Gear Guide

Naot’s summer shoe collection and new line of purses

TANYA ENBERG, Chic Savvy Travels

Recently I found myself buying a pair of slithery black ankle boots with four-and-a-half-inch stiletto heels.

That this indulgent purchase didn’t make a whole ton of sense is an understatement. See, I was more than six months pregnant and, as far as I could tell, I was down to my last shreds of balance.Literally. Standing up, walking, going up and down stairs, putting on shoes, anything requiring balance risked my toppling over. So yes, four-and-a-half-inch heels was a little optimistic. OK, ridiculous, let’s be real.

The new goal: To look effortlessly chic and not fall over while sporting a big basketball of a belly.

Flirt sandals from Naot's spring/summer collection.

Whether traveling locally or far, far away, I am a fan of style. While I may not be jet-setting as I get closer to the home stretch of pregnancy, I remain a die-hard wanderer and lover of trusty foot travel. You know what doesn’t work when exploring one’s city on foot while pregnant? Four-and-a-half-inch heels, that’s what.

Worn once, the boots with the hot stalks of sleek, towering heel had to be shelved. Wobbling over in one’s footwear ends up looking more like an unstable Courtney Love coming off an all-night drug binge than it does sexy and sophisticated. Add a baby belly to the mix, and it’s just not a good look.

My goal is to find a pair of pumps that will deter the dreaded fear factor pregnant gals have been struggling with through the ages: Frumpiness. That particular worry has been further solidified by friends who’ve encouraged me to buy a diaper bag in preparation for our baby’s arrival in mid-June.

Scanning the choices, my belly automatically tightens and my jaw clenches. One word: Ugly. There is no way I’ll be carrying around some hideous soccer-mom atrocity, parent or not, thank you very much. And, in terms of shoes, if pragmatism and functionality completely trump good looks, well, you can forget about that, too.

Naot's strappy Prestige two-toned sandal.

Enter one of my favourite go-to brands for style, earthiness and ease: Naot. Known for fabulous footwear that travels impeccably well, the company has also just added bags to their collection.

I recently viewed the latest shoe and purse collection at the just-opened Naot store in downtown Toronto (located at 425 Queen St. West, in one of the city’s hippest hoods).

After trying on a couple of pairs of shoes that immediately caught my eye, I was sold on the Flirt shoe in the colour Acropolis. I couldn’t have timed it better: Toronto had a week-long stretch of warm weather, giving me the chance to put these open-toed babies to the pavement-stomping test.

My rating: If you’re looking for shoes with day-to-night versatility that will pump you up and provide fashionable support, look no further. They hug the feet and are refreshingly lightweight, making walks both short and long a breeze. The same holds true for many of the finds in Naot’s spring/summer collection.

The Naot purse that magically offers tons of storage pockets without appearing bulky.

For extra strappy detailing, try the elegant Prestige two-toned sandals.

Meanwhile, the kitten heels this season offer tons of sassy fun without sacrificing smart, foot-friendly structure (there is good reason why Naot places on the list of top 10 companies in the world in the comfort category — the ergonomically designed foot bed is made from cork, which allows feet to mold to the shoe while enabling them to breathe).

While checking out the new location, I couldn’t resist a purse in creamy beige made of buttery-soft leather that can be carried over the shoulder or as a tote. It’s elegant, yet makes the most of its space with an impressive five pockets without looking bulky, and has a special slot that fits a cellphone and business cards perfectly.

Now I am just hoping the company will introduce a line of seriously over-sized bags that are stunning yet big enough to haul around a bunch of diapers, bottles, snack cups and emergency clothing changes. Hey, one can dream …

The subtle and sophisticated handbag in red.

The prices of bags range, but expect to pay between $160 and $210. The variety of styles — with everything from playful animal-print accents and backpack-style offerings to smoking red-hot totes and classic day bags — make a solid first impression. Here are some of the styles to choose from: