The Daily Pump Salutes The Great Shoes of Cinema

July 29, 2008

Lights! Camera! Strappy Sandals!

In the darkness of the theatre, movies entertain us and we want to be like the characters on-screen. And sometimes we want what they’re wearing! Ever since directors Barry and Charles Tait called “action” on the set of the first feature film, movies have captured important moments in footwear fashion.

In a nod of appreciation to the silver screen’s style influence, here are some of the movies in which footwear transcended trendy to become iconic, and in some cases standards. To this, we kick up our heels.

Carrie’s heart – and wallet – may belong to her beloved Manolos, but the SATC screen also served as a giant billboard for the gladiator sandal, this summer’s must-have trend. Though she had 81 costume changes, the Dior Extreme Gladiator Platform was in heavy rotation. Could Dior be the name on the lips of the well-heeled masses this season? Oh no, Manolo!

Find the best price on Carrie’s Dior Gladiator Sandals here.

Let’s be honest, the frenzy that greeted the release of the Sex and the City (2008) movie had almost as much to do with Carrie Bradshaw’s Manilo Blahniks as the plotline. A royal blue satin pair designed especially for the movie by the heralded creator of couture shoes plays such a central role they should have received marquee billing as the fifth character. Shop for Manolo Blahnik seen on SATC here.

Just as SATC fans catalog the label of every shoe box in Carrie’s closet, it’s easy to imagine that she would be equally covetous of the red ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz (1939). For little girls the world over, the first glimpse of those dazzling shoes marked the beginning of a life-long love affair with shoes and all things sparkly. Admit it, you’ve put on a pair of fabulous shoes, closed your eyes and clicked your heels three times at least once. You might not have been transported back to Kansas, but there’s no doubt that finding that perfect pair of shoes is a pure magic.

Get the best price on these Ruby Red Celine Pump from Report Signature here.

Taking a fashion cue from Anne Hathaway in the Devil Wears Prada (2006), Hayden Panettiere, Kate Moss and Hilary Duff have been photographed recently wearing haute thigh-high boots.

Anne Hathaway strutted confidently in a leg-hugging pair by Chanel (evidently the Devil is a label whore!), while working girl Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (1990) gets the style points for her “bad girl with a heart of gold” version in vinyl.

Sometimes you have to take risks in fashion to get noticed. Shop for fierce and unforgettable Chanel boots like these by clicking here.

The chic, menswear look sparked by Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and ignited by Diane Keaton in Annie Hall (1977) is making a re-appearance in footwear this fall. Keaton’s irreverent style became a ’70s sensation as women opted for her masculine/feminine style, making menswear an enduring trend.

The 21st century interpretation of the menswear look maintains the duality between butch and fem with classic topstitching and wingtip details, and adds modern embellishments like two-toned color blocking, chunky heels and tie up details that say: sexy, confident, move out of my way. The Daily Pump is still drooling over these Via Spiga oxfords, shop for them here.

And of course, the look that launched a million copy cats…

The Daily Pump proposes these fabulous Miu Miu Scrunchy Oxford shoes as a way to update the Annie Hall look. Shop for Miu Miu here.

In 1957 screen legend Audrey Hepburn slid on a pair of ballet flats, oversized shades and skinny pants in Funny Face and Americans fell in love with flats. Today, the ballet flat is a kicky alternative to heels and a wardrobe staple of women young and old.

To channel this look, pick up a pair of DKNY Carina Leopard ballet flats.

In Clueless (1995), fashionista-in-training Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) launched the Mary Jane as the perennial “It” shoe. Never really out of fashion, low-heel, high-heel or kitten-heel, this versatile shoe remains popular in the style lexicon.

Fall 2008 sees the Catholic school-girl silhouette elevated to towering heights in pointy-toe and rounded-toe styles with extra straps and buckles that give them an edgy sexy-secretary feel. As Cher would say, “Way cool.”

Modern Mary Jane dress pump with a twist from Boutique 9.

Desperately Seeking Susan (1995) had Madonna wannabes desperately looking for the rhinestone-studded, glam rock ankle boots the fashion trendsetter wore with such slap-dash panache.

Could those Velvet Goldmine-esque boots be the inspiration behind the Ariella studded boots by Christian Louboutin?

Seen on everyone from the Olsen twins to Rachel Bilson, the Ariella boot has a killer 12cm heel; attitude is definitely required to carry off this look. Shop for them here.