It’s great to be back into the swing of things after having been holidaying in Europe for six weeks. As you can imagine, the trip was fantastic! The shoe selections were fabulous (as I was expecting). I did most of my shoe shopping in Milan, Italy (where else?). The first thing that caught my eye was how the locals take their dogs EVERYWHERE! I was in D&G (as you do) and a lady with a boxer dog wandered in to do a spot of shopping. I was waiting for someone to ask her to leave but instead they chatted to her like it was 'normal' to take a dog into a store. Needless to say, this was obviously the beginning of my shopping day as this was a common sight in all the designer stores I went to, as anyone who has shopped in Italy would know.

The shoes were nothing short of spectacular! The fashion on the street was definitely a mirror reflection of the fashion in the stores. Every second lady I saw on the street was sporting a genuine Louis Vuitton hand bag as well as a dog on a lead of course.

I was disappointed having tried on my first pair of shoes in Milan - a pair of black peep-toe pumps with shiny diamante encrusted chunky heels … they didn't fit!! I am a size 10 and I know Italian shoes are narrower than Aussie made shoes but this shoe was not going to fit regardless of what tactics I employed (I now understand how the ugly sister felt in Cinderella). I gave up all hope when an elaborate red stiletto sandal adorned with feathers would not fit either. For the rest of the day, I admired the shoes from afar, concluding that I would not be taking one of the fine creations home with me. Sigh!!

My melancholy vanished when we visited the ‘Golden Quadrant’ at around 4pm. My husband and I wandered into Prada in Milan to check out some of their finest masterpieces and finally, I found my ‘second’ soul mate (other than my husband!) I proudly walked out of that store with beautiful mauve, purple and baby blue peep-toe pumps. The chunky heel is my favourite aspect of the shoe, with the heel extending from the base of the shoe to the ground in a wave shape. My day was now complete and I could sleep easy, knowing I had done what I had come to Milan to do – that is to buy a pair of designer Italian shoes … naturally!

On the way home we stopped off in Shibuya, Tokyo Japan. The shoes were so elaborate and mostly, very strange or ‘unique’. I did try on one pair and had to laugh when the largest size they had was about a size 8. I think my husband was very happy they didn’t fit as they would definitely ‘stand out’ on the streets of Perth, and probably not in a good way.

I hope you enjoyed my recount of my overseas shopping jaunt and don’t feel too consumed with envy about it. Please email me (shoesforher@gmail.com) if you would like to share your stories of international shoe shopping. Until next time … happy shopping!!!

The shoot, or shoe boot as you might know them, has become this winters must have shoe, or boot, no shoe?? No hang on its both or a cross somewhere in between.

Shoe Lover Club memebers will remember being introduced to this “throw together” footwear by Jennifer from Emporio at the Shoe Lover Club event in March this year, you may have even purchased some!

Picture above: “Outkast” Shoot sold at Emporio

Here are some helpful tips to regonise the shoot:
• The top of the shoe should be around ankle level with the line of the shoe coming under the ankle bone.
• It should have a high heel (of course I hear you all saying), which also gives the advantage of showing off your calves and making you look taller.
• It can be either closed or open toe.
These shoes look great with any outfit so you can choose to put them under trousers, ¾ pants or shorts or team them with a short skirt and dark tights to keep your legs warm.

While this shoot trend may have stormed through most shoe stores this winter, not every shoe fashionista seems to be a fan. So far from what I’ve heard the divide is around 50/50, so strike up a conversation with your shoe loving girlfriends to see what you get and then hit the town for some serious shoe shopping in the mean time.

But whether you love them or hate them the choice is yours, make it wisely, who knows what hot new trend is around the corner!