Aries

An adventurous Aries tends to have a dominant personality and always wants to be in control in every aspect their of life, both for work and play. With this in mind,  an Arian’s shoe collection is likely to be somewhat of an assortment of classic pumps for work- to gain the necessary respect of their co-workers and to always relay their absolute best professional impression. But since Aries is highly energetic, a few ballet flats or other comfortable shoes are thrown in (probably kept in a desk drawer at the office or in an over-sized purse) to get you from “Point A” to “Point B” that much quicker.  Ideally, a sexy or professional shoe that stays in place, like a pump or sling back, with a mid heel, in red patent or classic leather is the best shoe for an Arian to meet the requirements of their busy lifestyle. 

Taurus

Practical and steady, the tenacious Taurus is bound by the earth making her somewhat resistant to change, especially when it comes to shoes.  While stubbornness tends to keep a Taurus out of the latest trends,  quite a collection of shoes- and wearing them until they’re worn out- is usually the only option, for a Taurus simply won’t throw things away when they‘re past the point of normal wear. The Taurus-born shoe lover sees the beauty in everything, including the past trends in their shoes closet.  (A word to the wise is to pack up “out of style” shoes and put them away before beginning to date oneself.) The best shoe pick for a Taurus is an earth-tone leather, peep-toe, mid-heeled slide, as our bull-symbolled friends tend to be homebodies who love to curl up and show their affection to their families- and one can be much more affectionate if their shoes are a slip-on, slip-off style.  

Gemini

Those born under the sign of Gemini tend to be flirty and fun, chatty and charming, so picking out the perfect shoes isn’t difficult. High heels, sexy stilettos along with any other shoe that might just be a conversation starter (not that this sign needs one) fill the Gemini closet to the brim, with a few interesting, trendy boots thrown in for good measure.  But just because Gemini’s have a knack for sweeping people off of their feet it doesn’t mean that they themselves can be easily manipulated, and to make sure that this doesn’t happen, strappy heels (to maintain footing) in warm colors, like yellow and gold are perfect. Freedom is what Gemini’s crave, so make sure to bring along a pair of flats won any journey, for one never knows when “Vegas for the weekend” is in their future. 

Cancer

Our cautious Cancer buddies are often considered moody, but that’s usually only when they’re in an uncomfortable situation.  The hard-shell exterior crumbles a bit allowing the real “you” to come out to play when the situation turns to your liking, yielding more comfortable surroundings.  There is nothing more important to those born under this sign than their family, putting the practical footwear at the front of their shoe closet. Silver and blue, the colors of the moon and sea, are dominating hues throughout life, and shouldn’t be left out of their collection of pumps, stilettos and flats.  The perfect shoe?  Since boots are usually the toughest footwear to break through, a simple mid-calf or knee-high in ultra-resilient black with sliver trim (maybe even a silver, mid-height heel), is a simple must-have for any Cancer’s closet. 

Leo

Magnetic Leo stands out in a crowd- and your shoes should have the same trait.  As the “King of the Jungle”, Leo’s often find themselves as the center of attention, considered by friend and foe alike as “the one who shouldn’t be messed with”. Since those born under this sun sign have the uncanny ability to attract, the color gold is a must in any Leo’s collection.  Stiletto or other high heel, with or without a platform in this attention-grabbing color goes without saying for their perfect shoe. Try a strappy sandal or espadrille to ensure the attention craved by all Leo‘s. 

Virgo

The earth sign of Virgo has many similar traits as it’s sister signs, Taurus and Capricorn.  Practical and stable, Virgo’s have quite the knack for detail where other signs tend to dismiss them.  While a Virgo does have a wild side, it’s typically never seen, except for those who are extremely close to her.  For these reasons, Virgo’s will have some of the most practical shoes known to man, such as comfy ballet flats and slide-on mules to simplify the many tasks that they undertake during an average day.  To all Virgo’s, lighten up a bit and show off your wild side, which will come quite easily as long as it’s planed out.  Shoot to kill–pick up a healthy pair of ultra-sexy black boots with a stiletto heel to get the attention you deserve.  But be sure to bring those practical earth-tone flats for the ride home, just in case. 

