Windy City Fashion Forum: When Times Are Tough, Shoes Sell

As you may have gathered, I love shoes...

This morning's New York Times Business section featured a front-page article on the rise of shoe sales during the last quarter, remarking that despite our recessionary woes, we still love our fancy feet (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/business/economy/06shoes.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper).

"For months now, consumers have been hunkering down in an economic storm, buying only what they need to survive, like groceries, diapers, medicine — and shoes," writer Stephanie Bloom observes at the article's beginning. Whether in high-end department stores such as Saks, retailers such as JC Penney and Ross, or even bargain havens like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, shoes are a hot buy.

The reasons are multi-fold. Shoes are easy to try on, without pesky "six items or less" dressing room limits. They easily slip into our existing wardrobes and are safer than an outfit; a full-length leopard-print jumpsuit would likely not work its way into your everyday wardrobe, but leopard print heels add pop to skirts, jeans, pants, etc. Moreover, shoes are AFFORDABLE (ding ding ding!). The Cost-Per-Wear factor of shoes is infinitely higher than that of nearly any item (save underthings or jeans) in a wardrobe.

The old adage, "When times are tough, lipsticks sell," now applies to our footwear as well. The confidence boost that comes from a pair of new shoes is needed more than ever in these changing times. A few options to consider: