Oh wow, I didn't know any of those. LOL. Maybe that's a good thing... And regarding those "ready to wear" outfits...bluck. Sorry, but if that's fashionable, I don't want it. ROFL

I'm not that in to the "labels," but I do love shoes. But I have a child who might want to go to college one day, so Choo et al aren't on my feet. If the shoes are fabu AND on sale, I'm a happy girl. (In fact, ask me in San Fran this summer to model my 2 new fabu-and-on-sale shoes! Shoe Euphoria!)

I love pretty shoes, but comfort is number one in my book. I wouldn't know a designer shoe if it bit me in the butt.

Very interesting question. I'm more laymen then fashion I guess. Pumps, flats, sneakers, not names. All I know is if they mention a designer by name, then they dropped money on the shoes. Personally, I couldn't wear Jimmy Choo. Too narrow. *shrug* As for fashion designers, um... I really DON'T get them. Outrageous and unwearable is what I usually see when they walk the runway. Honestly... Who'd walk downtown with a drapery bar across their back? I don't think they understand the form AND function part at all. dianacastilleja.com

I am a sweats and (off brand) sneakers kind of girl for the most part, so I can't visualize what a Manolo looks like. I couldn't even pick out the Naturalizers in your quiz. The only thing I will say is that a designer's name screams *expensive*, and so that may be why authors like to name drop. I'll admit, I've done it, for that very reason. It tells the reader something about the character--that she's willing (and able) to drop a load of cash on something that can be purchased for a whole lot less. I'm also a huge sewing geek, so I *heart* couture. (Haven't missed an episode of Project Runway since season 1) BUT, the examples above of ready-to-wear fashion...OMG! Tawny *~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Wicked-Hot Erotic Fiction www.tawnytaylor.com

In my books, the only time women sigh with ecstasy over shoes is when they've taken them off. As for the curtain rod outfit, I'm assuming that's a homage to the Carol Burnett show.

LOL Barbara, I think I'll stick to reading books rather than fashion mags. !!! but hey, Now about the guy in the picture. LOL Just why didn't you show the rest of him. It only gets better and better. let me know if you want a peek and I'll hunt it up. hugs

Color me shoe ignorant. :) My characters barely even nod at shoes. I don't know a great deal about them for a few reasons, one of which being that I have problematically-sized feet. It's impossible to put a pair of 9 1/2 EEE tootsies into a pair of narrow pointy ankle boots. I have enough trouble finding sandals that fit and don't look like they're age-appropriate for someone three times my age with circulation problems. (I didn't recognize the Naturalizers, but they're the only ones I tried to guess at. My Naturalizers option was B)

Regarding shoes, mentioning them by name in a book doesn't improve the storyline for me. In fact, it tends to take me out of the story much the same way "bottle green" always irritated me when I read Alcott as a little girl. That said, I love shoes. LOVE THEM! Not for their name, but for the sassy, brassy, confident, empowered way I feel when I wear just the right shoe. That doesn't mean that I am a slave to the designer name, off price beautiful is still beautiful. It goes back to two things... way back when I had a summer pair of shoes and a winter pair of shoes. (They were the same pair, just became winter when it snowed. LOL!) When I got old enough to have a job, I wanted to splurge. Still do. And, bless them! my feet are ususually obedient enough to stay the same size, as opposed to rest of unruly me, which fluctuates without my permission on what seems like a daily basis.

THANKS BARB FOR YOUR GREAT BLOG! I ALWAYS PICK COMFORT OVER STYLE--PLUS 35 YRS OF WAITRESSING TOOK ITS TOLL ON MY MOM'S FEET--SHE TAUGHT HER 7 DAUGHTERS WELL TO SEEK COMFORT FOR OUR FEET! I PASS OVER ANY MENTION OF SHOES IN A BOOK--NOT THAT IMPORTANT!

C has to be Naturalizer becaause it looks too practical. I really like E, so I'm off to Zappos to see if I can afford it...

I wouldn’t know Manolo Blahnik from Payless, unless the seams were splitting. It used to be, in the olden days when I could wear whatever shoes I wanted, I could put on a pretty pair of heels from Kinney’s Shoes and feel like a queen. Now days I wear SAS; comfort is a good thing (sigh). And that's another fine gratuitous photo you've put there, Barbara.

