Shoeflyer | Shoes, Trends & Reviews

Get Rid of Athlete’s Foot Once and For All

Colleen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:12 +0000

Desiree by Faryl Robin--$39.90 after 30% discount

We don’t like to talk about it, but most of us get it. I’m talking about Athlete’s Foot, or tinea pedis as it’s known in the medical world. Caused by the Tricophyton fungus, it is estimated that as much as 70% of the population experiences Athlete’s Foot at some point in their lives. Have you ever had itchy, flaking, blistering, or peeling skin in-between your toes or on the bottom of your feet? Well, then, you’ve probably had it. But those aren’t the only places this pesky fungus likes to hide. Any flap of skin that provides a moist environment will feel like home sweet home to the Trichophyton. If this fungus gets into your foot nooks, you won’t want to wear flirty shoes like the peep-toe pumps shown in this story. Here are a few tips to help you combat and prevent Athlete’s Foot, so that your skin’s true beauty can shine forth unabated.

1. Wear breathable shoes. Leather shoes will let your feet breathe. Vinyl shoes, on the other hand, will cut off air circulation, and will only worsen your symptoms.

2. Opt for moisture-wicking socks. Some materials, like cotton, hold onto moisture. Others, like CoolMax, wick it away from your foot. If you tend toward sweaty feet, or you tend to wear the same shoes for many hours, find socks that are made with moisture-wicking materials.

Karri by Nude--$58.80 after 30% discount.

3. Treat Athlete’s Foot with Medicated Powders. A trip to your local drug store will turn up medicated powders that are designed to keep feet dry. Before putting on your shoes, sprinkle this powder wherever moisture tends to collect.

4. Give yourself a Homeopathic Footbath. You can also make your own drying remedies. Diluted tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, may be applied to infected areas, or added to a footbath. Additionally, you can reduce your symptoms by bathing your feet in a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water. Soak your feet in this solution for ten minutes at a stretch, one or two times a day.

5. Try Vicks VapoRub. Many former Athelete’s Foot sufferers swear by Vicks VapoRub. Rub this ointment into infected areas.

6. Blow-dry moisture away. Looking for an easy way to dry out those tricky areas? Reach for your hair dryer. After stepping out of the shower, use your blow-dryer to completely dry out any areas that tend to hold moisture.

Bianca by Camper--$77 after 30% discount

7. Disinfect stinky old shoes. That smell emanating from your sneakers? That’s the smell of bacteria! Use medicated powders or sprays to kill the bacteria lurking in your kicks.

8. Don’t walk barefoot in public places. Swimming pools, gyms, and public showers are prime locations to pick up Athlete’s Foot. Wear flip-flops to prevent the fungus from coming in contact with your feet.

9. Treat all areas of the body at once. Many people treat foot fungus on their skin, but neglect their nails. Unfortunately, they often find that their symptoms return in a couple of weeks or months. To completely get rid of Athlete’s Foot, you must treat all infected areas at once.

10. Treat all family members at once. Remember, if you share a shower with your loved ones, you also share their foot diseases. Make sure everyone in your household is taking precautions to avoid Athlete’s Foot, and carefully treating any current infections.

For extreme and/or ongoing cases of Athlete’s Foot, you should see your doctor. He or she may prescribe an oral anti-fungal pill.

Once you clear up your Athlete’s Foot once and for all, pick out a pretty pair of peep-toe pumps and strut all over town, flaunting your healthy, beautiful feet.

A Short History of Heels: Why Flats are the Footwear of the Proletariat

Colleen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:00:30 +0000

Louis XIV and his royal red heels

It’s true. Flats are the footwear of the bourgeois and the proletariat. And I’m not just saying that because they’re far more comfortable to wear at work than heels. Indeed, I used to think of my favorite flats as a personal fashion bargain. I would think to myself, “I’m trading a little bit of fashion fierceness for a whole lotta comfort.” Never one to kill herself for fashion, I saw my flats as a sign of my own laid-back approach to life. My, how my approach to flats has changed since I learned about the history of heels.

Sometime during the early 1500s, heels were added to boots to help horse riders keep their foot in the stirrup. Even before then, people often wore tall outer shoes to keep their delicate shoes out of street debris. We have a Medici to thank for the idea of fashionable high heels. Catherine Medici was the first aristocrat to turn her shoes into a statement of power. She added two-inch heels to her shoes to give her a confidence boost for her presentation to the French court. Catherine’s innovation soon became popular for both sexes. Although figures like Mary Tudor strapped on heels to appear more impressive, France’s Louis XIV solidified the idea of heels representing social class. The Sun King declared that only nobility would be allowed to wear red heels, upon pain of death. Furthermore, no one could wear heels higher than his own. Louis’ heels were as high as five inches tall, and often included miniature depictions of battle scenes.

