Shoe shopping in North America
-
A
DSW
The basement clearance section is where recovering shoe hounds come once they’ve sworn that they’ve bought their last pair for the season. Diligent research has uncovered 40% to 60% off Marc Jacobs flats, Betsy Johnson wedges and an inexplicable bonanza of limited-edition Pumas.
reviewed
-
B
John Fluevog Shoes
Bold and colorful shoes by the eccentric designer are the order of the day at this close-out haven. They come as tough-girl chunky or sex-kitten pointy as you like, and there are equally hip selections for men.
reviewed
-
C
Harry’s Shoes
Harry’s is a classic, staffed by classy gentlemen who actually measure your foot in one of those old-school metal contraptions and then wait on you patiently, making sure the shoe fits properly. You’ll find mostly sturdy, quality, comfort-trumps-style labels here, such as Merrel, Dansko, Birkenstock, Ecco, New Balance and Mephisto, as well as the vegan, ecofriendly Earth brand. But fashionable types will find fun stuff, too, mainly from Ugg, Taryn Rose and the like. Harry’s also has a new children’s store (2315 Broadway) one block north.
reviewed
-
D
Boulder Running Company
Boulder's prime center for all the gear and specialty shoes you'll need for running track, street and trails. In fact, there are more trail runners here than we thought possible. They even video analyze your running stride on a treadmill before the fitting, which helps make sure you aren't injury prone in your new shoes (and probably don't hurt the in-sole sales either).
If you want to know when the next foot race or triathlon is on, come here.
reviewed
-
E
Akira Footwear
This Loop outpost of the trendy local chain offers fun kicks in the most recent styles. Fancy Chuck Taylors, cute silver sandals, colorful rain boots – whatever the look du jour is, you’ll probably find it on the racks. There’s lots of seating to try on your selections, and most items are moderately priced. A couple of Akira clothing shops are in Wicker Park.
reviewed
-
F
Heidisays Shoes
To brave the sidewalk runways of SF, you'll need something more comfortably stylish than stilettos. Here you have it: cushy Michael Kors platform wedges, colorful Missoni flats with the signature woozy stripes, and sweet stub-toed Hype moccasins. They don't wait for a season to finish before putting the shoes on sale, because HeidiSays so - and who are we to disagree?
reviewed
-
G
Plaza, Too
If Harry's Shoes is a bit too practical, find your high-fashion footwear at this brand-new outpost of the suburban favorite - it's the first and only NYC location. They've got fancy footwork from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Adrienne, Cynthia Rowley, Sigerson Morrison and many more, and the prices are frequently reduced by nearly half at fabulous sales events.
reviewed
-
H
Undefeated
Sneaker-lovers camp outside this pint-sized store for the latest ‘Outside the Box’ styles from Nike, Converse, Vans and Adidas, each pair specially selected from the manufacturer by the manager. Word spreads on the internet, and voila, sidewalk campouts. Also in Mid-City (Tel: 323-937-6077; 112½ S La Brea Ave; h11am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun).
reviewed
-
I
Gimme Shoes
Don’t let SF hills become your arch-rivals: head to Gimme Shoes and kick up those high-end heels. Bide your time and those coral Dries Van Noten kitten heels might hit the 40%-to-60%-off rack alongside Chie Mihara acid-yellow-and-eggplant slingbacks. Men have their pick of limited-edition exoskeleton Pumas by Alexander McQueen and pewter Converse by Varvatos.
reviewed
-
J
Tani
This dapper little store is a neighborhood favorite for its wide selection of fashionable men’s and women’s shoes. Prices cover the spectrum (from $85 to $425), and the variety is impressive, with designs by Jeffrey Campbell, Chie Mahara, Pour la Victoire and YMC, along with many other brands you won’t find in big department stores.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Alamo Shoes
This throwback to the 1960s focuses on hip, comfortable shoes for men, women and children. Brands include Dansko, Ecco, Naot, Birkenstock, Keen and Dr Martens, all at good prices. The enthusiastic staffers hop off to the back room and emerge with stacks of boxes until you either find what you want or are entirely walled in by the possibilities.
reviewed
-
L
Villains
One-stop-shopping for hipster gear for men and women, including Penguin shirts, locally made GAMA-GO tees, and chunky watches. Through the door in the women's department you'll find shoes ranging from skater sneakers to rock-star platforms. Nearby Villains Vault at 653 Haight St sports higher-end designer denim, like Diesel and Joe's Jeans.