I only wear shoes because I can't go barefoot all of the time. I even keep a pair of Deerfoam slippers in my desk for the few (very few in Arizona!) days when my shoes get wet. I hate cold feet. I never even cared about shoes in books when I was young enough to wear fashionable shoes. Comfort first!

I've been thinking (oh no!)... While I most often think designer name dropping in a book is pretty much unnecessary to the story (maybe cuz I can't identify), there are occasions when it is warranted. MJD's Queen Betsy, for example, is defined by her obsession, showing both her shallowness and growth. But even that often goes too far.

Shamefully, while I cannot tell you the precise difference between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama's health care policies, I can correctly identify the designer of every one of those shoes. I love shoes, and I am really not a frivolous empty-headed sort of female. But I can't explain it at all. I have a friend who is a fellow shoe junkie, and her daughter's first word was Shoe. We were so proud.

Lynn Reynolds, I am impressed with your shoe expertise and I surely didn't mean to imply that anyone is empty headed. Just in the books I've read, that's how they seem to portray the shoe divas. Of course, you can ask me any Star Wars/Indiana Jones/James Bond question and I'm all over it. I suppose some may consider me empty headed or fanatical. But only slightly fanatical. :)

Needless to say, I am a total shoe whore. I never met a pair of heels I didn’t love. Okay, I’ve met a few that pinched and didn’t fit, but my idea of an art gallery is the shoe department at Nordstrom. But, yeah, I totally agree that some of that ‘ready to wear’ is only wearable on planet model-onia.

I always think it's kind of funny when an author mentions the designer's name. As a reader who can't afford those shoes, a designer's name doesn't help me much to be able to picture what the heroine is wearing on her feet. A lot of high fashion goes completely over my head, because I'm still just a little farm girl at heart.
www.lkcampbell.com

Nope ... didn’t get a single name matched to the shoes (although I’ll admit those boots are cute). Can’t wear those pointy toed things. With a size 9 and a half foot, I’d look like Bozo the Clown. I will NEVER understand what designers consider high fashion. Where the devil is anyone going to wear something like that? Not in my universe. I’m sticking with my off the rack, comfortable clothes, thankyouverymuch.

I never pay attention to the high fashion or a designer's name. I could never wear any of those shoes pictured above anyway. You will not see men wearing those shoes. Give me comfort anytime.

Barbara can verify that I couldn't even pick out the Naturalizers! Give me my Crocs and New Balance sneakers, please! My toes need room! As for shoes in books, I'm so glad I write historicals. No designers in the middle ages!

Guess I just don't get the lure of shoes. For me, it's as few pair that are as comfortable as possible. One year, I went to conference and my roommate had more pairs of black pumps than I had total pairs of shoes. I just don't get it. Julie

I used to love shoes until my dog thought they were a chew toy. Now I'm all about the comfort. And, really, I can't imagine wearing any of those "ready to wear" outfits anywhere except a Halloween party.

THANKS for the picture of Gerard Butler, I have been stuck in college essay hell all day writing about business archives ( thought one was for Blatz beer so all was not lost). The shoes I wouldn't attempt but the fashions were interesting. I am a fan of Project Runway. Here's hoping that we see some of the green stuff (grass not $) soon.

I have to say, I got all the shoe answers right. I know, it sounds bad. But my shoe philosophy is that I'd rather spend the money on really well made shoes once, and take good care of them, than to pay over and over again for the crappy ones that fall apart. Also, if you're going for heels, designer shoes are more comfortable. They just are. Of course, nothing's more comfortable than sneakers, but my Converse All Stars look kind of punky with a black skirt--not always the look I'm going for!

I just really don't understand some ladies shoe fetish. I still cringe at the prices at DSW. Just can't see myself buying a shoe that's over $50.00. I must really love something to buy even a $40.00 shoe. As for those ready-to-wear fashion, I wonder what world do those designers live in. I guess they don't hang with us ordinary folks.

