Shoes replace bags as the hottest fashion item

On Our Radar: Women Choose Shoes Over Bags

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Can it be? Have shoes replaced bags as the hottest fashion item? If so, I'm not complaining. I have a growing collection of bags, but as of late, I've become quite bored of the options out there. But the Spring shoe department, which houses such rarities as this MIu Miu Cutout Harlequin Bootie ($890), is a whole different story.

It seems the trend of naming bags after models and celebrities is now being used on footwear. Giambattista Valli has created a Victoria shoe in honor of Mrs. Beckham, while Calvin Klein made a Suri shoe, named after Tom Cruise's daughter. Also, unusual designs and materials used on bags is now being used on footwear. If that's not proof enough, department store Harvey Nichols has reported a 15 percent rise in shoe sales this season and a higher demand for runway heels. Adversely, a recent survey has forecast an 18 percent drop in handbag sales. It's also being predicted that women will soon spend more money on expensive shoes than bags. Do you buy it?

To see some of the aforementioned shoes, read more

(L-R: Giambattista Valli's Victoria shoe as modeled by the muse herself; Calvin Klein's Suri flat; Christian Louboutin; Vanessa Seward; Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti; Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta)

Bauer-Griffin

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