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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007 3130 CONSUMER REPORTS SHOPSMART

s any stylist or shoe lover knows, nothing

can transform the clothes you own like a

new pair of fabulous shoes. Here’s the

ultimate guide to buying them. You’ll

find out where to get great deals on designer styles, how

to find a pair that really fits, and how to take care of all

the sandals, boots, and pumps in your closet so they

look great every day you wear them. And on page 35,

our survey reveals women’s real shoe-buying habits.

Shoes!

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Shoes!Save big on designer styles andfind sexy pairs that really fit

The 5styles tobuy nowFall is the perfecttime to take stock ofyour shoes. Here areall the looks you’llneed for the season.

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RUBBER BOOTSA medium-height rubber boot ispractical for early spring showersand can be worn with heavy woolsocks throughout the winter, too.Look for a pair that has a deep-cuttread made of soft rubber. Wear them with Anything!(Shown: Hunter rain boots, $98.95at www.zappos.com)

STRAPPY SANDALSYou’ll get the most mileage out of aclassic style like these, but thatdoesn’t mean you have to play itsafe. Strappy styles in bronze, silver,or gold will be fashionable now—and five years from now.Wear them with evening dresses inblack or jewel tones, light-coloredwool trousers, or dark-wash denim.(Shown: Astrid heel by Jill Stuart,$371, at www.frankeys.com)

ANKLE BOOTSThey look the same under pants asfull-length boots, and this seasonpants aren’t tucked in, so no one willknow the difference. Also, ankleboots are more stylish paired withskirts. Look for details like lace-ups,buckles, or faux-fur trim.Wear them with knee-length or longskirts, slim-cut pants and jeans.(Shown: Biviel ankle boot, $189.95,at Nordstrom)

FLATSTry for a less structured look—like adriving moccasin/ballet flat hybrid.Many have nice, feminine touches,too, like ruffles, crystal studs, ormetallic finishes.Wear them with casual corduroypants, jeans, or wide or skinnytrousers.(Shown: Kiltie Pleasure flats, $98,at Kenneth Cole)

PEEP-TOESThey’re not just for summer; they’realso a good pump replacement for thefall. Look for shoes with subtle,rounded peep-toes or more dramaticsquared-off open toes. Go for leathersin dark brown or suede in olive,mustard yellow, black, and brown.Wear them with shift dresses, skirtsuits, full-leg trousers.(Shown: peep-toe Liatris, $89, byNine West)

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Shoes!1

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Note: These shoes were chosen to illustrate styles and may not be available in stores now.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007 3332 CONSUMER REPORTS SHOPSMART

Jildorshoes.comWith sizes starting at 4, this site has shoes

that will fit just about anyone. It carriesname brands and current styles as well as classics. Many are on the pricey side

(up to $100), but you can still find plenty ofoptions in the under-$100 range.SHIPPING FEE Standard shipping is $8. RETURN POLICY One year. You must pay out ofpocket to ship the shoes back, and you won’t get creditfor the original shipping costs.

Ninewest.comYou can search by heel size, price, or

editorial coverage in various fashionmagazines. Of course, the site carries onlyone brand, so the selection is limited. But

since Nine West has so many stores, it’seasy to visit one to determine your size. And sizing is pretty consistent across styles.SHIPPING FEE Standard shipping is $7, which iscomparable to fees at other store-based sites like Aldo($9) and Aerosoles ($6.99).RETURN POLICY 30 days. You can return yourpurchase at a local store or pay to ship shoes back.Exchanges are free.

Onlineshoes.comYou can find shoes for everyone at this Web

site. It’s easy to navigate and the searchcategories are helpful. For example, youcan search by occasion in the kids’

section, which breaks shoes into categorieslike playground, school, and celebrations. You’ll evenfind an eco-friendly shoe category with footwear madefrom renewable resources like hemp. The siteguarantees its prices are the lowest, and promises 110 percent of your money back if you find the sameshoe for less within 10 days of purchase.SHIPPING FEE None.RETURN POLICY 90 days. You must pay to shipreturned shoes back. But if you want to do a simpleexchange, you can call customer service and you won’thave to pay any shipping fees.

Piperlime.comThis site has a good selection of over 100 of

the most fashionable shoe brands, includingJLo, Hype, Kenneth Cole, BCBG, and TracyReese. The price range is very wide, and in a

small price comparison we did recently on afew specific shoes, Piperlime came out on top. (See Save!box on next page.) Another bonus: The selection is nicelyedited to just the styles most relevant now, such asskimmers, peep-toes, and wedges. Smart search optionssave you time. For example, you can search by “fantasticfinds under $100,” “at the office,” “hot trends,” “designerfavorites,” and “what shoe to wear with dresses.”SHIPPING FEE None.RETURN POLICY 60 days. Free shipping of returns.