I could never afford those expensive shoes but I love to look and dream about owning just one pair! Clinton Kelly, from TLC's What Not to Wear, always says, "The higher the price tag the better constructed, which leads to a more comfortable shoe." I hope one day to find out for sure. Carrie Bradshaw, from S*x in the City, is my shoe idol!! (I couldn't post if I used the real word!)

0 for 5 on the shoe labels....The clothes: not only WHO wears that stuff? but WHERE do they wear it? I immediately recalled Carol Burnett, too!! And I think the other one was lifted from The Picture of Dorian Gray. I personally have found shoe-love recently with a pair of fuschia-colored Crocs. I'm just happy my bookstore is hip enough to say "oh cool" instead of "take those ridiculous things OFF!!" They are soooo comfy, yet whimsical, too!! :)

Oh My! These new ready to wear outfits are...hmm not sure how to say it. Maybe I could wear the spare tire outfit to the gym, and no one will look at my less than perfect body...that's an idea. And I'm a shoe woman, love pretty comfortable, shoes, could care less about the brand :) Love flip flops in the summer and for running around the house doin chores. Great article!

Oh My! These new ready to wear outfits are...hmm not sure how to say it. Maybe I could wear the spare tire outfit to the gym, and no one will look at my less than perfect body...that's an idea. And I'm a shoe woman, love pretty comfortable, shoes, could care less about the brand :) Love flip flops in the summer and for running around the house doin chores. Great article!

Shoes? Ready to wear? I'm still stuck on the picture of Gerard Butler? If he's in that state and I'm there with him, I hope at least my feet are bare. ;)))))

Thanks Barbara--the shoe quiz & blog was great--after 10 pregnancies, my slippers & moccasins feel so good!! So funny to read all the comments too!!

Very amusing take on fashion. I couldn't agree with you more, but I couldn't have said it as well as you.

I used to feel like you, Barbara, until I discovered the wonders of DSW and discounted designer shoes. New horizons were opened ... I think one reason shoes appear so much in books for women is the power they represent. I will readily admit I have a shoe problem ... I lost track of how many pairs I have years ago. But one reason I'm a shoe addict is the fact there's something about a pair of shoes that augments my mood; my five-inch stiletto leopard-print pumps make me feel powerful even on a bad day. And the price doesn't matter at all--I have everything from $5 pairs from Payless to mid-major name brands. (No Choos or Manolos. I have rent to pay ... and those DO hurt.) I dream one day of Louboutins; no pinching there ...

When I was in Morocco I wore some great tie dye dresses and print skirts but I wore the basic flip flops I bought in The Gambia. The women in Morocco would look at my dresses approvingly and then when their gaze got to my feet they would wince. I think shoes do matter a bit but I still only by the basics :).

Barbara, I know nothing about shoe fasion, but love the pic of Gerard Butler!!!

When I was young and weighed in at 105 pounds, I had a shoe fetish. I loved spikey heels, mules, anything that gave me that sleek, taller look that a five-foot-three'er needs. :) Now I look at cushion and comfort in my shoes, and very low heels, if any. The weight I carry doesn't allow for spikes [I'd fall on me fat tummy in those] or platforms [used to wear those all the time]. I think the shoe fettishes belong to the young, the skinny, the fashionable. Alas, I am no longer in those catagories. :( Hugs, Daring Di [who once owned 206 pairs of heels in all colors, designs and materials].

Oh, Jacque, thank God you're here. I too long for Laboutins. And a red carpet to wear them on. I love fashion, shoes especially. A good pair of shoes can make Levis seem like couture. DSW is better than Disney Land. I just bought two pairs yesterday.

My orthopedic surgeon, who performed surgery on my right foot three weeks ago, would KILL me if I wore anything like that. I'd kill me because my feet just don't fit in pointy-toed shoes. Heck, I bought myself two pairs of Crocs to wear post-op cause that's the only thing that'll accommodate the Ace bandage I have to wear 24/7 til the end of this month. But Crocs are stylin'!

New Balance and Levis--that's about the limit of my fashion sense--other than the brand that's on sale. I love Gerard Butler, though. :)

I respectfully consider a shoe addiction hilarious.