Insolia, Where Science Meets Sexy!

Despite its title, Shoenogomy, this blog has transitioned to the realm of social and cultural commentary with an occasional nod to fashion and footwear.

As I spend quite a bit of my free time researching online, I occasionally come across a product which commands my attention enough to try it out. In "In Style", I first read about Insolia High Heel Inserts. By my bio, you know I have a "predilection for heels." Necessity is the mother of invention and probably more than a few online purchases.

The brainchild of world renowned podiatrist Dr. Howard Dananberg and two MIT alums, Brian G.R. Hughes and Paul Rudovsky, Insolia transfers weight from the ball of the foot back to the heel by "placing the foot in the optimal position for high heels."

As Hughes explains, "about 25 percent of the weight that would have slid down to the toe remains back at the heel. Cupping the heel increases the contact area and reduces the peak force by 50 percent. It creates the very strong illusion that you are wearing a heel that is about half the height of the one you are actually wearing."

Insolia, constructed from an anti-bacterial material, are transparent, allowing your designer labels to show through. These are not your mother's Dr. XYZ. If this new technology, pegged by the company website as "where science meets sexy" did the job, I was willing to risk my four-inch Louboutin's. I followed the simple instructions, inserted in my Prive pumps, and voila! I slid on my heels and wore comfortably for three hours!

Insolia Inserts can be used with any kind of heel, from pumps to wedges; stilettos to peep toes. The inserts are sold by shoe size and, as they are not transferable from shoe to shoe, are available in packages of three.

As soon as I am finished writing this blog, I intend to purchase at least two more sets so all my heels will be covered!

And if you act now...

Thanks to company president Michael Backler, President of Insolia/HBN Shoe LLC, all Shoenogomy readers will receive 10% off their order! Simply enter coupon code shoenogomy when placing your order!

The Insolia website is http://insolia.com/

I'd love to hear your comments!

Let's Go Shoe Shopping!

High heels have gotten a bad rap. In fact, the British Trade Union Congress has been drafting a ban in the workplace of heels over one-inch tall which they deem as "demeaning," sexist, and dangerous. I don't really get it. The labor organization is mostly male. I always thought men liked to see a girl in heels.

In fact, Isaac Mizrahi who may not be the most alpha of males has said, "All I want are high heels, high heels. If I was a girl, I'd wear a lot of high heels. High, stiletto heels."

Stilettos are like wine. One day, a glass of red wine is great for cardiac health. Just look the health of Mediterraneans. A few days later, moderate consumption of alcohol raises breast or prostate cancer risk. We can't win.

Despite all the hoopla how heels cause bodily harm, recent reports have addressed the benefits of Louboutin and company as well as some inherent problems with flats.

“Over the last three to four years we’ve had a significant increase in the number of problems caused be wearing flat shoes such as ballet pumps or flip-flops,” said Mike O’Neill, consultant podiatric surgeon and spokesman for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.

Donning flat shoes can cause wearers to shuffle which ruins posture. Feet roll forward which stretches ligaments and tendons, pulling toes out of alignment from feet, causing foot pain and ultimately unsightly bunions. The flat shoe shuffle can also force knees into an angle which can lead to inflammation, pain, and at times, at arthritic condition of the knees. When the feet roll in they pull the knees with them. Walking up hills or running in flats can cause inflammation along the shin and shin splints.

On the other hand, heels provide a plethora of benefits, all sexier than bunions and shin splints. High heels promote good posture, forcing a shift of balance as the heel hits the ground first. I have read that wearing heels lifts your bottom by 25% -- and ladies, who doesn't need that! Stilettos tone muscles and give legs a longer appearance. And get ready to break out the credit cards because an Italian urologist has found a fabulous health benefit to those Jimmy Choo's!

In a study to be published in European Urology, Dr Maria Cerruto cited her research promoting the pump. Higher heels may improve pelvic floor muscles, boosting your sex life.

Dr. Cerruto studied 66 heel wearing women under 50 and found that those who held their foot at a 15 degree angle to the ground, which translates to about a two inch heel, showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles, suggesting a strengthening and improvement in their ability to contract. Anyone who has been through pregnancy and childbirth can attest to importance of Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. Who would have thought wearing high heels could give a similar benefit!

"Women often have difficulty in carrying out the right exercises for the pelvic zone and wearing heels could be the solution," said Dr. Cerruto. "Like many women, I like high-heeled shoes. It's good to know they have potential health benefits."

"We now hope to prove that wearing heels during daily activity may reduce the need for pelvic exercises," says Dr. Cerruto.

Infamous shoe designer Manolo Blahnik rejoiced in this news. "When you put on a high heel, it makes life more exciting," Blahnik claims.

"It's a way to appeal to the male species, to attract," he added, "and it works. I have men who tell me that heels have saved their marriage."

I will be signing off now to run to Nordstrom's to buy that stunning (and healthy!)pair of grey suede platform boots with the 3 1/2 inch heel!

Shoenogomy

I remember the first time I noticed shoes. Not just any shoes. Red shoes. Amento's Shoe Store. Wayne, New Jersey, circa 1968. Red patent leather dress shoes. Right then and there, I knew, I was destined to be a shoe-holic. Shoes were not just for covering your feet as you strolled from point A to point B.

My mother's attempts to coax me into trying on a sensible pair of white Keds or black Mary Jane's went unheeded. From this point on, only red shoes would touch these feet. A birthday photo of me in a beautiful pink moire party dress brings a giggle to my lips when I notice the bright red patent, 1970s style platform shoes stooped on the swingset. At that time, I obviously ignored my fashion rule, "Choose your shoes first and the outfit will follow!"

Other kids may have gotten excitement from the promise of a balloon or a lollipop or even a ride on the mechanical pony after an excursion for school shoes. Not me. The scent of the leather and the cold metal of the foot measuring device against my foot was enough. (I checked and there is no clever name for such apparatus. Maybe I do have work ahead of me!)

Shoes, when you get down to it, are a metaphor for life's experiences. I have had lots of shoe crushes which continue to this day. Very rarely do they go unrequited and they have seldom disappointed. The excitement I get when I have reached the cash register with a wad of cash or credit card and a box of seductive shoes is very heady. The addition of online shoe shopping or what I like to call shoe porn has made this experience only more exhilarating. The search option should be available for our romantic lives. Size, color, heel height, very captivating stuff, especially for someone with a size 11 foot who loves high heels.

There have been times when, desperate for a shoe fix, I have sauntered into a shoe store and said, "Do you have ANYTHING in a size 11 in black?" Happily, online shoe shopping and Nordstrom's have allowed me to be much more discriminating but have also led to a rather alluring diversion of my own making. Fantasy shoe shopping. "Sex in the City," Manolo's, and Christian Louboutin may have brought eroticism back to the shoe world but fantasy shopping brings this to a whole other level!