Shoes : Running Shoes Hazardous to your Joints?

Compared to running barefoot, running in conventional running shoes increases stress on the knee joints up to 38%, according to a new study.

''There is an increase in joint torque that may be detrimental," says D. Casey Kerrigan, MD, the lead author of the study, published in PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation.

Joint torque is a measure of how much a force causes the joint to rotate.

But Kerrigan is not advocating that runners take up barefoot running -- just that her findings may be a reason to redesign running shoes. Kerrigan, formerly chairwoman and professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, now heads JKM Technologies and is designing a running shoe.

At least one podiatric specialist calls the study finding ''much ado about nothing."
Running Shoes Study: Details

Kerrigan's team evaluated 68 runners -- 37 women, average age 31, and 31 men, average age 36 --   who ran at least 15 miles a week. None had any history of musculoskeletal injury.

Participants ran barefoot on a treadmill and then in a running shoe: the Brooks Adrenaline.

Kerrigan's team observed how each condition, barefoot and shod, affected the joints of the hip, knee, and ankle.

Compared to running barefoot, the researchers found running in running shoes increased stress on the lower extremities. They found a  54% increase in the hip internal rotation torque and a 36% to 38% increase in knee torque.  Is that increase mild, moderate, worrisome? "We don't know," Kerrigan tells WebMD. "We just know it's an increase."

She attributes the increased stress to the characteristic design of the majority of running shoes, including an elevated heel and increased material in the midsole arch.

Providing this cushioning in the heel, she suspects, counteracts the body's natural response to compensate for the torque associated with impact.

The increases found in her current study are higher than when she compared barefoot walking to walking in high heels. The high-heel shoes increased knee joint torque by 20% to 26%, she says.
Running Shoes Study: Analysis

Some torque on the knee is normal, of course. "What we are saying is, there is an increase over what would be experienced just walking around," Kerrigan says.

Her concern is that the excess stress may contribute to knee osteoarthritis, although the study did not look at a link between running shoes and injury or running shoes and the development of arthritis.

She isn't suggesting barefoot running -- a trend that's picked up steam in the past year or so -- is necessarily better than running in athletic shoes, she says.
 
Running Shoes Study: Other Opinions

''It's much ado about nothing," says Bruce Williams, DPM, past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and a spokesman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, of the study results.

"She showed there was an increase in joint forces, but that's it," says Williams, a podiatrist in Valparaiso, Ind., and a runner. There was no link shown between running shoes and running injuries, nor with development of arthritis -- both beyond the scope of the study.

The bulk of research studies have found that runners don't have a higher incidence of knee osteoarthritis than the general population, Williams tells WebMD.

In one study, for instance, German researchers evaluated 20 former elite marathon runners and compared them to the general population, looking for arthritis. They found that knee osteoarthritis was rare in the former marathoners, publishing the result in the journal Orthopade.

Ideally, Kerrigan's team should have looked at many different shoe types, says Joseph Hamill, PhD, professor of kinesiology and director of the Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who has researched the biomechanics of running shoes. "For example, a racing flat has very little in the way of cushioning and is almost like running barefoot," Hamill says.

Running Shoes Study: Industry Input

In an email response, Tiffany Herman, a spokeswoman for Brooks Sports, which makes running shoes, says: ''We value the results of this study and are in active research and development on many unique performance running footwear solutions at Brooks."

''This includes styles that enhance the natural motion of the foot and body while offering protection from weather conditions, road debris, and individual biomechanical variances."

Running Shoes: What to Buy?

So what's a runner to wear -- or not wear? "Nobody should take the message that being barefoot is better than wearing any type of shoe whatsoever," says Williams of the new study.

Kerrigan, too, says her research isn't a vote for the barefoot running trend -- nor for giving up running.

"If you are happy with your running shoes, you don't necessarily have to change them," Williams says. But if you have an injury, he suggests consulting a sports podiatrist and getting advice about the best shoe features for you.

''I would suggest runners try a number of different types of shoes until they find one that they like," Hamill says. "Also, buy two or three pairs of shoes and rotate them each day."

