Shoe Season: New Looks for Fall 2011

I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of women love shoes. Some gals may be indifferent to footwear and others may hate the accessory. But those women are probably the exceptions. I won't pretend to know all the reasons for this woman-shoe love affair. But if I were forced to guess, I might suggest 1) women can be more adventurous with their shoe styles than, say, a top or bottom, 2) a smashing pair of shoes can breathe life into an otherwise ho-hum outfit, and 3) shoe styles don’t care if a woman has put on a pound or two with menopause. That said, after looking at the fall fashion magazines with a plethora of 3" and 5" heels, I felt myself falling out of love with shoes. (For a quick look, click on 20 Chic Shoes for Fall. Yikes!) But the truth is, there’s plenty of shoe variety this season. In fact, not only do the shoe styles reflect the season’s many trends—bold colors, menswear styling, metallic accents and more—but I’m seeing lots of fun flats and stylish low heels for women over 50. Take, for instance, the Giuseppe Zanotti Haircalf Kitten Heel Pumps ($650) above. Below is a sample of flattering shoes for women over 50 in a wide range of prices…

MAKE IT SNAKE
There are two patterns that are HUGE this fall--houndstooth and snakeskin. You'll find these patterns in everything from shoes and purses to belts and scarves. Here are two possibilities...




Rebecca Minkoff Lure Open Toe Sandals ($192.50) with 2.5" heel.

Or, how about a fun flat with a great price tag like this next Old Navy Women's Printed Ballet Flats ($22.94)? It's also available in black and white snakeskin.


FUN FINISHES
Shoe beauty is on the outside with a variety of trendy materials--suede, patent leather, velvet this fall.



FRENCH SOLE fs/ny Drama Velvet Flats ($140). Also available in black, hunter green and navy.





Easy Spirit Parnella Comfortable shoes for women (Tan Su) ($85)



CROQUET - PURPLE SUEDE ($79.95)




Easy Spirit Jethra Comfortable shoes for women (Black) ($69.00)


Shiek Shoes has lots of patent leather styles on sale. Unfortunately, the sizes for each style are limited. But click on either of the shoes below to shop the site.



Womens Eluda-H (was $39.95, now $19.95) with 2.5" heels





Womens Quisa-01 (was $39.95, now $16.95)



SMOOTH OPERATORS
Simple soft leather is often reserved for fashion-forward designs like this LD Tuttle The Concrete Kitten Heel Pumps ($558)





Or this 3.1 Phillip Lim Pasha High Cut Pumps ($395) with 2.5" heel. I find this heel is a lot more comfortable than the spiked heel.







MENSWEAR STYLING
Footwear has been created for the menswear outfits. Menswear shoes have buckles, tassels, alligator prints and more.



Jones New York The Sutton, ($99)



Anne Klein Roselyn (Black) (was $79.00, now $59.99)




Loafers with towering heels are very chic. But there are plenty of low heels and flat like these Jeffrey Campbell College Suede Loafers ($128) in Sizes 7.5, 8, 9.5 and 11. Also available in all Sizes 6-11 in brown or black.





Once again, all the shoe sites are showing oxfords. I like these Old Navy Women's Sueded Perforated Oxford Shoes ($27.50)





SPARKLING MOMENTS...
I'm seeing lots of glittery shoe designs this fall, perfect for the many holiday parties between now and New Year's. Take, for instance, these Rampage Women's Hadassa Flats (was $45, now $31.50) from Beall's Online Department Store.




Or here's a pair from Steve Madden...


KRISSS - BLU SEQUIN (was $79.95, now $55.97)


And, finally, a pair from Candy Couture...


Giuseppe Zanotti Gold Ballet Flat Women (was $505, now $267.75)