Power Shopper

Truly, only one thing could induce me to relinquish my iced tea and head out, mad money burning a hole in my wallet as insistently as the greenhouse gases eating away at the ozone layer. I know the answer is already whispering in the back of your mind, growing louder by the moment, bursting through in a vision of Blahniks, Pliners and Jimmy Choos. That’s right, it’s time for ... shoes!

Janna Underhill, taking a break from the pursuit of her 27th master’s degree (I might be exaggerating, but there are a startling number of plaques on her wall) and renowned for her absurdly tiny feet, manages to pull herself away from air conditioning after the promise of a free lunch.

I have a craving today, and never one to not give in to it, I lead Janna straight to Sushi-Thai Too on Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads for an invigorating shot of panang. Why 93-degree heat drives me to tongue-numbing spice for lunch might be a topic worthy of further discussion on any other day. But all I can talk about today is shoe trends, like the new platform, with the sole under the ball of the foot nearly as built up as the heel; the cone heel, sturdy without losing any elegance; and the sudden sense of humor designers are allowing to shine through with bright colors and amusing adornments (even feathers!).

I drag Janna out while she’s still gasping for breath from her pad see eau and make The Village on Venetian Bay our first stop. (I’m hoping the water features will keep us from melting.)

Colleen at Martini Import Shoes doesn’t seem to be allowing the heat to bother her, and she coolly shoes us, me in Costa Blanca rattan-wrapped wedges with a gold net upper, and Janna in Beverly Feldman’s "All For Love," a red-white-and-blue-patterned shoe with red patent leather trim, an enamel-and-rhinestone pansy and a high, wood heel. It’s the first time in a 25-year friendship that Janna’s been taller than I am. Frankly, I don’t care much for it.

Sandals, yes, sandals are the way to go. We both try on J. Reneé’s, mine the "Pineapple" wedge with an adorable rhinestone pineapple on the straps, and Janna’s the "Strawberry" slide, a rhinestone, chocolate-covered strawberry on its metallic patent and clear vinyl upper.

The "Pineapple" wedges go in a bag for me, and we head to Pratt’s Shoe Salon on the south side of the Village. Its selection is more Janna’s style, and she quickly finds Stuart Weitzman’s "Vantage" in "dill," a vaguely greenish beige. They’re made with a tweedy fabric, but the antiqued gold cone heel with a trendy cut-out makes them anything but staid, and Janna, being slightly-tweedy-but-not-staid herself, is delighted.

The Donald J. Pliner "Manka" wedge sling-back is flashy and fun with its cork heel flecked with silver and a bright silver mesh upper. Its peep toe displays just the right amount of toe "cleavage" (look, I don’t make these terms up; talk to Manolo!), and I’m tempted to add it to my closet.

While I give it some thought, we head to downtown Naples, to Marissa Collections and its delicious array of the hottest high-end designers. The only problem I have with Marissa’s shoe department is that I always feel moments away from a four-year-old-style meltdown in which I am sorely tempted to clutch YSLs and Lanvins to my chest while wailing, "GIMME!"

Somehow able to maintain my composure, I get down to some serious trying-on, starting with Christian Lacroix’s raffia and bright blue satin cord stunners with a clear, blue-banded heel. I’m not ashamed to admit that I might have squealed. Following the Lucite heel trend, I try a five-inch, brown leather, peep-toe Chloé pump that feels so divine on my foot I consider trading in my running shoes for them.

Teal Manolo Blahniks with feathers running across the toes and slim heels are next, quickly followed by bright turquoise, thick-strapped Chloés with cone heels that look as if they’ve been dipped in black ink. But it’s the Yves Saint Laurent brown patent cork wedges that send me scurrying for the Visa.

Shoes have always been a special joy for us shoppers, but the designers have clearly upped the fun quotient this year, creating art for our feet. Colors (especially teal, turquoise, plum and purple) are brilliant, embellishments (rhinestones, wood, feathers, satin cords and patent trims) are fearless, and heels (Lucite, wood and rattan) are eclectic and more than just a way to gain a few inches.

Feet are the chosen canvas this year, ladies, so get those pedicures, grab a friend and go revel in the new artistry of the shoe!

The Mission
Shoe me.

The Contenders

Martini Import Shoes—The Village on Venetian Bay, (239) 262-2010
Costa Blanca "Joss" wedge, $185
Beverly Feldman "All For Love" heel, $175
J. Reneé "Strawberry" sandal, $79
J. Reneé "Pineapple" wedge, $82

Pratt’s Shoe Salon—The Village on Venetian Bay, (239) 261-7127
Stuart Weitzman "Vantage" heel, $275
Donald J. Pliner "Manka" wedge, $220

Marissa Collections—Third Street South, Naples, (239) 263-43337
Christian Lacroix Lucite/raffia espadrille, $895
Chloé Lucite/leather pump, $870
Manolo Blahnik teal/feathered heel, $645
Chloé patent wrap sandal, $595
YSL patent/cork wedge, $690