Libra

Libra pulls off the balancing act that most of us just dream about!  Since they have the ability to find comfort in almost any situation and simply “go with the flow”, their idea shoes will need to follow suit.  Lucky Libra can pull off wearing any shoe and fit right in while doing so, but needs to be leery of tactful salespeople or they’ll walk out of the store with one pair of every shoe. This chameleon of the zodiac feels best when wearing lavender or blue, the colors of refinement and being content.  So, spring shoes are a personal fave, but one can’t walk around all year in them.  Boots, mid-calf, preferably in black with a low-to-mid heel are best in the cooler months. 

Scorpio

The most emotionally profound of the entire zodiac, the reputation of sexy Scorpio is vividly seen in their choice of footwear.  Scorpions have no problem showing off the latest trends in sexy shoes, and if one should see someone shopping at the mall adorned in red patent-leather, high-heeled, thigh-high boots, the wearer is probably a Scorpio.  For this sign, the sexier the shoe is, the better.  Bright red, black, silver and white are the ideal colors, crafted in any material or fabric possible—the stranger and more unusual, the better.  

Sagittarius

Sagittarius- the most straight-forward sign of the zodiac and lover of all shoes. Since “the open road” is the Sagittarius‘ ideal lifestyle, a wide variety of footwear is found in within their shoe wardrobe- after all, you can’t exactly be behind the wheel in a classic pump or stiletto all of the time, so a trunk full of varying shoes to change into at any given moment is not unlikely.  After all, what is a trunk for other than shoes?  At any rate, ultra-strappy sandals in the hues of midnight blue or dark plum are sure to yield any Sagittarian their ideal look and adventure.  

Capricorn

Not only is this the most career-oriented sign of the zodiac, the Capricorn is the most organized as well. It would be highly unlikely to see a shoe-lover of this earth sign’s closet unorganized and cluttered, yielding either an alphabetized shoe wardrobe or, at the very least, color coded to their liking.  Since Capricorn’s are somewhat practical, shoes in a classic, practical style in earth tones and/or black are an ideal choice.  But since they are highly driven in the workplace, it’s almost certain that one pair of shoes is specifically to wear to work while another pair is brought to change into at the office…and there’s a good chance that there’s a comfy pair of slipper’s hiding under their desk.  Ideally, a stable black pump in classic, durable leather will relay to the world that the wearer means business. 

Aquarius

Our Aquarian friends can be seen in much more than beach shoes or flippers! The element of air brings an “air of originality” in all that you do (and wear).  Some might call you eccentric, but you don’t seem to mind at all.  Electric blue, the color of the sky is your idea color, but finding such an exclusive shoe in this color might be somewhat difficult.  The answer?  Silver or white, or perhaps off-white or almond in a strappy stiletto sandal.  Interesting adornments of rhinestones or imitation jewels-like a sapphire- to add a bit of blue and thus reflect your unmatchable personality onto your footwear. 

Pisces

Oddly enough, the sign of Pisces’ is ruled by their feet.  They keep them planted firmly on the ground as their mind tends to wander and daydream quite frequently.  They tend to be great dancers and love to dress up to go out-whether they admit it or not.  Pisces’ can easily be torn between what is “practical” and what they love, so they are the most sensitive of all of the signs.  The perfect shoe?  If they can’t find a satin, turquoise high-heeled pump, dying them is always a great option.  But this color doesn’t exactly match everything, even though that’s what they really want (see, they’re torn).  Therefore picking the perfect shoe has two options.  First, getting a pair to be dyed turquoise for a special event and then re-dying them practical black afterwards, or a silver pump with a medium- height heel to reflect your true colors and uncanny spirit. For those shoe lovers on the cusp of zodiacs, it seems that the right thing to do is get 2 pairs of shoes, one for each of the zodiac signs which you represent. It can’t hurt to cover your bases.

For example, I was at the mall the other day and saw the coolest boots (of course, they were sexy) that I have ever seen! The were knee-high, black patent leather with a super-shiny, silver stiletto heel. For added interest, they had two bright silver zippers- one on the inner calf, one on the outer. My immediate thought was that if your pants were too tight and you were unable to cross your leg onto your knee to put them on or take them off, the second zipper would save the day. The store manager told me that they would be a great footwear accessory to anyone wishing to be Catwoman for Halloween! Wow, what a concept- a perfect excuse to buy the coolest boots on the planet- one that could be taken up a notch since my 10-year-old son will be Batman for this festive holiday, and my husband is planning to be the less-intimidating (and nearly effortless, but still festive) Bruce Wayne. Finally, a great excuse to buy these incredibly sexy boots (reasonably priced, too!) and wear them–and if the need ever came up again, I would have them.

