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Oakmont, PA 15139-1617
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Special Events

We just returned from the Atlanta Shoe Show. We attended a "Trends" class and saw what all the beautiful people in San Tropez were wearing as a precursor to trends in the States.

We saw tons of fun new looks in shoes and accessories for Spring/Summer 2009; we interpreted them for you and ordered them! Stop by LUCY for a digital preview.

Some of the looks we saw were:

• Gladiator, gladiator, gladiator!: (Ad nauseum! I like to call them Greek goddess sandals but I'd be the only one!) For next spring, of course, these are much more cut out, strappy and both flat and high heeled, casual and dressy.



• Nautical: Boat shoes - Sebago Docksiders, Sperry Top-Siders, etc., and flats and loafer looks with nautical details, in colors other than typical "nautical" colors.



• Country-Club Classic: Lady-like loafers, the whole Ralph Lauren look, also see "Nautical" above, they work hand-in-hand.



• Folkloric: Think of gauzy, smocked, embroidered, hippy-generation tops and baby dresses. This look is interpreted in pretty, little flats for spring 2009.



• Green: Not only is "green" a movement, it is also a trend. More and more companies are earth friendly and are making "green" shoes and purses. Get used to seeing and hearing the terms "recycled, repurposed, sustainable materials and '100% vegan,' as well as 'vintage and salvaged'". More shoes are made with fabric, waxed fabrics, wool, silk, lace, cork, burlap, vinyl, microfiber uppers and synthetic bottoms and insoles. Bottoms on some leather upper shoes will have hemp and recycled rubber bottoms. The leather tanning process is done with vegetable dyes. Recycled soda bottles are playing a big part in the "greening of the shoe industry."



• Wellness and Technology: When your feet hurt, everything hurts and it shows on your face! Wellness is the new term for "comfort" in the shoe biz. As with any health concern, the buzzword is "prevention." Besides podiatrists and chiropractors, there are pedorthists and physiatrists (fizz ee at' trists) to help with foot-care/wellness and proper shoe fitting. Technology is playing a big part in that vein as well. More comfort is being built into shoes with:
  
  
  • built-up arch supports (Dansko, etc.)
  • nubby soles and lug (tractor) bottoms
  • sueded insoles
  • negative heels (Earth shoes, Birkenstock, etc.)
  • more cushioned footbeds
  • built-in liquicells for the ball of the foot
  • copper integrated into insoles (like the bracelets for arthritis)
  • anti-bacterial moisture-wicking soles
  • removable footbeds allows for custom-designed orthotics.
  • FitFlops (see paragraph below)
  • the MBT rocker-bottom tennie is now reinvented in boots and mary-janes. MBT is billed as "the anti-shoe." A Swiss engineer developed these based on the Masai tribespeople's walk and terrain. They do not wear shoes and, supposedly, never have foot or back problems.
  • Z-Coil. Yes, the heel is actually a large, springy coil that can be adjusted to accommodate any foot problems. (Check out Bobbie's at the bar at Hoffstott's!)
  
  Also, in this category, you will hear about shoes and thongs that provide calorie-burning effects, muscle toning, posture improving, joint protecting, back relieving and have the ability to strengthen and tone the body. This wording is in both the FitFlops, Earth and MBT brand ads. Would that it were that easy — shades of Dr. Scholl's exercise sandals of the 70's!



• Techno Look: Not to be confused with technology above, this is the hip-hop generation look with funky designs, painting on leather and canvas tennies, high-tops, Japanese-cartoon prints.



• Miscellaneous:
  • Colors: Brights Yellow, green, blue, turquoise; orange mixed with coral pink and red.
  • Sporty: High tops, Converse Chuck Taylors, sporty athleisure for your yogawear, water shoes, etc.
  • Jellies in ballerinas and flip-flops.
  • Wedges that are almost a high heel or high heels that are almost a wedge.
  • Triangular cut-out wedges in plastic and wood. Again, sort of a wedge, sort of a heel.
  • And, of course, flip-flops forever! Havaianas!