I'll say it again: Footwear that helps maintain foot wellness is neither a definition for the word "ugly" nor just a thing for the older set.
Yes, there are still plenty of uncomfortable party shoes out there. But it's not just our imagination that we're seeing and hearing more about orthotic and other foot-pampering shoes. They're even talking about those new Teva sandals by Opening Ceremony -- "the New Ugly/Pretty Sandal of Summer 2015" -- at Vogue.com.
"I think if you look in the market about how consumers are behaving ... one of the very very clear [trends], I think, is health," says Matt Schwartz, a certified pedorthist and executive vice president of comfort and wellness footwear purveyor Aetrex. "And the examples are, for me, everywhere" -- airport snack food, supermarket offerings, activewear over denim.
"We really believe that footwear is a very meaningful part of what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle" -- foot comfort is becoming important across the age board, and healthier alternatives are categories in which momentum will increase, Schwartz adds. After all, footwear "actually [affects] your health. It actually [affects] how your body functions from the ground up ... and it's very intuitive."
The shape of the shoe, its heel height and its flexibility affect such things as posture and body alignment.
Larysa DiDio -- celebrity fitness trainer, author, Self magazine contributor and Aetrex fan -- recommends supportive, orthotic devices and supportive footwear for those clients suffering from the all-too-common plantar fasciitis, fallen arches or Achilles tendonitis. "Most people injure themselves when their shoes don't fit properly or they walk for long periods of time on poorly made shoes," she says. "The best way to keep your feet fit is to keep them from getting injured. It's important to wear proper fitting footwear that's supportive and comfortable."
With that in mind, I recently tried out such a shoe from Aetrex's spring 2015 offerings: the Francesca T-Strap Wedge ($129.95; European sizes 35-42), whose "strap" is actually an intricate, scalloped, laser-cut triangle upper that tapers down to a wide toe strap. The shoe fastens with a back hook-and-loop heel strap, and a cork midsole offers aesthetic interest in its contrast with the 21/4-inch black wedge. There's a built-in Lynco orthotic foot bed, along with its memory foam cushioning and microfiber foot bed. Although wider-width wearers may find the upper slightly snug, the shoe offers the customary Aetrex comfort. And although the overall styling falls on the conservative side, these are the go-to sandals to complete a business-casual look.
Can't give up those single-sole Christian Louboutins with the towering heels? Schwartz says one of the fastest growing parts of Aetrex's business is its Lynco orthotics, also offered separately from its shoes ... and in various categories including the Lynco Fashion Series orthotics ($44.95).
Spring bag fling
I'm not sure what can be tougher: finding the perfect fall handbag, or finding that big, perfect, easy-breezy spring handbag. Especially when the latter needs to look just as appropriate in a boardroom as it would on vacation in Key West.
Bag brand Robert Matthew bridges the gap with its Elizabeth tote ($195). Offered in nude, peach, tan and black, this "animal friendly faux leather" bag measures a generous 15 by 13 by 5 inches and features a chic, flared-gusset silhouette, plenty of zipped and open pockets, and a pinstripe inner fabric lining. The exterior features zip-top closure, double handles, a removable shoulder strap, another zip pocket, and light gold hardware. I recently tried the bag and love its versatility. It would be a good fit at various locales -- church, work, picnics, Riverfest or Cancun.
Visit Robertmatthew.com.
Forever young ... sort of
No-Ad, which is among the oldest sun-care brands in the United States, has now introduced what it's calling the first anti-aging body lotion for the retail mass market in this country.
No-Ad Prevent & Repair and Prevent & Brighten products contain a blend of vitamins, anti-oxidants and SPF 15 protection to repair, brighten and prevent aging caused by cumulative daily sun damage. Both products come as a body lotion ($5.49) as well as a spray ($5.99).
Back in the dead of winter, I received samples of the Prevent & Brighten body lotion and spray in the mail and gave them a whirl. They smell and feel unmistakably like sunscreen, but not obnoxiously so. I preferred the spray over the lotion, as the spray's consistency edged more toward that of the oil I prefer as a moisturizer.
Look for the products at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Drug Emporium, Drugstore.com and food, drug and mass-market retailers.
Shop smart
Ever feel like the deck is stacked against you when you go shopping for clothing? How to Win at Shopping (Workman Publishing, $12.95) may help a bit. Emmy award-winning stylist David Zyla and entertainment journalist Eila Mell teamed up to produce this book, which offers 297 "tips for saving time, money, and aggravation." You'll find out why the most expensive items are placed on the right side of a store. You'll be told that Tuesday is the the best day of the week to shop online and save. (Hey!) You'll be shown how to find the perfect pair of jeans and told why three-quarter sleeves are da bomb. And although many of us ladies balk at doing so ... you'll be advised to always go up a size to appear slimmer. The petite, gold-foil-wrapped book covers shopping in department stores, boutiques, online merchandisers, outlets, thrift stores and vintage emporiums. It also teaches how to accessorize and shop for various events. The book is available through Amazon.com and other book outlets.
Model search
Little Rock Fashion Week is gearing up for its seventh annual event (July 13-18) with a Model Search to be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday-May 3 at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown, 617 S. Broadway in Little Rock.
Judges this year will be Marlisa Goldsmith, news reporter at KTHV-TV, Channel 11; Karia Daniel, licensed cosmetology instructor and "loctician"; L.A. Rose, owner of Hollywood Beauty & Style and Deco Rose Couture Custom Fashions; Omar Rosas, a hairdresser at Salon Karizma; and Rance Golden Jr., creator of Total Rance Live and audio engineer for KARK-TV, Channel 4, and KLRT-TV, Channel 16.
"Little Rock Fashion Week is the best platform for those models who dream of being the next Naomi Campbell or the next Tyson Beckford to be discovered or to take their modeling careers to the next plateau," said Brandon D. Campbell, Little Rock Fashion Week creator and executive producer.
Women, men and children of all ages and sizes are wanted. Aspiring models are asked to wear a plain white T-shirt or tank top, heels if you're female ... and no jewelry or makeup.
Models chosen will be notified via email by May 12 and eligible for Fashion Week's 2015 Model of the Year. This title comes with a model contract with Oneofakind Talent; a cash prize; a page on the Fashion Week website; Fashion Week merchandise; and apparel from Campbell's iME clothing line. (Faith Laureles of Baton Rouge holds the 2014 title.) Visit LittleRockFashionWeek.com to download the modeling application.
Got fashion and beauty news? Contact Helaine R. Williams, Dressing Room, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email:
High Profile on 04/26/2015