Thursday, May 01, 2008

Guest blogger Benjy on high heels

Dear Benjy, how do Parisian women manage to walk in 5-inch heels? Chloe

Dear Chloé, dear readers, Ah, the mysteries of Parisian women! As if walking in 5-inch heels weren't hard enough in itself, they are also often seen trotting on tricky coble-stones and biking on Vélibs with such shoes... My unique vantage point, super low (yes, I am tiny!), allows me to study shoes up close and I believe the secret to walking in heels is to choose well-designed shoes. Christian Loboutin, who shared his knowledge with the readers of the British Harper's Bazaar May issue, and I would like to give you some tips:

You need a heel that sits in the middle of you heel, not one set flat against the back of the shoe. The top of the heel, where it joins the shoe, needs to be as wide as possible, as does the gap between the bottom of the heel and where the sole touches the ground.
That's why Mary-Laure's Martine Sitbon heels are so easy to walk in...

Dear readers, if you too have a question about fashion, shopping, Paris or anything, post it in the Comment section. The Oracle always answers!
Benjy

A note from Mary-Laure: those of you who liked my article on CalorieLab about Smart Choices At French Bakeries, may want to read my companion article on Smart Choices For Dessert at French Restaurants.

19 comments:

marie said...

im hopeless in heels..but i love flats, and although im not tall, im not quite as tiny as you benjy..so my feet are normally found in ballet flats or sandals!

Anonymous said...

I am happy to read your quote from M Loboutin. I sometimes feel a bit "old fashioned" choosing shoes that have a heel that is exactly what he describes! I see heels that are very bad for our backs and feet all around.

Solange said...

I love heels, but I can't wear the narrow heels, I need some wider heels, so I can balance better!
but there goes nothing above my comfortable brown leather boots, they are a dream to walk in.

have a good weekend!!

Solange

mansuetude said...

i really love your dog photo--love that nose. regal.

read me... said...

Hi there, I've just visited your blog for the first time... so cool! The link to 'learn about ranunculi' doesn't seem to be working... if you visit read me... you will see that i adore ranunculus flowers.

Anonymous said...

Benjy is lucky as he's not obliged to walk through Paris streets with these gorgeous heels... but his mistress is even luckier than him: Benjy doesnt seem to like them for his own convenience as he would need two pair of shoes!!! all things considered, Benjy is not such an expensive oracle.

Mary-Laure said...

SOLANGE - I love boots too...

READ ME -thanks for brining to my attention the problem with the link, which I've fixed. Now you can learn more about these beautiful blooms!

PIERRE - yes Benjy's mistress is very lucky: that's because she has Benjy AND you in her life...

Jill said...

Oh, how I wish I could wear high heels more. I do have one pair, but I just can't walk in them for too long. Great article on French desserts and cheeses, Mary-Laure! Your writing is terrific.

Stacy said...

I am going to Paris in 3 weeks for the first time . . . any suggestions?

J.M. Powell said...

benjy is the most adorable guest blogger ever...he looks like my mini dach bentley!

Anonymous said...
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Unknown said...

Very good advice Benjy!

Ella Gregory said...

It is possible to walk in 5 inchers, I have before
The hard bit is managing to stay comfortable in them for a day!

Lu. Lu. said...

I wish I could pull off the heels. Love your blog, I'm jealous that you are currently around amazing food & people. I grew up in France (les vosges) and I moved here when I was seven. I am now an Americanized French girl with a torn heart between the two countries. Anyways, j'adore votre blog :)
-Lucie

Mary-Laure said...

Juliam -oh I'd love to see pics of Bentley. I hope there are some on your blog!

Jill - thanks for your compliments; I hope my tips help next time you have French food...

Stacy - omg, there is so much to see in Paris! If you tell me what you're interested in (fashion? arts? parks and gardens?) I may have a few tips for you, off the beaten tracks.

Coco - yes, Christian Loboutin says some shoes are 'limo shoes': you need a driver on call to walk in them, ha ha ha.

Lucie - I know how you feel, as I'm half French and half American; sometimes I feel torn and sometimes I feel very lucky.
And you?
Merci de tes mots gentils!

Chloé Van Paris said...

Thank you Benjy.I am happy to know that you are feeling better and that you are enjoying the sexy parisian heels.Like your mommy marie-Laure i love the Louboutin shoes.We all know that French are the best for fashion (hahaha....)
Your article inspired me: i wrote about heels toq in my Blog. "2008 Trend: Most painful heels"

Unknown said...

Great post!
I love heels, but it is not easy wear them.

tangobaby said...

I really need Benjy to come out to San Francisco and consult me on my closet.

I have to say that M. Laboutin is correct about the stilletos. As a tango dancer, I dance in 4" stilleto heels and think nothing of it. Some of my dance shoes are more comfortable than my regular heels. It's all about the placement of the heel.

Mary-Laure said...

Tango Baby - I'd love to see some of your tango shoes; they're usually so elegant! I