Hotter Shoes Event | Finding My Perfect Pair*

Hotter Shoes invited me to attend a private event at their Peterborough store to view their spring/summer collection. The event was being held in my home city of Peterborough (which by the way NEVER EVER happens) so I knew exactly who to take as my plus one – my mum! What a great way to be able to share a bit of my blogging world with her and at the same time watch her get totally spoiled by the Hotter team.

I have to admit that my perception of Hotter Shoes prior to the event was that they were for the over 50’s, which I confessed to their PR reps Jenny and Mel. They acknowledged that this is a familiar story. Their aim is to shake off this reputation and show that Hotter Shoes has much to offer the younger audience. 

What really interested me is that their MD Peter Taylor came to them from the same role at Hunter Boot, where he had overseen that company’s transformation into the iconic welly brand that we know today. (Would any discerning festival goer be seen dead in another brand?). Now he intends to do the same with Hotter Shoes. Each season they employ colour forecasting to keep them on trend with the latest colours on the catwalks, so that when you buy something off the high street, they’ll have a pair of shoes to match.

I was excited to see if their promise that I would “Enjoy Happy Feet All Day Long With Our Stylish Women’s Shoes.” was true because I have the worlds most awkward feet! Most shoes start rubbing very quickly and I end up covered in plasters and limping if I’ve walked too far. Finding new shoes is quite a challenge and it’s not often that I find a comfortable pair that looks good too.

On the evening of the event Queensgate Shopping Centre was closed to the public but we were allowed to slip behind the store shutters, where glasses of bubbly and nibbles awaited us.

We were given a warm welcome from the area manager James who invited us to have a relaxed look around the store and try on as many shoes as we liked. The best part? We’d each be able to take home our favourite pair with their compliments. Talk about kids in a candy store!

I was pleasantly surprised to discover row upon row of gorgeous shoes. Yes, there were ranges in there for an older clientele too, but look past this and there are plenty of designs to catch the eye.

Colour is a big theme this season. 

Soft and pretty pastels…

…all the way through to brights…

 plus floral, polka dot and striped canvas prints and pretty detailing.

You know the scene in Pretty Woman where Vivian sits in the boutique surrounded by store people and when she points at things and they all fly off to get them for her? It felt a bit like that! Apart from Mum and I kept apologising every time we asked for another pair of shoes, to which the Hotter team laughed and said ‘no don’t be silly, that’s what we’re here for, to find your perfect pair!’ and then rushed off to bring us yet more boxes!

That really is the beauty of this store. Each member of staff is not only super approachable and easy to talk to, but also knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Nothing was too much trouble. I had a really lovely time chatting to all the members of the team. I even managed to coax them into a group photo with me!

I explained about my awkward feet and was assured that whilst not every pair was going to be my perfect match, they would find me the shoes that would give me my ‘Hotter moment’. This is when you slip into the pair that makes you go ‘oooh’ and run to the till with your credit card, because you know that you’re not going to want to ever take them off again.

The lovely Peterborough store manager Danielle explained that some styles will fit differently on your foot so sizes may vary. For this reason they only display one half of any pair of shoes and you need to ask for the matching one. The purpose of this is to make sure that you get the benefit of a member of staff who can expertly guide you to your perfect fit.

When I tried on their gorgeous denim boat shoes (which made me want to dress in breton stripes and sail off on a boat somewhere) they felt a bit tight across my toes. However James came over and with a couple of tweaks to the laces, the shoe fit much more comfortably. He explained that my leaving the laces looser was actually causing the shoe to gape where it shouldn’t, thus causing the discomfort when the shoe flexed. I guess that’s why he’s the expert!

And I found not one but TWO perfect pairs! First with the ‘Donna’, whose pretty cut out detailing were perfect for my high arch, which I chose in Off White for a wedding I’m attending in September, as it will compliment all my summer dresses. (How pretty is the lining too?).

Then I slipped my feet into the Dawn Wedge. The straps on these had just the right level of support for me and the suede leather felt buttery soft. After much deliberation (pink or blue, pink or blue) I opted for the Dark Aqua shade this time.

My mum has dainty little feet and opted for a very cute pair called Antoinette with a pretty patent bow.

We also got to learn more about the company. Based in Lancashire, the heart of their brand is the Hotter Concept, pioneered by their founder ‘Stu the Shoe’. He wanted every shoe to feel as comfortable as a pair of slippers, so hidden in every shoe are secret comfort features. This includes super light soles filled with millions of tiny air bubbles to cushion your foot. We got to see the materials that go into each shoe and feel the texture and flexibility of them.

Before we left I was asked to do one final thing – film a little segment for their Youtube channel on the pair of shoes I’d picked. I was shaking with nerves and stumbled over my words – Zoella I am not!! I’m petrified of watching it back, but at the same time quite pleased that I tried something new. No, actually I’m still petrified.

*Update 17th June* – the video is now on Youtube. Thank goodness for editing! Here it is for you to laugh at watch:

All in all it was a lovely relaxed event and I enjoyed my foray into the world of fashion! Hotter Shoes are not the cheapest shoes out there, my chosen pairs cost £85 and £65 full priced, however as an investment in quality and comfort they are second to none and I’m glad to have discovered a new shoe brand that works with, not against, my feet!

The Hotter Team so very generously gifted me my first pair of shoes and I couldn’t resist buying the second pair, which they kindly gave me a 20% discount on.

A discount code for you to use

The good news is that Hotter Shoes have given me a 10% off discount code to share with you all, valid until 31st July 2015.

Just go to their website hotter.com and enter the following code at the checkout:

PMATEN

Terms and conditions: This discount code entitles you to 10% off plus FREE delivery for first orders only. You are entitled to 10% off the total order value of any full priced items in the Hotter range (excluding shoe care products) plus FREE delivery.  This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or on Sale or Factory Clearance items and gift vouchers.

The discount code can be used on our website from Friday 22nd May and ends on 31st July 2015.