Pumps & Pleats: On jungle safari for sexy sandals

Story and photos by Michèle De Meglio

Shopping for discounted designer duds is a contact sport — especially when ladies in five-inch stilettos are involved.

So needless to say, it might have been a mistake to visit Fox’s in Midwood on a Saturday — the prime shopping day for label lovers.

To me, the store seemed like a jungle. The ravenous lions (that’d be the discount-crazed shoppers) were desperately on the hunt for the most delectable prey (DKNY for $29?!) to satisfy their unrelenting hunger (shoes!).

I didn’t know what to do — join them and risk an elbow to the head for stealing someone’s Alice + Olivia sheath or run in fear of a trampling.

My palms were sweaty, a salesman’s earnest “This is paradise, ladies!” plea rang in my ears, a woman nicked my camera when reaching for her Visa — I had to bolt!

But then, I spotted something p-r-e-t-t-y!

C’mon, any woman knows that claustrophobia and anxiety vanish when in the presence of cute sandals.

The luscious pair that set my heart aflutter was $39, (down from $93 on Zappos) and nicknamed “Just A Gem” by London-based designers Poetic Licence. Doesn’t that just sound dreamy?

I fell in love with the creamy gold leather upper and large lustrous faux-gemstones in pink, blue and purple. You know you’ve scored when hit with an unrelenting desire to run to a salon for an emergency pedi.

But wait, there’s more.

Fox’s lower level is decked out with strappy sandals in pastel shades, professional pumps, flats with buckles — and Carrie Bradshaw’s shoes!

A lovely wall is loaded with affordable versions of those crazy popular, albeit a bit last season, Dior gladiator sandals. You know, the black leather ones that Carrie wore when kissing Big in the opening montage of the fab “Sex and the City” movie when she was wearing those dueling vintage flower prints on her dress and coat and her hair was —

Sorry, I’ll stop.

Anyway, Fox’s boasts inexpensive “designer inspired” shoes like a $29 pair of platform cage sandals in a brand I never heard of, as well as plentiful collections from department store staples like Guess.


In fact, the store’s “all shoes all the time” lower level proved too powerful for my developing predator senses.


I nearly became dizzy when stumbling over Nine West boxes to prevent a snarly lion from snatching a silky lavender sandal that captured my cub lust.

Turns out, I’m too wet behind the ears to tango with the big cats.

I turned to leave but “Just A Gem” was calling my name. It screamed, “Michèle, buy me. Buy me!”

I must have been going crazy. Or, maybe, the lions had reprogrammed my once-normal brain to transform me into a ravenous brand name scavenger.

I dealt with the madness the only way a true lioness would. I bought the damn shoes.

Fox’s is located at 911-927 Kings Highway. For hours, call 718-645-3620 or visit http://www.foxs.com/.

Michèle De Meglio is a native Brooklynite addicted to all things chic. Check out Pumps & Pleats each week for more adventures as she scours the borough for fab duds and accessories.

(Published in the 6.11.09 issue of 24/Seven)