Napoleon Bonaparte: Banner of Heels

France’s subsequent footwear fetish eroticized feet and heels. European women began taping their feet, forming their feet in the same way that they used corsets to change the shape of their bodies. Over in the New World, Puritans responded with disdain–the Massachusetts Colony even passed a law banning women from wearing high heels to attract a man. Those who defied this law were tried for witchcraft.

And here’s where flat shoes became a revolutionary symbol. Heels had long been associated with social status and height– indeed, as Cameron Kippen writes for the British Journal of Podiatry, “The term ‘well-heeled’ is thought to relate to the habit of the rich towering over the poor,” thanks to high heels. When Napoleon stormed through France during the Revolution, he banned heels. Still, Marie Antoinette marched to her death at the guillotine in two-inch heels–the footwear equivalent of screaming, “Let them eat cake!”

So, the next time that you opt for a flat shoe, don’t get down on yourself for not toughing out a tottering day on heels, like I do. Instead, slip into your cozy flats and congratulate yourself on wearing anti-establishment kicks.

To learn more about the history of heels, visit RandomHistory.com.

We’ve Got [Affordable] Men’s Designer Shoes!

Richard — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:22:50 +0000

A colleague recently pointed me to a New York Times blog post about Italian designer shoes. The shoes, from a third-generation company in Montegranaro, retail starting at $1,000 and up — way up, actually. In an economy that’s still working to get back on its feet, it was a little hard for me to understand how anyone could justify spending so much on a pair of shoes (heck, I would question the decision to spend that much money on shoes in a good economy, too). Thankfully, here at Shoefly, we have the same amount of taste and style for a much more affordable price. In fact, Shoefly .com is having a 30% off sale, so the prices are even better than before! If you’re in the market for a pair of quality designer shoes with a whole lot of class, look no further.

I’ve taken the liberty of highlighting some of our featured men’s designer shoes below.

These two shoes by Ryan Rowe will really make you stand out in the crowd. Their unique designs walk the perfect line between sophistication and style.

Pataugas really has an eye for capturing the modern man. These two styles exhibit a raw edginess with the elegance of professionalism.

Finally, don’t miss Pawelks’ PAO105 (pictured top, right). It’s a subtly trendy shoe for a man whose modest about his style.

Check out ShoeflyGuy for more great designs and deals!

5 Fun Ways to Spiff Up Old Shoes

Colleen — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it: these days, everyone’s looking for ways to save money while maintaining their most fabulous individual look. I’m no different. I dream of leading Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe-tastic lifestyle, but I’m really more like a fashion MacGyver– I’ll wow the crowd with whatever materials and footwear is available, even if I’ve reinvented a certain pair five times. One trick to getting more milage out of your footwear is to take good care of it. But no matter how many protective balms you buy, life happens and shoes eventually show signs of wear. Or maybe you’re just bored with a certain pair, and you want to update your look without emptying your wallet. Well, here are five fun ways to get your old shoes back in business. Enjoy… and once you’ve cleared out your shoe closet, surf on over to Shoefly to take full advantage of our 30% off sale– save an additional 30% off marked prices at check out!

1. Crochet-licious Half Booties
Furry, fuzzy details were all over Fall Fashion week in Paris. Instead of shelling out hundreds of clams, why not alter your old pair? CrochetMe.com shows you how after the jump.

2. Brush Away Your Worries…
…With toothpaste! Did you know that you can clean scuffs off leather and spiff up old sneakers with regular old toothpaste? Follow the link above to learn how, and to find dozens of other uses for toothpaste.

3. Get Crafty with Your Pooped out Pumps
You can have your very own Christmas Story-esque leg lamp, wearing your own old shoe, no less! Follow this link for some creative uses for old pumps.

4. Shine like they do in the Army.
There is no better shine than a spit shoe shine. Before the drizzly days of winter arrive, give your leather shoes a military-style spit shoe shine (without the spit, of course). Your best pairs will look almost as good as new after you’re done shining them!

5. Paint Your Old Shoes.
This isn’t the first time I’ve advocated this approach to extending your shoes’ life, but Anna over at DIY Life has a fail-proof method for preparing, painting, and sealing your old pumps. Que bella! Heck, I might have to give those Goodwill shoes another glance, know that I know I can totally revamp them!

