Price Vs. Value

The bargain shopper out there has a long-held philosophy that bargains are the most important, who doesn’t like the feeling of getting something you want cheap! but far too often people compromise their shoe choices, going for the bargain instead of the more expensive shoe. Shoppers cheat themselves out of a wonderful shoe experience.

Sure it’s expensive but it lasts longer

Nothing is more annoying than wearing a pair of shoes a few times and finding that they fade,scuff, have fragile details (such as bows) or a heel that simply breaks off. Many expensive shoes are pricey for a reason. Hand crafted with quality materials these shoes cost a pretty penny but they last and last and last. Customers who buy the best quality shoe they can afford often save money because that one pair of shoes lasts a lot longer and often still maintains it’s shape and attractiveness.

Of course the downside is that paying more for shoes means less shoes in the closet. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of a barrel full of disheveled cheap looking footwear a shoe wardrobe will grace your closet. A pair of luxurious heels, all-purpose ballet flats, favorite boots will all look great and serve you well for months and even years to come. Quality not quantity is often the best rule to follow. We all like having choices but sometimes fewer good choices are better than many bad ones. The next time you go shoe shopping decide to spend a little more for classic, loveable, long-lasting shoes.

 

 

Affordable Shoes for Men

When it comes to keeping up with the latest fashions, you have to keep your feet looking good, too. Today’s men’s shoe styles are a mixture of old styles, new looks and global comfort.

It’s True. Women Look At Your Shoes

There are a few quick clues that women check out before they make a decision about a guy. It’s said that they look at the eyes, the fingernails and the shoes. This seems shallow, but it’s a fact that men need to accept. Why the shoes? Women want to know if you keep up with men’s fashion, and they want to know if you understand the importance of price versus value.

Your Shoes Need to Match Your Clothes

Some girls like a man with sensible, well-made shoes. Other girls like a guy with a whimsical sense of fashion and style. They also want to know that you know how to pair the right shoes with the right clothes. As a general rule, it takes one very hip dude to pull off boots with shorts. Men’s shorts look better with low tops or flip-flops. Unless you’re a hiker, save the boots for when you wear jeans.

Brown shoes don’t go with grey pants. Don’t do it. The lesson here is that men need to purchase affordable, but quality shoes, so that they can have more than two pairs. Get outside of your comfort zone and try some fun colors, like red or purple. If you want a girl to notice your shoes, that’s the way to do it.

Thing to Consider When Buying "Cheap" Shoes

Shoes in a shop 

Image via Wikipedia

When new fashions come out from expensive designers, other companies tend to be very quick to put out a similar looking item of their own.  Generally speaking, although they may look nice, knock-offs are rarely of high quality, and the biggest item to be weary of when buying a cheaper version is shoes.

For starters, women in particular need to be very cautious of the shoes that they put on their feet if they want to maintain nice looking feet.  There are many stores all around that will sell tons of very fashionable shoes that may cost no more than twenty or thirty dollars, while a similar looking shoe for another designer will cost several hundred dollars.  Shoes like these are usually made of faux materials, and can be very difficult to walk in after an hour or so because there is no padding in the shoe.  So, to avoid feeling uncomfortable, consider buying the shoe a size bigger, that way if your foot begins to swell due to the shoe itself being padded poorly, that little extra room can make the situation bearable.

Another thing that should be considered when buying a cheap shoe is the expectation of the shoe’s life.  Cheap shoes are made up of cheap materials, therefore, no matter if they are a dress shoe, an athletic shoe, or some other casual shoe , chances are, they will not withstand much wear and tear.  So, although the initial savings may have been worth it, the savings may not be beneficial after the shoe has to be replaced in a month due to it falling apart.

A Shoe Staple List For All

We all know shoes are important but many people do not know that certain types of footwear are a must-have for every woman. The list below is the bare bones requirement of shoes. Read below to notice if you are missing some required shoes.

 

A high-heeled ladies shoe. 

Image via Wikipedia

The Pump

 

The heeled pump is the most owned shoe of all women due to its versatility. This functional but stylish heeled shoe looks good but is comfortable while working. The standard pump should be in a color that would go with almost anything – a black or nude color.

 

Everyday Flats

 

The flat shoe is a non-heeled shoe ware that can be worn everywhere. This shoe should fit comfortably and have a pop of color. The everyday flat should bring interest to a dull outfit but not exceedingly loud in color or texture.