On my ride home, I started thinking about the shoes and boots that I have in my closet and those that have been put away for being “out of the current trends” or simply lack of use. Black, platform, knee-high boots with a thick, chunky heel came to mind. “I could be Gene Simmons of KISS!” Not this year (due to my newly acquired patent-leather boots), but definitely in the future. After all, Gene Simmons and his reality show “Family Jewels” is quite popular, and KISS simply must be planning their next farewell tour. Yup, Gene Simmons in the future is definitely a must-do!

Thinking back to my Halloweens of yesteryear, a vivid memory of dressing up as a hooker comes to mind. I had two male companions for a party one year, and I had these great purple velvet thigh-highs with a stiletto heel, which I bought just for the occasion (not so reasonably priced, but I was young). One of the guys I was with was a prison guard at the time, so he wore his uniform to the party- which looked like a police ensemble. The other guy wore boxers and a white, wife-beater-styled tank top. His arms were in front of him and his hands were bonded in handcuffs. A hooker, the trick, and an arresting officer was our theme for the evening.

 So I got home from my trip to the mall and started thinking about different Halloween costume ideas that I could one day utilize-based upon sexy shoes and boots. So of course, I hit my fave shoe website (Mizztissa.com) and started poking around. I found lots of fabulously, sexy shoes and boots that I could find “excuses” to wear via the magic of Halloween. My personal favorite? I could be a Greek or Roman Goddess with the option for use at future Toga Parties with the “Chic Ultra Strappy Sandal” (see picture), ideally in black.

If you’re not lucky enough to have lived through this mind-boggling shoe era, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard the stories, seen the pictures and videos of Elton John’s fanatical platform shoes and Gene Simmons’ death-defying, demon boots.  But this was so much more than the current youth trying to outdo their parent’s infatuation with Elvis, it was an historic turn of events in the fashion world, as shoes were becoming a focal point of the wearer’s ensemble.

I vividly remember the first time I saw Gene Simmons’ platform boots.  It was on Paul Lynde’s Halloween Special in the mid-seventies- a time when KISS was becoming a household name (usually not a good one), and their fiery antics, blood spitting, loud music and of course, their makeup was instilling fear into the hearts of every mom on the planet.  I remember Mr. Lynde asking Gene Simmons how long it took the band to put on their makeup.  Their response? “We don’t wear makeup!” Yup, every kid who had ever heard of KISS was completely convinced that these bad boys were born with black, white and silver (with a dash of green and red for good measure) paint on their faces- and every mom thought KISS was, in fact, the devil.

But what about their footwear?  Gene Simmons’ boots were, and still are, an absolute gravity-defying work of art.  Metallic silver scales adorn the entire leg and foot of the boot.  The toes were quite interesting, with two large, red glistening eyes to create a life-like effect.  But what demon would be complete without ferocious teeth?  Long, spiked dagger-like teeth were painted onto the actual 6-inch full, black platform to create the illusion of “walking on fangs”. Joints were added to the knee area for Gene to commence with the necessity of walking on stage, breathing fire and spitting blood.

My next personal favorite footwear of the day goes to none other than Sir Elton John. In addition to some of the most colorful and eccentric stage-wear of the day, Sir Elton had the shoes, and wore them most eloquently. Rhinestones adhered to a 5-inch platform in the shapes and colors of the rainbow.  “Who Wears These Shoes”-?  You do, Elton, you do.

 For my honorable mention of the day, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust takes the cake and everything else.  In addition to boas and slinky-knit tops traditionally worn only the female gender, the boots and shoes that were seen on Ziggy left a generation relatively stunned and confused.  Bright-red patent leather from knee-to-toe atop a 4-inch black platform certainly made a statement.  What the statement was, I’m not exactly sure, but I think it had something to do with “Anything Goes”.

When women go out in a group of 2 or more, maybe to a restaurant or out for drinks, there’s always a point where just two of them are together, usually heading for the ladies room (as girls simply cannot go by themselves).  At this point in time, the female couple will in fact say something negative about at least one of those remaining at the origination point.  It could be something as superficial as the lipstick shade chosen for the occasion, maybe the shoes are a bit loud, or the hairstyle of one looks like something Johnny Depp would have worn in his latest movie collaboration with Tim Burton.  Anyways, there’s always at least one female that’s “singled” out for some fashion fopar or style mishap.  But one can all but guarantee that the conversation (or at least a comment) of the positive fashion was the topic for a bit earlier in the evening.

