New FRYES at Sole Food!

We know, we know. Summer just started. But in the world of shoes, spring and summer is ending, and fall is a few weeks away! Sole Food's fall collection is already arriving, and we are excited; we have some great new styles from our one of our favorite companies...from Frye!

Carson Riding Boot 15L [US whole & half sizes 6-10]

This boot is a timeless piece, with great hand craftsmanship and beautiful, simple detailing. Made with fine, soft leathers, the Carson Riding Boot is a perfect modern interpretation of the classic riding boots of the wild west.

Jane Ankle Boot [US whole & half sizes 6-10]

The Jane Ankle Boot is made with awesome hand crafted leather and detailed with the signature Frye harness ring, studs and straps. With a little bit of lift with the 2" heel, this boot is ready to be dressed up or down.

Heath Outside Zip 15L [US whole and half sizes 6-11]

This boot is sure to be this season's best seller. The Heath boot blends together the best of Frye: its classic square toe seen on the signature Harness boot; oh-so-soft leathers, and great craftmanship! We have this boot in a beautiful maple brown, which is perfect for wearing all year round with your denim, skirts, dresses, everything!

This is just the beginning...we'll be getting more and more Frye boots as the summer takes off! And if you know these boots, these will not last long in our store! We have many more styles already in stock, and we have a great team that will help you get fitted with the right pair. Thanks for reading!

Chie Mihara

Sole Food is excited to carry a new line of designer shoes for women. You may have seen them in the store earlier this spring, but if you haven't seen or tried them on, you should!

(photo courtesy of chiemihara.com)

Chie Mihara is a world-class designer, born in Brazil, studied design in Japan, and now lives in Europe creating beautiful shoes. She launched her shoe line in Elda, Spain in 2002 with the goals of designing footwear that is feminine and attractive, without giving up comfort.



"Every Chie Mihara shoe features an anatomical footbead that Chie designed specifically to accomodate a woman's foot. "


Can you ask for more in a shoe? Chie takes great dedication and draws from her worldwide roots to design timeless shoes that have a background in vintage style but speak in contemporary language. Her collections reflect her multi-cultural background..."Brazil informs the feminine details; Japan influences her design approach; the U.S. contributes practicality; and Spain is the source for high quality construction."

You'll appreciate the careful attention and craftsmanship of these shoes!


Here are a couple Chie Mihara shoes at Sole Food:

(photo courtesy of chiemihara.com)
Wonder Sandal (sizes 36-41, whole & half sizes)

(photo courtesy of chiemihara.com)
Kaisi Shoe (sizes 36-41, whole & half sizes)

Orthotic-Friendly Shoes for Summer!

Summer is almost here in Seattle! Summer starts June 21 and that means warm weather and sunny skies in Seattle. The socks come off and the sandals and open shoes come in.

If you're an orthotic-wearer, you may have found it difficult to find summer-friendly shoes for your feet helpers. Here are some great styles that Sole Food carries that work well with orthodics.

Men's Styles
Camper Brothers Slip-On...features a removable footbed and soft leathers-very comfortable for a day out.

Keen Coronado Slip-On...seen here in a light grey canvas, the Coronado is a Keen classic. With a removable footbed and supportive sole, the Coronado also has a wider toe bed, which is great for those who need that extra wiggle room.

Cydwoq Markers Sandal...Cydwoq shoes are designed with a high quality leathers with a steel shank embedded in the sole. This sandal is great for those who need that arch support and a good looking shoe at the same time!

Women's Styles

Tsubo Hanwi Shoe...Tsubo shoes never disappoint. This great shoe has a removable footbed, comfort, and a nice light color palette for summer.

Keen Coronado Sandal...Keen has taken a spin off their classic Coronados and made a sandal for women...with a removable footbed! In a fun orange color, these shoes are great for everyday, whether you're walking your dog at Gasworks, or going for a stroll downtown.

Pr!vo Cailin Shoe..."Step lively" in these super cute red sandals from Pr!vo. This sandal features a depressed heelbed, which helps keeping your orthodic in the sandal.

Kid's Styles

Naturino 7781 Sandal...how CUTE are these little fisherman-style sandals! Made with a light canvas upper and soft rubber bottom, these shoes have removable footbeds if your little one uses an orthodic.

Merrell Iggy Web Jr. Shoe & Dolphina Maryjane...Merrell makes great shoes for children! These spring styles are very breathable and great for playing around.

So come on in and we'll do our best to find the right shoe (or shoes!) for you this summer!

Creative Recreation

Bold sneakers are back! Creative Recreation is a line of shoes you'll see standing out on our walls. These kicks show off with bold color combinations, classic sneaker lines and just pure fun style!

"Creative Recreation: characterized by originality and imagination, a refreshment of one's mind and body through activity that amuses and stimulates play."

I have met a few persons coming into our store looking for these C-Recs. My brother, who always knows what's "hip", tells me that these shoes are hot. They do look it! For men, we have many many styles and lots of great ones that fill the void between dress shoes and athletic wear.

