Shoes Catalog and Boots Manufacturer Directory

Hoping to score a new pair of boots at the after-Christmas sales?

Be careful what you buy, warns the American Podiatric Medical Association.

It points out these potential pitfalls:

• Pointy toe boxes contribute to blisters, bunions, hammertoes and ingrown toenails.
• Stiletto heels cause excessive weight on the ball of your foot, which can trigger pain.
• Stiletto heels can be unstable, increasing the risk of tripping or twisting an ankle.

And it makes these suggestions for buying:

• Choose a wedge heel that isn't too high, for stability. A heel less than 2 inches high is best.
• Choose a wider toe box.
• Flat boots with a square toe box are good choices, but you may need custom arch supports or orthotics for increased comfort.
• Try on boots while wearing the hosiery or socks you'll wear with them.
• Pick a boot made of leather or natural fibers, to absorb moisture.
• Look for a firm heel counter, the back part of the shoe just above the heel. Push against it with your thumb: If it squishes down, your foot won't have much support.
• Remember that most fashion boots aren't made for snow. If you don't want to slip, look for a rubber sole and traction on the bottom.

Many women you know are having love affairs, but they aren't cheating on their significant others. No, what makes their pulse quicken and puts a smile on their face are shoes. The perfect shoes. Several pairs of perfect shoes.
Even I'm guilty of this passion; I've been known to create an entire ensemble based around my footwear.

Prima Royale, the Irwindale-based design and distribution company for Prima, Mudd and Kenzie, understands. Its motto is: "More than just a shoe."

The company started out with a unique shoe. In 1985, Levy's wife, PJ, came up with an idea to create velvet high top sneakers with lace shoelaces. Seeking someone to make the shoes, Levy met Harry and Judy Chow and they formed a partnership. This led to licensing with Mudd and Kenzie, and now Prima Royale caters to three lines that appeal to different age groups and markets.

What is striking about the shoes from this company is their beauty. The colors can be vivid or faint and the textures add interest. The shoes can be curvy and fanciful, or sturdy and practical. The fabrics can glitter in the sunlight.

Some styles are reminiscent of fine architecture. A high-rise leather clog has embroidery around the toe and a velvet ribbon. A slouchy tobacco boot has a red high heel, ribbons and grommets.

Prima Royale's expertise is in such details. The company has made its mark by mixing and matching fabrics and adding touches such as buttons, studs, yarn, bows, leather accents and colored threads.

Mudd is a junior collection with a natural look, which appeals to the mass market. Kenzie is primarily a young contemporary and somewhat sophisticated brand for 20 to 35-year-olds. Mudd Kids is for girls and Kenzie Jr. is for the 14 to 20-year-old market. Mack and Jack is a line for women 30 and older; it's like Kenzie, but with different types of fit. Prima is a fashion house that designs private label shoes by request.

In Prima Royale's early days, PJ Levy designed all the shoes. Today, the company has a team of designers from around the globe; some are graduates of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. The designers say they look everywhere for inspiration: They shop in Europe, scan magazines, and study handbags, jewelry, upholstery, fabrics and images to come up with fresh new shoe designs.

The perennial fashion favorite, Uggs do not have an insole, only a sheepskin lining. This means they do not give sufficient ankle support, which could lead to injury.

According to Robin Shepherd, of the General Osteopathic Council, the foot needs to be in a controlled, supported position with shock absorbency, both of which it may not get from a flat Ugg.

{link_exchanger} The boots can also be quite tight in the calf, affecting the "calf pump" - the muscular activity of the calf which helps blood flow back to the heart - causing circulatory problems such as edema.

This is an accumulation of fluid round the ankles - though this should correct itself once you stop wearing the boots.

The solution: Use an insole and avoid styles which fit too tightly round the lower leg.