Savvy has as much shoe lust as the next gal, but she acknowledges that she’s lucky she can get 8½’s in just about any style. Not so for fashion-conscious babes with a larger footprint (we’re talking size 10-plus). For years they’ve had to settle for the dreaded “comfort shoe.” Enter Barefoot Tess. Named after the owner’s daughter, this Baltimore-based online biz carries every style you can imagine, from strappy sandals to colorful jellies, with names such as Steve Madden, Dolce Vita and the company’s own line. “High heels sell out really fast,” says owner Karen Williamson. “Women want choices. They want more than athletic shoes.” Williamson can boast some big name customers from the Olympics, the Women’s National Basketball Association, even Hollywood. But she’s perhaps most proud of an email she got from an ordinary gal. It read: “I’m breaking up with Nordstrom.” Shhh. Savvy will never tell. http://www.barefoottess.com
