Ped

Since you wear them all day and a good pair can last a few years...you will find "investment" shoes at Ped. They have a great solid selection of men's shoes and they specialize in cidwoq which are excellent and the most comfortable shoes on the planet. The staff is friendly and really knowledgeable about shoes. This is a locally owned business and a great place to know about when it comes to finding unique and well made shoes. more

The shoes, bags, and jewelry at Ped are heaven-sent. This is where you go when you want to get special accent pieces that will make an otherwise plain outfit interesting. You'll pay through the nose for the privilege, though, unless you get lucky and find just the thing on their 50% sale rack. If you wear a 7, 8, or 9 and are at least mildly daring with fashion, you'll find some fun hold-outs on the sale rack. Even if you're just browsing, the salespeople are nice and happy to help you try things on. There's not the hoidy-toidiness I'd expect from this kind of boutique. That makes them a winner in my book regardless of their designer prices. I love that they display their handbags along the walls. It makes them easy to see. The prices on the bags are not as well displayed, but that's okay because you'd probably never pick one up to try on if you saw them. I try to forget that I can't afford the bags so I can lose myself in stroking the buttery leather or testing out how a bright yellow or funky purple bag looks with my outfit. They carry shoes that you'd never see in a department store. When no one else was carrying peep toe heels, they had a bunch to choose from. In the past year, they seem to have had a steady rotation of wedge heels (especially espadrilles), Mary Janes, t-straps, and boots. They carry far more women's shoes than men's; their men's selection only takes up two or three shelves. Ped also carries jewelry by local designer Jamie Joseph, who has been hyped in all the local magazines as well as Sunset. Her pieces are both delicate and daring at the same time. Think really girly colors (mint green and pearlescent shell) and delicate details put into action using chunky stones. Needless to say, I lust after this jewelry... and everything else in this store. more

Ped has an amazing selection of footwear from all across the world. Everything is leather and suede and everything can hold its own for a walk or standing at a crowded cocktail party. Look for sexy slingbacks from Sigerson Morrison and Florence Cirardier, or sandals with happy flowers by Cordani. The prices are not for the faint of heart--most of the shoes are almost $200. more

My boyfriend once waited with me for more than an hour in a line that stretched outside the store and around the block, so that I could get inside the yearly sale here. I compared it to opening day of the baseball season, and he got it. The shoes fit a certain hipster-yet-girly look that's hard to describe, and hard to resist. Colorful, original shoes from Sigerson Morrison, Cydwoq, Coccinella, and brand you probably haven't heard of. Plenty of selections that are sexy, yet walkable. The prices are steep, but a good pair of boots here is a worthy splurge in my book. It will keep you looking hip all season, and next year, too. They also carry Orla Kelly bags and other colorful leather good and accessories, as well as some whimsical scarfs and accessories. Get on their mailing list and get to the sales early!! Bring your boyfriend(s) so he can go get you coffee while you wait. What's more perfect than that? more

Love quirky shoes? You'll appreciate the selection of offbeat and hard to find shoes here. Brands include Sigerson Morrison, Cydwoq, and other such artsy/hip/quality brands. The shoes are not cheap by any means, but then again, you're looking for something original, aren't you? You won't see anyone else wearing what you've got on if you get your shoes from Ped. more

This store is small but houses a good selection of upscale shoes. By upscale I do not mean dress shoes. The shoes here are all fairly expensive, but when it comes to shoes it is better to buy something that will last rather than fall apart in two months. Anyway, most of the selection is eclectic and full of well designed shoes, many of which look very comfortable. This is not a store that focuses on comfort shoes, there is a selection of heels, flats, boots, etc. They also sell jewelry, socks, and other accessories. Periodically the store has decent sales. more

My freshman year of college, my roommate who hailed from Kansas City, had a very obscure hand-hewn pair of shoes that a coveted and looked for everywhere to no avail. I finally found my own pair at Ped, which specializes in shoes from Spain, Portugal and smaller cobblers around the world. The prices are expensive, but justifiably so, the shoes are all very well made and very special. more

The owner of this business has great instincts for clothing. The store has a fabulous selection of girly shoes and accessories. They have carried handmade shoes as well as those made by small producers. The prices are outrageous and sometimes there is a dearth of practical shoes. But if you have $$ to spend and need something cool and different, and don't have special needs, and aren't too hard on your shoes, this is your place. I recommend quarterly visits just to gawk, actually, then you'll know what you should be pining for. more