Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I really need to get back in the gym but I don't have any good sneakers for exercise. Can you recommend a good pair?

Signed,

Stilettos Over Sneakers

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Dear S.O.S.,

Any athletic shoe store employee should be able to help you find a shoe that will work for your workout. But there are also companies like this one that will have you walk and run on a treadmill barefoot to find the best shoe for you based on your movements.

Make sure tell the sales associate what exercises you plan to do while wearing the shoes. Its important for them to know this so they can outfit you with the best style. For example, you may want a cross-trainer if you're looking to use stationary cardio equipment and/or participate in a few exercises classes, or you may want to look for a solid running shoe if your plan is to take your workout to the streets and pound the pavement.

Also plan to replace your workout shoes every 3-4 months, or have more than one pair to rotate through. Wearing the pair that best suits your workout that day will not only increase your comfort but save you unnecessary pain in the long run. Another tip to increase comfort is to buy your exercise shoes one size up so your feet will have room to breath and expand during your workout.

Once you've found a pair or two that you like, look at shoe outlet stores to see if you can score a better deal on the same shoes, or ones comparable to them.

Now that you have the basic information you need, there's nothing holding you back from getting fit with happy feet!

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I need you to settle a debate that my roommate and I are having. She recently had a job interview and asked if she could borrow a pair of heels to wear. I told her sure, but being who she is, she chose the most expensive pair I own - my first, and might I add only, pair of black Louboutin pumps! When she returned them they seemed a bit stretched and I noticed a few scuffs. I told her she should reimburse me for them and keep them since they don't fit as well anymore and the scuffs irk me. She argues that she'll pay for the damage to be repaired but not for the shoes. Who's right? Should she own up and pay me for the shoes or should I lighten up and let her pay for the repairs and live with them?

Signed,

Red Hot Over Red Soles

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Dear R.H.O.R.S.,

Treating this as if it were "Fashion Court", you both have an argument. Looking at it from your vantage point, your prized footwear was damaged and deemed, in your opinion, "unwearable" where as she believes the shoes could be returned and worn once repaired.

A judicious suggestion would be to have her take the shoes to a quality shoe repair shop and have them fix all that ails you about the shoes and see if you can once again love them. If you still can't find it in you to love your old soles then try listing them on a site like eBay, Craigslist or take them to a local high-end designer consignment shop and gauge which refurbished route will garner you the best financial return. Now that the shoes have been repaired to "like new" condition you may get back most of what you originally paid for them.

Once the shoes have sold, see if your roommate will either cover the remaining cost of a new pair of Louboutins or split the remaining balance in half with you. Since you did tell her that she could borrow a pair of shoes for the interview, and failed to mention that there were pairs off limits, you have to take ownership of your part in this shoe debacle.

Going forward, it would serve you well to create some boundaries for your wardrobe/accessories to avoid having a calamity like this happen in the future.

In the case of roommate vs roommate, the ruling has been delivered. Fashion court is adjourned.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I want a pair of suede bucks for the summer but how can I wear them casually? I've only seen them worn with seersucker suits in the summer or something along those lines. Can they be worn with jeans? With shorts? Any other season besides summer?

Signed,

Gettin Buck

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Dear G.B.,

Bucks (short for "Buckskin") are one of the few men's shoe anomalies that straddle the fine line of "dressy casual" which, simply put, means that they can either be dressed up or down. Going in either direction is much less complicated than you think. To start, you must first decide which color will best suit your wardrobe. No longer are men relegated to the white, sand or tan color with brick colored soles (although one can never go wrong with a classic that's so right).

Once you've chosen a color (or two), its time to sit back and let the shoes do the rest of the work. As seen here, your Bucks don't have to match your outfit to be worn appropriately. In fact, with all the color options now available, you can have a veritable footwear field day mixing and/or matching this style shoe with your summer wardrobe.

A key element to pulling off the casual side of Bucks is to wear them sans socks and with a casual outfit, like shorts and a t-shirt. It's that simple. The shoes will elevate most any casual outfit's overall curb appeal and score you cool points with friends and fans of the shoe alike.

As far as wearing them in a season besides summer, don't be afraid to get your monies worth by stretching your Bucks wearability through to the Fall. With jeans, a woven shirt and a casual blazer, you'll look perfectly polished - albeit a tad preppy - for the weekend or a casual Friday at work without appearing overdressed or as if you're trying too hard to look relaxed. But even with these sartorial tips on how to treat and protect suede, opt for alternative footwear when your neck of the woods gets fall damp or winter wet with snow.

