If you wear closed toe slingback shoes, then the microfiber slingback liner by Hue is for you. It’s soft, comfortable and very discreet. The translucent strap around the heel is strong and stays put. This marvelous little invention has converted my “4-hour” wedges to “8 hour” shoes. Brilliant.

The slingback liner is available online or at department stores for $6. A small price to pay for happy feet.

These super-flat Sam Edelman slingbacks are extremely comfortable and the slingback liner works well in them.

I have a repressed teenage dream. A pair of boots. I’m not sure whether this brand meant anything in America, but rubber-soled and yellow-stitched, British Doc Martens were big in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s in my neck of the woods. I owned a few of their less masculine looking shoes and lived in them for years. They matched everything in my wardrobe and felt like slippers.

But the Docs I truly wanted were off limits. I had my heart set on the 20 eyelet, classic knee-high black boot, but my mother thought they were absolutely hideous. Punks and goths owned this trend and there was no way Mum was going to approve the look for her wholesome daughter. Her stylish approval meant the world to me and I restrained myself from purchasing the boots of my dreams.

Now the Docs of my dreams are in my closet awaiting their Autumn debut (sorry Mum). I am champing at the bit to wear them. I love adding a hardcore edge to a feminine look. I can see them under my eclectic grey tartan skirt with an Anne Fontaine blouse, cropped biker jacket and chunky pearls. Or with tucked-in jeans, black turtle neck, red jacket and citron scarf. Throw in tweed and a ruffled top and it’s Equestrian all the way. My wardrobe possibilities for these boots are endless.

Do you have an inner fashion persona that needs to come out and influence your wardrobe, or a long standing fashion dream that you can finally fulfill?

The best features of these casual boots are their sturdy waterproof sole and high comfort level. They are perfect for traipsing around in Seattle rain. I’m thrilled that this British brand is back in my life.

Gladiators and strappy stacked sandals are the “it” styles for Summer 2008 footwear. Combine the two and you’ve got the next “it” sandal – the stacked gladiator. It’s hectically high, super strappy and hard to walk in for any length of time. It’s the shoe on Carrie Bradshaw’s feet in the recent “Sex and the City” movie. I have a hunch the trend is here to stay.

My feet hurt at the mere sight of these shoes, but I appreciate the look. Right now it’s uber hip paired with voluminous dresses, paper bag skirts and skinnies. The hardcore edge of the stacked gladiator creates a contrast with pretty dresses and skirts. That’s the uniqueness of the look which you either like or you don’t. Has your eye adapted to this look?

I have a hip client who can wear just about anything on her feet, and sports the silver snake skin, sling back style. She took one look at them on our shopping trip and said “those are fly!” With great excitement she wore them to work the next day with stone washed skinnies and a tomato red, belted, shirt dress tunic. I know she felt and looked fly.

The July 2008 issue of InStyle Magazine has a few lighthearted pages on Style Profiling. The article breaks “fashion personality” into five categories and uses five famous Cates/Kates as the role models to bring them to life. Answer 22 quick questions, tally the results, and your style is mapped to the five categories. Not to be taken too seriously of course, but the quiz was fun, and their categories are actually quite well thought out.

A. Naturalist (Cate Hudson):

“Your earthy inclinations mean you carried a reusable tote to the grocery store prior to Anya Hindmarch making it hip, and you wore ethnic tunics long before Etro turned them into a style must. Friends may tease you about the SIGG bottle you lug everywhere – but when you’re working your green-market magic in the kitchen, nobody’s complaining”.

B. Bombshell (Kate Bekinsale):

“Your sexy style signals, ‘look at me!’ – and that’s what happens when you’re wearing a curve-kissing Elie Saab dress, red alert lips and chiro-practically incorrect YSL saber heels. So there isn’t a sensible shoe in your closet, but who’s walking? You’d rather lounge at Katsuya Hollywood or cruise South Beach in a new Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead coupe”.

C. Sophisticate (Cate Blanchett):

“Feminine but not frilly, seductive but not showy, you live for luxury but are allergic to bling. Grace Kelly is your ideal, and Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera are your sartorial guardian angels. Your friends so admire your impeccable taste they won’t even buy a bottle of wine before consulting you first. There’s a reason – you never miss”.

D. Trendster (Kate Moss):

“Lots of girls want your edgy look- that’s why they always copy you. But by the time they’re doing Kova $ T latex leggings, you’re already onto Balenciaga rubber dresses. Hey, you can’t help that your inner sensor is finely tuned to detect the next cool thing. Since your presence at any party confers instant grooviness, you’re always invited – usually to DJ.”

E. Romantic (Kate Bosworth):

“You love ruffles and bows and have never been afraid to show it. This year, fashion houses from Marchesa to Valentino to Proenza Schouler are catering to your ladylike leanings. A devotee of the arts, like manners you don’t care for today’s rather casual approach to fashion, but you’re far too polite to scold”.

My results tied “Sophisticate” and “Trendsetter” in first place, with “Romantic” not too far behind. I scored very low in the others, so I suppose that I’m the furthest thing from a natural bombshell. How do you think you’d score?