Defining Style

Did you know the average number of surveyed British women who remember the first pair of shoes they bought with their own money:  92 per cent; who felt remorse at throwing away a pair of old shoes: 96 per cent.

No wonder women have such a fetish about shoes.  Once it was all about the 'statement handbag' and every celebrity or fashionista would spend a small fortune to obtain that 'must have' bag.

Now it's all about the shoes thanks to Carrie Bradshaw in 'Sex and the City'.  It was reported after the TV series ended that 'well to do' American women owned 27 pairs of shoes each. 

Shoes are all about expressing yourself, no matter how high or how extreme.  Women see it as expressing their femininity, their power, their sexuality and most importantly it makes you look taller and slimmer. 

Posted by Image Consultant Robin Powis from Defining Style

Recent studies from Macquarie University show that the average number of pairs of shoes purchased by surveyed British women each year is 4.  And they wear 25% of these shoes only once!

We all know women have a love affair with shoes but to buy shoes and wear them only once, how bizarre is this.  I can understand if it's your wedding shoes but if you buy shoes you must really love them and want to wear them.  One wear wouldn't get my heart racing.  Or could it be that women don't do their research when buying shoes. 

Ideally shoes should:

• fit and be comfortable to wear
• their colour will team with many of your outfits
• their style is flattering to your leg shape
• colour and style can be worn next year
• style matches your personality profile  ie. goes with the rest of your wardrobe.

Posted by Image Consultant, Robin Powis from Defining Style

Have you noticed how fashion has been dependent on statement heels with towering heights.  It's like if you don't wear them your outfit just doesn't work.  The more outlandish the outfit, the more it needs a killer heel.

Well sanity has prevailed this season with the trend of more wearable and elegant clothing and shoes with a flat to mid heel. The 'French Chic Mademoiselle' look looks wonderful this Winter with an elegant shoe with a kitten heel.  Style Icons, Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama always look chic in their kitten heels.

Even Victoria Beckman has been seen sporting flats from Marc Jacobs.   And flat heeled boots are all the range with skirts and over leggins.  Ahh to be in fashion and feel comfortable to boot.

Posted by Image Consultant, Robin Powis from Defining Style