It’s the season of the wedge heel. Not satisfied to be hidden away in the back of our closets until summer and no longer only paired with flared jeans and bohemian maxi dresses, the wedge has shed it’s hippy image and is masquerading as the new power shoe. A pair of three-inch black patent wedges have become the shoe of choice for a certain breed of new female politicians in Washington, D.C. The Kate Spade “Halle” wedges, a round toe, shiny black patent slim wedge heel, was even the focal point of a recent New York Times article about Reshma Saujami, who is running in the U.S. Democratic primary. Apparently she wears them with her power suits and runs around the capitol all day in these three-inch cushion clouds of patent leather.
The wedges are described by Ms Saujami as being as “comfortable as crocs”, the plastic gardening shoe that is sometimes horrifyingly worn in public as regular footwear. I find this hard to believe. Far be it for me to get into a debate with an American politician about shoes but I’ve never been able to successfully run anywhere or do my gardening in a pair of wedge heels.
There can be no denying that most wedges are easier and more comfortable to walk in than heels. But when these wedges resemble miniature tree trunks and feel as heavy as a fat squirrel holding a bowling ball, the difference in comfort level is negligible. Luckily, wedges seems to be multiplying like rabbits this season, with almost every designer offering their own take on the wedge heel for fall. It would be well advised for you to avoid cobblestone streets and any kind of textured roads when attempting to walk in big wedge heels. Experience will tell you that the larger surface area and thick platform of a wedge will make you remarkably unaware of small obstructions on the sidewalk like small stones and pesky curbs.
Some groovy wedges that I’d gladly attempt to run for the bus in:
SURFACE TO AIR Buckle Ankle Boots, £265
These soft camel suede lace up wedges are sturdy and aren’t too high with a simple buckle detail. Would look great with peg leg trousers, skinny jeans, skirts, thick tights, the list goes on and on. Also comes in black.
BALENCIAGA Curved Wedge Shoe Boots, £595
These shoe boots were made for stomping. Heavily. This is where things get tricky. They probably won’t hurt your feet like a pair of killer heels will but can you live with the guilt of possibly stepping on small animals and never realizing it?
ACNE “Admire” Ankle Boot with Wedge, £425
These pale grey beauties look just dainty enough to still have feeling in your feet. The perfect companion to my navy blue cape. And there is a little belt that fastens with Velcro in the front.
OPENING CEREMONY par ROBERT CLERGERIE Bo Ankle Wedge in Steel, $575
These are the wedges I imagine would be on the feet of any alien life form that invades Earth this AW10 season. Very practical indeed.
YVES SAINT LAURENT Hortense Cutout leather sandals, $635
These babies mean business. With a 5.5 inch heel and a 1 inch platform, I’m not sure how fast you would be walking. Not fast enough to outrun any aliens, that’s for sure.
CYNTHIA VINCENT “Kole” Oxford Wedges, $325
A bit more reasonable in price, this adorable oxford wedge is something that can is just as comfortably paired with pencil skirts, jeans and oversized cardigans. The covered heel is still 4.25 inches though so you can still stomp around to your heart’s desire.