Radical News
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Yes! Journal
Radical Yes...Help Me Find My Best Sandal Fit!
An exploration into the magical, metaphysical world of shoe fitting In today's post, we share two ideas to consider in finding your perfect summer sandal. The first speaks to the barebones practical idea of ‘which fit is best for my foot?’ - based on a physically deductive method. The more easy to capture ‘wide feet’, ‘long feet’, ‘been-dancing-too-long-bumpy-feet’ gives us an easy check box list of things to consider with our key ‘365’ styles. But then there is the (perhaps) bigger consideration of which sandal ‘fits’ the privilege of making it into your life as a long-wearing, multi-purpose, conversation-starting statement sandal. A design idea we cycle through every season in the (re)creation of our ‘always on’ 365 styles. With this in mind, let’s talk first about the all-important practicalities. Wide Feet If your feet are wide - The best styles in our ‘365’ sandal collection for wide feet include our highly reviewed and much adored Arkestra Fisherman Sandal, as well as the (also highly reviewed and loved) Visby Sandal. Both offer good foot coverage, and the all important arch support in the midsole that speaks to the practical imperatives of ‘all day on your feet’ wear. Long & Narrow Feet If your feet are narrow or long, it’s all about the Neptune Sandal. With adjustable velcro straps covering both the arch and ankle, the midsole on this style runs slightly longer than other sandals in our 365 collection making them a favourite for customers with dancer-length toes. Watch the video below to see our Retail Team Leader, Sumedha, sharing all her tips from The Fitting Salon on how to choose your size for these ‘365’ styles. Now. Let’s talk about the radical imperative of ‘365’ styling Styles that we consider ‘365’ talk to our ideas of both ‘all year round styling’ (you know we love a sandal and sock combo) as well as ‘easily deserving of more than a year’ in your wardrobe status. Case in point - our classic T-Bar Declaration Sandal, which we have now been making for an amazing 7 years (!) basically unchanged. See the sandals. Transcript: Kerryn: Hi Rad Friends! We're here in Radical Land with our wonderful Retail Team Leader, Sumedha. Welcome! Sumedha: Hello! Kerryn: Today I asked you to come into Radical Land so we could talk about sandal fits, because it’s sandal season soon. We pulled together our 365 styles, and I thought with all of your experience Sum, in the store fitting feet, what's your view on how they're all going? Sumedha: So the easiest question first, what is running true to size? The Arkestra Sandals. Anything on this unit, they're all true to size, true to fit. So if you're usually a size 39, you would be a size 39 in these ones. Now, what is running a bit long? Neptune Sandals. So I would say if you're usually a size 39, size down in these ones to a size 38. Kerryn: We've like debated whether to change the last and everything, but we've been selling that shoe for so long, it's like, don't change it, just leave it, just size down. Sumedha: Now, with the Declaration unit, anything on this unit, that also includes the Sophia Sandals, it’s running short lengthwise. So if you’re usually a size 39, please size up to a size 40. Kerryn: It's always worth checking on the website. We do put a lot of notes as well on the fits for all the different shoes, and sometimes Sum, the materials make them run a little differently, don't they? Sumedha: With the Visby, if you've got a wider foot, I think this is something I would recommend because it's got a wider strap. The Declaration has a narrower strap at the vamp. So if you’ve got a wider foot and you want to feel a bit more supported, the Visby is your pick.
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Patience Tall Boot: Will They Fit My Strong Calves?
This week in The Fitting Salon, we unbox our new Patience Tall Boot and answer the most frequently asked question so far..."Will They Fit My Strong Calves?". We say hopefully yes - because of the way we designed them for you. Watch the video where we explain more and try them on too. You can also read more about our Patience Tall Boot as part of our Guide to Winter Boots here.here. You can see Patience Tall Boot and all our other boots here. Filmed and edited for us by Tomorrow Films. Watch the video below. See more boots here. Transcript: Hi Rad Friends! We're back in The Fitting Salon, and we're taking shoes out of boxes. It's a virtual try on for a shoe that we've been getting asked a lot of questions. Tada! Patience Tall Boot! And the question that we've been getting asked the most is “Will the tall boots fit my calves?”. Here’s a fun story about that. When we released these shoes, my sister-in-law, who's a personal trainer, said to me, “Kerryn, are they made for people with strong calves or calves like yours?”. So to answer that, the first is the circumference measurements. So they are online and you can see them, but a really quick way to know the circumference for your size, is to just use your size. So if you're a size 40, it's just on 40 centimetres, the circumference here. If you're a 41, it's just under 41 centimetres. If you're anything like me, and measurements don't really mean a lot, and I say that, and I work with measurements all the time. What I can also share with you is another great thing that you can't see when you look at the shoes online, and that is on the interior you can see here these are an unlined boot. So to keep them structured, they've got boning on the seams, but they actually have no lining, which gives them more stretch essentially. So it means that if you do find them a little bit firm at first, you can be assured that they are going to stretch and relax around your calves as you wear them. But the other thing that I've done today is I've actually put them on over my jeans to demonstrate just how wide they are, so, we might get into that. This is the part that you've been waiting for, the part where I actually put them on my feet. So, easy to get on, keep your foot on the ground, push them in, the zip has a nice long tail, so you can pull it up, which is really handy. So, thinking about some of the aesthetic details that we've put into these shoes, the first thing is we spent a painstaking amount of time on for these boots was getting the branding right and the logo right. This is our ode to quiet luxury; the shape of this reflects the shape that you can see down here at the ankle. So the idea was, it was creating a nice little bit of symmetry. The shaft is really clean on the outside, and we put the zip on the inside, so that means that it's just got that nice, clean, beautiful finish. And the other thing that we spent a lot of time thinking about when we created these boots, if you've been following us for a while, you'll know we've had tall boots before, they weren't as tall as this. What we really wanted to achieve with this boot was using the O unit, which you'll know if you've got Ophelia Loafers or Olympia Loafers, the aesthetics of the heel and the LUG sole to create something that was in between a riding boot, so really slick and beautiful and elegant, and a motorcycle boot, so being quite tough. And that's what we came up with, was a kind of ode to motorcycle wearing, give that feeling of like these are shoes that you really want to wear a lot and that you can be comfortable, and one of the fun ways that I like to wear these shoes is with with shorts but they also look great with dresses so going over the top of the boots. So that's the Patience Tall Boot. They're online now. We've got a small quantity up. We'd love to hear from you whether or not you think they're strong enough for your strong calves. So that's the Patience Tall Boot. They're online now. We'd love to hear from you and tell us, do they fit your strong calves? Okay, Stay Radical!