Smartbargains.comPlenty of sites sell “designer” shoes at

discount prices, but this one is a standoutbecause it carries the brands you’d actuallywant to buy, like Kate Spade and Michael

Kors. The stock may not include all of theabsolutely latest styles, but unless you’re really intofashion you probably won’t notice because everythinglooks current. On a recent visit, we found a pair of KorsMichael Kors sandals for $59.99 that our reporterpurchased last year at a boutique for about $135! Thesite didn’t have the same color and sizes were limited,but the 50 percent savings made up for the slimpickings. Just be warned: Shipping isn’t cheap.SHIPPING FEE Standard shipping is $9.95.RETURN POLICY 30 days. And don’t be tricked intothinking that the prepaid return label means returns are free; a discounted shipping rate of $8.95 will bededucted from your credit.

Solestruck.comWhether you need fancy shoes for a

wedding—there is even a good selection ofdyeable shoes—or pumps for your new suit,this is the place to go. There’s a wide range

of sizes, from 5 to 12. And if your size isn’tavailable, you can enter your e-mail address and the sitewill notify you when it’s in stock. The selection is welledited, so you won’t have to spend a lot of timesearching for the good stuff.SHIPPING FEE None.RETURN POLICY One year. Free shipping of returns.

Zappos.com A recent search in size 7 turned up almost

5,000 pairs of shoes at this well-stockedsite. In addition to the hundreds of brands,like Nine West, that it offers, Zappos has a

separate Couture collection with designerlabels like Marc by Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade. Thefree-shipping offer includes overnight delivery of moststyles. The site allows you to search by brand, size, style,or sales. There’s also a cool feature that shows the shoefrom every angle. The one downside: It can beoverwhelming. There’s really no editing done for you, soyou can spend a lot of time rummaging through stylesand brands you don’t like to find the right shoes.SHIPPING FEE None.RETURN POLICY One year. Free shipping of returns.

SAD SITE Shoemall.com By the name, you’d think that you’d find all the sameshoes for the whole family as you would at the local mall.But brand selection was limited and the shoes seemedout of date. When we visited, there were no kids’ shoes,and most of the women’s shoes were casual. Shipping isfree for purchases but costs $6.95 for returns.

5 ONLINE BUYING TIPS■ New to shoe shopping online? Stick with brands you know andlove so you can raise your odds of getting a pair that fits. Or shoponly at sites with free returns, like Zappos and Piperlime, whichsend you easy-to-use, prepaid UPS return labels.

■ When you get your shoes in the mail, try them on a carpetedsurface so the bottoms won’t get scuffed. Many sites won’taccept returns if the shoes have visible wear, like rough bottoms,creases in the leather, or any dirt. If you don’t have carpet, trywalking on an old towel or newspapers.

■ Keep all original packaging, including the little packet of silicagel. That way, if you need to send the shoes back, they’ll look new.

■ If the shoe doesn’t fit, send it back fast. Some sites, likeZappos, will accept returns for up to a year, but most requirereturns to be made within 30 to 60 days of purchase.

■ To catch the big bargains, you can sign up for e-mail updateson the latest sales at some sites. Or regularly surf sites with hugesale selections like Onlineshoes, Solestruck, and Zappos.

Shoe-shopping heavenThe Web is where you’ll find the widest range of styles and sizes. You’ll also findlots of bargains. (Don’t miss the sale and clearance shoes!) And some sites’ returnpolicies make it supereasy to shop online. You’ll love features that let you changecolors or zoom in on details. Here are seven top shoe sites to check out.

We shopped for the same style of shoe from

four brands—BCBG, Bronx, Kenneth Cole, and

Steve Madden—at four sites—Onlineshoes,

Piperlime, Solestruck, and Zappos—to see

which had the lowest prices. In three out of four

searches, Piperlime beat out the rest. In the other

case, Solestruck came out on top. The lesson:

Shop around for the best bargains! No single site

always has the best deal.

SAVE!

Rating the sites

=VERY GOODSELECTION

=DECENT SELECTION

=FREE SHIPPING FOR PURCHASESAND RETURNS

BEST FOR

HARD-TO-

FIND SIZES

BEST STORE-

BASED SITE

MOST

FAMILY-

FRIENDLY

BEST FOR

TRENDY

SHOES AT

GOOD

PRICES

BEST

BARGAINS

BEST FOR

DRESSY

SHOES

BEST

SELECTION

=TONS OF CHOICES!

Note: Shoe sites are in alphabetical order.

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34 CONSUMER REPORTS SHOPSMART

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■ HAVE A FEEL INSIDE. Make surethere aren’t any rough spots insidethe shoe that could rub against yourfeet. Pay special attention to thebacks of buckles that can bulge and hurt your feet.TIP: You can try a little moleskin overthe buckle to keep it from irritatingyour skin.

■ WATCH THE WIDTH. A recentstudy found that 90 percent ofwomen wear shoes that are toonarrow for their feet. Women tend tooverlook the width and if the shoe islong enough, they assume it fits. Allyour toes should be able to spreadout, without overlapping.

