Monday, November 30, 2009

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Fall Runways, Designer Looks

As I look out of my office window and see the chilly rain pouring down, I have to admit that the days of sunshine and sandals are just about over. But I can't be sad for too long - new fall shoes and boots have been rolling into our warehouse, and I have been testing them all for you, lucky reader.

Now that Paris, New York, and London fashion weeks are over, we have gotten a pretty comprehensive look at the coming shoe trends. Here is a quick cheat sheet of this fall's major points, compiled by us so you don't have to!

Lace-up heels were featured in the Derek Lam, Alexander McQueen, Prada, and Galliano shows. This is one trend that I am very excited about! These shoes are elegant and Victorian-inspired, and I am totally in love with their vintage aesthetic. Get this look with the Indigo Ruby Claire boot, shown here in black.

The classic Mary Jane is still huge, as seen at Chanel, Zac Posen, Alberta Ferreti, and Versace. This year's Mary Janes featured lots of details and eye-catching decorations, including buckles, zippers, fringe, and lizard prints. Get this look with the Clarks Passion heel, which grabs interest with its decorative buckles and comes in burgundy, which is an excellent neutral for those who want to go beyond black and brown. Shown here in burgundy.
Both tapered and chunky heels were heavily featured, so there was definitely something for everyone. Chunky heels are another sign of the impending grunge comeback, which is good news for those of you who are ready to move past the neon '80s revival. They appeared at Chanel, Christian Dior, and Dolce & Gabbana. Get this look with the Josef Seibel Delia, shown here in black. I love the wingtip-esque detail on this shoe, and the sassy plaid goring.
Tapered Heels showed up at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen, and Burberry Prorsum. They are a good alternative to the stiletto, since some of us need more than a little stick to stand on! The tapered heel is conical and starts wide at the top of the shoe and narrows at the bottom. This silhouette adds a touch of the unexpected to a basic pump. For this look, try the Ecco Griffith slingback, which features elegant patent leather and a flirty peep toe. Shown here in black.
Multi-colored shoes were very common last year, showing up atDries Van Noten, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, and Valentino, and they are still all over the runways. Shoes with two, three, four, or more colors open up endless wardrobe possibilities! Having multi-colored shoes doesn't mean that you have to stick to a monochrome outfit - you can play with colors and prints to make a beautiful mosaic. To start, try the Romika Oslo 36 clog, shown here in brandy. These gorgeous patchwork leathers are a perfect accent to almost any shade.
Knee-high and over the knee boots were EVERYWHERE on the runways, including the shows of Badgley Mischka, Akris, and Fendi. Boots were so prevalent that this blog will cover them in much more depth in a future post. In the meantime, get the look with the Dansko Bella boot. It comes to the knee and goes beautifully with skirts or tucked-in skinny jeans, all with Dansko's signature comfort and support. Shown here in dark brown.

As the month goes on, we'll keep covering the trends and keep you posted on our new styles. We're happy to take requests! If there is a topic you would like to see a covered, questions, comments, or anything at all, email us at superiorshoes@gmail.com or send us a message on Twitter. We love to hear from you!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Las Vegas Shoe Show Highlights

Our buyer, Rich, just got back from the Las Vegas shoe show, where hundreds of brands unveiled their spring lines. He gave me a rundown of the highlights from the show:

-Lizard prints are EVERYWHERE. Dansko's spring Limited Edition professional clog will be a lizard print available in yellow, blue, and green. You'll be able to get a lizard print in pretty much any style and color you like - if you want it, someone will have it!

-MBT is continuing to use their new low-profile sole, as seen in their 2009 collections. They are featuring very sporty styles for the spring.

-Privo is rolling out lots of changes in 2010. They are reducing retail prices across the board, and are debuting MANY new and fresh styles. The new Privos will be out in February, so mark your calendars!

-Romika is bringing back its super-popular Maui base and expanding it with quarter strap options, as well as slides. The Maui line was one of our best sellers, so we'll be glad to have it back!

Next week, we'll cover the first of our brand new fall shoes, which have begun arriving in our stores. Tune in on Friday, same time, same place!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Brand Spotlight: Muraade

The Muraade shoe company was created by Rich Raade, one half of the brother-sister team that owns Superior Shoes. Because our companies are so closely affiliated, we are Muraade experts, and love to find good homes for them! We have the biggest selection of them on the Net, and are the #1 source for Muraade fans everywhere!