Top photo by Bert Heymans.

Faryl Robin’s 3 Questions for Choosing Shoes

Colleen — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Faryl Robin is one of my favorite lines. Why? Because every Faryl Robin shoe seems to have its own story waiting to be told. With unusual lines, unpredictable heels, and sweet shapes in everything from flats to boots, Faryl Robin has a winning formula for chic shoes. I love her stuff so much, that I sometimes wish I could have a mini Faryl Robin sitting on my shoulder as I trudge through miles of shoe aisles, on a mission for the perfect pair. Well, now I can! Okay, I can’t actually have a mini Faryl, but I can run through her three essential questions as I shop for shoes:

1. If you walk into a room, will this shoe stand out?

2. If you picked it up and turned it over, would you think the price makes sense?

3. If you’re on the worst date that you’ve ever been on, could you walk home?

These questions are fun and practical–just like the Faryl Robin brand. No wonder celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Racheal Ray love Faryl Robin shoes! To fulfill all of Faryl Robin’s requirements in your own fabulous pair, check out Shoefly’s collection of Faryl Robin shoes. And don’t forget, the 30% off sale is still going on at Shoefly.com. You get to take an additional 30% off your whole order when you check out! For instance, Yetta, pictured at the top, is listed for $230, but you can save over $100 today, for a final price of just $112.70! That price does better than make sense– it practically sings!

Sandals in the Fall?! How about the next best thing…

Richard — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:02:56 +0000

With September only a day away, it’s time to say “So long!” to sandals and “Welcome back!” to boots. Yet, as I was thinking about making the transition to fall footwear, I started really grieving the ease and convenience of sandals. Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to the added hassle of pulling on a pair of boots or strapping myself into some other winter-approved shoe in order to brave the elements — especially when I’m in a hurry or only headed out for a quick errand. But with a cold and wet fall coming, anything else is just too impractical, and if you’re native to the Pacific Northwest like I am, you know the rain isn’t very friendly to just any shoe. And sleet and snow can be just as ruthless. Thankfully, I just discovered the perfect shoe for fall and winter.

The Mardi Shearling Mule by Cole Haan (pictured left) is everything a seasonal shoe needs to be and more. Not only is this mule easy to slip on and off, its suede outer is waterproof, and its waffled rubber soles are perfect for traction on wet surfaces. All together, this means that there’s no worrying about that pesky rain fall and winter will bring. Additionally, the shoes are lined with shearling (sheepskin), which is guaranteed to keep your toes warm when winter temperatures drop in. Of course, the added bonus with Cole Haan’s design is that the shoe isn’t exclusively a casual one but can easily double as a quick go-to shoe when you need to look a little more professional than just a trip to the grocery store.

Stop over at Shoefly to check out this must-have fall and winter sole!

Get Ready, Get Green

Richard — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:16:03 +0000

That’s right, green – and no, we’re not talking environmentally-friendly — just the color. Green is on its way back and already surfacing among some shoe designers, at least, that’s what our friends at The Shoe Dish are saying. While they concede, however, that we won’t see the color’s popularity in full force until next spring, hints of the fashion trend will be appearing throughout the fall and winter. And when spring does get here, Shoefly wants you at the forefront of fashion instead of trying desperately to catch up. Here are a few ways for you to set the trend, not just follow it.

You can never go wrong with a pair of sandals from Sam Edelman. These are Gigi.

These cute flats by Seychelles are called Petticoat. Seafoam is the color you’re looking for.

Dayliner by Naughty Monkey will definitely have people turning their heads to grab a second look at your pumps packed with attitude.

The flats pictured here are Sign by Coclico. These trendy shoes are exactly what you need in order to maintain professionalism and style.

This green wedge by Biviel is exactly what’s going to be hot next spring (the same goes for Biviel’s sandal pictured top, right). Get your pair now.

And remember, if you act fast, there’s still time to take advantage of Shoefly’s 30% off sale!

Fall Fashion Trends: What to Save & What to Snag

Colleen — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:00:58 +0000

What to Snag: Rave by Naughty Monkey. Biker Chic.