So why is it that women do these sorts of things?  Why do they say something nice to your face and then turn around and stab you in the back for it?  I think the culprit lies deep within us all…it’s the “little green monster” known as jealousy.

Growing up in the 1980’s, my mom always told me that kids were mean and said hurtful things because they were jealous, and being that they were young, they don’t really have the vocabulary to get their point across without something sounding vicious.  They make fun because they don’t understand.  They hurt when they don’t know what else to do.  I think this is true, for the most part, and continues as we grown up to become “women”. 

So what are our options when dealing with these “Frienemies?” We can confront them by calling them at their wit, causing a colossal scene in which we will find ourselves in again and again, just from a different perspective.  Or, we can blow it off.  I myself choose the latter, for a big blowout catfight isn’t my idea of “working things out”.  I save those types of battles for special occasions.  I’d much rather kill them with kindness and let the guilt get to them than give them a black eye and end up with a court record. 

Anyways, the way I see it, “Frienemies” can be traced back thousands of years. For example, just about every woman in history gained her notch on the social ladder by being one.  Let’s take the Old Testament of the Bible.  Eve was all-sweet when God was around, but as soon as The Almighty turned around to see how everything else He created was doing, Eve went and plucked an apple off of the forbidden tree.  Everybody talked about Mary Magdeline behind her back (or at least when the disciples were taking notes), but probably complimented her hair and robe to her face. And I’m sure that everybody really believed that Mary was a Virgin to her face, too, and probably ripped apart the fact that she gave birth to Christ in a manger.  I can hear them now: “Can you believe that she had that baby outside in a manger?  What was she thinking? Some people really let themselves go when they’re pregnant!”

In closing, if you think you’ve got a good group of friends, good for you and let it be known that such a group is rare, not in the realm of guys, but within the female populous. Men accept everything that their man-friends are, and don’t try to change them. Females are your friend until you wear an ugly pair of pumps out for the evening or have a bad hair day.

#1.  Temperature and Climate: If you live in the “Great White North”, your ideal shoes for Valentine’s Day probably won’t be a strappy sandal with a 5” heel.  On the flip side, if you reside in Florida or Southern Cali, black leather over-the-knee boots might be a bit warm for the occasion.  Remember to check the weather forecast for the evening before you head out, too…and have a back-up pair of shoes just in case!

#2. Where are you going? If your date wants to climb a mountain, you don’t want to wear brand new pink pumps.  If your perfect evening includes a romantic stroll along the boardwalk, the boards will be pretty long if you’re in a 4” heel.  Taking your shoes off at the beach is one thing, but it’s something completely different if it’s wet, cold, or even muddy/snowy if you’re in excruciating pain (even though the freezing, icy snow on your feet will take away the pain…)

#3. What are you doing?  This can coincide with our #2, but it can differ enough to need it’s own special number.  But, if you’re going on a surprise date for Valentine’s, you might want to ask a general wardrobe question like the very simple, “What should I wear?”  If you get a response that’s similar to “dress nice”, you might want to bring an oversized purse with you to tuck away an extra pair of shoes just in case.

If you decide to go with flats for your feet, keep in mind that “flat” doesn’t necessarily mean ‘unfabulous”. There are colossal varieties of patterns available in this style of shoe that you just can’t get away with as easily in a heel.  Vibrant patterns coupled with outrageous patterns add a nice accent to a relatively simple ensemble.  One caveat on this subject- don’t be caught wearing an outrageous pair of ballet flats with an “over the top” top…or even worse…skirt or pair of pants!  While the unconventional pair of shoes will look fabulous, clashing can become a serious issue if you’re overdone.  Keep the overall tone low to pull these babies off!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

10. Who Wears These Shoes –Elton John:

“If these crazy dreams don’t kill me
It’s more than I can take from you
Not knowing where or when I’ll see you
Not knowing darling who wears these shoes”Sort of a Cinderella story with a twist, our boy Reginald (AKA Elton) has once again created a track that ha been utilized in countless television commercials and print ads to represent a highly sought after brand.  Does he do this on purpose, or is it merely a coincidence?

