I am a woman, therefore I love shoes. However, I am not an "investor" in shoes. There is no way I…read morewill ever be able to save up hundreds of dollars to buy a pair of high-label shoes that I can hand down to my children and children's children. So I prefer to buy stylish, on-trend shoes on the cheap-side. Therefore, if you are like me, then you will also like Sidewalk Soul. This Brunswick St shoe store is full of the latest and greatest styles - boots, heels, wedges, pumps, flats, brogues, everything! But the best part is that it is all for a reasonable price. Don't get me wrong, this place isn't just any old Spendless shoes or similar, but just really good quality and reasonably priced. I bought a pair of ankle boots for $80 which lasted three years, including a trip to NYC in the middle of winter (hello snow!) So when you're next strolling down Fitzroy, pop in and have a look. You'll see what I'm talking about!

I was in need of a new pair of boots and this shoe shop is in the heart of the fashion district on…read moreBrunswick Street. There is a good selection of both men and women's shoes, and even better for me a good selection of boots. I went in on a Saturday morning, not thinking of the crowds, but this place handled the large number of people well. The two staff seemed to be serving at least three people at the same time, which didn't equate to great attentive service, but definitely made it swift. After choosing a style that I liked, I requested a different shade, closer to the one next to it, a more chocolate brown. The staff quickly punched in the request to her computer while then answering someone else's question and then threw an answer back to me "We can get 'em here by Wednesday". Great! Simple fast and efficient service was exactly what I was after, and I got a reminder call on Wednesday to come and get my boots.

When I was 17 I tried to convince my Mum I needed a pair of black heels that cost $160 from this…read morevery store. $160... many years ago. That's like the equivalent of a million dollars now! Either my Mum was a soft touch or my persuasion tactics were highly developed even at a young age, but I got those $160 Mollini shoes and I rocked them am every high school dance and wedding for about three years after. It's only a small store and they don't only just stock Mollini shoes anymore, but the selection is good and the staff are helpful running up and down stairs to help you get the sizes you need. Avoid the peak hours of lunchtime and just after work if you want more attention and a bit more space to spread out all the items you're trying on. Let's hope the $150 pair of stilettos I bought a week ago last for as many years as my very first pair of Mollinis.

Zomp is fantastic. During the cold winter months here in Melbourne I would find myself staring at…read morethe window displays and dreaming of the boots that were inside. While I am familiar with the other Zomp stores, the Flinders Lane boutique is particularly nice. Walking inside a building with a turn of the century façade you'll find a very minimalist display of shoes, not unlike a gallery space. This is a pretty clever decision because there are no decorations or features to overwhelm you; your eyes just go straight to the shoes. Soft suede, Italian leather, high boots, short heeled boots, brogues and flats. Zomp really does have it all. The sales assistants are brilliant too. You'd think that in such an austere setting that they would be a little intimidating, but it's the opposite: they are friendly and very helpful. Even though the prices are a little higher than what you might pay at an average shoe store, the quality is worth it. I really do think Zomp is the best destination for cutting edge designs that look like they are straight out of a magazine.

It certainly isn't easy to find good shoes here in Melbourne. Sure pleather knock-offs abound, but…read moreif you're looking for quality well thats another story all together. I want shoes that will last me years, classic models that will never go out of style. Instead all I seem to be able to find are clunky heels and cheap high street imitations. This is where Zomp differs. A boutique women's shoe store, it offers cutting edge, premium quality shoes as reasonable prices. The Flinders Lane store features an expansive and well designed space that is perfectly fit out to display the multitudes of fine shoes that are stocked. Whether you're looking for boots, heels or flats this is the place to go. Soft Italian leather, unique designs and extensive size ranges, Zomp is the ultimate shoe store.

There is nothing I like better than knowing what product you are looking for and getting it for a…read morebargain. If you are looking for Converse products such as sneakers, clothing, tracksuits and windcheaters, then this is the place to go. Authentic Factory Outlets is located furthest from the city end of Smith Street amongst all the factory outlets offering products with labels at cheaper prices than you find in regular stores. I managed to get a pair of Converse One Stars and even got some free Converse socks to sweeten the deal. It's not only Converse in this Authentic Factory Outlet, you can also get a number of other cheap shoes and other street wear at discounted products such as Tommy Hilfiger. This part of Smith Street is great for the bargain hunter and this Authentic Factory Outlets is a must.

A great selection for shoes, boots, and sandals- especially for those who require more arch support…read morethan others! My poor feet had been hurting from all the walking and travelling that I've been doing. Because I had already worn down my former Orthaheel sandals, I was due for a new pair. Shoes are great, but living in Hawaii and California for nearly all my life has conditioned me to wear sandals on a regular basis. I needed something quick, easy, and comfortable when I head out the door. The Walking Company provided many options for that! Many shoe stores I've visited rarely stocked orthopedic footwear- the only exception being the podiatrist clinic. Unfortunately, there is not much selection in design in such places. While my primary aim was to find orthopedic sandals, I also had a strong preference with ones with pretty designs. Although I have a foot problem, I don't necessarily want to advertise it to the world! Some footwear brands, such as Vionic and Orthaheel, offer this extra feature. I like the illusion of wearing cute sandals that don't look like orthopedic crutches. If I'm going to be spending extra money on special sandals, they best look nice! In actuality, I didn't have to spend extra money for nice sandals at The Walking Company! They were having a sale and much of their shoe prices were reduced. A pair of Ahnu sandals that originally costed $149 were on sale for only $89. The prices are still a little steep for me, but most orthopedic footwear is expensive. This was a pretty good deal. Also, they have a return/exchange policy that's pretty good. You can try out the shoes and see how it feels at home for a few days, and if it's not the right fit you are welcome to return it. The staff was really helpful and friendly! I am probably the most indecisive person in the world! It takes a while for me to decide what I really want. When it comes to making a decision that's going to affect your daily life (i.e. shoes, sandals), you want to make sure it's a worthy investment, right? The lady helping me was very attentive and wasn't put off by my lack of decision-making skills. After spending a while deciding between all the options, I decided to check out the Ahnu sandals. It can definitely be difficult to find shoes that's just the right fit. If you want a wide selection of footwear, I would definitely recommend this place. They cater to both men and women. From sandals to boots to orthopedic ware, they've got you covered!

