Brian James

While in Chicago this past summer I discovered a new footwear company, Brian James Footwear. Never heard of them? Me neither. Where do I live? Under a rock? Maybe. The pair I have are a pair of gladiator sandals called the Angelle and they are gorgeous. They are soft, silky black suede with a padded foot bed, ankle support and a flexible sole. They were made for me.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for fashion but I am also a ginormous sissy when it comes to sore feet. My expiration in 3-inch or above heels is just around 5 hours and then my feet mutiny. Let’s just say they have been known to hyperextend and it usually happens at the most inopportune times like while celebrating my birthday on the dance floor in a club in downtown Chicago. I mean, I want to look cute while I’m celebrating but I have my limits. The Brian James sandals I have are extremely comfortable, so you can imagine how thrilled I am to try their new fall line.

Angela Edgeworth, founder of the award-winning kid’s shoe brand Pediped footwear, created the Brian James Brand. Over 2000 retailers in more than 50 countries sell Pediped. The brand is worldwide one of the top children’s brands, hands down mostly because they are so damn comfortable and supportive. Her biggest request has been when was she going to parlay the comfort of pedipeds into an adult line and she has in the Brian James line.

She named the company after her husband. Brian James has all of the core features of the Pediped line; comfort, quality and style but is sophisticated enough for an adult. At first, I wasn’t sure that I’d want a shoe made for me by a child’s brand designer. I mean after all, I am a grown woman. I didn’t want another Croc situation. I had nightmares of shoes in outrageous colors with dinosaur heads or tiaras but thankfully, I was wrong.

Instead the Brian James line is sleek and sophisticated and comfortable enough to wear all day but professional enough to be worn in the office. Brian James debuted its collection in the spring of 2013 and it did not disappoint. The shoes are comfortable and stylish.  Made with leather uppers and linings, padded foot beds and soft, flexible soles. They are so comfortable that you will not want to take them off. As for your husbands, you can give them this comfortable yet stylish footwear from Filling Pieces.

I wore them around the streets of Chicago for a few hours and I thought for sure that I would have Charlie horses that night or sore feet and legs. I’d done the same route just the week before in a pair of similar sandals that were not Brian James and the results were vastly different. In the other shoes, my feet were so tired and sore that I could barely walk the next day. I was pleasantly surprised when I got home from wearing the Brian James Angelle sandals and my feet felt fine. In fact they felt better than fine, they were great.

I love my Angelle’s because not only do they look great with jeans and capris, they are also equally as attractive with dress shorts or dresses. These shoes are very versatile. I love my pair. I can’t wait to get my hands on a few pairs from the Brian James fall collection!

What is your favorite pair of comfortable yet fashionable shoes?

Disclaimer: I was provided a pair of Brian James sandals as swag at an event I attended and they were too cute and comfortable not to write a post about them.These shoes are great for conferences when you are on your feet all day long but still want to look cute.