Oh Mia, Oh Maya...My Aravons

FlashBack Friday :)

It has been done before...it will likely be tried again...An athletic shoe company ventures into dress shoes with the hopes of marrying comfort technology to dressier footwear.

None have done it as well as the Aravon line made by New Balance. What sets the Aravons apart is the fact that they offer a wide range of widths. I have found that comfort is more than a shock absorbing midsole. If the shoe truly fits well your feet will be happier. In general they have done better with their wide widths than narrow but bless their hearts for at least offering narrower widths for us folks with narrow or low-volume feet.

My first pair of Aravons were a charming pair of mary-janes called the Mia. This style has been replaced by the very similar Maya and both offer fit, function and style. I have always been a fan of mary-jane styles as they are versatile enough to wear with slacks, capris, skirts and dresses. I can work on my feet all day in these shoes and walk all over town that same evening. The Mia and Maya offer a generous toe-box, adjustable ankle straps, smart little heel and removable “memory foam” footbeds. If you happen to require full length custom orthoses you will find that the Aravons will serve you well. Even their sandals offer a fully removable footbed to accommodate your orthoses.

The Maya offers improvements such as velcro at the ankle strap for ease of use and is a little more closed-in for a bit more support and stability.

Thank you Aravon for making a shoe that fits my tricky foot with style.

To make the most of Aravons wide range of available sizes find a local retailer that can help you get the best fit. The following online sites do offer these styles: New Balance.com , Joes News Balance Outlet and Zappos.com

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. I own the Mia in size 8 2A and the fit is perfect for my foot though I am not a true narrow. If your feet are truly narrow consider trying some of Aravon's sandal styles as they fit narrower and have more adjustment options. The memory foam insole is REALLY comfortable and has been very resilient and offers just enough arch support. Also, this thick, full length footbed is removable making all kinds of room for serious orthoses that usually only allow you to wear athletic shoes. If you have arthritis in your hands opt for the Maya style with velcro so that fastening them will be easy.

Santana Boot Review

FlashBack Friday

Santana the Boots

I have several pairs of boots because I love their fit and versatility. Boots truly accommodate everything from skirts, slacks and jeans to thick warm socks or leggings in the wintertime. If you own a fantastic pair of black boots it's like having the perfect quintessential little black dress or perfectly tailored black suit. My Santana boots are undoubtedly the best boots I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. These Canadian made boots, sadly, are no longer in circulation. As my pair nears the need for replacement it seems harder and harder to find another pair that I trust to make me as happy. These Santana boots have spoiled me with their thick and deliciously supple top grain waterproof leather. They sport a low heel so I can walk and walk in them with ease. The shaft has some slouch to it giving them a look reminiscent of the 80's but the rest of their styling is so classic that they remain timeless.

They have received admiration and compliments for over 10 years now and I still feel well-dressed when I pair them with a skirt. I have had these boots re-heeled twice and lovingly polish them with Meltonian shoe cream in black/noir regularly. I aim to make them last as long as possible knowing that when the time comes to give them up, they will never be forgotten, and always hold a place in my sole. Thank you Santana.

John Fluevog Shoe Review

FlashBack Friday

A Fluevog Blog

He isn't afraid of swirls, patent leather, spat buttons, velvet piping, airbrush effects, antiquing, cloven heels, fanciful suede, ribbons, metal works or any other method/medium that gets his artistic point across through a pair of shoes. If true art, edgy design and attention to detail is what you desire—let John Fluevog set your soles on fire. He is a shoe artist that pushes the envelope and can make people uncomfortable but he wouldn'tSave do that to your feet. John unites form and function so flawlessly that your eyes are certain that he only has aesthetic in mind but your feet will tell you that John works comfort into his works of art.

I own a honeyed pair of oxford lace-ups that are reminiscent of depression-era shoes but they are kept upbeat and unique with darling dew drop shaped cut outs and a bumped out toe box giving them a modern edge. Also, they are one of the few leather soled shoes I own as I tend to live in wet climes (check out the pros and cons of leather soles in an upcoming post) and nothing is meaner to leather soles than wet pavement.

I love wearing my Fluevogs on dry brisk autumn days with knee high socks that match my sweater since you can see the color of the socks through the cut out design. Of course they are swell for swing dancing or simply a twirl inspired by the fact that these shoes are so darn fabulous they practically wink at me.

I have visited John's flagship store in New York where you can try on all the wonderful styles and admire John's original drawings of his whimsical designs hanging high on the walls around the boutique. I would love to have any of his drawings framed to hang on my walls. On the west coast, I love going to the Fluevog shoppe in Vancouver B.C. This is such a fun and funky shoppe and you can also buy Fluevog flair if you are a fan. I have one of his buttons proclaiming “John Fluevog thinks you're awsesome!” If you are not close to a Fluevog shoppe...check out his website...it is truly eye candy for any shoe lover. Thank you John for your shoes and inspiration!

Of course this is Flashback Friday which means you may only admire this particular pair of Fluevogs as they are not making this style anymore but that doesn't mean you can't get your butt to your local Fluevog retailer and find a unique style that speaks directly to your sole:)...

Fitting Notes: 

U.K. Sizing 5-1/2 which fits like a U.S. Womens 7-3/4. These darlings fit snug over the instep--though they do have laces for some adjustment and they have a roomy toe box. In general Fluevogs fit a medium to wide foot well...depending on the style of course. The footbed is not removable in many styles but the heel cups are often firm and deep enough to accommodate thin orthotics or over the counter insoles should your feet require them. 

Mion Slacktide Review

FlashBack Friday

My Own Mions

So, why would I buy a pair of seemingly “rubber Croc-like clogs” when I have been so adamantly frustrated by the brand Croc's? First off, Mion clogs ARE NOT a Croc's knock off! They are superior in every way if you pay any attention to detail.

My “beef” with Crocs has nothing to do with their styling or inexpensive price point. My concern has to do with how people use them and overrate them. Croc's were designed to be ultra light weight loose fitting clogs that you throw on to water your garden, bring in the mail, lounge around your boat or pool NOT work 12 hour shifts in a hospital or kitchen setting. They do have great cushioning and lots of space for your toes but the looseness and squishy-ness do not support the feet and body the way a serious work shoe ought to. I do not recommend this kind of usage over the long run.

Returning to the Mion's, I know that they have specific arch support and actual adjustment, so if you have a medium to narrower foot they are more fit-friendly. The non-skid outsoles are siped for extra great grip. They are one of my favorite shoes to knock about in and their unique styling add a sense of fun. My Mom has a great collection of Mion's. The artist in her adores the fun colors and patterns and her feet like the arch support, cushy heel-cup and toe protection they provide when she is teaching her 1-2 hour art classes. We were both sad to hear that Martin Keen's (yes, the same guy that created Keen footwear) Mion venture was short-lived as we love our Mion's and get asked about them all the time. If you happen to find a pair on clearance grab 'em and say see ya later alligator to your “Crocs”!

Since Mion`s are no longer made :( you may only luck out finding a pair on ebay otherwise you will just have to envy mine :)

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Whole sizes in the Ebbtide and Slacktide models. The Slacktide has a flip flop toe grip and the Ebbtide does not thus making them sock friendly. Both styles have great adjustment over the instep allowing a great fit for most foot shapes. If you are between sizes, opt for the larger size to avoid your toes bumping the end creating callouses. Both Mion's and Crocs should be avoided if you have weak ankles.