How do you know if something is trendy? Aside from what advertisers tell you (plaid?), it’s hard to know what’s actually turning heads out there on the streets. Since designers showcase their seasonal wares at shows scheduled months ahead of the relevant season, even their best efforts could be way off mark. When you think of it in these terms, following fashion is like following a school of fish that’s constantly shifting shape and switching directions. That’s why it takes focused attention and in-depth analysis to figure out what the average consumer will see as trendy over the next few months–yet the folks over at Forbes report that it is possible. According to their article on Fall 2009 fashion trends, Lazard Capital Markets’ analysts gathered and combed through ten issues of fall 2009 fashion magazines to discover which trends will be big this fall. (Tough job they have over there… maybe I should think about becoming an analyst…) Here’s a summary of their findings:

What to Save (from last fall’s collections)

Skinny jeans & boots, back from last fall.

Returning boot styles include westerns, booties, bikers (with studs), over-the-knee styles, and suede.
UGGS aren’t going anywhere anytime soon… their knit-boot style and mid-calf sheepskin Baily Button boot will be especially popular.

What to Snag:

Get yerself a pair of leggings if you don’t have any yet. Pair them with loose-fitting tunics or blouses for autumn-licious layering fun.
Studded shoes, handbags, and belts are bigger than ever.

Why do women own so many pairs of shoes?

Richard — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:31:51 +0000

This, of course, is one of the age-old questions many men find wandering through their heads. And as a member of the male gender myself, I won’t lie, I’ve let the same question do some wanderin’ in my own noggin — don’t get me wrong, I love my shoes (obviously), but even I try to draw the line somewhere. Today, however, columnist Sheri Goggin came to the defense of women and their abundance of shoes by addressing the question in a local newspaper. Here’s how a man thought her answer measured up.

Goggin begins by first providing us with her three-fold motto: “If the shoe fits and looks cute, buy it. If the shoe is on sale and almost fits, buy it. And lastly, but most importantly, if the shoe fits and will make the outfit, definitely buy it; you can always find something else to wear with it.”

While I thought this purchasing philosophy was particularly concerning, she goes on to say that each pair of shoes a woman purchases serves a specific purpose. At this point, she had me listening. Next, she elaborates on a woman’s need for specific shoes like flats, closed-toe heels, wedges, black pumps, sandals, and peep-toes.

And finally, she helped me better understand by equating women’s shoes with golf clubs, a metaphor I found quite helpful. You see, for golfers, it would be simply absurd to play a course without the right set of clubs; in fact, it would be nearly impossible given certain clubs. So if women require a unique set of shoes to effectively manage their “golf courses” of life, well, I guess I can buy that. Though, considering the number of “clubs” some women seem to need, their courses must be immensely more complex than those of golf.

Having said that, visit Shoefly for great deals on designer clubs — er, shoes.

Back To School Shoe Shopping Tips for Everyone!

Colleen — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:00:26 +0000

Breaker Hi by Penguin: Save $55 after 30% off!

At first, I was going to steer clear of the Back To School phenomenon, since Shoefly doesn’t currently sell any kids shoes. And then I remembered that we are in the middle of one of the biggest back-to-school waves this country has seen. The dismal economy has generations of adults returning to school after years in the workforce. Not to mention all of the traditional college and grade-school students who will return to the classroom this fall. And so, I’m bringing you a Back-To-School Shoe Special that students of all ages can use. Instead of delving into the details for each school-bound demographic, I’ll lay out a few ground rules for all students, accompanied by pictures of great back-to-school shoe deals from Shoeflyer.com.

AU13177 by Audley~~$98 after 30% off

1) Look Good. I always find it easier to raise my hand and be an active participant when I know I’m put together. Since you look at your shoes all day, they definitely impact your own evaluation of how you look. Get a pair that will leave you feeling peppy and ready to participate.

2) Be Comfortable. Choose shoes that you can wear all day without any pain, since you never know where your day as a student will take you. Otherwise, you risk limping along on those wickedly uncomfortable (but admittedly adorable) heels while you lug a backpack full of books to the bus stop. Select shoes that have good support. Flip-flops are nice for a trip to the park, but they’re not supportive enough for a whole day of stomping around campus.

Yetta by Faryl Robin~~Save $117 off original price!

3) Get a Great Fit. Try on shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are swollen. This will help you find a pair that will feel good even after you’ve been on your feet all day. Wear socks when you try on shoes, ideally the same type that you would be likely to wear with this type of shoe. Remember the “So Darned Fast” rule when fitting kids shoes: get shoes that are about a size bigger than what they need, since they’ll grow out of them very quickly otherwise. (Click here for a few more fitting tips for kids, from yesterday’s Des Moines Register.)