My Favorite Work Footwear

When I was younger, I couldn't imagine life without high heels. Practically every shoe that I own had to have high heels, even my sneakers. Remember the Spice Girls-style sneakers? I actually owned a pair and it lasted me so well. I even used it to run for my P.E. finals (I made it by the way). However, a decade or more after my high heels obsession, I'm into flat shoes. I didn't even know why I loved high heels back then in the first place.

There are times when I work that I need the height boost, like if I'm about to give a workshop/demo or a talk, for photo purposes. But when I know that I'll be standing most of the time, as in really working, like a client call, wedding, fashion show, or a shoot, I know I need my trusty flats. It pays to be comfortable since I'm on my feet a lot and not to mention carrying all my equipment myself. Sky-high heels and lifting trolleys are a no-no. :)

So far, in my shoe collection, I have a few go-to shoes for work which I find super comfy with minimal pain over the course of time.

FitFlops

I wrote about FitFlops way before and in fact, they rank by far my most favorite footwear of all time, nevermind if they're not very pretty for my feet. It's quite expensive at Php3,500 almost but for me, it was super worth it. They conform to my feet and give me the right elevation I need so my ankles and lower back do not suffer that much. I can drive wearing them!

Boots

rock, leather, and boots for a wedding gig with my friend Lei Ponce. 

I own a pair of leather boots I bought at CubaoX last 2012. I found these boots in fact while shooting a prenuptial shoot then and I didn't want to let go of the boots and thankfully, they had my size. It was originally supposed to be my boots for Stellar 2 but somehow, I used it beyond Stellar. Boots are great for me during the rainy season or when it's a bit colder and I'm in a venue where it's better to keep my feet covered or when I have to be a bit dressier. Currently, the boots have a bit of wear and tear and a few kitty scratches. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can have them restored a bit since I want it to look a bit dressier but if not, then I may have to wear this for more casual occasions where the scruffy look actually adds to the appeal.

Ballet Flats

Ballet flats keep my feet covered and I can still wear skirts, shorts, jeans, pants, or dresses and still look like a girl on the occasion that tells me I should. I could wear this when I have to be a makeup artist during the day and then head off to a press launch at night (no more heels for this Tita of Manila). I found these quirky dog-cat ballet flats at a bazaar. Thankfully they had it in black.

I get funny comments with these shoes if I forgot that I left the house wearing different shoes or if I made these shoes myself. They are great for driving and feel as if I'm driving barefooted. The only problem though is that they're too flat and since I have a high foot arch, walking on them for quite some time can put pressure to my ankles so I usually reserve this for events that I won't be out so much, I have that same problem with regular flip-flops and super flat sandals, so not to worry, it's not the shoe; it's me and the foot arch.

I discovered though that Melissa shoes have flats with just a teensy height boost so it's less stressful on the ankles.

I'm crazy for leopard prints so it's just apt that I get myself a leopard-print shoe like the one above. I was just so glad that they had it my size. I'm currently in the process of breaking these shoes in and I discovered wearing them with footsocks takes the friction off the feet.  Although while I was at the store, there are a few shoes that I'm eyeing on so this may not be my last Melissa shoe though.

perfect for me because I'm a cat lady. This however, did not have my size but I like looking at it.

The Maleficent shoe got my villain heart pumping. I would wait for this to go on sale. *wink*

Sneakers

They're great for working out, for walking around, and of course, why not for #MUAduties?

working with my now kumare and fellow makeup artist Jinky

My Fila lilac sneakers were purchased on sale last 2011 (notice how I keep on the lookout for sales?) They aren't for training though but okay enough for walking around and standing. Again yay on the arch support, For sneakers that I can take from training to work to long walks and on my rare travel occasions (since I hardly travel nowadays), Skechers memory foam sneakers give me support, cushioning, and comfort. I don't have a photo of the one I have right now though but I super love it since it's super comfy. I've not only worked wearing it but also done HIIT, cardio hiphop, insanity, etc.