9. Goody Two-Shoes –Adam Ant:

“Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Goody two, goody two, goody goody two shoes
Don’t drink, don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink, don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
Must be something inside”Adam Ant helped to define a generation of “growing up 80’s” tweens and teens…the make-up…the clothes…and we got to see it all on MTV! My guess was that Adam Ant was the farthest anyone could possibly be from being a “goody two shoes”, but that’s what made the song so memorable.

8. Walking in my Shoes –Depeche Mode:

“Now I’m not looking for absolution
Forgiveness for the things I do
But before you come to any conclusions
Try walking in my shoes
Try walking in my shoes”

An extreme cult following is what’s kept Depeche Mode playing on the airwaves, for they haven’t releaased anything new for some time now.  A creepy sort of sound combined with some haunting lyrics leaves listeners thinking about what they’ve just heard.  Sure, it’s easy to judge someone, or even condemn them when we don’t know what they themselves have been through on their journey through life. 

7. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes – Paul Simon:

“She’s a rich girl
She don’t try to hide it
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes”

Whether he’s teaming up with Art Garfunkel, or flying solo in his musical career, Paul Simon is simply one of the most talented singer/songwriters in American music history.  Lots of good tunes came out of Paul’s mind, including this classic about a rich girl that he’s referring to…could you imagine actually having diamonds on the soles of your shoes?  I can’t imagine that they’d be very comfortable to walk in.

6. Old Brown Shoe –The Beatles:

“Want a love that’s right
Right is only half of what’s wrong
I want a short-haired girl
who sometimes wears it twice as long
Now I’m stepping out this old brown shoe
Baby I’m in love with you
I’m so glad you came here
It won’t be the same now, I’m telling you”

Any way you listen to it, one must agree that the Beatles wrote some interesting music, and nearly everyone is a fan of at least one song, be it in it’s original form, been redone or simply sampled into one of today’s top 40 hits. (If you want to add a bit of edge to this classic Beatles tune, might I suggest the out of the ordinary cover by the hard-core band “Korn”.) Anyways, there’s a symbol in this tune…something comfortable- an old brown shoe. 

5. New Shoes –Paolo Nutini:

“Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody’s smiling,
It so inviting…”

This song has a catchy beat that couples quite nicely with the unique vocal stylings of Paolo Nutini. Paolo has a somewhat light, raspy voice that makes listeners of all ages truly believe that putting a pair of new shoes on can change the world…or at least one’s personal aspect of it.  I happen to agree with this theory, as there’s nothing quite like your first day out in new shoes! Oh, and new socks are a nice touch.

4. Boogie Shoes- KC and the Sunshine Band:

“I Want To Put On My My My My My
Boogie Shoes Just To Boogie With You”

The disco era wouldn’t have been complete without this tune from KC and the boys in 1978- a time in American history when bellbottoms were groovy and John Travolta made white suits with black shirts totally happenin’ in a far out kinda way. Time of your life, ‘eh Johnny?

3. Footloose- Kenny Loggins:

“Now I gotta cut loose, footloose
Kick off my Sunday shoes
Please Louise pull me off of my knees
Jack, get back
Come on before we crack
Lose your blues everybody cut footloose”

This was a great song from the 80’s- the title track from the original motion picture soundtrack “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon as a teenaged boy who loved to party and moved to a town where there were “No Dances Allowed” due to a horrific post-prom car accident.  The moral of the story?  Everybody’s gotta cut “Footloose” every once in a while!

2. Blue Suede Shoes -Carl Perkins:

“Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh,
Honey, lay off of my shoes
Don’t you step on my Blue suede shoes.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes.”

Even though this song was made incredibly popular by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins was the man who wrote this baby and recorded it for millions of fans for both current-at-the-time and future generations.  I personally have a pair of blue suede boots…and if anyone stepped on them, I’d be pretty upset.

1. The Boots are Made for Walking- Nancy Sinatra, Jr.:

“These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.”

The only female “junior” in music history sang a song about her boots walking all over a guy that has seemingly walked all over her.  With a bit of a country “twang”, Miss Jr. gets her point across in quite a unique fashion, for this song has been included in many a movie soundtrack, including “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” during the introduction to the “fem-bots” scene.  I absolutely love the boots these go-go looking robots were wearing…great stuff!

So once again, many thanks go out to the “Big Screen” for showing us that this passion for shoes that we women have doesn’t go unnoticed in the life of Hollywood!