 

Athletic Shoe

 

The athletic shoe is for walking, running or going to the gym. This foot accessory is to be used for doing activities and should fit well. Many people prefer to have a cross-trainer or running shoe for this category. Remember to try different kinds of workout shoes to find the best one for you.

 

A larger plimsoll shoe as seen in a department... 

Image via Wikipedia

Fashion Athletic

 

The fashion athletic shoe is for the sporty, but relaxed look. This shoe is usually made from canvas, but can be other materials. Fashion athletic shoes have better designs than a standard athletic shoe, but do not have good sole support.

 

The Wedge

 

The open-toe wedge is a shoe that is always in style. This shoe looks great with dresses, jeans and everything else. Look for wedges made from a nice neutral color and natural fabrics.

Shoe Choices Combining Fun & Function

Red shoes, Prada 

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Women have long held a love/hate relationship with their shoes. The perfect pair of heels may draw much desired attention but can leave you writhing in pain by the end of the day. It’s important to buy good quality shoes that won’t break in the middle of the work day, or worse on a first date, but do you really have to pay designer prices? When you find a pair you really love should you be economical and just get one pair, or buy a couple of different colors because you know you’ll use them?

The challenges surrounding shoe choices can become exhausting. Fashion or function? Flash or feel? Realistically, the answer may be somewhere in the middle but more and more there are increasing options that fill both roles in the shoe debate – shoes that look nice but won’t kill your feet, or your budget, in the process. It used to be that a functional shoe was an ugly, you’re-never-going-to-get-a-date shoe. Now designers are becoming more practical, providing low and no-heel options that still look nice, meet business and social requirements as well as protect one of the most important of our physical resources – our feet.

Because although shoes were originally invented to protect our feet, at the end of the day, most women are likely to have at least one, or more, pairs of shoes or boots that are more fun than function. But whether you admit that three and a half inch heels are painful or not, it’s always nice to have options.

Waiting for the Perfect Pair of Summer Shoes

Finding the perfect pair of summer shoes can sometimes seem like a daunting task. Whether you’re looking for sandals, flats, or wedges, it’s important to consider the color, materials used, and price v. value of your new shoes.

  • Color
    Color is one of the most important considerations when finding a great pair of summer shoes.  Not only should your shoes match well with the rest of your wardrobe, but they should also flatter your body.  Nude-colored heels and wedges can extend the eye down the length of the leg, making legs look long and lean.  Pair these with a cute pair of summer shorts, a dress, or a skirt. Your legs will look longer and the neutral tone will match with almost anything!
  • Price v. Value
    You should always consider price v. value when purchasing any new clothes or accessories.  Sometimes known as “price per wear,” this concept takes the cost of the item and divides it by the number of times you intend to wear it.  Reducing price v. value is easy!  Simply look at ways to wear your shoes more frequently, or better yet, look at ways to reduce the cost.  Coupon sites like Offers.com provide simple savings on many name brands.
  • Materials
    When considering the materials used, you should also take into account where you intend to wear them.  Will you be wearing your shoes to the beach, to your workplace, or out to dinner?  Look into the durability of the materials, whether or not they are waterproof, and how well they resist stains.

These considerations can help you choose summer shoes that meet your budget and your lifestyle needs.

 

Stylish Addiction: How to Handle Your Addiction to Shoes

Any devoted fan of the television show Sex and the City knows the agonies of a bona fide shoe addict. More likely to buy shoes than groceries, Carrie Bradshaw is the shoe addict archetype. Stacks and stacks of shoe-boxes line her closet, each pair costing several hundred dollars apiece. While some shoe addicts may believe that they can live a long and healthy life with this addiction, those of you with less “fun money” to spend can find the affliction almost unbearable. Here are a few tips to help you deal with.

Find a friend with the same shoe size. – Many friends enjoy sharing clothes. Sharing shoes is just one step further. By sharing shoes with your friends, you automatically double your collection of shoes and cut the cost of any new pairs in half. If you don’t have a friend with the same shoe size, make one. You already have a great conversation-starter.

Set aside a reasonable amount of money after your other bills. – If you know that you are going to spend money on shoes, don’t try to stop spending money completely. Just cut back on the amount that you spend. Set aside a reasonable amount, and treat yourself. A little taste might keep you from over-doing it.

