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As popular as men’s footwear has become over the past few years, it still pales in comparison to the female footwear category. While TheShoeBuff has been trailblazing men’s shoe coverage on the Internet over the past few months, there are ladies (and a few guys, surprisingly) who have been blogging about female footwear for years.

Desiree Stimpert (Shoes.About.com)
Si Si Penaloza (ShoeMinx.com)
Kim Rowley (ShoeaholicsAnonymous.com, Omaha Shoe Examiner)
Manolo (ShoeBlogs.com)

The names above are some of the best doing it today. Here are their insights…

TSB: Please introduce yourself and your website.
Desiree: Hi, my name is Desiree Stimpert, and I’ve been About.com’s Guide to Shoes for more than five years. As the “Guide” to shoes, I blog and write articles about shoes nearly every day — I also do a host of other shoe-related things, like send a regular newsletter, host shoe forums, etc. My site can be found at http://shoes.about.com.

Si Si: Si Si Penaloza is the Editorial Director of WOMAN.ca, TheDailyPump.com and ShoeMinx.com. She’s driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market – commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives. Career highlights include interviewing the cast of Babel and Shortbus in the same day at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival – talk about social surrealism at its best! Catching a breathless moment with George Clooney at The Dubai International Film Festival on the eve of the Michael Clayton premiere. Working the Chopard gala and XMEN 3 red carpet as Segment Producer and On-Air Host for Living the Life on CTV, E! and SKY.

Kim: Kim Rowley, self-appointed President of Shoeaholics Anonymous

Manolo: I am the Manolo the Shoeblogger. And the humble shoe blog of the Manolo began in 2004, thus making it the first blog to be devoted entirely to the shoes, also thus making the Manolo the first shoeblogger.

TSB: Out of all the fashion niches, categories, etc. why did you pick women’s footwear?
Desiree: I do write about men’s and children’s shoes too, as I am the guide to “shoes” in general, but my focus has been primarily on women’s shoes. Being a woman, it’s easier for me to actually try the different styles and brands personally, and because there are so many changes in the women’s shoe market, there is also more to write about on a daily basis. I chose to write about shoes because it’s where my passion lies. Of course, I’m interested in other aspects of fashion, but for me, shoes were an obsession long before I ever began writing about them.

Si Si: Shoes are the fastest rising category in online apparel sales. We took queues from the visionary leadership and industry-changing success of Tony Hsieh and Zappos.com.

Kim: Because I’m addicted to shoes! I’ve had a love of shoes since I was little. I think I inherited the addiction from my mother and passed it on to my three daughters!

Manolo: Because, Manolo loves the shoes! Also, in 2004, when the Manolo began his shoe blog, there were many blogs devoted to cars, and video games, and sports, but precious few devoted to topics of interest to women, and what can be of more interest than the shoes? And so, It was the simple matter to put up the blog celebrating the shoes.

TSB: To what degree does your love of women’s footwear seep into men’s footwear?
Desiree: This is an interesting question. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed with men’s shoes in general, but when I see a pair of men’s shoes that have a particularly beautiful cut or design then my enthusiasm for them is nearly as strong as it would be for a pair of gorgeous women’s shoes. I just don’t think the average person runs across men’s shoes that excite them as much as women’s shoes do.

Si Si: When a woman goes toe-to-toe with a man, she doesn’t want to bump up against rubber soles. Gentlemen, when you bring a lady out on the town – wear shoes with leather soles or don’t bother showing. Sporting events and game night are the only time rubber soles are acceptable.

Kim: I appreciate a man who has good taste in footwear. You can tell a lot by a man by the brand and style of shoes he wears.

Manolo: Manolo loves all the shoes! The Manolo’s love of women’s shoes is the powerful aesthetic impulse, driven as it is by the desire to recognize and celebrate beauty in the particular. While the Manolo’s love of men’s shoes is more concrete and acquisitive. Nothing is as satisfying as wearing beautifully made, bespoke shoes, whose appeal is subtle and more personal for the Manolo than his love of women’s shoes, which is more intellectual and abstract.

TSB: What can men’s footwear do to become as interesting as women’s footwear?
Desiree: To be honest, I’m not sure I believe that men’s shoes CAN be as interesting as women’s. Of course, men’s shoes can be beautiful, classy, well-designed, and well-constructed, but unless men become willing to strap on 5 inch stilettos with platform soles and Swarovski crystals all over them, I’m just not sure there can ever be a comparison. It’s kind of apples and oranges to me, but I’d love to be proven wrong.

Si Si: Tapered toes, innovative leather treatment. I love a man in John Varvatos shoes when we’re out to dinner. When taking in the Rogers Cup in the Emirates Lounge, I love when my date shows up in Lacoste. A guy always looks fresh and polished in Lacoste, ready for a romantic walk on the boardwalk. I also appreciate El Naturalista men’s shoes for their supple leathers, using a technique unique to their brand. It’s a forward-thinking and laidback look at the same time. Very cool.

Kim: I don’t think that’s possible. Women (and men who wear women’s shoes) rule the runways.

Manolo: Becoming as interesting as women’s shoes should not be the goal for men’s footwear. To the largest extent, the men’s shoes designs are, and should remain, traditional and customary. Men’s shoes, by definition, allow little room for artistic self-expression. The shoes of the women are allowed to express individuality and whimsy, fancy and high spirits, beauty and design. While the shoes of the men must be content to differentiate themselves through quality of material and workmanship. Thus the greatest and best mens shoes are hand made with costly leather, while in form, differing not that much from less exalted men’s shoes. As for men who adopt outrageous and colorful footwear, they cannot be taken seriously, they are for the most part peacocks, pimps, and clowns. It is the simple fact that women’s shoes and men’s shoes perform different functions. Women’s shoes must express personality, style, and sexy sex sexiness, while men’s shoes must project status, taste, and power. This same difference holds true for men’s and women’s clothing.

