A quote from author Brian Koslow: “Always wear expensive shoes.  People notice.”  Well, Mr. Koslow, perhaps you haven’t heard about the current recession so I hope you don’t mind if I wear shoes that look expensive, but are actually affordable!  So, how does one go about wearing the hottest shoes for this winter?  You start by thinking outside the box. 
I have a hunch the reason this season’s apparel is so pared down is because it needs to serve as a backdrop, a frame if you will, for the works-of-art masquerading as shoes we are seeing this winter.  Even the names sound amazing.  Leather Striker in the Jessica Simpson Collection; Leather with feathers, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; Karung Snakeskin courtesy of Fendi.  Yes, we have come a long way from, black pleather pump, by George for Wal Mart.

This season high heels go back to being high.  Goodbye kitten heel and hello towering spike. The heel is slimmed down from last winter.  Chunky and stacked heels are out.  The classic stiletto silhouette is back in full force.
Also debuting this season is the platform.  It’s easy to think of the wild, high, and clunky shoes of the 70s when you hear the words platform and shoe in the same sentence, but thankfully the modern platform is a thin layer under the ball of the foot and toe that, in most cases is in a color or material that blends seamlessly with the upper part of the shoe.  A small platform makes even a basic pump sexy. 
The breakout trend, however, is the shift from embellishing with hardware, buckles and studs to embellishing with cutouts.  The foot has literally been exposed.  Last season we had ankle boots.  This season we have shoes that go up to the ankle but are cut away on the sides to show off the foot.  We see the same with pumps. The toe is rounded and open, the sides stripped down to the sole. 

Also breaking new ground is the ballet flat.  Fashionistas all over the globe drew a huge sigh of relief when ballet flats appeared on the market last season.  Finally, an alternative to sneakers!  This season, the ballet flat evolves.  It becomes a shoe that can be worn with business or semi-formal wear.  Canvas is replaced with suede, satin, patent leather, and even snakeskin.  The bows, buckles, and baubles that resided on our pumps and boots last year have found a new home on the toes of our ballet flats. 
However, while shoes went sky high and ballet flats went posh, the boot went in an entirely new direction.  Riding boots came out of the stable and landed on the feet of the urbanite.  City streets are awash with classic, tall, leather, unadorned boots in black, tan, and brown.  These boots are meant to be worn outside the pants (think skinny jeans) or with skirts.  These are not boots to be worn under pants. For the past two seasons, we have had ankle boots for that.  If you want your boots to have a bit more drama, don the Forever Tina by Christian Louboutin.  Forever Tina is still relatively simple, but the triple tier fringe will add a lot of swing (literally!) to your walk. 
So, Mr. Koslow, it will be easy for people to notice my shoes this year.  High, platformed, cutout (not to be confused with strappy) heels; ballet flats with a hint of jazz and equestrian boots will make even the shyest wallflower stand out in a crowd. 
In closing I would like to leave you with this very insightful thought from Jack Handey.  “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”  Well said, Mr. Handey.  Well said.  I plan to criticize Jimmy Choo and Steve Madden.  Gentlemen, hand over your shoes, please!