Many more guys should think to add a pair (or two) of these classic shoes into their footwear rotation. Bucks have proven that their popularity may ebb and flow, but with the new colors and styles, there's a pair out there for just about every guy, they just have to be open-minded enough to try them. As with anything, applying your personal style to something brings about a new interpretation, quite possibly inspiring someone else to try (on) something new. Long story short, there's more than one way to wear a Buck.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Savage Style

In Her Shoes

Maggie Feller: "Shoes like these should not be locked in a closet! They should be living a life of scandal, and passion! If you're not going to wear them... don't buy them! Leave them for someone who's going to get something out of them."

Rose Feller: "I get something out of them! When I feel bad I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit."

Every savage styler can agree that sometimes when the wardrobe isn't cooperating, that you can always count on your accessories for solace. And there's no better accessory to accent an outfit than a great pair of shoes.

There will be no argument from Sea of Shoes mom-and-daughter duo bloggers Jane Aldrich (pictured below) and her mother, Judy. For over four years the Aldrich women have chronicled their obsession for shoes - and their love of the fashions that they pair with them.

Bolero: Vintage

Grey jeans: Current/Elliott

tank top: Free People

Jewelry: Vintage

shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti

As it says on their site:

"We plan to include anything and everything to do with shoes, meaning present trends, future trends, ideas on how to wear them, critiques, designers we love-and some we don't. We recognize that you cannot neglect the other important aspects of the fashion world, and plan to share our ideas about jeans, accessories, bags, and anything else that pops in our minds. In the process we hope to meet other fashion devotees."

Dress: Lula B's

Jacket: Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

Tights: Hue

Boots: Alaia

Velvet jacket and bracelets: Free People

Jeans: Current/Elliot

Booties: Maison Martin Margiela

Leather jacket: Bicentennial at Cheap Thrills Vintage

Jeans: Hysteric Glamour

Boots: Balmain

There's no question Jane got much of her love of fashion from her mother, a former fashion insider. And now, she has her own bevy of devoted followers who not only admire her covetable footwear, but cultivated sense of style and styling.

"Blogger turned fashion-insider Jane Aldridge has since gone from everyday high school girl to serious tastemaker. Her site exists as a photo diary of her skillfully styled ensembles, comprised of cool mash-ups of vintage and designer pieces paired with incredible, covetable shoes, of course. Aldridge has directly influenced sales for designers and has gotten in on the design game with an Urban Outfitters footwear collaboration as well as a project with her mother Judy for contemporary label Gryphon."

Cashmere turtleneck: thrift store

Jeans: AG jeans

Stole: Vintage

Glasses: Vintage

Pumps: Prada

60's shimmery gold balloon sleeved, palazzo pants suit: Vintage

Gold platforms: Yves Saint Laurent

Men's shirt: thrift store

Skirt: Jelly Garcia

Ballet pink tights: Hue

Gold jewelry: Vintage

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Its warming up to be a very hot summer - in fashion and Fahrenheit - so don't be afraid to make a splash in shoes that dare to be colorful, eye catching or deemed a tad strange. And even if you don't make it to the beach to cool off, you can still plan to do a few laps in your own sea of shoes. Let the Aldrich's steer you through the choppy waters and towards a guaranteed good time full of fun, fashion and best of all, footwear!

Tunic: Vintage

Jeans: AG jeans

Turqoise jewelry: Vintage

Sandals: Roberto Cavalli

Think you've got enough style to be considered a shopping savage? E-mail your photos to dwaun@shoppingsavage.com with a breakdown of your outfit and your photo may be our feature of the week!

TOMS Club at USC goes toe-to-toe with "One for One"

Katie Winn didn't want to start just any club at the University of South Carolina. “I wanted to start a club that would be doing some good for mankind,” Winn said. This would explain why she decided to found, and now act as president of, the TOMS Club at USC. The club goes hand in hand with the TOMS “One for One” mission statement and they want to take action locally.

When asked what she hopes will happen with this eco-chic club being on campus, she plainly stated: “I want it to benefit other students. Students at USC are capable of making a difference even if it is just promoting the “One for One” campaign. I want to spread the TOMS movement message and be a part of something bigger.”

The club has planned a few fundraisers to help benefit the Relay For Life race on April 8^th. On March 24^th they are having a “One for One” cupcake sale. For $1 you receive a cupcake that you can either decorate or pick out a pre-designed one. That same evening they are partnering with Mellow Mushroom for a percent night. The idea is to stop by for a slice to support a great cause. You can also pay to create a team with them and walk for the cure.

The national TOMS campaign “Day Without Shoes” is a day where people are encouraged to go about their normal days except, and here’s the obvious catch, without shoes. It is to get a glimpse of someone’s life that has to spend everyday without footwear. To help promote this, the TOMS club is doing a week of events including a Barefoot Challenge and a Barefoot Scavenger Hunt. Prizes will be donated from local businesses.

