Portland Picks wants to dish out the “Buzz” on our favorite shoe stores in town where you can splurge on all the hot new spring styles.
It might still be gray outside but the Fashion [shoe] Forecast calls for color, from dark hues to neon brights. Shoes are pre-dominantly wedges and sky high. Black and colored ballet flats, a la Audrey Hepburn, are still in abundance. There’ll be more peep toes, Ankle straps and again, lots of patent leather heels. The most current shoe for this spring season is a bold platform high heel with an open toe and ankle strap.
There are so many shoe stores and so little time! Okay, not really, there’s ample time, but get ready, get set.... Shop!
Feeling Kicky
Spring weather has arrived! (We think? We hope!) And we know what that means…spring shoes! And since spring is also the season of rebirth, we need to share news of a rebirth, in one of our favorite shopping zones: Tootsie’s is now Talula’s.
Different name, but fear not—everything else remains the same! Talula’s has the same drool-worthy collection of footwear, bags, and accessories. You can still get a pedicure right on site. And now boots are 70% off to make room for the cute sandals, wedges and slides that adorn their tables and shelves.
So whether you’re stocking your shoe trees for spring or getting a fabulous deal on ankle booties, be sure to stop by. Besides, Talula’s just sounds kinda sumptuous, right?
Talula’s
820 NW 23rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97210
503.222.0228
Tagg, You’re It!
Shoe fans, shoe fans, everywhere a shoe fan. Aren’t you tired of boots and muddy waders? We know we are. So check it out: NW 23rd’s shoe empire is now complete, with the addition of Tagg Shoes. Downstairs from Talulah’s girlie shoe and pedicure emporium awaits a whole new category of fabulous footwear.
While Talulah’s specializes in dressy shoes for women, Tagg carries women’s casual, men’s, and children’s shoes. And the colorful kids’ area is just the cutest thing we’ve ever seen, with a train set, a DVD of Toy Story playing, and a separate nook to play while mommy does her browsing. Genius!
While we would have killed for Tagg’s setup when we were a young’un, we don’t at all feel cheated by what’s in store for the grownups. Adorable flats, sandals, sporty shoes, and accessories like purses, belts, and Spanx make us very glad indeed that we are wimmin. And don’t leave the guys at home—there’s a section just for them. Tagg makes shoe shopping fun—and stylish!—for the whole family.
You know what they say about guys with big feet. They’re…um…hard to buy shoes for. But no longer: Take your guy to industrial-chic Baddoll/Oddball, where on the “Oddball” side of the store, men’s shoes start at size 14. While he tries on any of Oddball’s vast selection of Vans, adidas, Diesel, Puma, and Reef kicks, you can check out shoes for yourself on the Baddoll side of the store, including cute Lacoste, Terra Plana, and PF Flyers. Because nothing bonds a couple like shopping together!
Baddoll also offers adorable kids’ shoes, so don’t hesitate to pick a pair up for your young’un. Or let the kiddles play the Donkey Kong game while you shop. Or you can play it while your man shops, and then let him try to beat your score when he’s done. Because at Baddoll/Oddball, it’s all about equal opportunity.
Baddoll/Oddball
1639 NW Marshall St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.525.2202 www.baddoll.com
New Spring Shoes at Bella Moda
Spring has arrived—in shoe form at Bella Moda Designs! Choose from flats, kitten heels, wedges and platforms—everything you desire and all from Italy, Spain, Peru and Brazil, so you won’t see them coming and going. Bella Moda’s fabulous footwear is trendy without being “over” in a season. We love it!
If you're tired of wearing the same styles and labels, and seeing the same shoes sold all over town, then Bella Moda Designs has exactly what you’re looking for this spring. Make Bella Moda Designs your first stop for all your footwear needs. Come in soon for the best selection!
You’ve always been a hep cat, forever the trendsetter. You had Famolares and Sbicca’s and Bare Traps and Candies and Get There’s before anyone else on the playground. All the other girls copycatted everything you had, in an almost creepy Heathers-type way. Well, look out, gal pals, because you’ll be doing it again when you’re kickin’ it in shoes from Switch.
You will Switch your concept of retail when you visit Switch in Multnomah Village. It’s more than simply a place to shop, it’s actually a hub where the community can come together to enjoy the fusion of couture and culture. And the shoes! Girl, these are so cool and comfy and stylish and unlike anything you’ve seen in this town. And they actually sell their shoes in a very cool tote bag, no boxes required.
And this groovy store has more than just shoes to ogle. They have tons of other wonderful accessories and unusual trinkets to fall in love with, too. You must visit soon and say hi to the happy owners, Rina and Jennifer. Isn't it time you made the Switch?
You know how sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and run to your closet, hoping your dream shoes are there? End the dream-crushing disappointment—they do exist—at Imelda’s.
A dozen years and thousands of sling-backs later, Imelda’s continues to outfit Portland’s well-heeled ladies and gents in distinctive, hip, one-of-a-kind shoes. They also have a great selection of swingin’ bags and glittery jewels to adorn even the pickiest patron. The attention to trends, style, value and customers has made Imelda’s one of Portland’s premiere shoe boutiques—you know it’s true!
Imelda’s Shoes
3426 SE Hawthorne
Portland, OR 97214
503.233.7476
and
935 NW Everett St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.595.4970 www.imeldasandlouies.com
OMG, Shoes
Some people love that new-car smell. And while the aroma of a brand new ride is heady indeed, our primary aphrodisiac here is Shoe Store Scent.
Shoefly in the Pearl are leaving their doors open to let that “freshly spring shoe” fragrance waft outside like a beckoning lover. Check out offerings like Dolce Vita, Charles David, Cynthia Rowley, and Bronx, as well as hats, belts, and sumptuous leather bags with just the right amount of hobo. Shoefly’s selling loads of spring shoes, and showing all kinds of sophisticated luxe goodness for summer. This Shoefly store also marks something new for the company: Shoeguy, with hip kicks for when your guy wants to shed his Birks or Caterpillar boots.
We travel far and wide to bring you the freshest of the fresh in stores—and sometimes wind up hobbling in our chic threads across uneven pavement when the streetcar doesn’t come, but ne’er you mind! We’re happy to do it. Really! Because, OMG, shoes.
Shoefly
718 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.973.5555 www.shoefly.com