Seize the Sale – Let’s face it. It is hard to resist a sale. So many pairs of shoes for such a small price! Go easy on yourself. Take advantage of a sale, even if it didn’t quite fit into your money-spending schedule. Just remember to set a limit. Don’t buy everything in sight.

Go retro. – When your shoe budget is running particularly low, you don’t necessarily have to stop buying them all together. Instead, try changing your shoe shop. Go to a thrift store. You can find some amazing old styles and make them new again.

A cure for shoe addiction may never exist, but with these few suggestions, coping with your addiction can become a little easier, at least on your wallet. Those stunning new six-inch stilettos probably won’t be too easy on your feet.

Those Sexy, Strappy Sandals of Summer

Women's sandals.

Image via Wikipedia

There is nothing like the feeling of a warm summer day and being able to show off your legs in a pair of strappy sandals. The beauty of this style of shoe is that it can be worn day and night, going from the beach to the club. They can be found in flats, wedges and skinny high heels. It is a versatile shoe that anyone can wear and feel good in them.

Strappy sandals show off the calf, ankle and foot to the advantage of the wearer. For those who are not blessed with a trim ankle, they can still get away with wearing them. Instead of buying a flat, go for a wedge or a heel of some type. The downwards angle of the shoe trims the ankle, providing a welcome illusion. And for those who are not comfortable in a thin heel, consider a wedge instead. The effect is still the same, but much more comfortable to wear. A wedge sandal is unlikely to be clunky as the openness of the straps lighten up the overall look.

While sandals are an eternal style and are available in all sorts of configurations, they are a good pairing with the latest trend of 1970′s influenced clothes. Clothing styles are leaning towards the Halston look of halter top dresses with long leg slits, perfect for pairing with a thigh high laced sandal with a heel. Bell bottom jeans are also returning, so consider a chunky wedge with brown leather straps. Although clunky sounding, there is still plenty of sex appeal in this combination.

Getting the Best Shoe for the Money Spent at the Discount Store

Shoes are a girl’s best friend. Forget the diamonds; they’re just way too expensive. Just look at Imelda Marcos – she really knew her shoes! She certainly spent money on them like it was no-body’s business. The rest of the world can only dream and settle for wearing lesser quality footwear. And here is where paying attention to the shoe will pay off.

There are so many discount shoe stores these days, making it all too easy to find a deal. But sometimes the deals are too good to be true. A sexy pair of shoes for $15 gives $15 worth of wear. Maybe a few nights out on the town and that is it. Follow the tips below and get the most shoe for the dollar.

  • Look at the construction of the shoe. A majority of shoes these days are glued together with industrial strength adhesives, which is not a bad thing. But when the glue is applied poorly or the components are not firmly stuck together, pass on the shoe.
  • Consider the materials. Fabric shoes will always wear out sooner than a leather shoe. But both have the same criteria for quality – thickness. If a shoe feels thin and flimsy and it is not a sandal, pass on it. Synthetic leathers wear very easily as well, so caveat emptor.
  • Familiarize oneself with shoe brands. A well-known brand will occasionally put out a poorly made shoe, which is why they end up in a discount store. If the item seems cheap even for the name brand, don’t buy it unless they are a must have.

How To Take Care Of Your Shoes

Shoe polish with a shoe brush.

Image via Wikipedia

Shoes will wear out faster than any other piece of clothing or accessory that you own. If you want your shoes to last, you will need to take care of them on a regular basis. You will want to clean your shoes regularly if you use them every day. After you wear your shoes, have some sort of brush by your door so when you walk in your house you can brush all the dust off your shoes.

You will want to get some shoe polish and polish your leather shoes as often as needed. If it snows in the winter where you live, polish your shoes before winter and often during the winter to protect the leather. Also, you can buy rain repellent for your shoes if you live in a place where it rains a lot. If your shoes get wet, you will want to air dry them, especially if they are leather. Do not set them by a heater or a fire because this will hurt the leather. For any kind of tennis shoe, stuff them with newspaper so it absorbs the water.

If you live in an area where more severe weather is common, you may get salt lines on your shoes. To get rid of these, simply wipe off your shoes with a wet cloth. You may also want to try water and vinegar.

There are many things you can do to get rid of foot odor, such as shoetrees or powders. You can also put dryer sheets in your shoes while you are not using them. There are some kinds of shoes that require special needs. If you have expensive shoes made out of a special kind of material, you may want to research how to keep these shoes protected and the proper way to clean them. By simply keeping your shoes clean, they will last a lot longer than expected.