reviewed
-
M
Chaussures Tony
At Chaussures Tony the gracious, professional staff aren’t afraid to measure your feet and have made this elegant, old-fashioned shoe store popular among Westmount locals of all ages since 1937. The family-owned business stocks mostly high-end and comfortable footwear with a few trendy pairs for the fashionistas.
reviewed
-
N
Dione
This Mexican shoe designer from Guadalajara creates classic shoes for women in the softest of leather. There are Spanish Pons Quintana boots here, as well as fellow Spaniard Baltarini’s stylish line. Bags and wallets are also top notch; for the best deals head for the ‘50% off’ rack at the back of the shop.
reviewed
-
O
De La Sole
SF gets its kicks at De La Sole, from mod Ryan Rowe white wing-tips to radiator-vented sandals by Montreal brand Industry. Says the sales rep to a customer squeezing into a 60%-off gold ankleboot: ‘Don’t worry, it won’t always be so tight.’ Chimes in a fellow customer, without missing a beat: ‘That’s what they all say.’
reviewed
-
P
Alternatives
The kinds of shoes that delight the eye and appall the feet are the specialty at this store, located in the 900 N Michigan mall. Featuring one of the most cutting-edge collections in town, its prices will gladden the hearts of budding Imelda Marcoses everywhere. Another outlet is slated to open in Block 37 in the Loop.
reviewed
-
Q
John Fluevog
While some of the footwear here looks like Doc Martens on acid or as though it could poke your eye out from 20 paces, many of Fluevog’s funky shoes also have a reduced ‘green footprint.’ Check out the synthetic vegetarian shoes and the completely biodegradable ‘Earth Angels’ range.
reviewed
-
R
Steve Madden
The flagship Steve Madden store in DC has a giant selection of the designer's footwear. From spiky heels to trendy sneakers, you're likely to find something here. Plus shopping in this airy space is pretty damn fun. Don't forget to check out the sale rack in the back - there are usually shoes going for 50% off.
reviewed
-
S
Jimmy Choo
The prices are almost as high as the stiletto heels at Jimmy Choo, revered foot stylist to the rich and famous. Oh, go ahead – be like J Lo and Beyoncé. All it takes is a toss of the head, the willingness to drop $800 on a pair of kicks and the attitude that footwear doesn’t make the outfit, it is the outfit.
reviewed
-
T
Bionic Footwear
This little shoe emporium combines form and function with an enticing array of fab footwear for men, women and children who like looks as well as quality. You can slip into pumps, skater shoes or boots from the likes of Camper, Lacoste and Miss Sixty, or check out the small but growing selection of bags.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Pedestrian Shops
Set smack in the midst of the Pearl St Mall, this is where to head for the comfortable kind of footwear that are staples in earthy Bouldertown. Think Crocs, Ecco and less known brands like Dansko, Keen and Born. Find the Last Pair Rack for the best deals, and if you buy two you'll get a third pair free.
reviewed
-
V
Suite 160
This sneaker boutique stays under the radar, but still carries the hippest kicks in ubercool collectible styles for outfitting urban legends in the making. Check the website for new releases, like anniversary Air Jordans or hemp Gazelles by Adidas, then get here ASAP (as they say, ‘Don’t sleep!’).
reviewed
-
W
Berk’s
Berk’s is a little store with a great selection of shoes – half for your sensible feet and half for your fancy feet. Prices can be prohibitively high, unless you manage to strike the awesome end-of-season sales. You know they’re going on when you see tables on the sidewalks piled high with shoes.
reviewed
-
X
Lori’s, the Sole of Chicago
Lori’s caters to shoe junkies, who tear through boxes and tissue paper to get at Franco Sarto, Apepazza and other European brands. The general frenzy morphs into a true gorge-fest during season-ending sales in July/August and January/February; lines can form out the door during these sales.
reviewed
-
Y
Europa Style Shoes
More than 800 styles of footwear travel across the pond from Italy, Spain and Russia searching for feet that appreciate great Euro-brand style for prices hovering between $60 and $120. About three-quarters of the stock is for women, from leopard-print girly kicks to waffle-stomping boots.
reviewed