TSB: How important is a man’s footwear when gauging a prospective friend, flame, or fiancee?
Desiree: Well, I can only speak for myself, and I never judge anyone on the shoes they wear. I understand that there are usually reasons behind the decisions they make, and I believe that a lot of guys choose the shoes they wear for either physical or emotional comfort.

Si Si: Style goes beyond just shoes, shirts, pants and jackets. Fashion is ephemeral while style is lasting. Whether you’re a dandy, a dapper or a dude – personal style is more in your diction and syntax than in the clothes on your back. Style is all about strength and confidence – not fashion. That said, we appreciate when a man knows what makes for a good shoe design. Even if a guy is short on cash, he can still get the goods by shopping smart. For the urban male, you can’t beat Diesel and Aldo as the ultimate hookup.

Kim: Very important! It’s one of the first things I look at when meeting someone who may be potentially part of my life.

Manolo: Very important. Shoes make the man. We admire and trust men who wear handsome, high quality shoes while feeling more ambivalent about men who wear shoes of lesser quality, or whose shoes are down at the heels. And we are positively averse to men who wear flamboyant shoes, whose shoes say “I am the show-off, please do not trust my judgement.”

TSB: Settle the score, sneakers vs. shoes for men?
Desiree: Both. Sneakers are great, and like I said before, I think a lot of guys are emotionally attached to them because that’s the only style they’re used to wearing; some men are intimidated by the idea of having to choose other shoes. Having said that, I really think those guys should take a shot and try out some other styles. Sneakers just aren’t appropriate for every situation, and wearing only one style of shoe is very limiting. I also believe that once they got over their initial qualms, it would be a wonderful boost to their self-confidence to slip on a pair of classic loafers, or dressy oxfords before heading out.

Si Si: Shoes. It’s time to grow up. Save your Chuck Taylors for game night.

Kim: Living in Nebraska, you’d think I’d prefer cowboy boots, but I don’t. I’m a city girl at heart stuck in a small town. I appreciate any shoes that are worthy of an airport shoe shine.

Manolo: Shoes. Please, this should not even be the question. Sneakers are appropriate only for athletic wear or very casual situations, such as taking out the trash, or “dating” the notorious tattoo model.

TSB: What are some of your favorite men’s footwear brands?
Desiree: Wow, there are so many, I can’t list them all, but I’ll give you a few. As far as sneakers go, I’m obsessed with Adidas and Converse — they just work. In sneakers I tend to go for the simpler and more retro styles, but I’m not opposed to something fresh, as long as it’s not too bulky or flashy. Of the more mainstream brands, I like a lot of what Kenneth Cole and Steve Madden have to offer, and they make style accessible to most men. In the designer category, Prada, and A. Testoni are some of my favorites. Prada for their range, and because some of their styles are more fashion-forward, and A. Testoni because their styles are so streamlined and luxurious. I also really love some of Oliver Sweeney’s dress styles. And when it comes to really high-end designers and bespoke shoemakers, I can’t say enough about George Cleverley’s and Silvano Lattanzi’s designs. They’re shoes are just gorgeous. In fact, their designs actually DO make men’s shoes seem as exciting as women’s. George Esquivel also has some amazing designs, and I particularly love some of his boots.

Si Si: Prada, Louis Vuitton, Hermes.

Kim: Mephisto and Nunn Bush. Because the first time I traveled to New York City, two different men had shoes that I adored so much that I had to ask them what brand they were.

Manolo: John Lobb, Berluti, Gaziano & Girling, Edward Green, all of whom make exquisitely beautiful bespoke shoes.

TSB: What about men’s shoe models specifically?
Desiree: My favorite men’s shoe styles include plain-toed casual loafers (especially in suede), and of course, classic, streamlined oxfords — again, I prefer a plain toe, although I do like a lot of bicycle-toed styles as well. I also have a think for thong sandals; not the rubber or plastic variety, but a simple leather or suede thong can be really great. I wish more guys would embrace wearing sandals with their casual, warm-weather clothes.

Si Si: A pair of black Louis Vuitton Lace Ups are the best investment a man
can make in his wardrobe.

Kim: For casual wear, I prefer leather oxford/sneaker styles, like Keen makes. For semi-casual, boat shoes are good. For dress up, you can’t go wrong with a good Italian made dress shoe.

Manolo: The Manolo is partial to the monk strap shoe, because it is ever so faintly eccentric and artistic. It is not suitable to business wear, unless one is the architect or the professor, which makes it the very humane sort of shoe.

TSB: Anything else you want to mention?
Desiree: Above all, I want people to wear shoes that are comfortable and fit them well, but I also want people to really love their shoes. A great pair of shoes can make you feel so good about yourself, and women have known for a long time that shoes can make or break the outfit, and the same goes for men’s shoes. Even a favorite pair of old jeans can take on a whole new look if they’re paired with stylish casual shoes instead of the same old sneakers.

Si Si: Best Dressed Men in Canada: Hotelier Tony Cohen, Surgeon Trevor Born, TIFF Co-Director Cameron Bailey, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, Designer Joe Mimran, Greta Constantine’s Stephen Wong.

Manolo: Yes, few things have made the Manolo as happy as the explosion of the shoe blogs. Where before there were none, now there are many hundreds of shoe blogs, each entertaining and wonderful in its own way. But this is all parcel and part of the democratization of fashion and fashion reportage, something the Manolo predicted nearly five years ago….And now we have arrived at the new age, in which teenaged bloggers are invited to sit in the front row at major fashion shows. What could be more amusing and encouraging than this?

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