I used to obsess on high heels back then because I thought they are the only ones that would look good when I need to wear a dress. Actually, now I discovered flat shoes need not be flat and boring because there are so many styles to choose from. I'm not much of a style person but I know the importance of looking presentable especially in my job, because I have to be my own advertisement. There are situations when I can get by with my usual shorts, tank top, and flip flops with no makeup and my hair in a scraggy bun. However, on times that I need to insert a bit of style whether classy, sporty, rock, or glam, there are shoe options to try without sacrificing comfort or risk losing balance and getting injured.

Photo sources:
FitFlop photo: FitFlop Facebook Page
Melissa Flats: Melissa Facebook Page

These Shoes Are Made For Dancing

It was meant to be when I purchased my birthday-gift-to-self a few weeks ago. My very first Pleaser heels.

I first heard of Pleaser from my pole teachers when I asked where they got their really pretty pole heels. They replied, they ordered online from Pleaser. I'm glad that now that the Polecats Manila studio has a pretty shelf that carries Pleaser shoes for sale. The shoes really look so pretty but alas, since I wear big sizes (around 9 or 10, depending on the style for heels), I couldn't own one yet. So for a time, I was feeling like Cinderella's stepsister as she tried on the glass slipper, except that instead of  transparent glass pumps of considerable height, they were patent heels and boots that were at least 5-6 inches in height.

Don't get me wrong though, Pleaser shoes are really made for dancing and despite their height, they are very stable and comfortable unlike other stilettos that can break after the third wear. This one can withstand climbs, inverts, spins, and a few pole transitions and handsprings and if taken good care of, can last us quite a long time in our pole career.

I admit that dancing in heels is a challenge. Yet since I'm a pole dancer, pain for me is nothing foreign. Besides, heels add a bit of oomph to your walk and repertoire and once you get the hang of it, it can give you the illusion of mile-long legs and upgrade your lines to yowza! Just look at the very sexy and flexy pole dance star, Felix Cane who is almost always seen wearing her sky-high heels in her performances.

image source

She does all her inverts and spins in those heels effortlessly like she was born to wear and perform in them.

When I make a big purchase, I almost always have this thing that if it's meant for me, it's just going to call to me. When size 9's finally became available in the studio, I found a pair of patent leather 6" heels calling to me. A few months later it went on sale at 30% off. I told myself that if it's still there on a very special occasion that called for me to buy something for myself, It's meant for me. My birthday came and it was there. For the summer program, attending pole dance in heels classes last summer, getting stronger, and performing in stellar, it was a post-stellar birthday treat to self that I know I'm going to use not only in my performances but in events. Oh, and this investment is another drive for me to prolong my life in pole too. If I get to master training in heels, I probably might be using heels in my next competition.

So you may ask, how are those shoes? For a girl who's always in flats, flip flops, flat boots, and her trusty lilac sneaks (the only sneakers I ever own) and only wear heels only 2 hours in a special occasion, I have to agree with my teachers that they are indeed very comfortable. They add this nice shape to the calves a swing to my walk, and it gives me more height than usual. Always remember to point toes even in heels.

If anyone asks me, I'm 6'1".

If you love heels and want height, stability, and comfort, get the sky-high heels made for dancing. Also, Pleaser shoes come in many different styles. Feel free to browse through the Pleaser USA site, check out their Facebook page (browse and see that you don't need to be a pole champion to own your Pleasers. Helen Mirren owns a pair too!), or visit the Polecats Manila studio to check out a perfect pair for you.


Polecats Manila Studio is located at Strata 100 Bldg, F. Ortigas Jr., Ortigas Center, Pasig

Panther and Red Tights

Rainy days make me gloomy. How to be happy? Dress up and feed the kitty to be happier. Rainy days call to be protected from the weather so I need a nice jacket and of course, my ever-so-trusty rain boots!My black panthers and I share a story yesterday. I was on my way for my 7-8 class when hell of all hells EDSA was a parking lot in the rain so what I did was take the MRT to Shaw and walk from Shangri-La Mall to Pearl Drive. When I got out of the mall, It was flooded at the hotel, super puddly at the streets. The waters at San Miguel Ave and Lourdes Drive were about a centimeter high and I see girls in flip flops and heels teetering just to go through. My wellies and I roughed it through the flood enough for me to get to Gen Studios by 6:30 p.m. My umbrella though got bent from the wind and pressure but I made it to class without looking like I swam in the rain. Kemerlu the baha.

