We’ve Got This Shoe Problem Laced
Dear Fashion Police: I have recently been fitted for orthotics in my shoes so I can walk upright again. I am never going to wear heels again, but I’m sick of sneakers and I don’t want those hideous orthopedic shoes. So I’ve decided to go for the childhood menace, the good old saddle shoe--which, as an adult, I think is kind of cute.
The problem is, I have looked high and low, been to dancewear stores and every shoe store in every mall in Southern California. I have called every shoe store in the Yellow Pages. I have talked to cheerleading coaches and Catholic schools. Please, can you help me locate a store that sells these shoes? My feet and I would be forever in your debt.
--SADDLING UP
Dear Saddle: We so admire this kind of dedication. Not everyone has the fortitude to search through every shoe store in a 20-mile radius and call cheerleading coaches and Catholic schools looking for a single pair of shoes. Most people don’t go that extra mile, they just give up at the first “No.” Shopping is not for wimps.
But we understand that sometimes you just need that extra helping hand, and that’s why we’re here. We were able to locate two brands of saddle shoes for you, although we must say it was a little tough, because most of what we found in that style were golf shoes with spikes on the soles.
Bass makes good old-fashioned saddle shoes in black and white and other two-tone or monochromatic colors in leather and suede. They are $55 and can be found at e-shoes.com (https://www.e-shoes.com).
We also found them at Polo Ralph Lauren in Beverly Hills (444 N. Rodeo Drive, [310] 281-1500). They’re much pricier--$175 a pair--and come in white and brown leather, all-white, and brown faux crocodile and white. The saleswoman told us that these are essentially golf shoes, but they don’t have spikes and can be worn as street shoes.
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From the Fashion Police Blotter: The holiday season is upon us, and if you’re not too woozy from overindulging in spiked egg nog, we have some serious business to discuss: the office holiday party.
We know you’re looking forward to it as much as being force-fed fruitcake, but it’s one of those unavoidable events this time of year. We can’t make it go away, but we can help by telling you what pitfalls to avoid when choosing an appropriate outfit.
Some people view the office holiday party as an opportunity to let people know the “real you.” Perhaps your usual office attire is a tailored white blouse buttoned up to the neck and a dark wool below-the-knee skirt. But deep down you’re a wild, untamed she-beast who really prefers low-cut leopard-print stretch tops and leather minis, and you think it’s high time people saw that side of you.
Here’s some friendly advice: Don’t do it.
Maybe your bosses and colleagues will think your get-up is fun and kicky, but probably they’ll think you’re off-the-charts weird and spend the entire party talking about you--and not in a good way.
This is not an opportunity to cut loose for a night with no strings attached. You will be judged on your behavior, whether you drink too much, get caught making out in the coat room or show up wearing an “I (Heart) Viagra” T-shirt.
It’s best to stick with the style of clothes people are used to seeing you in. If you’re a pinstripe kind of guy but idolize the Jimmy Buffet lifestyle, don’t show up in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
If it’s a dressy party, obviously you’ll want to go more formal than what you wear during the day. But stay within the confines of good taste. Gals, nothing low-cut, ultra-short or Ace-bandage tight. Guys, no wacky light-up ties, open shirts revealing copious amounts of chest hair, or jackets in bright colors such as cardinal red or grass green. There’s always the chance someone will mistake you for the valet.
Don’t forget that the office party is just like work--except you get to dance.
Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
