Latest Female Fashion Trends -Shoes

Shoe Shopping Nightmare - Making a Dreaded Task Bearable

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I am the lone woman on earth who hates shoe shopping. Every time I see Carrie Bradshaw walking by the Manolo Blahnik window it makes me shudder. I can never find things that fit, they seem so expensive and I get really overwhelmed by the selection.

Of course, I can't NOT buy shoes! They are a necessity. What can I do to make this a more pleasant experience for myself.

Sincerely,

Shoe Shy

April Masini's advice:

Dear Shoe Shy,

It sounds cliche, but knowledge is power. Knowing what you want and how to find it is half the shoe-shopping battle. The other half is making sure your feet are shoe-try-on-ready -- just like you go bathing suit shopping after a workout so you are bathing suit ready! Here are some ideas for you:

Summer Shoe Best Bets:

* Flats. Ballet flats are a great way to shoe your tween without creating a Jon Benet Ramsey look that tweens are so prone to today. And if you're not a tween, replace your driving mocs from Winter with ballet flats for Summer.

* Espadrilles. They're back with a leg flattering wedge and an open toed look that says Summer, sexy, casual. Replace any Summer espadrilles from prior years with a new pair that has this modern wedge.

* Thongs. No, not the kind that ride up your know what. The kind of thongs you wear on your feet! This is a very flattering look for big feet. Give yourself a little heel -- or a big heel -- for the most sexy, flattering leg line.

Decide What You Want Your Shoes to Say

There is nothing more important to making a first impression when it comes to dating than shoes -- especially for men! Shoes tell a lot about a person with only a single glance downward. Here are some things your shoes say about you:

* Expensive shoes broadcast that you care about your feet and your appearance enough to buy the best. You may also be the kind of person who buys the best when it comes to everything else.

* Toe-baring shoes. You're confident with showing a little flesh down there -- and you're equally confident about showing a little flesh on other parts of your body.

* High heels for women. You want to look and feel like a woman, and your lingerie is probably going to reflect that same womanliness. If her shoes are high-heeled, chances are she's got some racy lingerie underneath!

Best ways to get bargain shoes

Now that you realize how important shoes are, get the best for the least. I always recommend buying the most expensive and best shoes you can afford -- that doesn't mean they have to cost a bundle. Peruse the high fashion magazines for what's in style, and keep in mind that classic shoes like pumps, strappy sandals and boots with a heel are always going to be in fashion.

Then use a comparison shopping search engine to find the shoes you want at the best price.

If you want to buy good shoes, but feel the pinch of your wallet, consider minimizing somewhere else. For instance, spend less on trousers by buying fewer, and what you do buy, should be classic and long-lasting. What you save in one area of your closet, you can use in another area -- like your shoe rack!

FLIP FLOP TIPS:

Flip flops are baaaaack -- not that they ever went anywhere. This Summer, flip flops are big news as a trend. They can be found for men, women, children and teens in every machination from rubber dime store pairs to $500 leather designer knock ups of the old pool standard. The trick to buying flip flops to fit your feet and your Summer wardrobe can be remedied by these tips:

*Don't wear cheap rubber flip flops to a meeting or a party. Keep the cheap rubber ones for the backyard.

*Do wear leather flip flops in lieu of the cheap-o ones with your summer dress, trousers or shorts.

*A little heel with your flip flops will give your leg a great look and give your outfit a dressier silhouette.

*Men can wear flip flops, but the same rules apply -- don't wear cheap rubber ones out and about. Get a good pair of leather flip flops to dress up your shorts and jeans look.

*Pedicure!! And NEVER wear any open toed shoes until your feet are neat. Pedicures are a MUST for Summer and a SHOULD for all year round.

*Maintain your pedicure between appointments with a pumice stone, some good foot products and a podiatrist check-up annually.

FEET

Feet are not seasonal. Shoes are. Take care of your feet year round.

1. Get and use a pumice stone.

2. Moisturize your feet regularly.

3. Put your feet up. Use a foot stool, or lie on the floor and put your feet up the wall to reverse circulation.

4. Make a pedicure a monthly event year round.

5. If you have problems like warts, fungus or ingrown toenails, don't procrastinate. See your podiatrist.