Ponti V High Top (sizes 8-13): This is a nice, lightweight high top made with textiles instead of leather. It looks great with dark denim jeans or cargo shorts. The Ponti speaks organic, summer and comfort.


Dicoco Lo Shoe (sizes 8-13): The Dicoco line is one of C-Rec's classic lines. This spin on the wing-tip shoe will sure to catch the eye. Brown, tan and blue? Who knew that combo could look so good?

Cesario Lo Shoe (sizes 7-13): Another classic from Creative Recreation. You can't go wrong with black and white! The materiality of this shoe is refreshingly unique, with various textile uppers and great textures.

Creative Recreation, born out of Orange County, California, is recognized around the world and worn by many personalities, including young Hollywood stars and professional athletes. Their designers travel the world and draw inspiration from countries such as Egypt and Italy.

Not only do we have styles for men, but for women and children too!

Women Styles (from left to right): Cesario Lo XVI in navy and red, Cesario Lo in black & Galow Lo-Top in putty.

Children Styles (from left to right): Cesario Lo in red, Dicoco in black/white, Cesario in purple & Cesario in plaid. Sizes range from Toddler 6 (Euro 22) to Youth 6 (Euro 38)!

Getting to know Vin Baker

Here at Sole Food we carry not only great shoes, but beautiful handbags as well. Included with designers like Tano and Sorial, we feature Vin Baker, bags of Italian origin but handcrafted in Los Angeles, CA.

Vin Baker has been making top-shelf handbags and other leather accessories since 1951. Each product is made with so much care, for the consumer as well as the environment. Their designs are always fashionable and cutting-edge, but also understated just enough to be a timeless piece in your collection. The beauty of these handbags is in the hand-picked leathers, detailed hardware and unique silhouettes. Every bag will have distinct characteristics, making them truly one-of-a-kind.



Quick Facts on Vin Baker:

• All leathers are hand-picked from Santa Croce, Italy.
• All handbags feature Italian hardware.
• They are fully leather lined, with zipper pockets and a separate cell phone pocket.
• They are custom made in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Not only does Vin Baker provide the highest quality, they also make sure that every material used meets the highest environmental quality standards out there. The leather tanneries in Santa Croce, Italy recycle water used in their tanning processes and filter out any toxins or pollutants so that they are not released into the air.


Also, Vin Baker only uses secondary leather, meaning that they will not use leathers that were sacrificed from animals for the sole purpose of using the skins. Most leathers are vegetable tanned, using only plant-based products from chestnuts and mimosa plants.




All adhesives used are water-based, which means they are biodegradable and void of toxic chemicals that you find in petroleum-based products.

And all unused material is sent to be recycled!

To break it down, Vin Baker designs and produces eco-friendly purses with fashion flair! Sole Food is proud to carry Vin Baker and we just received some great styles from the Spring 2010 collection. If you're looking for your next great handbag, stop in our store and check them out!
Thanks for reading!

[Thank you to handbagtailor.com for sharing Vin Baker's bio!]

Sole Knowledge: Common Foot Problems

Hi Sole Foodies,

Today’s blog post is all about knowing your feet. We often have people come in with concerns about their footwear and the health of their feet. Some problems include pain, swelling and common foot conditions such as bunions and flatfoot. This posting is about the two common problems we see in the store: plantar fasciitis and bunions.**




Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects the heel of the foot with the toes and also supports the arch. When lots of strain is put on these tissues (such as from running on hard surfaces, being overweight or standing on your feet all day) tiny tears may happen, causing swelling and pain.

People with plantar fasciitis feel pain any time of the day, whether they are just getting out of bed, been sitting for a long time, or been standing for awhile.

Some recommended tips to help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis include the following:

• Take it easy! Cut back on the activities that make your feet hurt.
  Putting ice on your heel may relieve some pain, as well as common pain medicines such as ibuprofen and asprin.*
  
• Stretching can do wonders. Calf stretches and other leg stretches relaxes the muscles and gets them limber for the day. Do them in the morning and several times throughout the day.
  
• The right shoe is needed. Old shoes with worn down insoles have lost the needed support in the foot. Shoes with good arch support and a cushioned bed will help with walking, especially on hard surfaces.
  
  

Bunions

A Bunion is an unnatural bony hump that forms when the big toe of the foot is misaligned and move towards the little toes. This may cause red, calloused skin where the bump is, pain over the joint and an abnormal look. The main causes of bunions is genetics and narrow-toed and/or high heeled shoes. If left untreated, extra bone or fluid may build up near the big toe, causing even more pain.

So can bunions be treated? Sure. Extreme cases may call for surgery, but if noticed early, self-help is best. Avoid poor-fitted shoes. If the toes are squeezed into shoes, they will suffer. Shoes that have a wider toe bed will let your toes move freely and decrease pressure and pain. Orthotics may also provide extra cushion where needed.

Ouchie. Sole Foodies, take care of your feet! Wear heels in moderation. If shoes are uncomfortable, they're not going to get any better. Sole Food carries a diverse range of shoes and our bottom line is comfort. Our team will help you find the right pair for you.