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Where are Radical Yes shoes made?
In conversation with Elfy Scott. We invited journalist, writer and podcaster Elfy Scott to help us answer some of the questions we get asked most frequently about our brand. It's the question everyone wants the answer to, and we’re super proud of our flat shoe origins. We’ll admit, we’ve got pretty high standards - not just when it comes to shoes. That’s why we chose the award-winning journalist, presenter and producer, Elfy Scott, to talk all things, well Radical Yes, with our founder Kerryn Moscicki. In this video, the duo hone in on where exactly our shoes are made, why we produce there and what we look out for when choosing our makers. Since our flat shoes are made in small quantities with a focus on quality, it’s so important that we find makers with the same values. That’s not so easy today with the focus geared towards large-scale production, but we stay committed to our vision. Watch the interview... “All of our factories are small family-owned businesses.” Kerryn Moscicki Founder, Radical Yes See new arrivals here.
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Why do we make shoes in small batches?
In conversation with Elfy Scott. We invited journalist, writer and podcaster Elfy Scott to help us answer some of the questions we get asked most frequently about our brand. There are so many reasons why we choose to make our flat shoes in small quantities. It’s not just about sustainability, our community is also at the heart of this decision. But that’s not all. When Elfy Scott (journalist, producer and host of ‘Left Right Out’ and ‘The Green Canary’ podcasts) posed the question to our founder Kerryn Moscicki, there were several factors behind the decision. In this video, Kerryn talks about the significance of making women’s sandals and sneakers in small batches, why it’s important to Radical Yes and the “secret club” that exists. Are you in it? Watch the interview... “I love the idea of little and often both in my life and also in manufacturing.” Kerryn Moscicki Founder, Radical Yes See new arrivals here.
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Why flat shoes?
In conversation with Elfy Scott. We invited journalist, writer and podcaster Elfy Scott to help us answer some of the questions we get asked most frequently about our brand. Flat shoe liberation is what Radical Yes is all about. Ever wondered why? It piqued the interest of the wonderful Elfy Scott, one of our favourite journalists, producers and hosts on this side of the world. So, when she caught up with our founder Kerryn Moscicki, it was one of the first questions on her lips. In this video Kerryn reveals what the deal is with flat shoes. While the origins may be that bit alternative, you’ll thank us in the end - really. And no, it’s got nothing to do with age. Here’s what Kerryn and Elfy had to say on the matter… Watch the interview... “Literally, like who wants to wear heels - you’ve got to get your sh*t done!” Kerryn Moscicki Founder, Radical Yes See new arrivals here.
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Radical Yes: the meaning behind ‘radical’
In conversation with Elfy Scott. We invited journalist, writer and podcaster Elfy Scott to help us answer some of the questions we get asked most frequently about our brand. Radical Yes is a female-founded brand that celebrates women and creativity. In fact, we created flat shoe liberation especially for women (thank us later). So when we had the opportunity to catch up with Elfy Scott, the incredible (award-winning, might we add) journalist, we couldn’t contain our excitement. In this video, the woman behind it all, Kerryn Moscicki, spills the tea on what the ‘radical’ in Radical Yes really means. It’s one of the most frequently asked questions about our shoes and the answer is really, quite radical, so we’re delighted to finally share it with you. To find out more, check out the video. Watch the interview... "Producing things much slower, working with less urgency, working in a more considered way." Kerryn Moscicki Founder, Radical Yes See new arrivals here.
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Why Did We Make A Bag Shaped Like A Croissant?
Why Did We Make A Bag Shaped Like A Croissant? The reason has nothing to do with our shop being next door to Bread Club (well maybe just a little)... Join us as we introduce our newest 'big bag' the Rainbow Tote. Made from recycled nylon and shaped like our favourite French pastry, we talk about three great 'end-uses' for this versatile new bag! Click below to watch the video... "With only one bag, you can change your outfit." - Sonia Rykiel See more bags here.
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Why Is The Sunny Boot Our Most Reviewed Shoe?
Today we are celebrating the return of the much loved Sunny Neoprene Pull On Boot - which is back in stock after selling out - and ask ourselves why we have never made a video about them when...they are our most reviewed shoe on our website!!?? We’ll explore the three reasons why we think this is by reading through some of your reviews! If you own Sunny boots - tell us what you love about them in the comments section of the YouTube video below👇 Watch the video here... See More Sunny Boots here...
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Talking Shoe Care with Anna from 'On The Mend'
Aside from the important sustainability gains that are made when we care for our belongings, we have found something almost spiritual in caring for your shoes as a signifier for the way we carry ourselves with deliberate intention through life. It is a kind of physical manifestation of the ‘Hasten Slowly’ idea to slow down, take notice and take care and one of the reasons we created our own ‘Full Moon Blessing’ shoe care ritual. Join us on our YouTube channel as we talk all things shoe care with our personal shoe repair Guru, Anna from On the Mend.
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