Convertible shoes

March 20th, 2008

I, like many women I know have for many years struggled when trying to find a balance between shoes that look stylish and shoes that are comfortable. I love wearing high heels but if I know I am going to be walking some distance I always take a pair of comfortable shoes with me to change into.

Driving too can be a bit of a problem. Lots of women change their high heels for flatter shoes when they get into their cars so that they can drive with more control and limit the chance of accidents and having to claim on their car insurance.

I only realised a few days ago that a solution to this problem had been invented. I don’t know exactly who was the first to come up with the idea but back in 2004 a lady called Ella Kilgour, a 23 year old design graduate, was reported on the CNN website as having designed a shoe with a collapsible heel called the Declic, shown in the picture below. The Declic’s heel can be folded away into a recess under the shoe or can be extended to create a four inch heel.

Another student called Marte den Hollander designed a similar shoe naming her project ‘Footloose’ and there is an American company on the website called CAMiLEON Heels which offers customers the chance to buy heel adjustable shoes.

Wherever it originated, I think it is a great idea and one that I would definitely be interested in. As long as the shoes still look stylish then I can see these being a big hit and a wardrobe must for many women.

Is it something that you would wear? Do you think that there is a demand for ‘convertible shoes’? We would love to know your views.

Entry Filed under: shopping, men and women, fashion