Muraades are made in Europe and feature fine Italian leathers, metatarsal pads, and removable leather-lined memory foam insoles on most (though not all) styles. In addition to all that, though, is what makes Muraade unique - the six specially constructed footbeds.

The K line is unique because of its foam polyurethane insole with metatarsal pad. The pad is there to separate the toes and increase circulation between them. The result is less fatigue at the end of the day, giving you more energy. Pictured: Kristen in Blue.

The H line has comfort plus shock absorption. A cork footbed with a shock absorbent heel and arch supports built right in let the shoe conform to your foot. It supports and eases the stress of walking all at the same time. Pictured: Hope in Brick.

The M line is the most decorative line, with jewels and detailing that set them apart. Though not as supportive as some of the other lines, they do have more support than the average shoe, so function meets fashion in these beautiful sandals. Pictured: Pebble in Lime.

The Reflexology line has a cork insole. As they are worn, the foot bed warms up and will conform to your foot (increasing the comfort) over time. Pictured: Jupiter in Yellow.

The Bioflex line is our most popular line! Like the Reflexology line, they feature a removable cork insole. As they are worn, the footbed warms up and will conform to your foot over time. Most styles in the Bioflex line feature supreme adjustability to fit almost any foot. Pictured: Finny in Sand.

The Tempurpedic line by Muraade was designed to bring you instant comfort and relief. The Tempurpedic material takes the shape of your foot when you put it on. This soft and durable material will revive your desire to stand and walk, and its soothing comfort will provide long-lasting enjoyment for you and your feet. Pictured: Violet in Orange.

Muraades have a variety of styles and colors, with an emphasis on comfort, support, and adjustability. The collection is sure to have something for every foot!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Summer: Time to Taste the Rainbow

When the sun shines in the summer, it's time to bring out the bright hues in your wardrobe. We picked our favorite hot-weather styles in a rainbow of gorgeous vibrant colors.Ecco Casual Bouillon in Retro Red. This flat has beautiful vintage style in a modern patent finish. The lining is breathable to reduce sweaty feet. Ecco has a huge variety of styles; they make everything from golf shoes to heels, and have luxurious-looking, well-made shoes for both men and women.


Romika Maui 01 in Manderine. This strappy sandal is incredibly comfortable for a shoe with a heel, and is fully adjustable to accommodate all kinds of crazy feet! Plus, it comes in a variety of bright colors, including red, orange, blue, and lime.
Dr. Martens Bella in Vibrant Yellow. The bright yellow patent adds a spot of sunshine to any outfit!These sandals are made of patent lamper, which is a PU-coated split leather with a grain effect. The sole is thinner than Dr. Martens boots for more flexibility, but are just as tough and comfortable.

Clarks Spa in Green. These sandals are a basic summer essential! Clarks shoes have fantastic cushioning, and these flip flops are no exception. They are lightweight and durable, and come in a variety of colors!


Josef Seibel Jody in Blue. These flats have unique tri-tone uppers, fantastic cushioning and flexibility, and an elastic Mary Jane strap for a perfect fit. These also come in purple, orange, red, and bronze. Josef Seibel shoes are handsewn in a factory in a small village in Germany, and is still a family-owned company; it is currently run by the great-grandson of the founder.


Privo Pateo in Purple. These flats are full of interesting details: touches of patent, piping, and stitching. They are made in a casual nubuck leather (it has a nap much like suede) and have elastic straps to fit securely to your foot. Privo shoes feature Solessage footbeds, which are covered in small, soft bumps that massage your feet as you walk.

Shoes can add interest to the most basic of outfits, and a pop of color will add some fun to your day. Relax, have a Popsicle, and enjoy the delicious colors of summer!

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Beginning

Hello and welcome to Superior Shoes: The Blog, where we take care of all your footwear needs! We are the staff of superiorshoes.net, and we will be providing reviews, style tips, and shoe news, as well as answering any questions our readers may have!

We are an online retailer of comfort shoes, including the largest selection of Josef Seibel shoes on the net (it's true!). Our home base is in the tiny town of Ironwood, Michigan:
There are also locations in Bloomington, Indiana (Superior Shoes) and Dallas, Texas (Sole Footwear).

We are knowledgeable, friendly, and, obviously, have great taste in shoes:

(This is us!)

Feel free to email us at superiorshoes@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter, or find us on Facebook. We love to hear from you!