Archive for September, 2011
5 Reasons to Love Mary Janes this Fall
By Meghan Cass
It’s a familiar shoe you’ve known since childhood: the iconic Mary Jane, traditionally crafted from black patent leather with a round toe and buckled ankle strap. And while you may no longer pair them with pinafores and pink tights, Comfortista is happy to report that designers of all kinds – from outdoor experts to the makers of ladylike pumps – were inspired this season by the classic shoe. Not yet convinced?
Here are Comfortista’s top five reasons to fall in love with this cute and comfy classic:
1. Mary Janes rock in RED.
Whether in scarlet, wine, brick or rust, rosy hues are currently dominating fall fashion palettes. (Check out this red-themed slide show from Elle.com for inspiration!) There are plenty of beautiful, flame-toned Mary Janes on the market right now including SoftSpots Posey in crimson and Hush Puppies Gyneth in dark red suede. These whimsical, romantic styles let you live out your ruby slipper fantasies with comfort and sophistication.
2. Mary Janes bring feminine appeal to performance-driven styles
One of the Mary Jane’s greatest assets is the ability make serious comfort, outdoor and occupational shoes look pretty. Check out how MJ’s silhouette softens and sweetens looks like Merrell’s Mimosa Emme or Dansko’s Savanna Mary Jane. And the Alice Mary Jane from Crocs Work manages to look down right dainty thanks to smooth lines and a refined ankle strap.
3. Mary Janes add comfort and functionality to ladylike pumps
The same features that make MJ’s popular for kids (rounded toes, secure ankle straps) make them popular among adult comfortistas as well! Born’s Davina Mary Jane pumps look elegant and tailored, yet provide cushioning and flexibility that’s hard to find in a 3″ heel. Likewise, Naturalizer’s Driven Mary Jane Pump is held in place with a thin, adjustable strap across the instep so you never lose your footing.
4. Mary Janes showcase your socks
If it suits your style and personality, take advantage of the low vamp construction of casual, earthy Mary Janes like Aerosoles Baltic Sea and Clarks Unstructured Un.Cap and express yourself with chic socks and hosiery. Smartwool has amazing striped, polka dotted and fairisle patterns that can’t help but elevate your mood.
5. Mary Janes are a design classic
Trends come and go, but Comfortista believes in a footwear wardrobe built around timeless shoes that suit your lifestyle. That’s why a classic, essential Mary Jane never looks out of place. Looking to build out your collection of modern classics? You can’t go wrong with the Hush Puppies Imperial or Allison Mary Janes from Drew.
Share your Mary Jane stories with Comfortista in the comments section below and shop all the styles at FootSmart.com.
Trend Report: Cool, Casual Clogs
By Meghan Cass
Move over, sandals! September is here, and it’s time to make room in our wardrobes for this season’s comfy clogs!
No doubt many comfortistas out there have long been on the clog bandwagon, but thanks to the current 1970s influence on fashion, this retro-chic shoe style is having a renaissance! Today’s comfort clogs run the gamut from sporty and modern to feminine and refined, while some closely reference their vintage European heritage (think real wooden soles and earth toned-leather). We rounded up some of our top picks for fall, and our best tips on how to make wear them with style and grace:
Orthaheel’s Melissa Clog is a soft, sweet take on the clog look. In addition to its alignment-enhancing design, it features an artsy floral-embossed upper and comes in a romantic wineberry hue. And you gotta love low maintaince – simply wipe the leatherette upper with a damp cloth and they’re as good as new.
- The forward-thinking designers at Born have taken the of-the-moment motorcycle boot and reimagined it as the ruggedly chic Darly clog. Darly’s full grain leather upper boasts crossover harness straps and comfort elements including a shock absorbing outsole.
- For a more streamlined silhouette, try the Abby clog by SoftWalk. Its elegant lines, geometric collar design and contrast topstitching are timeless and understated. Cushioned foam footbeds makes them supremely walkable.
BOC by Born Concept (the brand’s more trend-focused line) presents the Debra clog, a classic style with an antiqued silvertone ring strap and 2’’ faux wooden beveled heel. This is a clog that would make 70’s style mavens melt! (For ladies looking for serious heel height, check out the Born Darden clog with its 4’’ platform heel and goldtone studding!)
Comfortista’s Clog Styling Tips:
- Choose cropped pants or roll your cuffs to show off your clogs’ funky, organic shape.
- Go barefoot with slip-on styles for a natural, effortless look.
- Clogs evoke a casual lifestyle; pair them with relaxed fabrics like denim and canvas, easy bohemian skirts, and classic pieces like trench coats and shirt dresses for best results!
Do you have clogs in your closet? Tell us why you love them and how you wear them!
Related articles
- Clogs and Discussions of Feminism at the Salon (shoeshrink.com)
- Valentine’s Day: Gift-Giving and Game-Playing (shoeshrink.com)