10. “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”- 1962: This story brings us through the lives of Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm and three of their original fairy tales, including “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. This tale tells of a poor, old cobbler who, despite his hard and honest work, cannot get by on his meager earnings. If you don’t have the cash to buy leather, you can’t make and sell any shoes. Without any shoes, you can’t bring in any money. That’s where the elves come in. One good turn deserves another, and the shoemaker and his wife soon had enough money to live properly. As for the details, well, you’ll just have to watch the movie.

9. “Blue Suede Shoes” 1985: Bet you thought that this was going to be an Elvis flick! Well, you’re wrong, as the title song was originally recorded by rock’s legendary musician, Carl Perkins. This made-for-TV movie is a documentary, and is available for your viewing enjoyment n DVD. It’s all-star cast, including Barbara Bach, Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton play tribute to Mr. Perkins in their own, unique way. If you’re a fan of fifties music, this is a must see. If you’re a US history buff, the music of this era helped to define the current music genres around the globe.

8. “A Saintly Switch” aka “In Your Shoes”: 1999 brought quite a few impacts onto the world, never mind to the screen. This made-for-television, this intense perception comedy delves quite deeply into many modern day issues within the family unit. Vivica A. Fox and David Alan Grier are married with children, each with complete and utter disrespect for the other. When a potential divorce comes into the picture, the family moves to an old Victorian home in New Orleans, where the kids stumble upon some magic in the attic which they believe is the answer to their parents’ marital bliss. The mom and dad exchange souls (accidentally by the kids, of course) and learn what it’s like to be “in your shoes”. An old, common story takes on a new twist to entertain a new generation of TV viewers.

7. “The Devil Wears Prada” -2006: This one is perfect for our list, as an assistant to a top magazine editor that if you want to “be” the part, you have to “look” the part. Expensive, designer labels replace the average ones filling the closet of Andrea, all while changing her attitude and personal life. Her initial position at “Runway Magazine” was supposed to be a stepping-stone into the world of journalism, but now she’s seriously considering a future with the fashion publication. “Hell on Heels” is the tagline for this flick, as the shoes are certainly the finishing touch to any female’s attitude problem.

6. “The Christmas Shoes” -2002: Two separate lives are intertwined when the mother of a young boy becomes terminally ill with a heart condition and the wife of a lawyer declines a position at hubby’s law firm to accept the mom’s position as the head of the school choir. The young boy wants nothing more than to buy his mom the greatest pair of Christmas shoes ever, and the lawyer is shopping for a gift for his daughter. Based on the gut-wrenching, country song “The Christmas Shoes” by Bob Carlisle, this movie is certain to touch your heart and donate some pretty shoes to The American Heart Association.

5. “The Man with One Red Shoe” -1985: What happens when a so-called friend plays a practical joke on Tom Hanks by hiding his shoes…all but one mismatched pair? The CIA follows him, that’s what. And since we’re talking about Tom Hanks, its almost a guarantee that this film is funny. You see, long before the days of Forrest Gump and the Academy Awards, Tom Hanks was hysterically funny in every role he chose, even if he were the one the jokes were being played off of. If you want to laugh, you need to see this flick.

4. ‘Dead Man’s Shoes”- 2004: Who hasn’t wanted to avenge a wrong done to someone close to them, especially am immediate family member who can’t defend themselves! That’s the basis for this 2004 film starring Paddy Considine (also the co-writer) as Richard, whose brother is mentally challenged. Never forgiving or forgetting, he becomes an angel of vengeance, utilizing guerilla tactics and other means of retaliation. This thriller is a thrill ride to say the least.

3. “In Her Shoes” -2005: What do 2 sisters, a wicked stepmother, Cameron Diaz and (of course) a closet filled with shoes have in common? A Hollywood movie, that’s what! This 2005 chick-flick, although not seen by me, has gotten rave reviews from everyone that I know. Available for rental on DVD, this is one of those movies that fit nicely into any “girl’s night in”, complete with facials, mani’s and pedi’s, and individual pints of high-end ice-cream.

2. “The Wizard of Oz” – 1939: Who could ever forget the bright and colorful “ruby slippers” worn by a then 15-year old Judy Garland as her role of Dorothy in the oh-so-memorable big screen adaptation of the book, “The Wizard of Oz”! And those shoes are in demand! A horrid, wretched witch wants them so badly that she’s willing to “get you and your little dog, too!” All of this over a pair of shoes.

