Okay, I realize that today is Meeting Men Monday, so you might be wondering why I’m featuring shoes. But I promise there’s a dating tip in this post…and from a famed designer!

I’m talking about the beloved Charlotte Olympia and her fabulously fun designs,  stamped with her insignia, Charlotte’s web.

But unlike the heroine of the beloved book, this Charlotte’s web became best known for its connection with cats, not pigs. She told me that she never planned to be everyone’s favorite cat woman, but once she featured them in her shoe line, no one wanted her to quit.

So the ever creative Charlotte expanded her feline collection to include such favorites as the cheerleader cat and the punk cat, and added accessories, such as this sleek bag dangling off my wrist.

As you can see, Charlotte has a theatrical flair and knows how to pull it off.

Yet she is so charmingly down-to-earth and personal. Upon hearing that I have a relationship day on my site, she shared one of her favorite dating tips: “A woman is happy with a man who lets her take all the time she needs to shop.” Charlotte’s mother-in-law taught all her sons this principle and she has been forever grateful. I think the salient point here is that it’s critical to be considerate of your companion and what is important to her or him.