Source : WebMD

Apparel News : Talbot sets in financial deal

BPW Acquisition Corp. a publicly held special purpose acquisition company, announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which it will be acquired by The Talbots, Inc a specialty retailer of women’s apparel. Upon closing the combined company will retain Talbots’ ticker symbol and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the proceeds of BPW’s cash-in-trust of approximately $350 million, in conjunction with additional financing obtained by Talbots, including a new $200 million revolving credit facility for which a commitment has been received from GE Capital, will be used to retire all of Talbots’ existing debt. In addition, Talbots will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Talbots common stock held by AEON (U.S.A.), Inc., which represents a more than 54% stake currently. BPW common shares will be exchanged for the equivalent of $11.25 per BPW share in Talbots’ common shares within a floating exchange ratio range of between 0.9000 – 1.3235 Talbots shares per BPW share, based on the trading prices of Talbots common stock prior to the BPW stockholders meeting. Pro forma for the merger, BPW’s shareholders will own between approximately 60-69% of Talbots’ common shares.

As part of the transaction, the Sponsors and certain directors of BPW will surrender an aggregate of 1,852,941 shares of BPW common stock, or approximately 30% of the shares held by the Sponsors and such directors, for no consideration.

The transaction also contemplates that, following receipt of BPW stockholder approval, Talbots will undertake an exchange offer for existing BPW warrants held by public warrantholders. The exchange offer will provide that 50% of the BPW warrants held by public warrantholders will be exchanged for the equivalent of $1.125 per BPW warrant in Talbots common shares through a floating exchange ratio of between .09000 - .13235 Talbots shares per BPW warrant, based on the trading prices of Talbots common stock prior to the BPW stockholders meeting, that the balance of BPW warrants held by public warrantholders would be exchanged for new Talbots warrants with new terms, including a term of 5 years and a strike price set at a premium of 30% to the closing valuation of Talbots’ common stock as determined under the merger agreement. The Sponsors and certain directors of BPW have agreed to exchange all of their warrants for Talbots common stock at the same floating exchange ratio of between .09000 - .13235 Talbots shares per BPW warrant.

Trudy Sullivan will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of Talbots, and will continue to lead the current management team, which is successfully implementing a turnaround of the company.

Gary S. Barancik, Chief Executive Officer of BPW said, “This is an outstanding opportunity for both BPW and Talbots. BPW is extremely pleased to be partnering with Talbots and its management team led by Trudy Sullivan. The merger of BPW and Talbots provides Talbots with the strategic capital necessary to strengthen its balance sheet, the working capital necessary to support future growth and the financial flexibility necessary to complete the operational improvements and strategic repositioning now well underway as demonstrated by the third quarter results. Furthermore, the merger provides BPW stockholders and warrant holders with immediate and significant value and the opportunity to participate in the future growth of Talbots, one of the country’s best known specialty retailers of women’s apparel.”

Trudy F. Sullivan, Talbots President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Over the past two years we reinvigorated the Talbots brand, re-engineered our supply chain, divested non-core businesses, and streamlined our cost structure to address both competitive and market pressures, putting in place a strong foundation for our future. We are now beginning to realize the benefits of this hard work, and we are delighted to have the support of BPW stockholders as we begin the next chapter of growth at Talbots. By joining with BPW, Talbots will have a stronger and more flexible balance sheet and capital structure and be well positioned for future value creation for all of our stakeholders. This is an exciting time for Talbots as this transaction will create a stronger company with significantly enhanced ability to execute on our strategic plans and opportunities.”

The proposed transaction is subject to limited customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, receipt of necessary financing by Talbots, including as contemplated by a commitment letter from GE Capital, BPW stockholder approval and the completion of the BPW warrant exchange offer on the terms described in the merger agreement. Aeon, as majority stockholder of Talbots, has approved the issuance of Talbots stock in the transaction and no further vote of Talbots stockholders will be required to complete the transaction.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP acted as legal advisors to BPW in connection with the transaction.

Financo Securities, LLC provided a fairness opinion to BPW Acquisition Corp. in connection with the transaction.

SOURCE

Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Choosing wholesale products online

As the fast development of the Internet and E-Commerce, more and more people begin to move to E-business. This is a profitable business venture. Meanwhile, it is a project full of risks. The benefits will outweigh the risks as long as you can choose the right wholesale products and the reliable partners.

So many wholesale products rush to you when you searching on internet. It is important to analyze, estimate carefully. In fact, there are numerous wholesale products for choice.

You may choose wholesale accessories shoes. There's a large variety of accessories and shoes on some bigger websites which are specialized in b2b business, such as Tradetang.com. This kind of wholesale items enjoy a broad worldwide market.