On April 5^th, the actual “Day Without Shoes”, club members will be in front of the Russell House on Greene Street with a banner. You will be able to put your bare foot on this banner in colored paint to show that you spent the day without shoes.

The TOMS Club at USC holds biweekly meetings every other Monday at the Russell House in room 305 at 7:30 pm. Meetings last no longer than an hour if you want to stop by and either inquire about joining or to learn how you can lend a helping hand to the TOMS movement and this philanthropic club.

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The Row and TOMS Shoes

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are no strangers to the fashion world. They have set many-a-trend for their generation and because of this they came to launch The Row in 2006 to create the “perfect” tee shirt. From there the line has expanded into evening wear, outerwear, knits, menswear and sunglasses. With their aspirations towards making The Row an “american luxury lifestyle brand”, they said what better way to do this than to collaborate with the charitable company TOMS shoes. Ashley Olsen said that they “feel it’s really important to spread awareness of the TOMS One for One Mission.”

The “One for One” mission statement is just the icing on the cake for Blake Mycoskie, the CEO of TOMS Shoes. He started the company in 2007 after traveling to a village in Argentina that was so impoverished the families couldn't afford shoes for their children. With this in mind, Mycoskie decided that for every one pair of shoes he sold, he would give one to a child in need. The collaboration with The Row will definitely amplify the exposure of his charitable mission. Blake said, “With The Row, we've found a partner whose amazing interpretation of our classic ‘alpargata’ [Spanish for espadrilles] has truly taken our product to an entirely new level.”

The alliance offers three groups of shoes in plaid, wool-cashmere and herringbone. The prices range from $98-$150 and instead of only donating one pair of shoes, they will donate a few pairs from just one purchase. Mary-Kate added “The giving is immediate [and] having the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful has made the collaboration with TOMS special to everyone at The Row.”

Look for the shoes this fall on both TOMS and The Row websites.

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I'm noticing a trend of women wearing nude pumps. Are they a solid investment or just a fad?

Signed,

Nude Heels Hot or Not

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Dear N.H.H.O.N.,

Consider nude pumps to be the equivalent to black pumps. In that vein, nude or camel heels are more than just a solid investment: they should be considered a footwear staple. As of late, they are being manufactured in a multitude of nude hues, materials and textures so you can base the pair you purchase on your skin tone or find a traditional camel colored pair that are just as appealing. With either option, you're guaranteed a leg-lengthening silhouette stemming from a shoe that manages to coordinate with just about everything in your closet.

For fall and winter, a closed-toe pump or boot would work best to combat the elements and still guarantee you the same desired leg-lengthening-can-be-paired-with-just-about-everything appeal. Nude pumps would transition well into spring, but for summer if you are still in the mood to go nude, try finding a pair of strappy sandals that will elongate your leg but allow your toes - and pedicure - the much needed reprieve from close-toed footwear.

These additional tips are great footwear food for thought if you're still having doubts about the power of the nude heel. But trust in that you truly can't go wrong with a shoe that even though they're considered nude, reveal nothing but your gams potential to be considered for fashion's R Rating. The R is for Ravishing which means your look may contain strong sexy legs, adult language expressed by onlookers and of course, brief nudity...of the shoe. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I just landed my first corporate job, which means I have to wear a suit every day. I should be good on the suiting, but what shoes should I wear? In the past I've always worn a square-toed shoe for my dressier looks but I'm not sure if they're appropriate for this setting. Do you have any suggestions on what shoes I should wear instead?

Signed,

Corporate Square Toes

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Don't worry C.S.T.,

I'm going to help you get back on your feet - and in the best shoes for the job. You're going to want to invest in a pair, or two, of oxfords. The oxford shoe is vastly viewed as one of the more traditional and yet, stately-looking shoes a man can wear for business and still be taken seriously.

You'll want to invest in two pairs to start: one black and one in cordovan. Wear the black pair with your black and gray suits and the cordovan's with your navy, earth tone and again, gray suits, depending on your belt. (In case you've been misinformed: in the corporate world, matching your shoes to your belt is the only, if not safest, route to take. You can take it one step further and coordinate your briefcase, but it's not necessary.)

The added advantage of investing in a good oxford is that as you build your collection to include less traditional styles and colors (teal oxfords, anyone?) they can be worn with a suit during the week and jeans on the weekends for the dressier end of casual. (Be wild and wear a pair one weekend sock-less with shorts and a casual button-down, un-tucked with rolled-up sleeves when the heat index forces hemlines to your knees.)

Just remember you get what you pay for, so invest well and wisely into brands that, in-turn, invest the time and quality materials it takes to produce a well-soled shoe. It won't take long before

you realize that you've taken a step in the right direction by opting to wear oxfords. They're just

the perfect finishing touch to a professional head-to-polished-toe box look.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com