1. “Cinderella”- 1947 – present: This flick has been redone in so many different forms, it’s just not funny. While Disney did it the best (as Disney tends to do), my personal favorite is the Rodgers and Hammerstein version with Brandy as the girl in the glass slipper (made for television in 1997). “In My Own Little Corner” is a song that gets stuck in my head quite frequently, and the all-star, multi-ethnic cast including Whoopi Goldberg as the princes mom, Victor Garber as the king, and Paulo Montalban, a Filipino-American Broadway star, as the prince who is smitten by our dear Cinderella. Although we all know the ending to this story, it’s a great musical with a phenomenal cast.

Let’s say, for example, you work in the city and live in suburbia.  You have to take the commuter train into town, then get onto the subway, switch trains at the third stop, and finally, take a bus before walking 3 city blocks to get to work.  Your mission at this point of the day is “speed and comfort”, so you’ll probably be wearing the appropriate footwear (perhaps some running or walking shoes/sneakers).  If you wear the shoes that match your outfit for the day, your speed will probably be less than adequate and your feet will be killing you before your workday has even started.  Not a good scenario for the most part, so you’ll probably pack your favorite, most comfortable pumps with a back-up pair of ballerina flats for the “just-in-case” situation.  But even as you change out of your running shoes and into your pumps, your entire attitude changes along with your feet.

If you’re out for the evening with a new male companion, your hair will compliment whichever outfit you choose to wear, right?  Whatever you wear will reflect your plans for the evening, whether it be dinner and a movie or dancing the night away.  Your shoes will finish your attitude, picking up where the hair left and clothing left off.  For example, if your evening is planned to be somewhat casual, perhaps jeans or khaki’s and a nice top, you can still liven up your attitude and personality with the proper shoe choice.  Maybe some knee-high boots to tuck your jeans into, or some old-skool granny boots with a 3” heel will add a bit of “you” to a casual, carefree ensemble.  After all, you want to look as if you didn’t spend a lot of time getting ready, which usually takes much longer than actually looking like you wanted to take a lot of time to get ready.  Shoes are the perfect quick fix or add the finishing touch to this mission.

If you’re out dancing, perhaps some strappy heels with a bit of “bling”, or an open-toe pump with a 4″ heel…all to enhance.

So basically what I’m getting at here is this: don’t count out the importance of the proper footwear to complete your ideal personal presentation.  Your choice in shoes/footwear should compliment your outfit while enhancing your attitude, not compliment your attitude and enhance your outfit.  

The Trends in Thigh-Highs

Patent leather is always a good choice, as it adds a bit of shine, glamour and sex appeal to any ensemble. Stretch fabric is a nice touch as it creates a classic silhouette and makes any movement easier. Buckles, straps and lace-up styles help to keep your boots in-tact, without worry of them slipping down, thus alleviating the task of pulling them up every 2 seconds. Platform soles do a nice job of giving you the height while adding ease to the walking experience. And don’t forget about the color! Black is always a good choice, but don’t forget about red, white and silver. So here you go, 5 completely different styles of thigh-high boots to fit nicely into any wardrobe: #1- The Revenge- 3018 Thigh-High by Devious -available at Dimout Shoes online. This boot has a platform base to make these 6” heels easier to walk in than those with a straight spiked heel. Buckle straps in the back leave 4 open holes at varying intervals in the back. A Patton-leather finish makes them shiny, but not so much that you need sunglasses to look at them. #2- The Adore-3002 Thigh-High by Pleaser- also available through Dimout Shoes online. Stretch velvet has never looked so good in a 6-1/2” heel with a platform sole! The fabric stretches with you, not against you, to create a stunningly sexy silhouette. Nothing’s falling into these boots! 3- Susie (with Zipper) Thigh-High Boot- available through Bottom Dollar Shoes on the World Wide Web. This classic thigh-high boot in Patent Leather is yours for the taking in white, silver, red and black. At under $50 a pair, you can get all four colors without breaking the bank! Side zipper closure makes them easy to get on and off. #4- Seduce 3048 Thigh-High Boot by Pleaser, yours for the asking at Heelsforyou.com. This open front thigh high boot has wrapping to compliment the 17 holes (and keep them together on your leg) on each side. The stretch material eases the walking process in the 5” heels. Available in both red and black patent leather. #5- Electra 3028 Thigh-High Boot by Pleaser. Once again, available on the Internet through Bootycocktails, this 5” heel is complimented with a 1-1/2” platform for a bit more stability. Lace-up front with 4 wrap-around buckles in stretch patent leather keep the boots up no matter what your activities are. Try them in classic black, or if you’re feeling a bit edgy, bright red adds an extra touch of power! ]]> http://www.mizztissa.com/blog/2007/11/22/putting-your-best-foot-forward%e2%80%a6in-thigh-high-boots/feed/ 2 http://www.mizztissa.com/blog/2007/11/09/compare-and-contrast-victorias-secret-vs-fredericks-of-hollywood/ http://www.mizztissa.com/blog/2007/11/09/compare-and-contrast-victorias-secret-vs-fredericks-of-hollywood/#comments Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:39:15 +0000 Lisa http://mizztissa.com/blog/?p=7 Just the other day, I overheard two young ladies (roughly in their mid-twenties) chatting about the latest line of lingerie and other types undergarments that Victoria’s Secret recently released. They went on and on about the different types of bras and matching panties, bustier designs and colors, and just the “cutest lil’ babydoll nighty” that you ever did see. One of the ladies was hoping that her boyfriend would be buying her something from this collection, while the other just laughed, mumbling something about someone not having a job.

