Simple Carousel Review

Keep it Simple

I had not been swayed by the brand called “Simple” for many years...just like it took me years to realize how cool my Dad actually was. My Dad knew that black and white went with everything except opinions and to be cool you had to have a splash of the unique. I shouldn't have been surprised that my Dad liked this pair of Simple Carousels. How could one resist the black suede, white toe bumper and outsole that exudes street style. The unique lacing style with its wide minty sea foam green ribbon and trio of grommets on each side dance across my instep in a myriad of combinations. Dad noticed me wearing them and gave me that smile of approval that says...” you are on your way to cool kid”.

Even though I loved Dad's grin and would love to leave the simple matter there; I must tell you that cool only goes so far and give you the whole truth. My first outing in the Carousels did cause blisters on the back of my heels and there is very little arch support to speak of. I did remedy both issues by slipping in a pair of Shock Doctor arch supports and have made peace with these cool treads. I still love lacing them this way and that thinking of my Dad each time. Thank you Simple for the style props.

It's always best to try on and buy Simples at your favorite local shoe store but if you can't find the pair you are after you may have luck with the Shoebacca, Backcounty or eBay.

Fitting Notes:

American sizing. The style I purchased runs a bit long so 7 ½ medium was plenty long enough though I normally wear an 8 medium. I have not tried on enough of this brand to know if the sizing is typically long or not. Simples have great cushioning but minimal arch support which is good for folks with a static or rigid arch. Many have removable footbeds so it is easy to switch for an insole with better support such as SuperFeet.

Campers: Coast to Coast Comfort

Every sole has a story and the story of my Campers is “Bi-coastal”. I purchased my first pair just an hour and a half North of Seattle in my now native Bellingham, Washington. Here the San Juan Islands protrude just outside the Bay like the pine covered backs of “Gi-normous” prehistoric mammals lying dormant under the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.

While, I love living here, I sometimes think under the giant sign that proclaims, “Welcome to Bellingham” it should read “The city of subdued excitement.” As beautiful as it can be in the summer, the gray wet and cold months do take their toll on the residence. In fact, the minute the sun makes a short appearance, people start acting like they’re a little crazy. Out come the orange-mocha frappuccinos, shorts and shirt-less guys hooting at girls. And that’s about the only time the excitement level goes from zero to sixty.

I acquired my second pair of Campers in a place easily considered the epitome of excitement, New York City. This city never sleeps, so it doesn’t need the sun to get the party started. Just step outside and hail a cab to excitement. (My excitement, naturally, was the endless supply of shoe shopping venues, but to each their own).

What I love about my Campers is that they exude the best of both worlds. You see, both are practical in their comfort and color (somewhat subdued if you will); One pair being black and the other dark brown, but before you get too relaxed your eyes are treated to a pop of color that requires a double take. Did those versatile black-heeled mary-janes really have lime green soles? You bet your sweet bippy! And if you come a little closer, I will gleefully kick up my heels and show you the charming flower imprinted on the bottoms.

I have always adored mary-janes, thus my second pair is of similar fashion. These practical chocolate brown beauties transition to a HOT where’s-the-party-fuschia-trim over the toes that allows for just a bit of toe cleavage. To tie-in this bright accent, there is also a fushcia lattice over the smart kitten heel. While you will notice Campers flair for fun and excitement, my feet are happily subdued in the comfort of light-weight, durable polyurethane outsoles that easily make you look and feel comfortably at home whichever Coast you choose. Thank you Campers!

If your local shoe store doesn't carry Campers, or you can't seem to find the style or size you're looking for, you can often find Campers at Zappos, FootSmart, Online Shoes, Altrec and other online retailers.

Fitting Notes:

European sizing. Styles vary greatly in terms of comfort. Typically the styles that have removable footbeds are more comfortable than those without. They fit great on medium width feet with generous space for your toes. If you have a narrower foot, consider styles with adjustable features like buckles, velcro or laces. The amount of cushioning and arch support is varied enough that you should aim to try on several styles to feel what suits your feet best.   