What if you already ownkiller shoes?If they’re leather, you might be able tostretch them a quarter size or so. Inaddition to increasing the length, youcan also make the shoe box bigger.Straps can be stretched so they don’tpinch. You can even have shoes alteredto accommodate bunions. Other ideas:

■ ADD AN INSERT. They can make theshoe cushier. Or ask a shoe-repair shopto slide a thin pad under the insole tomake it more comfortable.

■ PUT SOME SPRING IN YOUR STEP.Feel like you’re really pounding thepavement? Add a thin rubber sole.

1Shop at the end of the day. Your feet swell asthe day goes on, so it’s best to go shoe shopping

when they’re at their biggest.

2Wear your most comfortable shoes whenshopping. Use this pair for comparison. Of course

new shoes won’t be as cozy as old broken-in ones, butthey’ll help remind you to avoid the killers.

3Always try on both shoes. No two feet areexactly the same size. So just because one shoe

feels good, that doesn’t mean the other will.

4Shop with the right socks. Don’t forget to bringalong the type of hoisery that you’ll be wearing with the

shoes, whether it’s pantyhose, trouser socks, or gym socks.

5Experiment with sizes. It’s easier to tell whethersomething fits if you compare it with the next size

up and the next size down.

6Take a walk. But don’t just stroll over to the mirrorand back. Really take your time to pad around the

store on different surfaces, including uncarpeted areas.

7Put shoes to the test. Walking around is just oneway to make sure shoes fit. You should also wiggle

your toes, stand on tiptoe, and try standing up andsitting back down a few times so you’ll get an idea whatthe shoes will feel like during a typical day.

8Take the shoes home and wear them aroundthe house for a half hour. If they start to hurt,

imagine what they’ll feel like after a full workday. Just becareful not to scuff up the soles so you won’t have anytrouble returning them.

9When you find a pair you like, buy anotherpair in the same color. Yes, we’re advising you

to buy more shoes! Having two or even three pairs of the same shoes you love saves you money in the long run because you can rotate them every day. This gives the shoes a chance to dry betweenwearings—perspiration breaks down leather and canruin shoes if you wear them every day—so shoes last a lot longer. Also, you won’t waste money on shoesyou’ll never wear. Two-thirds of the women we surveyed recently said that they had at least one pair intheir closet that they’ve worn only once.

We’ve all bought them at onetime or another and regrettedit big time. Here’s how to spota sexy pair that will feel asgood as it looks.

■ AVOID SLIDES. They’re notoriouslyuncomfortable because they’re notsecure. Stick to strappy styles,pumps, and slingbacks instead. If youmust wear slides, use special shoeinserts in the toe box. Look for insertswith adhesive strips so they won’tmove around and will keep feet fromsliding forward.

■ TAKE A LOOK AT THE HEELS.Anything over 2 inches or so willprobably make the balls of your feethurt. No surprise there! Kitten heelsare a great alternative becausethey’re shorter and have a chic, curvyshape. But if you’re lusting after 3-inchers, keep in mind that the widerthe heel, the more comfortable theshoe will be because you’ll have alittle more stability.

■ AVOID STIFF MATERIALS. Checkout the label on the shoes to makesure they’re made of a material thathas some give. Leather, suede, andsome fabrics will give you the mostcomfortable fit.

KILLER SHOES?

9 tips for finding a great fitIf you’re shopping at shoe stores, follow these steps so you can treat your feet to a pair that will still feel supercomfortable after a full day of work or play

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FOOT NOTESAre you normal when itcomes to your shoe-buyinghabits—or are you out ofcontrol? See what womentold us in a new poll.

■ Have taps put on new shoes.They’ll slow down wear and tear.

■ Spray new shoes, especiallysuede, which can spot in the rain,with a protector. Use a moisturizinglotion a few times a year, and aftercleaning, to keep the leather soft.

■ Dab a soft, damp cloth on a bar ofIvory soap and use it to rub offgrime. Rinse lightly and polish.

■ Store shoes in the box they camein or in a plastic shoe box. It keepsthem from getting crushed andmisshapen in your closet. Stuff thetissue paper that came with theshoes into the toe bed. Also, take asnapshot of the shoes and tape it to the outside of the box so you’llknow what’s inside without having to open the box.

■ Rotate shoes. Letting shoes rest a day will keep perspiration fromruining them.

Pair careIt’s easy to keep your shoes lookinglike new—if you know what to do.

4 The averagenumber of pairs

women buy per year

13The percentageof women who

admit they hide shoepurchases from asignificant other

33The percentageof women who

have trouble finding theroom to store all theirshoes

4The number ofpairs women wear

on a regular basis

43The percentageof women who

say they’ve been injuredby their shoes

24The percentageof shoes in

women’s closets thathave been worn just once

19The average number of

pairs women have intheir closets