If that Shoe Fits

Bridal footwear is still very much up to personal style

As with any carefully planned outfit, bridal shoes must match the ensemble in some way. Despite the fact that friends and relatives may see the shoes for only a split second (depending on how long it takes to get the garter off in front of 300 people), they must still represent the bride's character and sense of style.
There is no "right" or "wrong" shoe for a wedding, as they come in almost every shape. Brides also have their choice of open-, round- or pointed-toe shoes and heels as high as three inches. Where bridal shoe fashions have altered slightly in the past few seasons, the trend now turns towards more skin and less constricting styles.
The Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 seasons have included a number of dramatic sandals as part of the bridal look. Stores across North America have been stocking up on sandals as more and more women opt away from the traditional pump.
The sandal has gained in popularity for a number of reasons, not the least of which is how sexy it looks on any foot. They also come in a variety of low-heeled styles for brides who expect to do a lot of dancing during the night. A basic open-toe sandal invokes a kind of nostalgic feel to a bridal ensemble, reminiscent of the 1960s. Even a simple woven strap is an attractive way to personalize a sandal while retaining its classic charm.
If the colour matches perfectly and there is no need to dye the new shoes, brides can opt for a dramatic and sexy decorative element. Sandals offer the opportunity to wrap ribbons or other straps up the leg, but this season, the detail is on the strap. Beading is popular on sandals, but waves of brides are adding striking crystals to their shoes for added appeal. Sergio Rossi's Fall/Winter 2004 collection includes a silver kid skin sandal featuring a large crystal flower on the central straps.
Bridal shoes can feature any number of elements, ranging from flowers to butterflies to multi-coloured rhinestones. These little details do not necessarily have to match the dress exactly, but definitely add a dramatic element to an often over-looked or downplayed feature of the bride's look.
Two lines of the bridal shoe is a slingback or ankle-strap. A simple white strappy halter sandal or an ankle-strap pump is widely available and offers classic elegance. Detail can be found on a pump, as well. Designers like Rossi and Giuseppe Zanotti offer a range of pumps with decorative elements, including sharp lines of bright colour and retro polkadots.
Most North American brides aren't quite ready to showcase large red flowers on their feet, so most will opt for a white satin pair of shoes. A sleek pair of round-toe slingbacks may be exactly what a dress requires. Brides that choose a less traditional gown will find a wide assortment of shoes to fit the look. Beach brides, or brides who want a simpler gown with less fitted fabrics may want to opt for a shorter heel with a more natural scheme. A simple Mary Jane shoe or even a stylized flip-flop with a beaded strap can be found at many bridal shoe stores.
The only real drawback to shoe shopping for any occasion is the fact that comfort is sometimes vetoed for style and height. Most bridal shoes are built for the multi-hour, multi-tasking period that the bride will be wearing them. A safe bet is anything up to a three-inch heel, but there is a wide variety of shoes around two inches that might allow brides the opportunity to put the shoe back on at 11 p.m. if they decided to go barefoot at 10 p.m. In fact, with the growth in popularity of the two-inch heel for all fashion purposes, a bride can find some stunning styles with little pain.
Shoes remain the bride's prerogative and there will always be timeless white satin shoes that will be a welcome addition to the overall wedding outfit. This year, brides truly have their choice whether to go stark traditional or flashy in any number of footwear styles.

Publication Date: 2004-09-19
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4403