Wholesale apparel has a huge market with big potential and wide prospect. You need to find out reliable wholesale clothing suppliers who can guarantee the high quality and the low prices. Lots of rising b2b websites make wholesale business more convenient and profitable.

Wedding industry has been powerful and flourishing recently. At the same time there is fierce competition in this business. People who plan to invest in this area can purchase Wholesale Wedding Formal Apparel from China. As we know, China has numerous clothing factories and cheap labor power, which can decrease cost of production and improve competitiveness.

SOURCE

Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Online women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories store MakeMeChic.com

Online women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories store MakeMeChic.com is on Facebook! To kick things off, MakeMeChic.com will send new Facebook fans a free $10 coupon for their next purchase. Become a fan and enjoy free $10 coupon courtesy of MakeMeChic.com.

City of Industry, CA (PRWEB) December 9, 2009 –- Enjoy Facebook? So does online women’s shoes and apparel store MakeMeChic.com. The best place for the latest trends in women’s shoes, dresses, and accessories is now on Facebook. To kick things off right, MakeMeChic.com is offering a free $10 coupon to new Facebook fans for their next purchase. To take advantage of this great offer, new Facebook fans should email facebook(at)makemechic(dot)com with their Facebook profile name. MakeMeChic.com will send them a one-time $10 coupon code valid for their next purchase through MakeMeChic.com! Google Checkout and eBay purchases do not qualify. One promotion per order, coupon code not retroactive. Hurry now, because gift coupon codes will expire December 15, 2009.

MakeMeChic.com has a great inventory of sexy club dresses, including tastefully sexy, one-shoulder dress for as low as $16. Complete a clubbing outfit with fashionable women's shoes, women's boots, women's pumps, or women's sandals and get ready to paint the town red in style. To get warm for the holiday season, MakeMeChic.com also has a fabulous collection of trendy crochet women's boots, starting at only $15 a pair. Whatever taste and budget, MakeMeChic has the right women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories for all women.

MakeMeChic.com truly understands a woman's need to have the best fashion pieces without breaking the bank. MakeMeChic.com constantly updates all women's shoes lovers on the latest trends, deals, and steals on women's shoes. Sign up with the company's newsletter and walk the streets in style all year round.

About MakeMeChic.com: Based in the City of Industry, CA, MakeMeChic.com is an online store that specializes in trendy women's shoes and apparel. MakeMeChic.com is every woman's partner when it comes to fashionable finds. With over 50 latest styles arriving weekly, a woman will never be out of style. Press release produced by Cybertegic.com - an Internet marketing services agency that specializes in search engine optimized press release marketing (SEO marketing).

Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Holiday party fashion advice from experts

By Bronwyn Turner
Correspondent


Want to make Santa’s best-dressed list this year? Don the right apparel before you head for decked halls and you’ll be a hit at the holiday parties, area experts said. Here is a look at their Top 10 list of holiday fashion must-haves.

The Little Black Dress

“It’s more of a must this year because people are watching their pockets a little bit more, and it’s easy to make the black dress look different twice,” Jesse Conrad, owner of The Firm in Galveston, said.

Diana Montes, who co-owns Jill’s Fashions and Bridals with her husband in League City, is seeing dresses with one shoulder — “they call it the cold shoulder look.” Backs of dresses are a fashion statement as well, with cutouts and low backs.

Monica Barry, owner of ha.ba.’s in Galveston, advises going with color in holiday fashions, or if you have to wear the black dress, pull out the bling. “Really pump it up with large accessories and bright colors,” she said.

Sequins

Sequin dresses are back in again, with the large paillettes (sequin spangles used to detail and trim, sometimes of different shapes), Montes said. Conrad is seeing a lot of sequined shoes as well.

Glitz And Bling

“If you watch what’s going on with all of the MTV and teenage girls, bling everywhere is in — big bangle bracelets, big chunky necklaces, the big rings with lots of rhinestones on them,” Montes advised. Conrad sees glitz and gold in hair clips and bags as well.

Clutch Bags

Look for the bangle bracelet clutch bag. “You put it on your wrist instead of carrying it under your arm,” Dina Austin, store manager for Rainbow Apparel in the Mainland Crossing Shopping Center in Texas City, said.

Montes likes the “little bitty sequined handbag that can hold your cell phone, camera, compact and lipstick. ... For parties, clutches are hugely in.”