After washing them last night (Plueys care could be found here), I wanted to treat my boot-boots right by glamming them up for errand day Friday. After all, they are made to make us look human despite the whole of the Metro is raining.

Jacket: Zara

Dress: Promod

Tights: Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: Redrain boots in Panther

The boots aren't your everyday ordinary bota. They're fasyon and could be worn with jeans, dresses, shorts, anything that strikes tour fancy. The slimfit look makes them look more like riding boots than rain boots, but they're just as cute. Since everything's black, gray, and white, what better way to say POW! with a pair of opaque red tights? Finally the tights that got my fancy (aside from the fact that they were on sale at Php 99.00) got to good use!

Yes, these boots are comfy. I have no blisters whatsoever and I've owned them for a year. So I guess since the happy sunny skies have bid adieu, the only way to make the most of the rainy season is, well, to bring out our boots and stomp the bad vibes away.

Footwear Got One Lemming Down

Every year, it's been a tradition for me to buy Havaianas during the time it goes on sale. Since makeup artists have introduced me to FitFlops as their must-have back-saving shoe, I kinda broke the tradition and decided to increase my flipflop budget a bit and try to buy FitFlops this year (don't worry my lovely Havs, I still love you and in fact, I'm eyeing on a pair to buy, when budget allows). Since I find spending 3k++ on a pair of slippers quite obsurd, I've been postponing buying a pair and wish for Santa to stuff a pair on my Christmas stocking (size 8 please).


Last Sunday, I accompanied Sam to a wedding gig in Tagaytay and I've noticed her sporting her favorite black FitFlops. While on the topic on footwear, she told me how much she loves it and encouraged me to get one, especially since I have a very sensitive back problem and I tend to get back pains a lot. Sam drives in FitFlops, carries her gear (aluminum director's chair included) and runs from one location to another and during the course of our work, she hasn't complained of back pain.



And the following day, without much ado, on my shopping trip to the mall, I got myself a pair of FitFlops.

Call in a Christmas gift to self, that's why I plunked what I'd spend on two Studiofix compacts on a pair of flipflops. As I took the picture, the flops are almost 3 days old already, since the moment I purchased them, I already put them to use. It's best I use this on the concrete jungle or on gigs though and I save the regular flops I have on the beach.

Anyway, probably all the stores selling FitFlop must have gotten really confused with me since it took me quite a while before deciding which one to buy. After all, I only have budget for just one pair, so I needed a pair that could fit a lot of outfits that I wear. White soles were out of the question ince they tend to gray out in the long run. I didn't want black as I have one too many black footwear already, with my steel-toe Nikes being black as well. So I settled for a warm copper, which doesn't get quite dirty at the same time, the shiny upper makes it cute to wear in weddings or a pretty maxi dress. I was contemplating on getting the blingy blingy gold pair though, but I thought I would be having a hard time with cleaning the sequined top and of course, it had a white sole.

I'm looking at the FitFlop leaflets now and the reason why my walks have been cushioned and my back pains have lessened is due to the patent Microwobbleboard technology, which cushions the feet the right way providing the right support where you need it to optimize your walk and posture. The highest density would be on the heel section, absorbing up to 22% more shock (when you jump or do sudden movements and all). The lowest density would be on the midsection, and that increases leg muscle activation (yay! workout without a gym).

Since I'm the type who stands a lot and walks a lot, I can't stay in heels anymore that long. In fact, I only have a four-hour limit with high heels so I've resulted to getting flatter or wedge shoes as my footwear of choice. However, my soles can't be too flat since that puts a lot of stress on my heels so I need something with a bit more elevation. The FitFlop design provides the support of a slight lift with the comfort that slippers could give me.

I know it's a bit pricey though, and it costs almost like I would plunk on a pair of sneakers. However, I'm actually thinking of the quality of life I'd have to live with less back pains and lesser risk to go into physical therapy in the long run. I definitely would wear a pair during times where I need to be doing a lot of standing and walking, like if I'm in the mall or at work. I do however, would result to close-toed options depending on the nature of the work and the venue. I definitely didn't regret having this up my shelf and I sure wouldn't mind getting another pair or any style in the same family. This currently stands next to my regular rubber slippers of course, and in fact, there's more footwear for me to love.