Local Glamour: Sassy Shoe Place With a Local Twist

What drew me to Nu Shuz on Friday evening was not the usual — a glimpse of a bright wedge in the window or a flutter of $15 blouses from a sidewalk rack — but curiosity: What goes on during a High Heel Happy Hour?

Every Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., the little fuschia shop on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach and Riviera Village in Redondo Beach offers wine plus 10 percent off bags and accessories. Shoes run about $30 a pair, though if you buy more than one the price drops to $20 per pair, a good reason to make this a plus-one outing.

Don't look for a long-term love at this happy hour. Styles tend to sell out quickly, something the store communicates to customers via a flyer featuring a glum girl and the reminder: "You should have bought it when you saw it!"

Plus, the shoes at this spot are of the short-term variety: bright colors, of-the-season silhouettes and here-today-gone-tomorrow looks. A pair of buttercup yellow flip-flops to take you through a season at the beach, for instance. Or a pair of royal-blue faux suede pumps that mirror what everyone is sporting in the clubs.

Though the store features the fun and feminine, Redondo Beach salesgirl Elvia pointed out they carry items to suit almost every age and taste. Amidst the assemblage of sky-high heels in pop colors there are toned-down neutrals and traditional-looking styles. The "Butterfly" shoe is a hit with older gals who are drawn to its cushioned, low-height heel and wider, foot-friendly vamp.

When purchasing bargain shoes, keep the following in mind:

Consider construction. When it comes to bargain shoes, the simpler the shoe, the better. Think basic, uncomplicated designs with a minimum of straps, embellishments and adornment. Opt for canvas and natural fabrics, and select basic colors, not patterns.

Think short term. Think of bargain shoes as temporary closet additions to last a season or two, tops. Staple items, on the other hand, such as black pumps or suede knee boots, should be of the highest quality you can afford. Provided they are well-maintained, such staples should last for eons.

Stock up smartly. If you gasped when you first caught sight of those white, ankle-strap espadrilles at a giveaway price, and see yourself wearing them each summer from now until eternity, do buy in bulk.

Stretch your style sensibility. A bargain shoe is a fun and debt-free way to wander beyond your tried-and-true style. Select a short-term shoe with a heel height that is higher or lower than your standard, or in a color you would not normally wear. A pair of glossy red stilettos I purchased at Nu Shuz around Christmas time turned out to be a perky addition to my holiday wardrobe lineup.

Know when to say goodbye. Remember, bargain shoes are built for the short-term, so when your pair show advanced signs of wear, or look completely spent, do realize the party's over and act accordingly. Throw them away.

Author of the book "Practical Glamour: Presenting Your Most Beautiful & Polished Self to the World," Constance Dunn writes about grooming, style and etiquette.