Johannesburg - So you’re a shoe woman, with dozens of pairs in your wardrobe and an eye for shoe fashion? But the question is, how many of them look good on you from a man’s perspective? You love all of them, but do your heels rock his world like they do yours?
A good person to get the skinny from on this is designer Errol Arendz, who says he often gets men in his stores buying what they deem to be the perfect pair of shoes for their partners.
“Some men have very specific tastes when it comes to purchasing shoes for women, and the tendency is toward shoes with a sophisticated and sleek design,” says Arendz.
Radio 5fm’s DJ Franky would be typical. “I like my lady in casual shoes during the day, or sneakers while she’s running errands. But when she’s out at dinner or at an event I like her in heels, preferably stilettos,” he says.
That’s not to say classic styles are always men’s default position. “The more fashionable guy might follow trends and buy a more adventurous shoe,” says Arendz.
TV actor, writer, producer and heart-throb Anthony Oseyemi agrees. High heels make women look “confident and powerful, a big turn-on for men”.
“We love it when the heel shapes and defines their calf muscles. It drives us crazy,” he says.
A word of warning, though. Be discerning about how often you wear high heels, because aside from the risk of bunions and blisters, research has found that women who wear high heels for at least 40 hours a week end up with weakened calves.
So classic designs are a winner, but what colours do men like? This might come as a surprise to women whose mothers warned them about red shoes, because red – and black – are what they prefer, for the same reason your mother raised the alarm. “In men’s minds, red and black are subtle hints to one of their sexual fantasies,” says Arendz.
If red it is, then make sure the shoe isn’t garish because, he adds, “men find sophisticated and classy women a lot sexier than a girl who reveals a bit too much. So a pop of red to show your naughty side is what I’m talking about”.
Arendz says a peep-toe high heel is a great choice “as long as your toes and feet are perfectly manicured with a pop of colour on the toes”, which of course also applies to any type of sandal.
Oseyemi agrees, warning: “If your toes are slightly longer than normal, then don’t wear peep-toe shoes. There’s nothing worse for a guy than seeing a woman rocking the perfect outfit, only to see her toes pulling off a cliffhanger. It’s just not sexy.”
Tacky plastic heels, chunky shapeless shoes, and women who can’t walk in sky-high heels are a definite turn-off. “Men want their women to wear sexy platforms, wedges for summer and a good pair of knee-high boots or ankle boots for winter,” says Arendz.
Chunky often also applies to the platform-soled shoes currently in fashion. “Personally, I don’t like a shoe which is too bulky on a woman’s foot. A sexy shoe with a thin heel and a slight or no platform which elevates the woman wearing them is much sexier.”
And baby doll shoes with a strap over the bridge of the foot? “Baby Doll shoes are a very cute girly type of shoe. If I see a girl in them I always think she’s either single, or 13,” says Arendz.
As winter approaches it’s a good idea to heed the rules regarding boots. “Beware of boots that fit too tight around the calf. If you really like the boots, but can’t quite fit your calf into them, then take them to a cobbler who can sew in an elastic wedge at a minimal cost. Also avoid boots that make your ankles look fat,” warns Arendz.
Cowboy boots, he adds, will “never go out of fashion and if worn correctly drive men wild”.
In case you were wondering, there is a fairly consistent market for women’s shoes among transvestites. Says Arendz, “they tend to go for bigger sizes, so any shoe which gets produced in a size 8. And style-wise, anything, really”. - The Star
* Errol Arendz shoes are sold in his stores nationwide (call 021 461 1385 for stockists), but are also available online at www.errolarendz.com
FACEBOOK VOXPOP
To get an insight into the everyday man’s take on the shoes we love, I put it out there to my male friends on Facebook. Here are some of the comments that came back, showing that heels are not for every man:
* “I’m not that observant of what women put on their feet – or perhaps I just don’t look that far down! However, I think any shoe that limits movement for the sake of fashion is a no-go. Shoes need to walk a line between functionality and elegance.” – Brent
* Plain, simple flat shoes. Flashy, bling and heels don’t do it for me. But I don’t like those librarian looking shoes. – Linden
* High heel boots are nice… ! – Sipho
* No wedges, especially cork ones! – Lloyd
* Heels play a role in accentuating the female anatomy. I like sexy stilettos + silk stockings – Lavan
* There are heels, and then there are heels! The heels woman wear today make me wince – first for the floor, if its good wood, then for the number of accidents that such dangerous footwear can cause. Definitely prefer the unshod woman. A wild Wiccan galloping across the plains of mystery and illusion. – Alun
* I must admit I have always tended to regard women’s shoes in much the same way I do their hairstyles – it’s not being done for me, but for her. – Alameen