This week we're looking into shoes. Shoes for play, work and pleasure, it's all here, so happy shopping...
Sandals & Flip-Flops
At this time of year the shops are suddenly inundated with sandals and flip-flops so we thought you could do with a helping hand in picking out the gems! Schuh have got a fantastic range of men's and women's sandals and Flip-flops.
For men there are a number of Birkenstock-esque sandals with varying designs and leather finishes, also Oakley, Mambo, Timberland and Schuh's own flip-flops starting from £14.99.
The women's range also has the Birkenstock-esque sandals; the buckle features heavily this year with it popping up all over on low wedges with wide toe straps and bright patterns. They also sell Rocket dog platform flip-flops and mules. Faith's online shop is a HelpHound Award winner and they are offering a stylish 15% off throughout May. They also have a fab range of summer shoes for women and now for men with their new collection: braided strap flip-flops, we especially like the 'Joolio' flip-flops. They have a great choice of colours all with a simple button detail. The buckle also features heavily in Faith accompanied with braiding and beads! ASOS, also a HelpHound Award winner, have a great range of sandals focusing on beading and metallics, the men's range has funky Espadrilles, basket weave and flip-flops, so why not check them out today?
Heels
Just because it's beginning to heat up doesn't mean that those heels should get neglected, so here's a whistle stop guide to what's out there and where...
Schuh have a lot of bold and colourful floral patterns, patent leather, metallics and buckles of all sizes! Topshop have a large range of heels with beautiful colours and multi-straps featuring regularly. Office has a large range of heels with layered leather and simple shapes ruling their styles. Dune has some great pointed toe and peep toe shoes this season with bright colours and vivid patterns to add that finishing touch to your outfit.
Wedges
Wedges have taken the shops and online stores by storm recently with a particular focus on peep toes and wooden or cork wedge. Another feature that is starting to pop up is the sling back and if this is accompanied with a peep toe and cork or wooden wedge then you must be on to a winner!
French Connection has the perfect example of a sling back with a wooden wedge and a peep toe, the 'Jetta' shoe at £75. ASOS also have a great pair of shoes that ticks all the boxes - the ASOS own brand 'Leather Scalloped Wedge Sandals' at a reduced price of £32 (originally £40) with a leather scalloped detailed peep toe, ankle strap and cork wedge in either tan or white leather - sounds like a bargain to us!
Visit websites: French Connection; ASOS
Gladiator sandals
Gladiator sandals are everywhere! You really can't get away from them, what with Faith, ASOS, Schuh, Topshop and all of the other major high street shoe stores cramming their window displays full of them. The catwalks are also overrun with this odd, yet strangely alluring sandal. Amazing that Marc Jacobs designed some rather dashing gold or silver Jelly Gladiator sandals all the way back in 2006!
Wellies
Even though the weather does appear to be heating up, you can never be too sure, and with all the fun and colourful designs available today there's no reason why a bit of rain can't be a fun occasion! With Psychedelic patterns, polka dots and flowers, wellies really can be a cheerful accessory to your outfits. Whether it's Glastonbury, a walk with the dogs or just some digging in the garden, there really is no excuse to have boring old green wellies.
Wonderful Wellies sell wonderfully vivacious wellies for those of us, according to oinkoink "who still like to be fashion conscious while covered in mud." Even Hunter now sell a fantastic colour range including all the pastels and some wonderfully bright colours too. They really are everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled and pick up a pair today!
Visit website: Wonderful Wellies
Riding boots
As we are covering the fabulous topic of shoes this week we thought we would look into horse riding boots as this sport seems to be a favourite amongst some of our HelpHounders. There are four stockists that are recommended by you as a great place to purchase your boots, the first is a Business Member Mole Avon who stock a lot of Equestrian accessories, including riding boots, Leonard Coombe who also repaired a pair of spurs for one of our HelpHounders, Horses in Sport who provide a "Top notch service" and Ariat who sell their boots through many websites and stores but do not have their own site.
Visit websites: Mole Avon; Leonard Coombe; Horses in Sport
