Flat or heeled, d’Orsays are officially the shoe of the spring season. But before you grab a pair of both (like I did), let’s take a look at the origin of this namesake style.

First, a little fun fact: The (now) feminine shoe was originally worn by men in the 19th century. At the time, former soldier Count Alfred d’Orsay wanted better footwear for the French military, so he created a design featuring comfortable cutout sides that accommodated wider feet. The nobleman also added a pointed forepart, or “vamp,” that high-society women deemed fashionable and decided to adopt.

Now, let’s fast-forward to the d’Orsay 2.0. The Spring 2014 runways were all about cutouts – especially on shoes – making d’Orsays an ideal style for designers. You see, while d’Orsays cover the toe and heel, they leave the arch completely exposed. The best part? The flat version is just as stylish as its heeled counterpart, making d’Orsays ideal for formal and casual events alike.

By Jillian Hudon, Staff Writer

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