When I was little, I passionately believed that Clarks’ Magic Steps held the key (literally) to my social emancipation. But, of course, such frivolity was frowned upon by my parents and I was denied that particular route out of isolation, along with many more throughout my education.

Even as a 6 year old, I understood the potential of a particular shoe. And the transformative powers of footwear have been proved repeatedly through literature to be a matter of simple truth: only once Puss had his boots could he make a serious attempt on fortune in London; where would Dorothy have been without the tap of the red heels and how fiercely did the Ugly Sisters try to force that slipper to fit? From mere perambulation to passage through the portals of fortune, it is, inevitably, the shoe that carries us through.

Today, nearly all my outfits start from the feet up: is it a significant-shoe-day? Do I want a heel or a flat? Preppy or street? Style or comfort? Only once I’ve decided on my shoe can I begin to contemplate what else I might wear, otherwise I’m lost.

Speaking of the significant shoe – look at this beauty that a good friend recently sported with a frock…I just love this so much – I think it’s the white base that makes it pop so!

Anyway, imagine my astonishment when one of my oldest, dearest chums revealed on Friday during lunch that she had not bought a pair of shoes for A YEAR. Whilst I have genuine admiration for such restraint, I do feel like we all need to let the shoe work its magic from time to time.

And, my darling chum’s current choice of shoe really was a case in point….What a shame to have teamed a lovely stripy tunic, cool denim jacket and burgundy tights with this …

So, of course, my other chum (something of a fashionista extraordinaire) and I marched Chum 1 off to the high-street to remedy the situation immediately. Chum 1 being less beholden to the vagaries of fashion than Chum 2 and I, we knew that we were working within a strict set of guidelines. To have any chance, the recommend article had to be quality, sturdy, with no heel and above all, comfortable. So of course with the criteria in mind, there was really only one brand to countenance: Clarks.

And I really cannot say enough good things about Clarks at the moment. They have successfully made the transition from shoes that always looked a bit “special”, to shoes that are especially fab. Yes, one does still have to keep an eye out for the odd wrong’un, but at least 75% of this year’s A/W collection is wearable, covetable even.

Within 10 minutes, we had identified the perfect solution (“shoelution”? Too much?) and to say it lifted the outfit is an understatement – see for yourselves!

I think you’ll agree on this total transformation from student chic to, well, just chic, in one swift fastening of a buckle.

And, yes, you’re right: there really is an air of the Magic Steps to these beauties;  the circle really is unbroken and I was clearly right all along.