Wear out there: Heel Boy

Christina Proctor
COLUMNIST

Sure, accessories in general always elevate a look, but featuring fancy feet seems to make the biggest statement. When it comes to shoe selection in Waterloo Region, we are truly spoiled for options. Many new and vintage shops offer wonderful collections of shoes, which are perfect for a sunny spring day or special occasion.

Chloe Raincock, founder of Heel Boy, and Brie Heatherley, marketing and strategy manager are stepping up the shoe selection in uptown Waterloo.

Heel Boy is a shoe boutique on King St. offering new shoes in the latest styles, for both men and women.

“Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but shoes are my true love,” says Raincock, immediately offering up her passion for her boutique.

The first Heel Boy opened in 1998 in Kingston, Ont. Now with two locations in Toronto, and one in Waterloo, this exclusive boutique provides customers with a variety of shoe options at respectable prices. Heel Boy is best known for offering collections, which are a perfect blend of trendy, casual, formal and unique styles. Need shoes for a hot date, snowy afternoon in the park, power lunch, or casual dinner? The friendly and shoe-savvy sales staff will prepare your pieds for any situation.

“This season, we’re seeing styles from the 90’s return,” says Heatherley. “The platform is back in a casual flat or tall chunky heel, and the mule is popular as an easy slip-on with peep toe or with a 4” heel.”

Shoes in floral prints and bright colours are also popular this season, along with athletic styles, perfect for everyday wear.

“You can wear any trend this season with jeans, casual cropped pants, skirts or dresses,” explains Heatherley.

Even though spring weather presents a unique challenge, as changing temperatures often require both winter and summer styles to be on hand, footwear can still be used to elevate your look.

“Choose shoes in a bright colour or print to add interest to a basic outfit, and choose a short, 1” heel over flats to add height,” Heatherley recommends.

Inspired by the hip, street-style scene in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood, Heel Boy brings fanastic lines to Waterloo Region’s emerging independent fashion scene. Putting your best foot forward is helping the region to do the same.