In an effort to personally stimulate the economy, I went on a mini shopping spree at the mall on Sunday. What can I say? Fall fashion is here and I need to get my hands on it. The must-haves for the season were everywhere: wide leg trousers, gray oversized sweaters, those damn booties….

And suede boots with fringe.

Dude, WTF is up with footwear this year?! I am usually pretty good at keeping up with the trends, but this one totally surprised and baffled me. Fringe? On a suede boot?

I know that I swore I would never understand the whole Ugg phenomenon - and then went out and bought 2 pairs - but this is a look I really don’t get. What does one wear with a boot full of fringe? What kind of look is this? And don’t people get worried about getting caught in escalators?

Am I alone in this?

The Fringe Boot: Yay or Nay?

This past Saturday night was just like any other: I got dolled up in cute jeans and sky high stilettos and made my way out to the bar with friends. We circled the bar drinks in hand, danced, sang, and collectively winced in pain as our super-sexy shoes grew more and more uncomfortable.

When the lights came on at the end of the night we waddled out as our feet wailed and kicked our shoes off as soon as our butts hit the frozen leather seats of my Volkswagen Jetta.

“Oh my God,” my friend cooed, stretching out her visibly red and blistered toes. “That feels amazing.” When I dropped her off at home, she walked from the car to her front door barefoot, despite the snow on the ground.

I did the same and spent the following morning – as I often spend Sunday mornings - nursing my ailing feet with a hot bath and lots of Band-Aids.

My mother called me mid-way through my foot therapy and commiserated with my pain. And then gave me the best advice I have ever received:

“Get some Cole Haan pumps.” Read More »