anywhere until next spring -- bad news for those of you with tiny fragile ankles.

Those thick-heeled, platform-type shoes will continue through this autumn and winter in typical browns, blacks and patent leather.

And for the daring, stiletto pumps are also making a return.

The styles of shoes for both men and women are very similar to what was seen in the stores last year but in casual wear, the whallabee boots in different bright colours, including red, are what's hot.

At Tuff Shoes, owner Davano Spencer said right now "my hottest seller are the wallabies, they were out years ago and are like the desert boots and they come in every colour -- orange, red, burgundy, brown, yellow -- every colour you can think of.

"I have the wallabies in suede but by Christmas I'll have leather.

"Also coming in is a selection of GBX Giorgio Bruttin clunky biker style boots, people wear these particular boots a lot in New York, in the Greenwich Village area.'' Mr. Spencer also said he has regular sneakers for the family, and some dress shoes.

"I cater to the younger crowd so I have casual shoes, even the dress shoes can be dressed up with a suit or a pair of jeans. For the Fall and winter we have nice boots in either mid calf or ankle lengths.'' Trimingham's ladies shoe buyer Jean Brady said the store will not get stilettos in until the spring, but for autumn, "we have a few high heels mostly in medium and low heels''.

"Heels are still fairly thick but in all different shapes. And the colours are black as usual, shades of brown from light tan to very dark, a small amount of dark green, navy, burgundy... and cognac is very popular colour as it can be worn all year around. It is not as heavy as the dark brown.

"Black is always the most popular in Bermuda.'' Ms Brady added that for the last two years for winter and autumn, the style has been clunky, which young people seem to love.

"Last time this type of shoe was in was about 30 years ago and they were called the `monster shoe','' she said. "They seem to suit the people with sturdy ankles and not people with thin ankles and narrow feet.'' In the lower heels, Trimingham's has a crushed velvet shoe for day wear and it can be dressed up or dressed down with evening slacks or day clothes.

"We also have a few ankle boots which are popular for the young people and they come in black and dark brown.

"Next spring, I think we will see a turn into a lighter less clunky shoe.'' Trends and Boyles spokesperson Emma Mitchell said European women, and French women in particular, have never succumbed to the practical if unfeminine trends of North American women when it comes to footwear. Parisiennes are forever seen beautifully shod regardless of the time, place or weather, unlike their counterparts in America and even at home in Bermuda.

She added that this season's stilettos have taken all the fashion runways by storm. "One marvels at the grace with which women glide across a floor on the new exaggerated heels.

"The basic pump that provided us all with enough style to feel fashionable and yet retain a modicum of comfort is nowhere to be seen,'' she said.

"The new arrivals at Trends and Boyles will ensure that you can still walk into a business meeting `safely' this coming fall and winter in a shoe that has style, texture and even some colour.'' You may even see the higher heels, including stilettos, but the shoes that deserve a second look are the perennially favourite moccasin now with loops and chains across the vamp.

Suede has its own special appeal, and there is a lot of it in this season's city sandal at Trends.

Last year's stacked heel has been replaced by a much more sculpted design and thus the new arrivals have more shape, and look much prettier on the foot.

Can we live without a pair of boots? Not this season. Trends and Boyles also have a wide variety of boots in several styles -- short. Cropped ankle boots with spike heels look great in shiny patent or lustrous leathers. The simple shape of the riding boot is making a return in knee deep, buttery leather.

And as for colour, Trends and Boyles have shoes in shades of putty, chocolate brown and creamy beige which are essential wardrobe basics.

At H.A.&E. Smith, shoe buyer Rita Talbot said shoe fashion for the Fall is an open book.

"There are two different styles -- round toe with the thick heel or a more slimmer slight platform. High heels are not necessarily the stiletto, but the Evita look.'' Mrs. Talbot said as far as fabric content is concerned, the style is crocko-skin print in natural napa leather, suede and a combination of suede and leather.

"Boots are also in in a low or medium heel from low cut to ankle and the fabric would be newbock suede or leather.

"We just received from Europe the microfibre stretch fabric and leather combination shoes which are very hot right now. They are definitely a statement for Fall.'' Mrs. Talbot also said in colours we have the basic black, popular Bordeaux (burgundy brown), basic navy, and brown.'' "If you want to make a fashion statement I would say go with the Bordeaux colour because it can take you into the Spring as that season will be more earth tones and cinnamon colours.''