Suburban women bare their soles at new stiletto shoe club

Most women own at least one pair of beautiful, funky or sexy shoes that they deeply love but never wear.

Now there's a club that will justify their existence.

The Hello Stiletto Shoe Club, a group with 16 chapters nationwide, recently started a Chicago-area chapter whose purpose is to celebrate beloved shoes that can't be worn to work or to shuttle the kids around the suburbs.

Membership is free, and already, more than 600 local women have signed up at www.shoeclub.us.

Besides social networking online, the club hosts outings every two months where women are encouraged to wear their favorite shoes. They also have special girls night out events. Next month, they're taking an exclusive discounted shopping trip to DSW. In the past, they've had similar events at high-end stores like Neiman Marcus.

The club also sponsors "Best in Shoe" competitions, where women strut their best shoes along a pink carpet at local events, such as at last week's anniversary celebration at Elements health club in Mount Prospect. The winners sometimes get gift certificates or prizes.

"Most people are, like, what is a shoe club? The purpose is to have fun and wear cute shoes," said member Melanie Walk, 25, of Montgomery, who owns between 50 and 60 pairs of shoes "not including sandals."

"I actually have a pair of flower child ones. They have an orange and brown flower print. I've only worn them once, but I can wear them (to the club events)," she said. "(The club) is justification to buy another pair of shoes."

Sandra Aussem, 47, Palatine, is the Chicago coordinator of the Hello Stiletto Shoe Club. The mother of four, who co-owns a construction company with her husband, said she's had to cut back on shoe purchases because of the recession and hasn't bought a pair "in months." But she still shops.

"I love a beautiful shoe that's comfortable, but that you can find on sale," she said.

She recently bought - but then returned - a $400 pair of Christian Louboutin shoes because she couldn't justify the cost, regardless of how much she loved them. Aussem is a former co-worker of Hello Stiletto Shoe Club founder Melissa O'Shea, who converted the club she launched in 2004 into a full-time business. There are now more than 7,500 members nationwide.

We caught up with O'Shea, who lives outside Boston along with her nearly 200 pairs of shoes, to answer a few questions for suburban shoe lovers:

Q. Do great shoes have to be expensive?

A. Absolutely not. First of all, so much is on sale nowadays that you can really score incredible deals on high-end designer and even couture footwear. And I must say, that while you will spend more on a handmade, designer shoe, if it is a classic piece that you'll want to wear over multiple seasons, it's often worth the investment, even if it's not on sale. One of my favorite pairs of shoes are vintage Via Spiga from the '80s (yes, the '80s). They were handmade in Italy and are absolutely beautiful, as well as comfortable. Talk about standing the test of time! They cost $162, which was probably pretty pricey at the time (and not exactly cheap now!). But look how long they've lasted and how special they've become. Great shoes definitely don't have to be expensive and they don't even have to be designer.

Q. What's the most expensive pair you've ever bought, or almost bought?

A. The most expensive I've ever purchased are a pair of Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby animal print d'Orsay heels (that's a mouthful). They were $645 and continue to be my favorite pair of shoes in the closet. The most expensive pair I almost bought were about $1,000 (they were approximately 800 Euros) from Christian Louboutin, the actual shop in Paris. Pale pink satin, sky high stiletto T-straps with Swarovski crystal detail. I was having palpitations wearing them around the shop and asking my husband (like a junkie) what I could sell once I got home to make up for the expense. Thankfully he talked me down by comparing the cost to half a mortgage payment.

Q. Where are some good places to go when you want to run out and get a quick, stylish, cheap pair of shoes?

A. DSW, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Macy's are always a good bet.

Q. What makes a great shoe?

A. To me, a great shoe makes your foot, leg and entire outfit look beautiful and polished. Proper fit is really important because shoes that aren't well made or that cause excessive pain make your feet look AWFUL after more than 10 minutes of standing in them.

Q. Why do you think women love shoes so much?

A. It's often said that women like shoes because they always fit, even if you put on a few pounds. I think that's true, but it's more than that really. Shoes let you express yourself in ways that you can't express yourself with other pieces of clothing and the added benefit is that they let you do so regardless of your weight, age, body type and what you spend most of your day doing. To that last point, for example, if you work in an office setting, you'd likely dress conservatively to be taken seriously. Pairing a more wild or unique shoe with, say, a black pinstripe suit is a subtle but effective way to assert some individuality and personality into what might otherwise be considered a uniform - and to do so while still looking powerful and professional.