Alex Carr and Tim Wilson of Tops For Shoes

Customers in Asheville, N.C., are flipping for Tops For Shoes. Senior buyer Tim Wilson’s secret? “Buying shoes that have a little uniqueness to them as far as colorations, mixing of colors and medias and material interest,” he tells WSAToday.com. “Yellow and blue have been two colors that, initially, I had reservations on, but the customer has spoken loud and clear. It’s been a big surprise for fall, and they’ve really turned out to be very strong.” But Wilson is looking for more than unique product; he’s also on the hunt for distinctive brands. “We tend to find lines that a lot of times the department stores don’t see, the fashion-savvy younger lines that department stores tend to overlook,” he says. One such example is Jeffrey Campbell. “We had him in the store quicker than any of the department stores did. It’s become a huge line for us. He does such unique things—we can’t keep him in the store.” Here are a few of the other hot styles among the store’s 100 plus brands that are simply sizzling.

Aina by Jeffrey Campbell

Price:

Retails for $89

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“It comes in a yellow, silver, brown and beige combination. At first look, I would’ve been hesitant to tell you it’s been as good as it’s been, but it’s been phenomenal. It has a moderate heel [2 inches]. It’s the one that gets picked off the shelf first; it’s what the girls gravitate to first. This is a great jeans shoe.”

Kassel by Palladium

Price:

Retails for $79

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“It’s a little flat that has an elasticized strap across the front that zigzags across top of the foot. We’ve sold hundreds of pairs of this shoe. It comes in a variety of colors and leather. We sold a lot of black, but the animal print stock to sales was extremely strong. We just got it in silver, and that looks really good.”

Mae by Anne Klein

Price:

Retails for $185

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“The color that’s been good is a wine patent. It’s a closed-toe slingback on a high 3-inch heel. It’s just a great looking shoe. It’s like something you don’t have in your wardrobe. It’s a great dress shoe.”

Cindi by Munro

Price:

Retails for $139

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“This has been a very, very, very strong shoe. It comes in every size under the sun from super slim to double wide. It’s a great pants shoe.”

Allure by Earth

Price:

Retails for $109

Why It’s A Top Seller:

“This shoe has been an extremely strong pattern. It’s a two-toned shoe combo of suede and leather that’s extremely comfortable. It’s made to be better for your posture with a negative heel technology in it. It doesn’t look orthopedic in nature; plus we have a bit of a green community here.”

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