The Shoes Everyone Keeps Asking Me About

The Shoes Everyone Keeps Asking Me About

By Charlotte Viuff

When you own a shoe shop, it is very difficult to resist all the tempting new styles that are constantly arriving. I am surrounded by beautiful shoes every day, so choosing a favourite is never particularly easy.

But as a businesswoman leading a busy lifestyle, my work takes me between the shop, the office and the warehouse, often with a meeting somewhere in between. It is important to me to have a shoe that supports me throughout the whole day — something I can be comfortable in while still looking smart.

Recently, we filmed a video at Via Veneto Shoes about some of the new arrivals in the shop. Afterwards, I had so many people asking me which shoes I was wearing in the video.

The shoes weren't actually in the shop at the time we filmed it. One of the perks of owning a shoe shop is that I get to choose from the new stock as it arrives at the warehouse!

But now the shoes are in the shop. So, if you were one of the people asking about them, you can try them on at Via Veneto Shoes in Constantia Village, or find them online. This particular style is true to size, so I wear the size I normally wear.

These Fratelli Babb D168 Comfort Wedges in Beige have become my current favourites.

Why I keep reaching for them

I like supporting smaller footwear factories that use high-quality leather, value craftsmanship and put special care and effort into the shoes they make. Another thing that is very important to me about working with smaller factories is that we can find unique shoes that you won't see everywhere else. Fratelli Babb is based in Europe, in Serbia, and these shoes are made there.

This particular pair has a comfortable, supportive wedge sole, and the upper is beautifully soft suede with just a little sparkle. They are slip-ons, so they're quick to get in and out of and effortless to wear.

But what I probably like most is their versatility.

My days don't necessarily happen in one place. I might start at the shop, spend part of the day at the warehouse, go back to the office and then have a meeting. I don't want to have to think about changing my shoes depending on what I'm doing next.

I can wear these in the warehouse and still feel perfectly well dressed for a meeting straight afterwards. They can be dressed up or down and, for my lifestyle, that makes them incredibly easy to wear.

For me, that's what a really good everyday shoe should do.

It should not make you choose between looking smart and being comfortable.

It needs to be both!

Also available in Black leather and Brown suede.