Thanks for reading!

*We are not doctors, so please consult your physician before taking any medications.
**Thank you to http://www.webmd.com for the facts.

(Re)Mix your wardrobe.

[logo from Re-Mix website: remixvintageshoes.com]

I don't know about you, by I am smitten with Re-Mix Vintage Shoes. Since 1992, Re-Mix has been designing shoes inspired by the 1920s, 30s, and up to the 70s. That's right: unused, unworn, vintage shoes. They are fantastic.

The Re-Mix shop is located on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA and outfit many different personalities, from "Hollywood hipsters" to "rock-a-billy afficionados" and everyone in between. Re-Mix has been feature in many period movies, such as "Changeling", "Saving Private Ryan" and "Walk the Line".

This Scroll slingback wedgie is a Sole Food hottie. Inspired by the 1940s, the classic detailing and fun contrasting colors will sure catch the eye. This shoe features fine stitch detailing, soft leathers, and ultimate comfort. Available in US whole sizes, 6-10.

From the 1930s, the Anita Strappy Heel is an open-toed beauty. Unique to this heel is the U-cut strap, which adds more fun to the shoe. The open-toed structure and semi-low heel is perfect for all-day wear. Available in US whole and half sizes, 6 to 10.

The Balboa heel is an elegant heel featuring contrasting leathers and detailing from the late 1920s and earth 1930s. The T-strap is a feminine touch that visually narrows the foot, and with just a two inch lift, is great for dancing the night away! In US whole and half sizes, 6 to 10.

These are just few of the Re-Mix styles we carry here at Sole Food. Trust me, these are worth seeing and trying on.

More than Just a Spring Fling: The Story of my Love for Biviels

There I was, in the midst of shelves and shelves of super cute shoes. I was on a mission to find the perfect heel to compliment my birthday outfit: something comfortable, classy, and so cute you can’t help but do a double take. After trying on a couple of styles I found the one…

After this shoe, I couldn’t help but continue my devotion to Biviels. Every shoe is fashioned out of the softest calfskin leather for a butter soft feeling, the outsoles have a nice layer of high quality leather imported from Germany, and the individual styles are unique and timeless.
Here are some other Biviel styles that caught my eye:

I love this style because of the super soft suede lining and neutral coloring, the perfect complement to a cotton spring dress or linen pants.

This is one of my favorite wedding shoes. It has detailed stitching throughtout, giving the shoe texture. Its heel measures to about one and half inches to ensure all day comfort: the perfect shoe for your perfect day!Looking for a shoe with attitude? Look no futher than this cool grey biviel shoe. With silver studs to add just the right amount of pop and an elegant tear drop design at the forefoot, these shoes are sure to become one of your favorites.

Stop by and try all of our Biviels for yourself and FALL in LOVE.

C is for Clarks!

Say, when we ask you to think of Clarks, what comes to mind?

"Clarks? Only my mom wears Clarks."

"They are super comfortable."

"Boring!"

Here at Sole Food we LOVE Clarks. Clarks has evolved to be a company that designs shoes for all sorts of persons. They always push to create innovative and comfortable shoes on earth. And boy, are they good at it! Sole Food is proud to carry a wide assortment of shoes by Clarks Originals, Indigo by Clarks, and Pr!vo. Altogether, the Clarks collection is diverse, from strappy heels, classic leather shoes and sporty lightweight sneakers. The best part? You will find comfort in every single pair.

Clarks Originals
It all started with the Desert Boot (shown far left). Since 1950, this clean cut, crepe-soled beauty has been a worldwide icon. The Clarks Originals brand offers classic, simple shoes that prove to be timeless.

[from left to right: Desert Boot (for men), Tempest Sun flat, Kenzy Bliss loafer]


Indigo by Clarks
Indigo for women are fashionable shoes that are COMFORTABLE! Dress it up or down, these shoes are unique, feminine, and stylish.

[from left to right: Campania, Smooch & Lyon]

Pr!vo by Clarks

Pr!vo is all about casual style. Using lightweight technology, Pr!vo offers comfortable shoes that won't weigh you down. As they say, "there's a 'step lively' feeling in every pair"!

[from left to right: Poloma sandal, Gabbin maryjane, Ranford sandal]

Vans for the Family

The classic Vans are here at Sole Food with new spring style coming in every week. Some great new styles for women, children and men just arrived in our store!

For Men [left to right]: La Cripta Dos Mid Shoe (gunmetal); Classic Slip-On Quilted Pattern (blue); Whip Shoe (black)

For Women [left to right]: Aleeda Canvas Shoe (shown in blue/turquoise/gray; also have black); Authentic Lo Pro Gore (shown in black; also have red); Authentic Lo Pro Laceup (purple)

For Youth [from left to right]: Skink Shoe (sizes 10.5-3); Era Hearts Laceup (sizes 10.5-4); Era Multi-Check Laceup (sizes 10.5-4)

For the Wee Ones! [from left to right]: Old School Velcro (shown in grape); Zapzto Del Barco Laceup (Navy); Copely Velcro (pink/purple/gray checker)