Wedge way to go?

It dawned on me while walking the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong earlier this month that I couldn’t be the girl who sacrificed comfort in the name of style anymore. Three consecutive days of walking around without taking a taxi had taken its toll on my feet that were shod in cute ballerina flats that were clearly built for idly ambling around shopping malls, not several days of commuting on foot and by train. As a stabbing pain shot through my right foot, I gave in to one of the signs that advertised a 30-minute foot massage for 98 HK dollars — a fortune, considering that that amount could get me a full-body massage back home, but I had no choice. I was limping, but I was determined to bring home my weight in new clothing, and that would entail plenty more walking.

It’s for this reason that I’ve begun to retire my five-inch pumps. At five feet and seven inches, I hardly need them anyway and if I absolutely must wear them, I always make sure to bring flats with me.

Wedges make your gams look just as great as they do in heels! Stella Luna’s wedge collection at the Adora Shoe Mecca.

While perusing the new spring/summer 2012 collections, I noticed a footwear trend that seemed to pop up on various runways: The wedge! Of course, I thought. They’re the perfect shoe for spring, especially the classic kinds made with cork and wrapped in rope, then secured with either adorable bows or utilitarian buckles. Also, since wedges provide more arch support, they lessen the stress on your feet and ankles and provide more balance, so you can actually walk normally.

If you want to let out your inner flower child, the easiest way to go about it would be to pair them with wavy hair and a lace eyelet dress or go all-out in ‘70s get-up with wide-legged pants and flower prints. If you want to try something slightly more preppy, try wearing them with patterned socks — cute and nerdy chic, but not in a sickly Zooey Deschanel way. Depending on the design and material, wedges are also great options for going out because not only are they on-trend, they’re also a great alternative to tottering about in high heels.

Whoever said that you have to pair wedges with woven straw totes? Here, the Schutz Wedge Linho in Rosso/Miele (P6,450) is paired with a Givenchy Nightingale tote.

Another really important factor to consider in buying the right wedges is quality. Wedges made with poor craftsmanship are just as uncomfortable as any shoe when they’re not done properly. Here are some of my favorite picks from Schutz and Stella Luna at Adora’s Shoe Mecca. With the two brands, you can go either way.

Schutz created a collection that’s closer to the original wedges that were made by Salvatore Ferragamo with stacked cork in the ‘30s. Nothing beckons summer more than their wedges in vibrant hues of orange, pink, red, and violet. Plus, they’re the type that you can take from the mall, to the park, and even the beach.

Stella Luna’s collection of wedges, on the other hand, leans more towards fashion-forward sensibilities instead of reverting to classic designs in a way that only Stella Luna can. Taking inspiration from the retro vibe of the ‘70s, as opposed to the flower child look, resulted in a collection with groovy lines and space-age neons. These are definitely not your grandma’s wedges and best of all, your feet won’t look casually underdressed in them when you’re on a night out. Dancing all night without having to limp on my way out? Yes, please.

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The Adora Shoe Mecca is located at Adora, 2/F and 3/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati.