Shoes Made for Women by Women

I have finally found shoes that satisfy all of my footwear wants and needs. They are stylish, high quality and, most of all, COMFORTABLE. In my experience, many luxury brands make beautiful shoes that look almost like art, but do not feel so good on the feet.  The cost of these shoes does not match up with their usefulness.

Recently, I sold a pair of Valentino Garavani pumps, that originally retailed for $945, and I wore only one time.  They were a fabulous red with gold spike details, and with 4-inch-high heels, with a pitch that made me feel like I was going to fall forward at any moment.  These shoes required valet parking, and sit-down dinner.  No walking, no dancing, no standing.  I never felt as good wearing them as the shoes looked.

It’s interesting to me that the top luxury brands for women’s shoes are mostly designed by men.  These shoes are beautiful, but are often not practical.  Only a woman really understands the compromises and sacrifices that women make to wear certain shoes.  That understanding comes from experiences that begin in our adolescent years, with that first pair of pumps or pointy toed flats.  It seems like there is always a trade-off.

The message seems to be, we can have a fabulously cute shoe, but it will not be comfortable.  Amazingly, we buy that shoe anyway because it’s going to look fantastic with the new dress we plan to wear to our friend’s wedding.  We then begin to calculate how much standing, dancing, or just walking we’ll be able to do for the day.  The calculation rarely works out.  Our feet are done long before the end of the event, and our party mood is killed.

On the other hand, are those shoes that are incredibly comfortable, but look like something your orthopedist or podiatrist might prescribe.  We feel neither attractive nor stylish while wearing them.  As a matter of fact, we probably pair these shoes with a big hat and dark shades, while out in public, so as not to be recognized while making that run to the market.

It is the rare shoe brand that delivers high style, premium construction, and comfort on a consistent basis.  I’m talking about shoes that make you look and feel like a million bucks while wearing them.  The kind of shoes that are built to last for years, and are worth the investment because you can wear them without making compromises with your feet or your style.

I have found three such brands, and they are all women-owned and designed brands.  Shoes made by women who understand what we really want from our footwear.

The Office of Angela Scott

My husband gifted me my first pair of TOAS shoes in 2017, and I’ve been a fan ever since. All TOAS shoes are hand-crafted in Portugal, with traditional Goodyear Welt construction.  Their loafers, oxfords, mid-heel shoes, and elevated combat-style boots will last for years, and can be re-soled.  I describe the shoes as classic menswear-inspired styling with a distinctly feminine twist.

The Office of Angela Scott designs shoes for “Women Who Mean Business” and prioritizes using their platform to empower women and girls and occasionally donating a percentage of each sale to causes that do the same. Angela Scott is a former construction project manager turned shoe designer who understands that there is a dearth of well-made, comfortable, shoes for women on the market.

This brand has become somewhat of an addiction for me and many other women who have been longing for beautiful, badass shoes that do not require a compromise between style and comfort.  Honestly, I feel incredibly powerful every time I wear a pair of TOAS shoes.

Suzanne Rae

Suzanne Rae is a self-described feminist, and even has a “Feminist Pump” in the product line.    These shoes are incredibly stylish and creatively styled.  The full line-up includes everything from sandals to boots, though I am partial to the heeled loafers and low-heeled pumps.

The comments and compliments are many every time I wear my Suzanne Rae shoes.  Their designs are creative and fun, yet timeless, and the construction is of the highest quality.  Suzanne Rae is committed to environmentally responsible production in small family-owned factories.

Julia Bo

Julia Bo fulfills all fashionista dreams with the ability to create your own custom shoes design. They offer 32 different shoe styles including boots, oxfords, Mary Janes and loafers all starting under $200. You have the opportunity to customize everything from the sole to the shoe laces.  Available materials include vinyl, leather, and fabric.

The customization tool is easy and fun to use.  The hardest part is actually making choices because there are so many to choose.  I couldn’t have been happier with my completed pair of shoes.  The fit was perfect, the leather was soft and didn’t require a break-in period, and the quality if very good.

With these brands on the scene, I am no longer compromising comfort for style.  You really can have it all.