Everything there is to know about Wedges
Wedges are a type of platform shoe that have been around for more than 70 years. These high heeled shoes are extremely popular because of their many styles as well as the comfort of these women’s shoes. This style of shoe is most associated with summer footwear because of the qualities akin to a sandal, but today they can be worn throughout the year, even during the winter months. Many of today’s top fashion designers, including Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Opening Ceremony, Jean-Michele Cazabat, House of Harlow 1960, and Rag & Bone all have their own kind of fashion designer wedge available to purchase by women everywhere. Wedge heels differ from high heels because the former has a thick heel that goes from the arch to the heel, while the latter has a completely separate heel. The heel can vary from a slight lift to a few inches high depending on the personal taste of the women.
The history of wedges
Salvatore Ferragamo, a very popular Italian designer who is known around the world for his prolific fashion creations, designed the first wedge shoe in 1935 for those individuals who had orthopedic needs. The first wedge heel for popular consumption was created by Ferragamo a year later in 1936. Ferragamo was known for utilizing wood and cork for the heel due to a rubber and leather shortage in the country at that time. However, of the two materials, cork was the more popular material for the heel because it was durable, sturdy, and much lighter weight than the wooden wedge heels. In the United States wedges became extremely popular during World War II. They were also made of cork because rubber and leather materials were necessary for the American war effort. However, the fashion style at this time required a bit of height and wedges were much easier to walk around in than much skinnier heels. During the 1940s, heels on wedge shoes reached up to five inches.
Wedges disappeared from fashion stores everything at the beginning of the 1950s and did not resurface again in popular fashion until the 1970s. As with many other fashions of this decade, the designers were colorful, loud, and sometimes even a bit outrageous. Most people know of the wedge shoes that were mini aquariums for goldfish to actually live. In the 1970s, the higher the wedge, the better it was for the women. However, as the 1970s disappeared, so did wedges once again. It took another 20 years, until the 1990s, for this shoe to come back into mainstream style. Wedge sneakers became all the rage around the world and were seen being worn by a number of celebrities. At the turn of the twenty-first century, they disappeared from shelves again until 2006. Currently, wedges come in all shapes and sizes, including t-strap, flip flop, strappy, lace ups, and all other designs. The heel is made of anything from cork to hemp to plastic.
A vast variety of comfortable wedges
If women are looking for a nice pair of wedge shoes, there are a number of options to select from as wedges come in numerous different styles, including materials, color, and height. Women enjoy them because they are a comfortable alternative to traditional high heels. The weight of a person is much more evenly dispersed in a wedge. One of the most common forms of casual wedges is the espadrille shoe. They have a rope sole and usually cloth material on the top. They are seen as extremely chic and very casual, but should only be worn during the spring and summer time because of the “sunny vibes” they give off. Clogs with wedge heels are also quite popular as the clog is becoming much trendier over the last few years.
Many women enjoy wearing peep-toe wedges. They are a great alternative to sandals because they do not show off a lot of the toes, but just enough. These shoes come in a variety of materials, including patent leather, plastic, and other cloth-like materials. Some of the designs of peep-toe wedges are casual while others are much more formal and can be worn with business suits and formal dresses. Male inspired oxfords are one of the latest shoe styles to get the wedge added to them. They are extremely fashion-forward and come in a number of styles and colors for women to enjoy. In the winter, boots with wedges take the place for high heeded boots. These boots can be just as classy and elegant than any other type of boot available on the market but offer much more stability than high skinny heels when the ground is covered with snow and is icy.
What should you pay attention buying wedges?
When looking at wedges, first look at the material that the shoe is made from. While wedges can be made from a number of different materials, cork is the most popular, while solid wood and leather follow in at a close second. The top part of the wedge can include any number of materials and what a woman chooses is based upon their personal preference.
Take a look at the structure of the heel of the wedge. These heels are known for having solid foundations. Many women find they can wear much higher heels as wedges than as traditional high heels. Wedges offer more stability, decreasing strain associated with the feet, knees, back, and other joints within the lower extremities. Wedges also offer additional ankle support as well.
Always look for the best fit with these types of shoes. Unlike other high heeled shoes, wedges do not wrap around the foot or curve up. Therefore, women need to always make sure they find a pair of wedges where their feet remain right on the shoe itself and do not hang over in any way. As well, the shoes should not be too much room right behind the heel of the foot. With too much room, feet can move around a lot more in the shoe, increasing the possibility of friction which will cause injury to feet.
Wedge shoes can be either dressed up or they can be dressed down. While at first wedges were more of a casual shoe, numerous fashion designers are taking a more formal approach with them by jazzing them up and making them much more elegant. Look at the outfits handing in a closet and select which pieces to add to the full fashion ensemble. For instance, pair a nice pair of wedges with skinny jeans and a nice blouse, or pair them with a nice, flowing skirt, a tight tank top and some standout, funky jewelry. Because this type of shoe does add a bit of bulkiness to the foot, do not pair them with loose flared jeans or long skirts. Aside from skinny jeans and flowing knee length and tight skirts, they can be paired with pencil skirts, straight leg jeans, thin-legged trousers, A-line dresses that come away from the leg, Capri pants, and even shots.
Buying wedges that will suit you
Many wedges today come with a design along the side. These eye-catching details can often be incorporated into the complete style of the ensemble. It adds a bit of an extra touch that many women like. It can assist in typing a whole outfit together and make it even more stand out than before. However, a mistake women make is buying a pair of wedges with a funky design and then taking them home to find they do not match anything in the wardrobe. While buying new clothes is always fun and exciting, women should be sure that the shoes they purchase match some clothes in their closet.
Before purchasing a pair of wedges, always try them on at the shoe store. Women should make sure they are able to walk in them, that they are comfortable, and that the material on top does not cut into their feet. Do up all the straps, laces or whatever else they have on them to keep them on the feet. Women should not just stand still and admire they way they look in the mirror. Walk around the store and get a feel for them. Answer the question of if they can see themselves wearing this pair of shoes with a number of different outfits they have in mind. Never ever buy a pair of shoes before trying them on. The worst thing to happen is to purchase a pair of wedges and find out they do not fit right and are not comfortable to walk around in. Women should be comfortable at all times, and this includes their feet as well.
Women wear wedges for a variety of reasons. They want to make their legs look longer; their body looks much thinner; and improves their posture. Wedges offer much more support than most pairs of high heels, including stilettos. This greatly reduces most ankle and foot problems common with most heeled shoes. It is also much easier to balance on them, thereby reducing the number of slips and trips associated with most high heeled shoes. For a great shoes that is versatile and fun, go with wedges!