Later that day, I overheard three guys, about the same age as the ladies, talking about the new Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog that just came in the mail (and to whom the mail was addressed to remains a mystery). While the Victoria’s Secret catalog did come up in their conversation, the topic on point was still Frederick’s of Hollywood.

So I thought that a compare and contrast post was in order here, researched totally and completely by me, an open-minded female who has been known to shop at both.

First of all, just over 80% of all Frederick’s consumers also shop at Victoria’s, while the reverse numbers are significantly (even staggeringly) lower.

Frederick’s has gotten a reputation over the years as being “trashy”, “stripper clothes”, or even “The McDonald’s of Lingerie”. But those that purchase merchandise from this shop/catalog believe the brand name to be sexy and fun, giving women the “permission” to be that person. “In-your-face” sexy-feminism is a genre of fashion that makes any feminist screech about the degradation of women. I’ve found that a good percentage of these women don’t have the “necessary appearance attributes” to be able to wear the types of ensembles found within this category, and thus they are merely completely against the topic as a cover for their own lack of self-confidence.

On the other side, Victoria’s Secret sells $40 panties and $100 bras, and they’re selling them by the truckload. In the mid-1990’s, Wal-Mart flannel shirts and worn, holy jeans were the staples of exterior fashion, while the undergarments of females worn in a single day would have a retail value greater than their compiled wardrobe for the month.

“Passive Sexy” is more of the genre of Vicki’s, leaving a bit more to the imagination than it’s competitor. It’s kind of like how James Bond movies always had a “Bond Girl”, but their clothes were on through the entire movie, leaving only what lies in the mind’s eye to what any particular girl looked like underneath her attire. Everyone knows what going on behind closed doors, but the imaginative factor alone was felt to be “sexy enough”.

Campaigns and Models

Victoria’s Secret is infamous around the world for it’s beautiful, relatively healthy-looking women, with or without breast implants as a means to fill their bras. Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Cindy Crawford were all Vicki’s models at one or more points in their career. Each of these women is considered to be incredibly sexy, while none have done anything that one might consider immoral. The infamous “Angels Campaign” brought new definition to the term “Supermodel”, as the images of angel wings and halos surrounded the likes of Heidi Klum, Daniela Pestova and Helena Christensen, just to name a few. The result? Every guy’s dream…someone he’d want to take home to meet Mom.

On the flipside, Frederick’s models are a bit different. Dita Von Teese, a modern-day pinup girl and burlesque performer synonymous with strip teases and provocative on-stage routines is one of the current showgirls for Freddie’s. Nicky Hilton, the less popular sister of Paris, has also done some modeling work for this retailer. Former Playboy Playmate from August 1974 Carol Vitale joins the ranks of famous girls of Freddie’s. The result? Every guy’s wet dream, for instead of bringing these girls home to mom, they’d probably rather bring them to a sleazy motel or the backseat of an SUV for a while.

In conclusion, the best retailer to earn your hard earned money would have to go to: Both. If you’re looking for an annoyingly cute thong for your beau that happens to be in the shape of an elephant, crotchless panties, or a peek-a-boo bra (one with the nipples cut out), with or without the matching thigh-high boots, then Frederick’s of Hollywood is the place to shop. But if you’re up for something that’s sexy but still leaves a bit to the imagination, Victoria’s Secret might be your best surreptitious mall destination, too.