It all feels like a terribly long time ago now, but it's been interesting to watch the numbers creep up in our recent 'shoe of the year' polls, both for designer and high street styles. Today I want to reveal the winners and runners-up to you in both categories, and would be intrigued to know what you think of the results.
In the high street category, one clear and - in my opinion, deserved - winner quickly emerged. But things were a lot closer in the designer poll...
For results of both polls, read on over the jump
Designer Shoe of the Year
In the designer shoe of the year category, we had an extremely close result, with reigning champion Christian Louboutin (20%) pipped at the post by Nicholas Kirkwood, who took 21% of the votes for his geometric heels. Also coming in at second place with an identical 20% of the vote was Jerome C Rousseau with his fabulous patent leopard pumps.
High Street Shoe of the Year
Louboutin may have lost out in the designer category, but his legacy came through strongly in your choice of high street shoe of the year: first place went to Matalan's ruffle-front high heels, which bear more than a little resemblance to several of his styles. They got 24% of the vote, followed by Topshop's 'Ava' boot, which came second with 18%.
Both styles demonstrated perfectly the two things we most want in a high street shoe: affordability and designer likeness. While Matalan's £18 (now sadly sold-out) ruffle courts were clear Louboutin-alikes, Topshop's £95 'Ava' boot (which is still availalbe to buy here) just ooozed style, and had a very 'designer' feel about it. Everyone I know who had a pair got constant admiring enquiries...