Parisian Peds
June 5th, 2008They were very disappointing. I spent hours looking at shoes but was not inspired. Styling was for the most part boring, repetitive and not foot-friendly. Few interesting design details, little flair and not enough variety. The only shoe brands that tickled my fancy were actually American. More detailed observations…
- 60% of all shoes were cream or white. I enjoyed this aspect because cream is my favourite colour for footwear. I love how they contrast against a dark pair of jeans. It’s simply delicious.
- Grey, black, metallic and red were the next hottest footwear colours. I was surprised to see huge volumes of grey patent sandals and ballet flats because they’re not popular in America. But red shoes are popular in Europe and regarded a basic. You can’t go wrong with a pair of red shoes.
- Gladiator sandals were the “it” strappy shoe. I’m talking major Roman gladiator styling that’s fairly simplistic and wraps around the ankle.
- Huge assortment of wearable heel heights. Unlike America, one to two inch heeled shoes were widely available. Soaring heel heights were there, but not the norm. Too bad the styles weren’t so fab.
- Few brightly coloured shoes. All brights were represented but they were in the minority (except for red).
- Loads of plain mary jane, round-toed, snip-toed and almond-toed ballet flats. Nauseatingly so. No bells and whistles or interesting strap and buckle treatment.
- Loads of plain, narrow heeled, pointy-toed pumps. This was the “it” heel. So ‘80’s. I personally prefer the look and stability of chunky heels and they were few and far between.
- Few wedges, few peep-toes and no espadrilles.
- Huge wall displays of Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. Each display offered a selection of at least five shades of grey.
- No animal prints other than cream and grey snakeskin. I like cream snakeskin shoes, but couldn’t find a pair for my fussy feet.
- Patent, patent and more patent. We can safely assume that this fashion trend is here to stay.
Be grateful if you live in America and love shoes, because you’re having a better footwear season. There is a greater variety for foot types, style preferences, budgets and fashion personas.
The last time I took pictures of merchandise in Paris I was chased down the street with a broomstick (occupational hazards of being a fashion buyer). So no real pictures of Parisian peds to share, but hopefully the above styles will give you an idea. Gladiators, converse sneakers, pointy-toe pumps and almond-tow flats. Nothing to write home about.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:46 am
I actually appreciate the simplicity of the last pair of shoes. I’m finding my taste in shoes is quite simplistic. I wonder why some people look for bells and whistles and others shy away from them?
You’re broomstick chasing story is hilarious. Wish I was there for that!
June 5th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I was expecting the Parisian shoe fashions to be something spectacular if they got a post all to themselves! How boring…
I do appreciate the wide variety and choice available in America, and I prefer the look and stability of chunky heels, too.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Funny you mention shoes b/c yesterday I ordered these shoes online from Cole Haan for my trip to Europe. What do you think? They’re a simple flat with a leopard print. I figured this is better then a pair of bulky sneakers to walk the museums and the wonderful streets of Paris.
http://www.colehaan.com/coleha.....productId=
181998&categoryId=300253&productGroup=182000
June 5th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I was always taught not to wear white shoes b/c it’s tacky..is this no longer true?
June 5th, 2008 at 7:15 am
They look very European to me, demure and elegant. I love the Grey converse!
I’d think that it’s a compliment to have their merchandise taken pictures of, how does that deserve a broomstick! Anyway it’s hilarious.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Angie, the broomstick story is hilarious! How unfriendly from their side!
A very interesting article! I have to confess that I love grey in all shades as boring as that may be, so I’ll seriousltyconsider a grey patent pair for fall. Was it a plain or ombre grey patent that vwas dominant in Paris? And cream&grey snake print sounds delicious too.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Angie, that’s so funny about the broomstick! Not the sort of thing you’d imagine they’d even have in a chic Parisian store. But now we see why you favor ballet flats and Converse sneakers–running is a necessary part of your job!
I too wish US shoe stores would offer more options for 2 inch heels. They are comfortable to wear and yet are high enough to look like heels rather than flats. At 5′10″ I am not interested in superhigh shoes that would lift me well above 6′0″!
I’m not a big fan of pointy toes either–they look awful if you have long narrow feet to begin with. And the points get battered-looking pretty quickly because your foot doesn’t fill up the whole shoe. So shoe-wise I guess I’m glad I live in the US! I remember when I was a student in Paris they didn’t even carry my shoe size in the women’s department–when the American shoes I brought with me wore out I had to spend the rest of the year in a pair of clunky men’s boots!
June 5th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Angie,
Love the site and the broomstick story, of course.
When are you going to start helping us guys dress?
Best,
Santiago
June 5th, 2008 at 9:32 am
ooh, I love those white gladiators.
Thanks for sharing your parisian adventures, Angie! It’s great to get a taste of things abroad. Glad you are safe from the broomstick chasers these days.
June 5th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I think those thin heels can be really sexy with the right outfit, but sadly that traumatic ankle injury I had makes it difficult to wear really thin heels. I need a chunkier heel in order to protect that ankle.
It was a skinny heel plus wide trousers that made me take that tumble down the stairs to begin with.
Skinny heels can also be dangerous in cities and get caught in the sidewalk grates. They’re also easier to get caught in trouser hems.
=) I’m a clod a la Sandra Bullocks’ character in Miss Congeniality, so I have to have my footwear be as stable as possible.
June 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I’ve been spoilt. Each time I go to Paris (or London), I’m generally in awe of their comfortable, unique and fab looking shoe collection and always bring back a pair of two. Hence my disappointment last week.
I too like simple, pretty shoes from time to time, but a good footwear season is all about choice and variety of which there was little. This is the aspect that ruined it for me. I too like grey patent shoes Tanya, and grey Converse are definitely on my shopping list, Julia (how can they not be). Greg lived in his grey Converse on our trip and was quite the Parisian. Grey converse were as popular on French men as they were on French women.Yummy.
I don’t think I saw any grey ombre’d shoes Tanya. Plain grey patent was the order of the day. They look great and you should get some when you’re up to it.
Patricia, I can’t see the link to the Cole Haan shoes? Perhaps try posting it on the forum so that I can be of more help.
White shoes aren’t tacky. It depends on the shoe and the style. They look good with white pants. I prefer cream shoes and there were loads of those around. If you love pearls, chances are high you’ll love cream shoes.
I hear you Joelle. There is little range of shoe size and shoe width in Paris. Got to love America.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’m actually relieved to hear you found the shoe assortment a bit boring Angie, I was starting to think there was something wrong with me. I’ve been looking for some fun and funky wedges for ages and would really love a pair of Converse sneakers in a brighter colour, but each and every shop over here only seems to have them in tons of different shades of grey (that has been going on for at least two years now) and I’ve really tired of them.
Funny how perspectives can be different on the other side of the pond. (Not that I don’t like simple shoes in neutral colours, but like you said, I’d like to have other options)
It’s a shame though you didn’t find any fabulous shoes for yourself!
June 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
That last pair of shoes is so pretty. I’m not usually a fan of pointy toes but they’re just so simple and the color is great. However, my toes are curling in pain just at the sight of them.
How disappointing. I thought since shoes were getting their own post, it would be lots of good news.
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