Customer Reviews

Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know

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What is it about women and shoes??? Stephanie Pedersen's "Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know" is an awesome history of shoess from past to present. The photos are delicious, and I enjoyed reading about the history of shoes.

One of my favorite sections in the book was "Red Shoes", which was all about the sexual power of scarlet pumps. The adage "red shoes, no knickers may or may not be true, but I ain't tellin'!

If you have more than two pairs of shoes in your closet, you'll love this book!

Carla
www.CarlaLynneHall.com

I am enjoying Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know so much that I have decided to order a few copies for my more stylish girlfriends as a Christmas gift. The book effectively describes how a woman's image is often shaped by her own shoes. Shoes described range from sexy -- I love the chapter on the stiletto -- to elegant and graceful, such as the chapter on shoes of the silver screen in the 40s.

The author, Stephanie Pedersen explains how shoes have been worn by women as a symbol of sensuality. Not only did I learn about the history of shoes from this stylish and reasonably priced book, but I learned about fashion, design and culture. Pedersen's artful descriptions coupled with the colorful images have really inspired me to consider my own shoe collection and what is says about me. After reading this book, I want to go on a little shoe shopping spree to add a few pairs to my own collection -- the book heps one to understand what shoes can say about one's image.

Now that shoes from the 20s, 30s and 40s are making a comeback in modern fashion, it is even more fun and interesting to read about how those styles were influenced by the trends, attitudes, movie stars and even dances of those decades. My favorite sections are "1923: The Charleston," "1939: Red Shoes," from the chapter "The Jazz Years." Also, "Shoes of the Silver Screen" from the Chapter on the Hollywood Years, and the section on Sex and the City from the Chapter, "The Designer Years."

The first chapter of the book is excellent, and fills you in on the fascinating history of shoes, with interesting bits of information such as the cultural attitudes in Asia and fashion trends in the late Middle ages, when Florence was the fashion capital of the world.

This is a book you will read again and again, and want to keep handy to refer to often to inspire you to consider shoes as a part of your own style, and certainly to show to all your friends. You will learn something about yourself from this book because it helps you to understand what your shoes say about you! Whatever image you want to convey from sexy to confident, graceful to elegant - this book will help you understand which shoe styles could help you make the precise statement you want about yourself and your sense of style and originality!

What is a guy like me, who does not particularly have a foot or shoe fetish (although I suppose if I had a fetish, this would be as good as any), and is pretty much oblivious to women's fashions, doing reading and reviewing a book on women's shoes? Well there are a couple or three reasons. First, my wife is a shoe freak. If she had he money, I am sure she could and would have given Imelda Marcos a run for her money. As it is, she has done pretty well for herself anyway. I don't understand this, but figured it was about time, after 47 years of marriage, that I check up on the subject. Secondly, I was ferreting through books at the library and happened to see this one; it caught my fancy and I figured why not. Third, I am a history buff and there can be no doubt that clothing, including shoes, have played a part. Forth, I am simply a curious sort of fellow and to be honest, I have never read a book devoted to women's shoes and felt I might me missing something.

Anyway, I have to tell you that this little book is an absolute delight. I never imagined that there could be so many different (yet, in a way the same) kinds of foot wear for women. This book takes us back to the beginning and gives us a nice little history. The real meat of the book though starts with those shoes worn my ladies Pre-1900. Wow. This work then works its way up through about 2004.

I must tell you that the photography in this work is great and of the highest quality. The ways the shoes are presented here make them into almost art objects rather than utilitarian wear. The book is filled with old magazine adds from the past, and glimpses of some of the accessories that are used.

The text is fun to read. Not only is it funny in places, but is extremely informative. I learned more about shoes reading this thing than I probably wanted to know, but I enjoyed every word.

While and after reading this work there are a few things (as an outside observer) that made an impression on me:

Shoes are quite tied to a person's ego and self image of themselves. Shoes, for the most part, make a very strong sexual statement, or non-statement, as the case may be.

It would appear that styles have changed over the years, but the function has not. Yet...and yet...after looking at the changes in shoes since early times and comparing them year after year, I am not at all sure if styles really have changed all that much. It would seem to me that if you wait long enough, what ever shoe you have in your shoe place will eventually become stylish again. It might take a couple centuries, but back in style it will be.

It would seem to me that women's shoes in general were originally designed and are still designed (we are talking high fashion shoes here folks) by experts in medieval torture. There is no way in the world I could even get my foot into some of these things, much less walk and function in them. My admiration for women's athletic abilities and high pain threshold has risen.

This is a fun and interesting read. It may well not be your cuppa, but I found it fascinating. The only complaint I have about the entire work is that it did not, to my satisfaction, answer the question, "What is it about women and shoes?"

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

You don't have to be Carrie Bradshaw to love this little book, beautiful and fascinating if you love shoes this book will give you lots of delightful insights into the way shoes have evolved. Lovely photographs and the writing is delicious. Make a wonderful stocking stuffer for the shoe-shopper in your life.

It is said that a woman cannot have enough shoes or handbags. I heartily agree.

This is a wonderful book that should prove of interest to almost all women and men too! Packed with informative and colorful illustrations, we are taken on a journey detailing the history of footwear from Ancient Egypt to the present day. And what an interesting journey it is.

There is something for every shoe afficionado in this small but fun book. Perhaps the biggest lesson to be learned here is that if one waits long enough, any style of footwear will once again become popular and a "must have" piece of a woman's wardrobe.

Which reminds me, a local shoe store is having a sale this weekend....

LOVE the fact that there is pop culture included. More content than most. I love the section on Sex and the City!

One would think Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know would be another historical survey or a shopping guide: actually, it's both under one cover: a history and a consumer's guide with lovely color photos following, literally, the ups and downs of shoe styles and considering how shoe trends are influenced by fashion. From how shoe sizing began to wartime shoes and art deco styles, Shoes is packed with color and interest, and is highly recommended for any with an interest in shoes, from students to casual consumers.

One would think Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know would be another historical survey or a shopping guide: actually, it's both under one cover: a history and a consumer's guide with lovely color photos following, literally, the ups and downs of shoe styles and considering how shoe trends are influenced by fashion. From how shoe sizing began to wartime shoes and art deco styles, Shoes is packed with color and interest, and is highly recommended for any with an interest in shoes, from students to casual consumers.

One would think Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know would be another historical survey or a shopping guide: actually, it's both under one cover: a history and a consumer's guide with lovely color photos following, literally, the ups and downs of shoe styles and considering how shoe trends are influenced by fashion. From how shoe sizing began to wartime shoes and art deco styles, Shoes is packed with color and interest, and is highly recommended for any with an interest in shoes, from students to casual consumers.

I love this book. The topic of shoes has never been so fun, with fantastic pictures from the turn of the century to great research by Ms. Pederson. I was captured by this beautiful book's charm and in depth understanding of everything shoes. I found myself reminiscing on those Doc Martins I had in the 90's...
Buy a copy for yourself and a girlfriend.