Quality Shoes-what traits to look for

Ben Franklin probably didn't say "show me a grumpy man and I'll show you a man with bad shoes", but he should have. They say that shoes make the man, and they're right on that one in more ways than one. Good, quality shoes do more than make you look good - they make you feel good. A pair of high quality shoes makes your feet happy, and when your feet are happy, the rest of you is in a much better frame of mind to deal with your day. Poorly made and ill-fitting shoes are at the root of many a miserable day, and here's why.

Poorly made shoes hurt more than your feet.

Your feet are your skeleton's foundation. When there's a problem with the foundation of a building, the symptoms can show up in cracks in the walls or ceilings, floors that tilt in the wrong direction - even in electrical and plumbing problems. The same is true with your body. When your shoes don't support your feet properly, your legs and hips and spine and shoulders and neck try to compensate. Taking any of those out of alignment can cause discomfort, pain and other problems.

You're far more likely to notice the discomfort of things like bunions and blisters caused by rough seams, heel pain from poor support and generally aching feet from shoes that constrict them. Between the obvious pain caused by shoes that aren't made well and the more subtle effects of poorly fit and low quality shoes, you can end up in constant low-level pain. Who can think clearly and be cheerful when their feet and their body are in pain?

How high quality shoes can help

Well-made, quality shoes like those made by Naot support your feet in a number of different ways. Naot shoes are designed to keep your feet happy. The heel cup is designed to keep your heels steady, preventing your ankles from tilting when you walk. The shank that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot gently encourages your feet to distribute your weight evenly. A roomy toe box gives your toes the room they need to move and grip the ground while you walk - even if they're not actually in contact with the ground.

The materials that go into making up your shoes also make a big difference. Real leather breathes, wicking moisture away from your feet and letting air circulate around them. That means cooler feet, less chance of infection and a lot less stinky feet.

What to look for in quality shoes

Now that you know why quality shoes are important, let's talk about how to choose a good pair of shoes that will support your feet - and your body - properly.

-First, look at the shoe.

Style may be important to your eye, but there are other things to look for. Are the seams straight and evenly stitched? Is the leather smooth and well-finished? Does the shoe LOOK well-made?

-Feel the shoe.

Take the shoe in both hands and try to twist it. It should have a little give, but not bend out of shape easily.

Try to bend the shoe in half so that the heel and toe meet. Again, it should have a little give, but you shouldn't be able to fold it. The shank of the shoe should prevent the shoe from bending beyond the ball of the foot.

Push up against the bottom of the toe of the shoe. The front of the shoe should bend easily so that your toes and the balls of your feet can do their work.

-Poke around inside the shoe.

Go on, push your hand inside the shoe and feel around. You should feel no protruding seams or rough areas. The inner surface should be comfortably padded and smooth. The tongue of the shoe should have enough padding to let you lace shoes without cutting into the top of your foot.

-Check the materials.

The uppers and lining of the shoes should be leather. Leather breathes and molds to fit your feet comfortably. You may not be able to look under the shoe's hood, so to speak, but you can ask about other materials. A steel shank is the most supportive, and leather soles will wear far better than most manmade materials.

-A few last things:

Excellent quality shoes like Naot clogs and sandals can be pricey, but it's money well-spent. Still, like anything else, shoes do show wear. You'd hate to find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly and make you feel so good - only to have to replace them in just a few years. A good quality pair of shoes will last you up to ten years - if you care for them properly. Look for shoes that can be resoled and reheeled easily. Naot shoes are among the most versatile in this respect - you can replace the entire shoe bed when needed to keep them feeling fresh, new and comfortable for years.

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What Style of Shoes is Business Casual?

Fridays at the office are considered business casual day. What does that exactly mean? Business is business and casual is casual so how do you combined the two styles? Friday is a dress down day so you know that business casual does not mean a suit but it does mean that you have look nice and neat but can be a little bit casual at the same time.

Let's examine what Business Casual isn't. Save the following items for your weekend or at-home wardrobe: zip-front hooded sweatshirts, team jackets, jean jackets, T-shirts with slogans, midriff-baring tops, tank tops, well-worn jeans, spandex pants, stirrup pants, overalls, biking shorts, sweat pants, mini skirts, see-through tops, halter tops, flip-flops, sneakers and sandals. Never forget that the first word in business casual is "business" and casual does not mean a day at the beach.

Business casual must always include high-quality pieces, hose or socks, appropriate underwear, footwear in good repair, coordinated accessories, clean, styled hair and makeup for women. With that in mind, let's take a look at the type of footwear is considered business casual to finish off your outfit.

Slingbacks, women's shoes with a cutout heel and a strap spanning the back of the ankle, defy simple categorization as they once did. Years ago, slingbacks were appropriate only during the summer months, and they were considered a casual shoe. Certainly, no self-respecting woman south of the Mason-Dixon Line would be caught dead in a slingback before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Now, with a growing selection of women's slingbacks, you can find a pair for every season and every occasion-from stay-at-home clothes to wedding attire. What determines the slingback's suitability is the design of the shoe, the material, the embellishments, and whether it contributes to the overall desired look with the outfit?

