The Shoe Tree Moncton
55 Vaughn Harvey Blvd
Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 0N3
Phone: (506) 857-0221
Toll Free: 1-888-763-7563
Fax: (506) 383-1543
Rating For: The Shoe Tree Moncton |
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This fall, designer footwear styles range from more practical shoes to low ankle boots to over-the-knee boots and thigh-high boots. Shoe styles vary from flats to 6-inch stiletto heels, wedges, and trapezoid heels of different heights.
Toe styles vary from square-toed to pointed and, due to the economic climate, this fall's footwear doesn't feature much detailing; designers have moved towards quality, simplicity, and style.
Colours include black and near-blacks such as midnight blue, asphalt, dark green, petrol, dark violet, and deep reds. Neutrals such as taupe and medium brown tones, particularly the colour cognac, will be popular.
Those who eschew designer footwear in favour of fashionable, comfortable, and affordable shoes and boots that we can wear to work, will also find a wide variety of styles this fall.
"Everything goes in cycles," says Jon Andrews, owner/manager of the Shoe Tree. "The trends shift and change. Older styles are coming back -- high heels, low heels, wedges, croco-prints -- just about anything goes. Shoes this fall will be a bit more dressy."
Shoe colours this fall with be more earth tones, including burgundy, taupe, olive green, and lighter and darker shades of brown. Casual shoes will include ties, straps, and slip-on styles.
Because of the numbers of aging baby boomers, more shoes are emphasizing comfort, as well as style.
"People are aware that high heels generally aren't that good for their feet, but they don't want frumpy shoes. They want fashionable comfort. So, the shoe industry is now working to make shoes with arch supports and removable insoles that look fine and won't cause grief down the road due to bunions, etc."
Jon says designing shoes with shock absorbency is a big factor in shoes now and that manufacturers are using special materials, more pronounced arches and rolled platforms to produce shoes that are similar to the earth shoes of the mid-'70's.
"These shoes help the motion of walking," he says. "The heels and toes both turn up and there's an emphasis on softness and stretch. A lot of the shoe manufacturers are starting to copy this style. Some people refer to them as 'rocker platforms.' The thick soles don't look that great sitting on the shelf, but when you put them on, you won't believe the comfort."
Jon says the shoes are supposed to improve blood circulation, prevents joint injuries, tones your muscles as you walk, and encourage correct posture. They're available in both men and women's styles.
Because the Thera-ped Foot and Ankle Clinic is located within the Shoe Tree's premises, they also carry orthopedic shoes such as Xsensible that are made with a stretchable leather.
"Orthopedic companies are developing much more stylish footwear," says Jon. "The industry is aware the population is aging and they're adapting to meet their needs."
Alison Smith, a certified pedorthist, says that two of the foot problems they commonly see are plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel or arch) and metatarsalgia (pain in the forefoot, underneath the ball of the foot).
"Plantar fasciitis can be caused by wearing flip-flops or inadequate shoes, or is often an injury resulting from overuse. The best treatment is to wear supportive shoes or sneakers, or over-the-counter arch supports or custom arch supports, depending on the severity of the injury."
For metatarsalgia, the recommended treatment is usually to forego wearing high heels, in order to eliminate added pressure on the front of the foot.
But high heels aren't always the culprit when it comes to foot problems.
"I've seen people who've worn high heels all their lives and have no problem," says Alison. "Conversely, I've seen women who never wear high heels and, yet, have all kinds of foot problems; it can be due to genetics or acquired by trauma or injury...for example, arthritis in later years."
If you do have foot problems that require orthotics, keep in mind that lower-end shoes don't always have the ability to accommodate them. Casual shoes usually work best.
"Orthotic devices can be discreetly inserted into the shoe to support, align, prevent, and/or accommodate foot deformities and improve foot function," says Alison.
She says it's important to choose the right size shoe, and that many women often buy their shoes a size too small because they don't want their feet to look too big. People should also choose shoes with lots of toe room and ensure the shoe fits at the widest part of their foot.
Alison says to ensure your footwear is appropriate to your activity.
"If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, choose a good walking shoe, not a pump; something with comfort and stability with a good heel counter. That's the stiff part of the shoe that cups your heel."
With the approach of fall, Jon says many people go almost directly from sandals to boots.
"This year's boots are both short and tall," he says. "The taller fashion boots are stretchy; they slide on and you pull them up the calf, (they're) not a slouch style.
"There are a lot of man-made fabrics that look like leather and have a sheen, such as boots by Rieker from Germany. They look very dressy."
Red has been an "in" colour for boots for the past two to three years and Jon says this will continue this fall and feature various shades of red. Patent leather is hot this season, as well as some animal-skin styles.
This fall, the short boots are mostly zipped styles. If there are laces, they are more for fashion than function, as there is usually a zipper on the side.
"A lot of the manufacturers are pushing suede and nubuck leathers," says Jon. "However, in Atlantic Canada people tend to stay away from them because they think they take too much care; but the new suede and nubuck boots are easy to take care of."
Men's footwear doesn't generate the same level of fashion interest as women's, since these sales account for approximately 18-20 per cent of shoe sales. Jon, who has just returned from the shoe show in Toronto, says men's styles don't radically change from year to year.
"Most men get a good pair of shoes that they wear for four to five years and then they want to get exactly the same shoe, again.
"There was a movement away from wing-tips -- that's the detail at front of shoes that look like wings with dimpled leather -- but they're coming back."
Traditionally, the number one colour in men's dress shoes is black and the number one colour in casual mens' shoes is brown.
Jon recommends that men should have at least two pairs of dress shoes.
"Most guys have one pair of dress shoes and wear them out. Wearing one pair of shoes every day isn't good for their feet or the shoes. Their feet perspire and don't dry before the shoes are worn again the next day. Men should alternate shoes every other day."
He says he once heard that men should have a minimum of two pairs of dress shoes,one black, one brown; two pairs of casual shoes, one black, one brown; one pair of sandals; and one pair of sneakers.
He says he can't answer how many pairs of shoes that women should have.
"Anywhere from 20 to 300 pairs!" he laughs. "Seriously, it depends on their individual taste and budget. But, it's my observation that a woman can't have too many pairs of shoes."
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