If there's one item that women love to buy, even in a down economy, it's shoes. Take it from Cinderella who finally found the right fit and lived happily ever after. A new pair of fabulous shoes can lift your spirits and add instant style to any outfit, even if it's the black suit that you have worn for years.

Shoe shopping is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Browse the designer collections in your favorite shoe department or boutique, and check out what the big boys (Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik) are doing. Then pinpoint your favorite shoes in your price range. And remember, the cheapest shoes are not always the best buy — purchase the best shoes you can afford.

Although you may not follow all the fashion trends, you can easily capture the season's updated "moment" when you slip into one of these new silhouettes:

— The shoe boot: Dubbed the "shootie" by the footwear industry, this half boot, half-shoe is fall and winter's No. 1 fashion trend. While models strutted these high-vamp boots down the runway often barelegged with pencil skirts, the shootie usually looks best when worn with dark tights, skinny jeans or menswear trousers, creating a long and lean monochromatic look.

— The knee-high boot: A classic that keeps getting better. The newest flat leather boots are still inspired by the old-school riding boot, but are now dressed up with rock-star hardware and fringe trim. For a funkier take on the tall boot, tuck your jeans into a pair of suede, fleece-lined moccasin boots.

— The colored pump: While most of us need to have a black pump in our shoe closets, it doesn't mean you can't step into the office occasionally in a burst of color. This fall, the berry colors are the best in leather and suede; dark magenta red is my personal favorite. If you don't want your feet to be quite that happy, consider switching to a more neutral pewter or bronze pump.

— The embellished flat: Sometimes there's nothing better than slipping into a comfortable flat; however, our flats are the ones that often take the most pounding, day in and day out. Perk up your everyday flats with something that has a little more punch. Flats now contain extra decorative details: jewels, buckles, chains or bows.

— The evening shoe: Not only consisting of metallic high-heel sandals anymore, the glamorous party shoes can be an icy-blue satin shoe boot, rhinestone-studded, ankle-strap stilettos or a pair of purple, python peep-toe pumps. Now these shoes are definitely for happy feet.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.