Shoes That Make A Statement

“Stiletto heels are still in, much to our chagrin — the higher the better, especially if it’s on a platform, like a 5-inch heel on an inch platform,” Montes said. Ankle and tall boots are part of the holiday fashion this year as well, the women said.

Barry noted the new shoe décor — open-bottomed leather bangle boots or high leather boots that attach to high heels. “Shoes are another way to dress up,” she said. “Nothing is just a simple pump any more.”

Leggings

Leggings in lace, fishnet and gold or silver lamé are fashionable this holiday season. Look for leggings worn under sequin dresses, with lots of color.

Faux Fur

Jackets, shawls, and capes with fur trim are in fashion. Watch for marabou, with small, fine fluffy feathers, in jackets and shawls. For the Interfaith Caring Ministries holiday style show last week in League City, Montes dressed a model in a form-fitted dress with an animal print top and faux fur jacket.

Shawls And Wraps

Shawls with sequins, knitted shawls, marabou feather shawls and psychedelic-colored shawls are all in fashion. Montes also likes a small marabou shrug (cropped garment that covers less than a vest worn over a shirt).

Vivid Colors And Prints

Animal and abstract prints are right for the party scene. Montes advises the color purple.

Makeup

Look for purples and pinks in eye shadow, and a little sparkle on the shoulders.

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Five Fashion Follies

• Trying to look older or younger. “Remember, our minds don’t age as quickly as our bodies do,” Diana Montes, who co-owns Jill’s Fashions and Bridals with her husband in League City, said. Teenage fashions are for teenagers.

• Clashing colors. Coordinate lipstick with your outfit. Stay within the same color palette.

• Poor fits. “Sometimes people can wear something that’s ill fitting and look disheveled,” Montes said.

• Rouge is not in. The more natural look is in.

• Embarrassingly form-fitting clothes. “You always want to accent the positive,” Montes said. “We all come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 0 or size 32, you still want to look beautiful.”

SOURCE: Experts offer holiday party fashion must-haves

Aamir Khan t-shirts, shoes and accessories

Good news for Aamir and Kareena fans. Now you can have what your favorite actors wore on screen. We are talking about the t-shirts, shoes and accessories used by Aamir, Kareena and others in their upcoming flick “3 Idiot”.

Vinod Chopra Films and fashion retailer Pantaloons have collaborated to launch the 3 Idiots apparel and accessories collection at a gala event in Mumbai. The collection includes 10 Doodle t-shirts designed by Aamir for the film, some more t-shirts that Aamir, Madhavan and Sharman wore in the movie and also the apparels and accessories flaunted by the leading lady Kareena. Not only this, fans will have converse shoes of the movie available at the store Planet Sports which is a part of Future Group.

Aamir Khan walked the ramp at the launch in one of his self-designed doodle t-shirts. He naturally seemed to be very happy about the release of his own creation and said, “I hope people like my doodles”.

Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO, Pantaloons too was very happy to be associated with the movie and said, “It is very exciting for Pantaloons to associate with a movie like 3 Idiots and an actor of the calibre of Aamir Khan. Such a unique film required a new approach to replicate its irrepressible spirit.”

The “3 Idiots” apparels reflect the moods and characteristics of the movie. It has mainly three basic ranges of apparels worn by Aamir and seven others designed by the actor which he named Doodle!

Thanks Aamir and thanks to Pantaloons… with these merchandise available in the stores, “Aal Izz surely gonna be Well”!

SOURCE

Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Holiday shopping suggesetions from clothing to jewelry

In 2009, after 63 years in business, St. Pete Beach Hardware closed its doors for good. Customers were stunned when they heard the news. "You just don't get the same service at the big stores," one regular said at the time.

Plenty of shoppers would agree. Independently owned shops offer touches that chains and bigger stores often don't, from personal service to whimsical goods you'll never find at the mall.

Sadly, in an economy that each day seems to invent new ways to pummel the little guy, it's independents like St. Pete Beach Hardware who suffer the most.

That's why this holiday season, we're turning the spotlight on local businesses for this Independent Shopping Guide. We surveyed Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties to find 60 of our favorite locally owned businesses. Our goal: To offer holiday shopping suggestions for anyone who wants to support the local economy. From clothing and jewelry to home decor, from gifts for foodies to gear for weekend warriors, we're confident you'll be able to find something for everyone on your list.