I must admit that I do a lot of walking. Before I go overseas on one of my adventures I first make…read morea pit stop and come here to get some new shoes that I know will be durable enough to survive the journey. I am a big fan of Merrell's as they have the vibram sole that I know will last climbing any mountain. The Walking Company stock the largest range of Merrell's that I have been able to find which is probably why I keep coming back here. They also have a large range of other brands that would suit any foot and purpose.

Everything old is new again at Double Monk, one of the few places in Melbourne which carries high…read moreend men's footwear. Step through its doors off Smith Street and you're immediately transported to old world luxe of exquisite parquetry flooring and leather chesterfield sofas. There's even an extensive Whisky collection at the back of the store to complete the elegant and sophisticated mood! Floor to ceiling shelving houses the best of men's English made shoes. From a Shell Cordovan Loafer in burgandy, to the classic Oxford in black - these shoes are traditionally made and built to last a lifetime. Staff are highly professional, welcoming and courteous. Special thanks to Ben, who was extremely patient and knowledgable, spending almost an hour to explain the nuances and detail of many special items. Double Monk carries an extensive range from labels such as Crockett & Jones, Edward Green and John Lobb. If you're looking for a pair of extremely well made shoes to last, then there is no equal here in Melbourne.

Gents, do yourself a favour and visit Double Monk. I stumbled upon this shop unexpectedly one day…read morewhilst wandering up Smith Street with food on my mind. Its old-world elegance complete with wall-to-wall timber, leather club chairs and exotic taxidermies would be right at home on London's Jermyn Street. It's owned and run by a fellow who is obviously very passionate about shoes and only sells those handmade in England (with a small selection from a Spanish maker). He even stocks John Lobb, purveyor of shoes to HRH The Prince of Wales. This means the shoes aren't cheap but they're going to last and are well worth the cost. There's also a serious selection of stylish umbrellas and accessories. Being a guy who generally hates clothes/shoe shopping (being somewhat oddly proportioned), it was a real relief to have the benefit of someone knowledgeable to measure the old plates of meat and recommend the right size and style. Notwithstanding the fact that I turned up tonight right on closing time, I was made very welcome and given the sort of personalised high-quality service which you don't get a lot of these days. Highly recommended.

Imajine is a really unique store. Dedicated to social causes, everything in store gives back to…read morecommunity projects. So if you're looking for feel-good shopping, this is the place to find it. They have the largest range of TOMS footwear and eyewear here, and owner Kathy is very helpful with a good knowledge of how the shoes wear. I picked up a pair of cute girly crochet TOMS and was eyeing off more that I hadn't seen anywhere else. I was also introduced to One Night Stand sleepwear - which I hadn't heard of but they have fun and irreverent PJ designs that are made locally as well as supporting meals through Open Family Australia. They're not the cheapest, but no different to the pricing of a lot of brand name PJ brands with the guarantee that they're not made in sweatshop environments. A local gem for socially conscious shopping.

If you're looking for a pair of comfy, wear-almost-anywhere shoes then it's hard to look past a…read morepair of TOMS. They might look simple, but inside there's decent arch support and a wide toe area that makes them super comfortable and perfect for all day wear. I've now got four pairs, including a pair of super high wedges, and they get a lot of wear throughout the week. Apart from looking good and feeling comfortable, I really like that wearing TOMS means I've done my bit at giving back a little. Did you know that every pair you buy means that someone less fortunate is given a pair for free? How's that for warm fuzzies!? Imajine isn't just a TOMS store though. They have jewellery, super cute pyjamas, socks, eyewear and others nice items that make for terrific gifts. Every single item sold here has some kind of giving element built in to the price so you'll not only get that "I've just bought something new" glow, but the more substantial "I've just done something good for someone else" glow.

There are a few Aquila shoe stores around Melbourne and while my local one would be at Doncaster I…read moreprefer to come to the Bridge Road store and check out the discounted stock. Aquila does the most beautiful men's shoes and stocks a variety of styles including business shoes, brogues, boots and slip-ons. A couple of months ago my partner and I had a look at the Doncaster store and were a little dismayed by the prices - most of the shoes we liked were near the $300 mark. Now that summer is approaching most of the winter stock has found its way to Bridge Road and we can see the same shoes that have dropped well below $300. Not only that but we found the service to be attentive and friendly. This is a great way to shop if you need to stock up on basics, however because this stock has already been through the stores sometimes it is hard to track down the exact size in a shoe that you want.

Definitely visit Aquila if you are after work shoes or shoes for going out, love the prices here…read morecompared to the overpriced retail outlets. I've bought two pairs of shoes from here, one pair was for going out which was reduced from $300 to $220, the other was a work pair which was reduced from $150 to $99. Great quality shoes and don't forget ask for a shoe horn and socks and you generally won't pay anything more ;)