After a few months of window shopping online for shoes, this year’s Spring Collection at Nine West is difficult to resist. Platforms, gladiator sandals, peep toe pumps, and wedged mules, all in an array of colors are dressing up the store shelves.

I was looking through Zappos.com when I came across Nine West’s Balboa gladiator sandals. It was love at first sight. Gladiator heels are still in style this season and to my recollection, it’s difficult to keep track of all the different designers releasing their own version of Roman inspired footwear. Thus, I believe this pair to be stylish and somewhat original, and certainly not a knock-off of any designer that I know of.

I tried on my pair at my local Nine West store on St-Catherine street. It was comfortable for the heel height and no apparent discomfort in the toes or any pinching from the leather straps. A winner.

I also picked up a pair of wedged strappy sandals, of which it had an elastic strap that held my heel in place. I have an old pair of lace up wedged sandals from Globo, unfortunately after 4 yrs, the pair now gives me blisters after spending only two hours on my feet. A shame I must let them go. So I’m hoping this new wedged pair from Nine West will be a worthy replacement.

Nine West Balboa: $125.00

Nine West Caramba (not pictured): $115.00

Total spent: $240.00

You can check out the total I’ve spent so far during the year by going to Pricephile.

Namely, it is a fashion magazine and online store rolled into one. Quite obvious I know, but a deeper contemplation made me realize that online stores in general do not necessarily have the written editorial to tout their new products in a magazine format. Think of reading Vogue and be able to buy exactly what they’re saying is the hottest item of the season on the spot, instead of dragging yourself to the store, hope the store actually carries the item, if not, special order, and go through all the hooplahs one might go through to get the item.

We’re a lazy generation. I admit that many of you probably enjoy the going through the entire “hunting” experience of getting what you want, but I think it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore our need for instant gratification.

Online stores like Saks, Neiman, Forever 21, Piperlime and Zappos display their array of products and merely announce new arrivals, not quite hyping them up like Net-a-porter does. It also helps that Net-a-porter suggests looks and combinations, and allows you to really zoom in and analyze in full detail parts of the garment since it isn’t possible to do so in person.

I’m not suggesting all stores should start posting online editorials – however, I wouldn’t find it too shabby as a strategy to get more people to buy the products, especially if the store is selling different brands. Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy could perhaps benefit of such a move, especially when Holts already establishes a relationship with their clients with their aggressive call-to-action weekly newsletter. If both stores could offer online shopping and free shipping delivery (for shoes to start), they could definitely boost sales in these harsh economic times. Shoppers tend to shift to online stores when the market is down, so it would only be natural to take advantage of the online medium to keep sales afloat.

With the right combination of marketing and savvy management of an online store and proper, relevant, editorial content, I think clothing stores should consider this as a Plan B.

Image Credit: Versace from Holt Renfrew

More online shoe stores are being added to the mix and this time a couple of them are from well-known popular brands like Gap and Amazon.com. I was forwarded a video link to Washington Post writer Ylan Mui’s report, which encouraged the notion that clothing brands are solidly making their move online. With the runaway success of Zappos.com‘s business model of free shipping and returns, these online shoe sites are also rewarding you for shopping there either by giving you a $5 discount to getting a Thank You note in your shoe box. Looks like they’re looking to give Zappos a run for their money!

Piperlime - Owned by Gap Inc.
Very clean site, easy to navigate and has a nice selection of shoes ranging from $50 to $300. US Shipping Only.

Endless - Owned by Amazon.com
Also well organized and prices range from $14 to $800. US Shipping Only.

Simplysoles - Washington D.C.-based
What Ylan calls a boutique online shoe store, handpicked by the owner Kassie Rampel, with a price range of $100 and up. Can Ship To Canada (yes!)

Mona Moore - (a play on words of “Mon Amour” which means “My Love”) Montreal-based
This boutique holds an eclectic mix of handpicked designer shoes and accessories. This is not for frugal but you won’t find brands like Lanvin, Balenciaga, Marni, Pierre Hardy and Miu Miu like here. Prices start $100 and up. 1446, rue Sherbrooke Ouest.

Of course, for Canadian shoppers, we’re all wishing some online Canadian stores would get their act together and try to be as innovative as our neighbors down south, unfortunately it’s not happening fast enough. I did find a Canadian blog that listed numerous Canadian shoe brands and sites who do process orders online.

Happy Shoe Hunting!

Sales. Make them big and make them early.

That did the trick.

Look what happened on Black Friday.

With online shopping growing in popularity, reports of a “Cyber Monday” is floating around. It’s the internet’s version of having their own little sales day for shoppers who didn’t want to confront the 2,500 or so shoppers lined up outside stores on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). This year’s Cyber Monday sales are expected to jump 3 times than that of last year’s online sales to an astonishing US$700million, according to comScore.

In Montreal, you can already check out that stores are jumping into the early holiday sales with Holt Renfrew marking down their designer goods at 40%-50% off, and Browns shoe store is marking theirs off at least at 30% off.

Online shoe retailer Zappos.com is an excellent alternative in finding stylish less expensive shoes, fast delivery and return policy. I can’t recommend this site enough! Shoppers who have already bought from Zappos can review the shoes they bought based on fit, comfort and size and can base recommendations like Amazon.com. You can find a large range of brand names like Guess, Lacoste and even the likes of Marc Jacobs, DSquared and Guiseppe Zanotti. For Canadian shoppers, you’ll have to go to Zappos.ca, but will hold less of a choice selection, though it is ever expanding.

Here are a couple more of online shopping suggestions:

Etsy – Handcrafted items such as scarves, purses, trinkets, dolls, sweaters, pots, and more. Attractive, friendly, easy to use.

Tigerdirect.ca – Futureshop and Best Buy are grossly overpriced. My boyfriend always shops here for computer parts and other electronics.

Cafepresse – Get your designs or buy designs, printed on a bunch of paraphernalia like mugs, calendars, tshirts, clocks and whatnot, it’s a great way to personalize your gifts for an affordable price.

Non-online gift ideas

Futureshop – Though grossly overpriced for most electronics, for some reason they always have way cheaper DVDs. Why is that? You can find some really good combos for under $20.

MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) – For practical winter clothing, you have to go here. You know winter clothing isn’t as dorky and frumpy as you might think. Especially in our climate, there is little room for compromise with mother nature!

Gift Cards – Frankly, you can’t go wrong with gift cards.