Head Over Heels
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
A woman can never have enough shoes, it has been said, and this spring’s offerings make it hard to disagree. Volume and height are the motifs for the season in footwear. Some styles are reminiscent of the mid-1970s, while others look completely fresh. Trendy textures and embellishments include braided leather, metals, wicker, crochet, and patent leather, along with detailing such as chains, buckles, hardware, and bows.
And what a relief: The stiletto has been forced into retirement. A thick sole – either a wedge or platform – is an integral part of the new look. A senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Bergdorf Goodman, Ed Burstell, cites “platforms in patent and suede, wooded and cork wedges, and sandals at all heel heights” as the key trends in footwear. Bergdorf customers, he said, have been excited by styles from Chloe, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, and Christian Louboutin.
For a walk on the wild side in a stacked heel, indulge in Donna Karan’s brightly colored iguana sandal, or Gucci’s printed platform with an ankle strap and bow. For a tamer, office-friendly look, try Stuart Weitzman’s Tidy stacked heel shoe, in black or white soft patent leather. Styles that can easily transition from the workplace to the weekend are those that have a wood wedge or solid colored platform, with leather uppers, such as Weitzman’s brown Fondue or Salvatore Ferragamo’s Apollonia metallic lace-up wedge. The manager of Tootsi Plohound on Lafayette Street in SoHo, Jose Suarez, said that platforms and wedges will be important for spring, but he also anticipates that cowboy boots will continue to be strong sellers.
With so many choices out there, why not pick up them all? Just be sure to pay the minimum on your credit card at the end of the month.
WHERE TO BUY Banana Republic, 888-277-8953, www.bananarepublic.com; Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., 212-753-7300, www.bergdorfgoodman.com ; Donna Karan, available at Donna Karan Collection stores, 866-240-4700, www.donnakaran.com ; Gucci, 800-234-8224, www.gucci.com ; Kate Spade, 454 Broome St., 212-274-1991, www.katespade.com ; Salvatore Ferragamo, 800-628-8916, www.ferragamo.com ; Stuart Weitzman, 625 Madison Ave., 212-750-2555, Columbus Circle, AOL Time Warner Center, 212-823-9560, www.stuartweitzman.com ; Tootsi Plohound, 273 Lafayette St., 212-431-6368.
