Sexy feet in the City

It’s time for our feet to take center stage. Feet are exposed again! The best thing about fashion now is the show of individuality. It no longer dictates a specific trend. Gone are the days when a certain look would determine whether you are in or out of fashion. Now, personal style is more important than following the craze.

This season, the choice for shoes is limitless. There is a style for every individual’s desire. Name it, the season’s got it – slippers, flats, stilettos, stacked heels, courts, boy’s shoes, sneakers, pumps, sling backs, mules and sandals in various shapes.

Leather has never been this versatile. Technology creates a previously unseen softness from this material that it feels like cashmere. Laser cutting changes leather into lace and heat embossing produces tattoo effects. It is also wrinkled, thickened, rugged, velvety and sheer. References from the past combined with modern expertise create a new modernity. Tribal and ethnic influences achieved from burning, chapping and aging treatments are the hottest trend. Handcrafted details also set the new designs apart. The mix of materials from fabrics like canvas, denim and corduroy, to stones, metal and beads combined with leather was prevalent. Hues in vivid red, blue, yellow and orange to pastels, natural shades of brown and basic white and black made statements. Another popular combination is two tones in patterned surfaces, piping in contrasting colors and raised seams. Now, only the imagination is the limit.

Shapes vary from slim, pointy, round to square toes. Even heels are interestingly different from kitten, stacked, wedged to stilettos. But flats are also important this season. Moccasins perfect for the nautical and safari looks are a must. And, slippers from thongs to slides are a hit for the hot days. The ballerina shows up in creative versions from round to square or pointy toes – either flat, with a small wedge or with a slightly rounded heel. Low cuts that expose the "toes cleavage" add a sexy detail. Awning stripes, polka dots, lace cutouts, graphic patterns and Pucci designs give spicy features.

But sneakers lead the pack this season. Prada, Adidas by Yohji Yamamoto and Puma by Jil Sander have made the humble shoe a cult fashion accessory. The once only sport shoe has become a couture item. Yohji Yamamoto’s collaboration with Adidas brought sneaker design to new heights. The sporty look became hip and chic. Two-toned designs dominate the pack from cherry red to sand, purple, yellow, white, gray, black and blue.

Of course, sandals will always be part of the limelight. Natural and burnt leather like sand, khaki and brown is coming out. Extremely high heels in wood and metal, wedge, slightly rounded heels or even flats provide an exciting variety. Wide straps, long laceups, silver or gold buckles and grommets, horn or wood appliqués, leather weaves or cutouts decorate the feet. While bows, ties, eyelets, rivets, straps, closures, perforations, two-tone surfaces, contrasting pipings, draped effects, graphic patterns, stripes, camouflage in canvas, denim, silk and leather revive pumps. Sling backs or open-sided models create a cool look.

For evening, little chains, studs and eyelets provide the rock and punk influence. The look is aggressive and sexy.

Fashion now goes back to nature and the environment. Materials are coarser, more natural from cotton to linen, vegetable dyed leather, wood and bamboo. Major influences are raw, primitive and ethnic. The ’40s, ’50s, ’70s and ’80s revisited with a mix of nature and technology. The harmonic use of metals in both geometric and asymmetric shapes is important this season as well. Handmade is hip again, combined with daring materials in colors of life. Flowers – appliqued, painted, embossed, entangled, drawn, embroidered and cutout – showed up everywhere. Color trends are taken from nature – mountain, forest, leaf-green, rock, sand, mint, lime, orange, black, terra cotta, antelope, straw, cream, blood, nectarine, salmon, coral, aubergine, pineapple, coffee, chocolate, sycamore, magenta, guava, pink, lilac, sky blue, mauve, turquoise, midnight blue, cloud, slate, polished silver, polished gold and bronze.

Shopping for shoes is one of women’s favorite pastimes. This time, it will be more tempting than ever. Wasn’t it a former first lady’s obsession for shoes that made the country more recognizable elsewhere?

Since summertime exposes feet, more care and attention should be given to this always abused part of our body. Pamper your feet. Indulge in a pedicure and foot spa every week. Lather cream every day. Exfoliate to revive skin. Sea salt mixed with aromatherapy oil works best for me. It not only does the job but also lifts the spirit with its scent. Use a pumice stone or file regularly on the heels of the feet to prevent deep cracks or calluses on the skin.

Sandals and sling backs expose the heels and contribute to calluses or dry, cracked skin. Apply the face moisturizers you no longer use for your feet rather than throwing them away. A good emollient like lanolin or cream with 20% urea provides a barrier and does not allow moisture to leave the skin. It is best applied at night before you sleep. For optimum results, wear socks to bed. It will keep the moisture in.

Rotate your shoes. Your feet need a break and varying shoes day to day will benefit your feet. Never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Changing shoes frequently also prevents wetness from sweat especially in the summer. Wetness will cause bacteria normally present in the skin to break down and odor to occur. You cannot stop sweating so changing shoes will lessen the chance of foot odor. Isn’t this a good excuse to justify your excessive shoe shopping?

Apply common sense and wear the appropriate shoe for the right activity. At the end of the day, soak your tired feet in warm water with sea salt and a few drops of tea tree oil. It is ideal to buy shoes at the end of the day, when feet are swollen, to get your correct size. Make sure your feet are comfortable and properly fitted before you buy a pair of shoes. Fact is, I have been a victim many times of design before comfort! My feet have experienced many blisters in the past. Vanity really kills! It’s time to give the most used and abused part of our body extra attention. Flaunt all its glory this season!

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Send queries and suggestions to joycestalder@hotmail.com

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Sketches and photos reprinted from Italian and French Vogue