Pumpsand lace and bow detail, circa 1938-1940. Uncomfortable–perhaps, but also daring, exotic, stunning.

I’m oddly attracted to this Kate Spade ‘Cassidy’ number. spiderman suit I guess the combination Mary Jane, kitten heels, and green suede just spells ‘I’m cute!’ The brogue-inspired style is also not entirely unappealing. I can imagine them paired with wide leg pants and some kind of jabot blouse, with some pretty coordinating accents (retro hair with some bow or trim in it, red lipstick). There is a brown/stucco (beige) version, too, Jimmy Choo Bags but I prefer the moss. herve leger dresses If you’re into this sort of thing, they go for $265 on Zappos.