Shoe Anathema

Ladies, I am taking a brief time-out from showing you shoes you should buy so I can show you a shoe you should never ever buy, no matter what -- no buts!

Please welcome to the room this Giuseppe Zanotti designer pump:

This thing sells for $385 and it's pretty innocuous-looking from the front, right? Just a simple, pointy, chestnut-brown shoe. But take a look at the side shot.

When I saw this, I knew the shoe was destined for a trash heap. Or a museum shelf. Because these shoes are not meant to be walked in. If you tried, you'd fail, and you'd probably break an ankle in the process. 

Here's how I know: look at the shank. If you read my previous post, you should have no trouble with this exciting shoe vocab word. But in case you didn't, allow me to illustrate:

The shank determines the angle of your foot in the shoe. In this shoe, your foot would be practically vertical. And no amount of practice is going to make this shoe practical or safe.

Compare the Zanotti with BEASST by Steve Madden:

(I chose to show you this particular color
scheme because it accentuates the platform.) 

Even though this heel is taller, the shank remains reasonable thanks to the platform. 

So, here's how how to avoid shoe-purchasing follies:

1. Avoid heels with ridiculously vertical shanks. A good little test to see if the shank is too steep is to   

    put the shoes on and then try to raise your body a good inch off the shoe -- like you're doing a calf   

    raise at the gym. If you can do it easily, the shoe gets an A+. If it's a struggle, proceed with utmost 

    caution. If you can't do it at all, don't waste your money.

2. Platforms relax the shank and cushion the ball of your foot. So tall a heel with a little 

    platform is better than the same heel with no platform, especially if you are looking to take the shoes 

    out for some walking or dancing.

I hope that was helpful!

Happy (smart) shopping, folks :)

XOXO
Andrea