We couldn't list every independent business in Tampa Bay — for every shop we visited, there were probably five more we wish we could have included. But we think that's okay. Our hope is that once you check out the wares at these shops, you'll be encouraged to visit the locally owned businesses shops in your own neighborhood.

You'll never know what you might find. And you'll never know what you might miss when they're gone.

Clothing and jewelry

Reborn Couture

Before you party like a rock star, stop here for the perfect outfit. Reborn carries clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women who realize the Ed Hardy look is so over. Find a sequin dress for your sorority sister, a cool T-shirt for your kid brother or the perfect jeans for yourself. With hip music pumped in and a swanky sitting area in the back, the whole place feels very Vegas. 701 S Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 254-4400; reborncouture.com.

Bernie's & Son Jewelers

Family-owned and operated for 33 years, this jewelry institution on Beach Drive sells a slew of baubles both pricey and affordable, with intricate and creative designs incorporating many styles of gemstones. If you want to hear a gasp on Christmas morning, go here. 154 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-2000, berniesandson.net.

DKM

Every woman on your list would find plenty to fancy at this fun, fashionable accessories store. This South Tampa favorite is a treasure trove for glittery Gasparilla, Florida Gators and Tampa Bay Bucs gear. The handbags, jewelry and watches are surprisingly affordable and stylish. Its Valentino-inspired purses look straight out of Neiman Marcus but sell for a fraction of the cost. Two Tampa locations: 3104 Palmira Ave., (813) 902-0044; and 4017 Henderson Blvd., (813) 281-8917; dkmaccessories.com.

Keys Country

This country and western apparel boutique proves that hip and country can go together. Keys Country declares itself to have a heart of country and a soul of rock 'n' roll. Its collection of clothing, cowboy boots and accessories caters to cool cowboys and cowgirls with attitude. Think Keith Urban, not the Hee Haw crowd. 1910 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 253-5397; keyscountry.com.

Marion's

Owner Marion Mitchell's shop offers an array of jewelry, purses and home accessories in the Vera Bradley and Brighton mold, along with a number of Christian-inspired bangles and trinkets. The staff is more than happy to help male shoppers with ideas, too. 1301 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 821-2345, marionsonline.com

In Search of Balance

Steve and Julie Meyer brought their relaxed outdoor-lifestyle ethic from St. Thomas to St. Petersburg in 2007. The shop is all about Colorado comfort, with labels like Patagonia, Prana, Horny Toad and their own eponymous line of Life Is Good-style T-shirts (check the $5 bin for some good deals). The recycled rice bag totes and hiking sandals are good sellers. 300 Beach Drive, Suite 135, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-0320, insearchofbalance.com.

Kit's Well Heeled & Well-Dressed

Ladies, this is one of those rare stores where you can find an outfit for yourself, your mom and your grandmother, and you'll all come out stylish. The boutique emphasizes feminine flair with flowery blouses, blinged-out heels, evening gowns and leopard-print everything. It also carries basis like jeans, exercise clothes, shapewear and even luggage. 714 S Village Circle, Tampa, (813) 250-125; kitswelldressed.com.

Love That!

This boutique is stocked with everything a girlie-girl needs. You'll find basics like jeans and tank tops, but also party dresses, lingerie and an assortment of jewelry, including trendy cuffs. There's also sassy stuff like painted wine and martini glasses, blinged-out Gators and Bulls accessories and aprons that read "My next house won't have a kitchen. Just vending machines." 4109 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, (813) 902-0500; lovethatonline.com.

Owen Sweet Design Studio and Gallery

"To my mind a piece of jewelry is a sculpture in miniature against a human background," says North Redington Beach art jewelry designer Owen Sweet, whose curving, modern bracelets and necklaces bring to mind Frank Gehry's architecture. Sweet, who owns the store with his wife, incorporates inspiration from his new home in Florida with his South African roots, creating whimsical gecko or shell pendants as well as stunning cuffs fit for ancient Egyptian queens. 16701 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach. (727) 392-6936; ohsosweet.com.

Zoey Bloom

If you hear someone at this boutique say SoHo, assume they're talking about New York City, not Tampa's South Howard Avenue. Zoey Bloom sells jewelry, handbags and shoes for the fashion-forward buyer looking for big-city names without going to a big city. Its purses by Hammitt Los Angeles have been spotted on Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton and Kelly Ripa. 1710 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 251-1706, zoeybloom.net.

SOURCE: The Independent Shopping Guide: 60 cool Tampa Bay stores worth checking out this Christmas