Mephisto Sydel Women's Sandal Review

The Mephisto Manifesto

Over the many years of playing my part in the shoe world I have truly enjoyed the various mispronunciations of many brand names. One of my favorites is when folks call the brand Mephisto: “Manifestos”. I have often been asked if we “carry Manifestos” and I always smile and say “...of course we carry the manifesto of comfort”. It doesn't really matter what you call them when you are after this level of comfort and quality. If a shoe brand were ever the metaphor for a manifesto of comfort it would have to be a pair of Mephistos.

Each pair of Mephistos is made with incredible attention to quality. The leathers are gorgeous top grains and the stitching is often done by hand. Each pair can take over a month to make. The last or shape of their shoes is considered anatomically correct and the arch support is really quite lovely. I feel that the sandals this company makes are truly exceptional and of course I have a pair.

My most cherished pair of Mephisto's are my Sydel Sandals.  Two svelte straps of soft white patent leather adorned with rhinestone buckles hold my feet to the loveliest soft lined footbed with a perfect fitting heel cup. A long smooth line of arch support, a gentle bump of support at the metatarsal arch and a toe bar that offers a little grip for these open backed strappy slides make them a dream to wear. This pair of sandals seem so basic in their styling that they often go unnoticed sitting on a display table or in ones closet but the moment I slide my feet into them everyone exclaims “...oooh what cute shoes you have on...where did you get them?...I bet they just go with everything!” . They make me feel like a shoe-lebrity or princess twinkle toes. With a great pedicure I can wear these little dreamboats to the dressiest of events. I might add that patent leather is the way to go with white as it is so easy to keep clean. I have had these sandals for years and the white is still pristine. Thank you Mephisto for making comfort a manifesto to live by.

Head to your local Mephisto retailer to find a pair of Mephistos best suited to your foot.  If you can't find a local Mephisto dealer in your area, check out Zappos, ShoeBuy or Online Shoes.

Fitting Notes:

Mephisto sandals come in European sizing and do seem to run a bit generous. They fit medium to wide feet well but the styles with adjustable straps are friendly to narrower and/or low volume feet as well. Mephisto makes many styles of footwear using various sizing systems so there should be a pair out there with your name on them and I am happy to help with your specific foot and the styles you are interested in. Also, many of their styles come with removable footbeds to accommodate orthoses.

Clark's Annissa Cork Wedge Review

Clarks Artisanal Annissa 

Most summer days find me knocking about in my flat sandals like Chacos, Birkenstocks and Mion's, but once and a while this short gal wants to feel tall. As you know, I love to spoil my feet with perfect comfort and was so tickled to discover these cork-wedge sandals from Clark's Artisan Line called "Annissa".  Initially, I tried them on because of their darling T-strap design and all-purpose tan color . I do love to try on adorable shoes but most often my feet are not as thrilled as my eyes.

The Clarks surprised my soles with a contoured, cushioned footbed that felt absolutely great right out of the box. They even cupped my heel and arch offering a very balanced distribution of weight across the foot that is often missing in heeled shoes. The tan leather was supple with no hint of rubbing that could be cause for trouble later. They felt as lovely as they looked. I even talked my best friend into getting the exact same pair. She loves them too and I got to keep mine....my fabulous shoes have a funny way of ending up in her closet. What can I say?....I love her!

And I love pulling these sandals out, dressing up a pair of jeans or showing them off in a skirt. Their neutral color also adds a lengthening effect to my length challenged legs. I can wear them gallery hopping and through a night out dancing and my feet are not sorry in the morning. Thank you Clark's for going the distance and making it look good.

The Annissa was recently discontinued, but is still available in some stores like WalkingOnACloud.com.  They currently have them available in Bronze and Black when I wrote this.  As a last resort, sometimes they occasionaly appear for sale on eBay.

Fitting Notes:

I typically wear a U.S. Size 8 but these sandals run big so I bought the 7 ½ and the open peek-a-boo toe assures that my toes are not crowded. The buckle and strap catch just below the ankle perfectly helping them feel secure. If you normally can't wear heels but have some summer occasions that call for something a little dressed up theses Clarks will help you add more “grin' to your 'bearing it”. Their continuous wedge sole will feel more stable than any defined heel ever will.

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.