To reward herself.
To indulge a guilty pleasure.
To satisfy a need.
To complement an outfit.
To make a fashion statement.
To feel good. To look good.
To drive a man crazy.
To stun him into silence.
These are just some of the reasons women buy shoes. And there are probably hundreds more. Novel shoe brand What For asked the question when they gave their brand the cheeky, inquiry-laced name. They’re also providing the answers with every fun, playful pair that they churn out, proving to women that, really, you can never have too many shoes.
Created in 2007, the brand’s sassy name is set off by a design aesthetic that is just as fun and playful. The label’s proclivity for trends invites global appeal, from Paris to London to New York.
This season, What For takes exoticism to a different level, and gives another reason to buy shoes: to release your wild side. Probably as a nod to the safari trend this summer, the shoe brand looks to Africa for inspiration. There are leopard prints, zebra stripes, and tan hides. The jungle fever takes on a tamer interpretation, however, imprinted on styles revived from the ‘50s.
So you have crazy zebra patterns sweetened up with a round toe, ballerina flats mottled with animal prints. Peeptoes with bold cheetah marks. Also, tan strappy sandals that replicate the stiff structure of safari wear.
If animal prints are still too wild, What For’s newest collection answers the age-old reason for buying shoes: because they look good. Other pairs in the assembly include color-blocked pumps affixed with bows — Minnie Mouse pairs, some would call them — trendy flats with cutout details, and sugary ballerinas in pastel colors.
These pairs are pretty enough not to warrant a pre-purchase debate. When, like What For, you’ve got what it takes to make a shoe brand work, then you don’t really have to ask.
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What For is exclusively available at Adora, Greenbelt 5.