High Heel Comfort

If you've ever wished you could have comfort in a sexy high heel, your wait is over.

New from Tara Shoes, Valentina, in mesh, suede and patent is a handmade high heel that you can wear all night. Sooooooo comfortable you'll feel like you're wearing slippers.

For more fine handmade shoes from Tara, visit the website at http://www.22tangoshoes.com

Why are some shoes so darn expensive?

Here are three simple shoes. 

The first, in brown patent, is priced at under $100.

The second, in black suede, is under $200. 

The third is under $600.

But WHY??????

I've been designing shoes for about 10 years. I've been a shoe fanatic since I was a child. I remember the excitement of going downtown to the big department store in Bangor, Maine, where I grew up. In the basement there was a bin in the back where all the final markdown shoes were piled up willy nilly. I was never disappointed in the selection. This place was heaven for a kid who grew up wearing Buster Brown's (brown, Buster Browns, to boot). There were high heels in sample sizes, colorful sandals and shiny patent confections with ribbons and bows. And best of all, these shoes were priced for a kid's budget. I remember a pair of hot pink sandals with kelly green linings that I bought for $2.99! What a find! They weren't exactly my size, but for that price, who could resist?

Now I design my own shoes. I started because I had fallen under the spell of Argentine Tango dancing and the shoes I had to choose from were killing my feet. So I took the plunge and sought out a small factory that could make the kind of comfortable shoes I needed in the kind of styling I love. I figured that if I made a good product that met the needs of dancers, maybe other women would want to wear these shoes, as well.  

But back to the initial question: 

Why are some shoes so darn expensive?

The little brown patent Mary Jane is most probably made in China. There shoes are cranked out in huge quantities, by machine in materials that are generally less costly. The "patent leather" is probably plastic. The sole, too is probably plastic or composition leather at best. The linings also are synthetic. 

But why should that matter? They're cute and the color is great!

Well, if you don't care how your feet feel when they start to sweat from all that plastic, rub up a blister or two and ache from the stiffness of the shape, they'll probably do just fine. For $99, you'll be able to afford a trip to the podiatrist

The black suede ankle strap is made in South America. The suede is kidskin, the linings are soft leather and the sole is also natural leather. This shoe is handmade, meaning the skins are stretched by hand onto the shoe form so that they move with your foot as you travel through your day. They also have a heavily padded insole for added comfort.  For $185, it's a bargain.

The black patent Mary Jane is from Manolo Blahnik. It's pricey, but you can be sure that the patent leather is leather and most probably so are the linings and sole of the shoe. For $585, is it worth it? They tell me that Manolo shoes are very comfortable - I don't know, I can't afford them.

Stay tuned for new photos of the Summer 2008 Collection from Tara Shoes

http://www.taratangoshoes.com

Robin Tara