Shoefly Fall Wishlist

It's time to address a very serious subject: what shoes will I wear this fall? Top designers, trying to out-do each other, must have hired architects to build some of the shoes forecasted for the upcoming autumn season. With some heels at ankle-breaking heights, complete disregard for the wetter weather, and so many straps and accessories to tie on, people that master putting these extreme styles on their feet will receive an honorary degree in shoe engineering if they can walk across a room without holding on to a wall.

However, not all is despair. There are options for all shoe-lovers who are into the classics: boots, flats, pumps, mules, etc. Some of this fall’s shoe designs do embrace what we all truly desire: comfort. With much lower pressure to wear sky-high heels outside of Fashion Week, there is no lack of boots and flats to choose from to complete your wardrobe and make your friends and coworkers jealous.

If I was on great terms with a shoe-genie, these brands would be at the top of my wish list for my fall shoes:

• Sam Edelman Boots
  As seen on celebrity feet, Sam Edelman’s line of shoes is a newer brand that has hit the shoe market by storm. These top-of-the-line shoes are not at top-of-the-line prices (most shoes are under $200). Taking inspiration from nostalgia and current fashion trends, women’s designer shoes have never looked better. The Sam Edelman collection includes boots made of fine leather that will conform to your foot like they were placed on your feet at birth. The selection of styles will suit any fashion and weather need.
  
  The neutral colors of the fall boots go great with any wardrobe. The belts and buckles do not need assembly instructions and are sure to please. The boots come with traditional heels or flat-styles so I can make an educated decision about which I want to wear with a particular length of pants, dress, or skirt.
  

• Camper Shoes
  Originating in Spain, Camper was one of the first European retailers to make a wide variety of shoe sizes that were creative and comfortable at the same time. These shoes are also earth-friendly: the soles are made of plastic that can be recycled to make new shoes and the insoles are made of coconut shells that are biodegradable.
  
  With Camper shoes, ecological soundness does not mean a sacrifice was made for style. The 2009 fall line for Camper features so many adorable shoes that it is hard to pick just one favorite. The selection ranges from the ever-popular boot with a variety of height and heel styles, comfy loafer styles with cute etchings, patent leather on various styles sold, flats that will never look boring, and heels for any mood you are in. In terms of casual shoes for fall, Camper takes le cordon bleu.

• Biviel Shoes
  My feet thank me when I wear this brand. The motto of the Biviel shoemakers is “feminine-relaxed”: elegant shoes that do not have the pinching, rubbing, bank-draining, sore feel of most elegant shoes. Even Hollywood loves these shoes as they have been spotted on the feet of the “Desperate Housewives” characters on various episodes.
  
  The leather used to make Biviel’s fabulous boots and shoes for the 2009 fall season are made of super-soft Italian materials and the soles are special imports from Germany. Even though this line has the look and feel of Italian shoes, the prices of these Spanish shoes are about half-off what one would pay for Italian ones. Biviel boots, thankfully, have extra room for wider claves and ankles (or thick, warm socks). The quality and styles of Biviel’s shoes are modern and complimentary.

I’ve given up on the idea that is okay to break my feet and/or ankles or strain my back and pocketbook in the name of fashion. With the 2009 fall shoe line from Sam Edelman, Camper, and Biviel, I will still have high-end shoes to show-off and brag about while maintaining an enjoyable level of activity—even though I won’t have an honorary degree in shoe engineers to tack onto my wall. These shoes are so worth it.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009