You need to look at the entire spectrum of occasions, and offer suggestions for pairing slingbacks with outfits for each occasion. If you feel the shoes complement your outfit and you feel comfortable wearing them, let your personal sense of style guide you. People judge others by first impressions, and watches, handbags and shoes play an important role in first impressions. Cut corners elsewhere, but never with your shoes. Regardless of the style you wear, ensure that your shoe are in A-1 condition, with perfect sol. Casual shoes should be kept in the same tip-top, shined-up and scuff-free shape as their dressier counterparts. Do not wear 4 inch heels with a pair of dress pants and sweater. Those types of shoes look better with a dress suit or pant suit.

For men business casual shoes should definitely not include tennis shoes. There is nothing tackier than a man in dress pants with a pair of tennis shoes on. Styles range from penny loafers to lace-ups, leaving lots for comfort and budget preferences. Make sure that the heels and the fabric is clean, the leather polished, or the suede brushed. Wearing these types of shoes to finish off your business casual look will make you GQ all the way.

The old saying, "People take on the character of the costume," isn't a myth. It's because of this truth there should be more business than casual in a company's "business casual." If the male and female definitions seem too rigid, then complain to the person where the buck stops. Company owners tend to complain about the business casual attitudes that accompany casual day because they've watched them evolve over time. That is why it's important to sustain the level of business consciousness dictated by the respective company.

On the other hand, companies that demand a high stress, quick-paced level of productivity from their staff regularly may find benefits of invoking a more casual attitude once a week. Perhaps in such a case, it would allow employees to begin their weekend feeling more relaxed and come back on Monday feeling more mentally prepared for the new work week.

Whether you are in business causal or not you need to always remember that you are still doing business no matter what kind of clothes you have on. You need not be ashamed if you run into your CEO or a client visiting the office. Be comfortable but keep in the back of your mind you are still at work. Your business casual shoes can be loafers or tie up shoes, heels or flats as long as they are clean and look nice and neat. Be comfortable yet still professional. That is business casual.

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Tips for Maintaining Leather Shoes

One of the best investments you can make is on quality leather shoes. The only catch is that you must take care of those shoes religiously. A quality pair of shoes will last you a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Also, the products you use on your leather footwear do not have to cost more than the price of the shoes. There are a number of tips to help you maintain those leather shoes so they will not only last longer, but will maintain a great look.

The first thing to remember is that two pairs of good quality leather shoes will last more than twice as long as one pair. This mathematical impossibility is nonetheless true, because by purchasing two pair of leather shoes, you can wear one pair every other day and allow the shoes to dry on a cedar shoe tree to absorb the moisture from your skin and from the leather while still holding the shoe in the correct shape. In this case, 1 + 1 = 3.

Cleaning your leather shoes is largely a matter of daily care and daily attention to any blemishes. Using all natural shoe care products allows the leather to breathe. Suggested cleaning products include those made specifically for leather, such as saddle soap. If you use saddle soap, and follow the treatment with mink oil, you will almost always have great success in keeping your footwear looking like new. These products can be found in most areas where shoe care items are found. Goop hand cleaner which can be found in most automotive supplies stores is another great product for getting the leather clean, without damaging the product. Goop is waterless and is excellent for removing oil and grease from the surface of the leather. Pine gum will help to restore your shoes when they are the victim of small nicks, scratches and cuts. This product soaks into the leather and serves as an excellent camouflage. If the color of the leather has faded, pine gum will help to restore the color and appearance.

If you often find that you are walking or working where there is a lot of moisture, you can provide some waterproofing for your leather shoes or boots. This will help to protect the footwear from salt stains, snow and from water. If shoes do get damp, store them on a shoe tree to dry, but never place the leather shoes close to direct heat such as a stove or fireplace unit. Beeswax provides excellent water-repellent properties for protecting your leather shoes from the elements. There are also waterproofing type products sold where shoe care products appear that will help protect your shoes against the elements.

Conditioning your footwear helps to maintain soft and supple leather. Preventing cracks in the surface of the leather means that less harmful agents can attack the leather. Keeping the leather soft means the shoes will fit more comfortably too. Lanolin is great for softening the leather, while emu oil restores the natural moisture of the leather by deep penetration into the shoe.

When you are cleaning and conditioning your shoes do not forget to take care of the inside of the shoe. Using Eucalyptus oil or Tea Tree oil prevents the deterioration of the stitching by fighting against mildew and mold in the interior of the shoe as well as in the top stitching.

Keep in mind that specialty leather products such as suede or patent leather have special products intended specifically for their care. For example, you would not want to use some of the oil or cream based products in caring for suede shoes. Often regular, gentle brushing to remove loose soil and a spray on suede cleaner will be just the thing for cleaning that type of leather.

If you find problems developing in the stitching or the soles of the show, or anywhere on the shoe in fact, put the cost of repairing the shoe against the cost of replace them and make a trip to the local repair shop for shoes. The price of a good repairman is well worth it in terms of lengthened shoe life.

Finally, many people have success in caring for their shoes with various household products not specifically created for leather shoes. For example, petroleum jelly rubbed gently into the leather then allowed to sit before a bit before being wiped off keeps leather uniform shoes looking great. Others swear by furniture polish sprayed on lightly and wiped down with a cloth.

The most important part of maintaining leather shoes is the daily condition, cleaning and care.

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