fashion-shoes-show

Kate Beckinsale sparkles in a Gucci Premiere gown and Chopard earrings, then goes dark in Nina Ricci, and finally sweet in a soft Temperley dress and Chopard jewelry.

Evangeline Lilly is all smiles in a playful Emilio Pucci dress and dressed to impress in a Valentino gown at the The Princess of Montpensier premiere.

Elizabeth Banks goes funky in an embroidered Atelier Versace dress, yet sweet in a printed strapless side slit dress.

Naomi Campbell in a golden Roberto Cavalli dress, in a black Givenchy gown, and a feathered L’Wren Scott dress.

Kristin Scott-Thomas is picture perfect in both Lanvin dresses.

Naomi Watts goes classic in a Roland Mouret dress and looks heavenly in a strapless Gucci Premiere gown at the You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger screening. She combines professional with some glitz in a silver beaded dress and cropped blazer at Giorgio Armani’s Fair Game bash.

Eva Herzigova goes lacey in a Dolce & Gabbana mini dress at The Princess of Montpensier premiere, but opts for a long sleeved mini by Pucci for another event.

Salma Hayek in Gucci at the Robin Hood premiere and at the Palme D’Or Awards Closing Ceremony, then in a side-slit red dress at the Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps premiere.

This is the final post of a three-part series, based on Bad Shoes & The Women Who Love Them, on using your head when choosing your shoes.

The other day, I popped into Intermix, the über-trendy, boho luxe boutique chain that sells grown women jumpshorts and sequined leggings. In the shoe department, every shoe had either a five-inch heel — or no heel at all. The choice was between sky-high or pancake-flat. Dominatrix-inspired stilettos with cage-like straps or ballet flats with a bit of frou-frou to peek out from beneath your skinny jean hem.

Before I could say “Brian Atwoods are the new Louboutins” and walk out, I remembered that the selection is more or less the same at most fashionable shoe departments this season. No doubt you, too, have attempted to buy shoes you could wear for at least three hours without wincing and have rationalized that a one-inch platform on a four-inch heel transforms the height into a mere three inches, and how bad could that really be?

Don’t worry! I feel your foot pain. And I understand: You want something chic and show-stopping, sexy and sensational. I am here to help you be a sane shoe shopper.

Yes, you know that “bad” shoes — with a high heel and a narrow toebox — will deform your feet if you wear them on a regular basis. But “good” shoes often look like something you wear with a housecoat while you refill the bowl of hard candies. What should you do?

1. Know that there are many, many shoes out there that are both stylish and sensible. You have to find the ones that are right for you. Allot some time for your search. Do not give up hope. If you persist, you will be rewarded.

2. Visit a store that specializes in old-fashioned, sit-and-fit service. Ask a salesperson to measure your feet. Don’t presume that you know your shoe size. Your feet change over time. Make sure to find out your shoe width.

3. Don’t buy shoes if you can’t wiggle your toes in them. Look for a toe box that is rounded or squared with plenty of wiggle room.

4. For everyday walking, choose a shoe with a heel between a half-inch to an inch.

5. Do not assume that flats are better than high heels. In fact, often they are not. Soles that are completely flat can cause feet to pronate (roll inward when walking). Look for flats that have a contoured footbed or built-in arch support so that your ankles and feet are stable. Many styles have a strap across the midfoot, which holds your foot in place.

Zoe Saldana arrives at the 2010 Crystal + Lucy Awards held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on Tuesday (June 1) in Century City, Calif.

The 31-year-old Avatar actress, who wore a MaxMara dress, Louboutin shoes, Ferragamo clutch and Neil Lane jewelry, was honored the MaxMara “Face of the Future” award at the event.

Also joining Zoe at the event was Emily Blunt (in Elie Saab) and Nikki Reed in a Marc Jacobs dress, Ferragamo clutch, and Bally shoes.

Check out more pics of the event on Just Jared Jr!