fashion questions: does the (squeaky) shoe fit?

Loving the Beverly Feldman Tremendous Jewel Thong at www.endless.com

So here's the thing: I'm thinking of delegating a day every week to discussing fashion questions. What do you think? Please, please comment, I really want to know what you think!

You may have noticed some changes lately around here at Trust Your Style. Mainly the addition of a button at the end of posts which lets you bookmark your favorite ones to del.icio.us and the fact that the postings are now open for comment.

What surprised me the most is that I've noticed fashion questions popping up in the comments section, having nothing whatsoever to do with the day's posting. I figure it's the only place where readers can express themselves and I'm learning that these questions mean enough for a person to actually take the effort to comment. (I've also learned that hundreds of you readers are 'lurking' as they call it, and not commenting, which is fine too!)

Anyway, I've been reading these questions a bit guiltily because a couple of months ago I put the word out that I was looking for fashion/style questions. Within the course of a few days over 200+ fashion questions poured in from readers and friends. I loved reading them; they were mostly sincere and often witty, and I was planning on somehow incorporating them here on the Trust Your Style site. But a part of me loves the freedom of keeping things always changing, covering fashion, beauty, fashion illustrators, and design as it comes my way. I also wondered if having me serving as a style guru would just be weird and would anyone really be interested?


Air Jordans squeaking? Keep reading...

I would love it if you guys would weigh in on this. In the meantime, my apologies to those of you who have repeatedly asked me when I planned to answer their questions about whether sweat suits are in or out (more on this later, I promise) and why handbags that cost a ton have to weigh a ton. (They don't! But more on this later as well.)

In the meantime, I thought I'd tackle the question from Monday about squeaky shoes.


hand-tooled ankle strap shoes by Nanette Lepore

MJ, why do shoes squeak? How can you stop the squeaking? I've had $600 Coach shoes and $29 Target shoes that squeak so it can't really be the quality can it? I've had new ones that work out their squeak after a few wearings and old ones that pick up a squeak later in life...WHY is this? Help?


Christian Lacroix for Spring

Who hasn't had a pair of squeaky shoes??? It's the worst! Apparently the main cause is the way that the sole and shoe are adhering, in other words the inner cushion sole is rubbing against the shoe. This equal opportunity problem can happen in the cheapest as well as the most expensive pair of shoes. Although I've never had a pair of Pradas that squeaked, I've definitely suffered from squeaky sneakers and even a pair of squeaky Channel ballet flats!

Some people swear by removing the insole and spraying it with WD-40, hand cream, or baby powder, others use lip balm, some use Gold Bond foot powder, and there are those who swear by Vaseline and baby powder. Warning: be careful! One guy on the internet claims, "I tried petroleum jelly and fell down the steps and broke my leg. Thanks a lot to all who recommended that cool fix." And just so you know, baby powder will leave a cloud of dust for the first few hours and apparently isn't a permanent fix. Lightly coating the sides of the insert with some sort of balm and applying powder to the bottom of the insert and reattaching seems to be the best bet. You can read more details about fixing a squeak here.

Once again (sorry to drone on about this!) before I sign off: I'm thinking of delegating one day a week to discuss fashion questions. What do you think? Please please comment, I really want to know what you think!