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It’s Gotta Be the Shoes …
Image courtesy Lela Rose for Payless
They may not admit it, but many women would look to Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos as a hero for harboring 3,000 pairs of shoes in her closet.
Somehow that love affair with shoes can get lost in wedding preparations as brides-to-be focus on the end-all, be-all dress. But, snazzy footwear is the of-the-moment accessory these days – not bland, low-heeled grandmother-of-the-bride-esque sandals.
One reason for shoe lust is that brides are freer than ever before to personalize their weddings down to their footwear, choosing heels from wedges to pumps. New dress lengths are the other reason behind the trend. When women showcase their gams with above-the-knee looks, shoes are a natural focus of their ensemble.
“Shoes become a statement,” says Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, who notes shoe trends range from high heels to embellished looks, including ribbons, clips and buttons, to the use of color. Champagne, silver or ivory may suit the blushing bride, but daring types prefer bolder shades, such as blue.
A quick glance at wedding blogs also demonstrates the visual importance of shoes, which can get top billing over venues or even the bride’s dress. At the Green Wedding Shoes blog (readers, are you understanding the importance of shoes, yet?), a December wedding in Sonoma, Calif., includes high-heeled, dusty rose-colored peep-toes with rosettes. Galoshes are on display at one East Coast wedding, and green Christian Louboutin stilettos with feathers are the shoe of choice at a chic, rustic Vermont wedding.
Even Nina Footwear, a go-to source for dyeable heels, is acknowledging the individuality of its clientele with its online custom-shoe section that offers five styles. Brides can choose from 16 colors (including the new navy) for the upper, bow and heel, along with the heel height that ranges from 2.5 inches to 4 inches.
Still, if brides-to-be don’t want to sacrifice comfort, they have alternatives beyond Naturalizer. La Duca Shoes, a New York-based dance shoe company, offers custom wedding shoes in 16 styles, including mules, T-straps and platforms. AdvantageBridal.com touts wedding tennis shoes decorated in pearls, ribbons and satin roses for brides looking to dance all night.
When in doubt, brides can always buy two pairs of footwear for their big day, a decision that mirrors the dual-gown trend. It’s just another step in expanding their shoe collection, an obsession that may or may not pass muster with the new spouse.
Copyright © CTW Features
