Happy St. Patrick’s Day Folks!
Are you wearing your green today? I certainly wouldn’t want to see anybody getting pinched. And why is it that this is one habit that most so-called adults that I’ve known have never outgrown? There really are few things less dignified than adults being gleefully pinched by coworkers. Oh well ….
I’m wearing my green …. My kids made certain of that. My outfit today is primarily courtesy of my four-year old son’s foray into my closet this morning. Given that knowledge, it is not nearly as cartoonish an ensemble as one might imagine.
So, in the theme of green, here are a few earthy-green shoes for your consideration:
Boots:
French Connection ‘Holly’ $146.25 $298 at 6pm.com
Booties:
Dolce Vita ‘5173-18′ $88.92 $167 at 6pm.com
Low Sandals:
Everybody by BZ Moda ‘Opal’ in Avocado $179.95 at Endless.com
And Heels:
Exchange by Charles David ‘Web’ $52.65 $99 at 6pm.com
Heels:
Kors by Michael Kors ‘Talulah’ $249 at Zappos.com
And more Heels:
Pour La Victoire ‘Pascale’ $319.99 at Heels.com
As for me, I am wearing my patiently stalked Pour La Victoire ‘Penelope’ oxfords - which I picked up on clearance at Amazon last Fall:
For those of us with high arches, or sensitive feet, wearing flimsy-soled shoes in the heat of summer can often prove to be a painful experience. You may end up to feel every grind and bump in the road, and your arches may ache by the end of your trip. Fashion designers don’t really seem to care about these issues, as they know their target-market pretty well. Thus, as long as their footwear looks dainty and pretty, they know that the alternative is often Birkenstock, and Birkenstock wearers tend to (somewhat wisely) put comfort ahead of fashion–thus, they’re not their target clientele. Problem solved!
As you all know, I love my comfort as much as I love my fashion, and so I couldn’t help but wonder: isn’t there some compromise in between? Can’t I have my molded, anatomical footbed, and my fashion, too?
Turns that why, yes, I can! There are a variety of anatomically friendly sandals out there, which in addition to offering arch support, metatarsal support, and plenty of cushioning, are also quite easy on the eyes. Just let’s get one thing clear: dainty delicate things, they’re not, and they’re not meant to be. That doesn’t mean they’re not beautiful, though, and that they won’tt keep you comfy during the hot summer days.
Without further ado, here are some of my top choices:
Also available in a natural cork color, these Pedro Garcia thongs with crystal-encrusted suede uppers and molded footbed lined in metallic leather are on the pricey side ($375 at Neiman’s), but they will make you feel like a barefoot princess.
Alternately, these Donald J. Pliner toe-loop sandals will unleash the wild woman in you:
They are lined in the softest suede and are supremely comfortable. Neiman Marcus has them for $165, but you wanna know a secret? Endless has them currently on sale for $55, plus they give you free overnight shipping and pay YOU $5 if you order from them–so really, they would only be $50. Not only that, but they’re also available in a variety of attractive patent uppers (red, blue, and black) in addition to the Congo print (pictured). God, I love a good sale when I see one! I almost need to smoke a cigarette now, this one was so good.
I was of split mind about these Mephisto ‘Violette’ sandals, but on closer inspection, I think they pass the comfort-cum-style inspection:
….They’re also available in red or black, although red is my favorite, and they’re 140 at Shoes.com.
I’ve heard a lot of praise for Naot, though I can’t say I’ve tried them myself. However, I would wear these in a heartbeat:
Finally, anything by Think! will be both well made and reasonably stylish. The footbed is molded and supportive and the upper sturdy and funky:
This ‘Mizzi with face’ style is available in a variety of colors is $155 at Nordstrom’s (and 10% at Zappos in certain colors).
I’m also favorably inclined towards these Marc Jacobs cute-and-comfy patchwork slides ($204 at Zappos):
So, if you want to give your feet a break (and you should, they’ve served you well all these years), wear a comfortable sandal several times a week, or whenever you get a chance, really. You don’t really have to compromise on style–and the only downside is that you’re going to get so used to the comfort you’ll never want to go back to the flimsy, delicate, strappy things that fashion dictated you to wear.
KD Says: I've worn 'em good old Birks since High School.. time to update my wardrobe with these sparkly finds!
Here's what I found to satisfy my craving for the flamed hue!
Christian Louboutin ‘Madame Claude’ D’orsay Pumps $795 at Saks.com
Valentino ‘Mena’ Day Wear Pumps $695 at Saks.com
BCBGMaxazria Patent and Rafia* Sandals $250 at Saks.com
Oh My! The Eighties are upon us.
I knew my high school fashions were considering re-surfacing last year when I began catching early glimpses of puffer vests on teenagers around town. Now, with more kids looking like Madonna-as-Material-Girl, Eighties Style is having a serious fashion renaissance.
As evidence, I present Jelly Shoes. A fashion choice in that I actually never indulged in the last time around - having at that point in my teenagedom already have moved into kitten-heeled pumps and the plotting of how to get a pair of sturdy-heeled (cobblestone appropriate) knee-high boots for my 17th birthday.
But I digress. Probably out of an avoidance instinct.
Oh yes, Jellies. Always a style that makes me think of 8-year old girls in pink shirts and floral embroidered jeans; perhaps because they have not gone out of fashion with that age group? I simply wonder how grown ladies pull these off. But hey, if it helps you keep a sense of play in your life, go for it.
So, while these are obviously not a trend that is calling to me, perhaps there is something in here that some of you folks reading will find to your liking. One thing I can tell you, designers this time out have not limited their styles to sparkly pink jelly flats and flip-flops.
We have sandals (including the still-hot gladiator silhouette):
GIvenchy ‘Lace-Up Jelly’ $170 at Saks.com (also in Orange, Olive, Fuchsia and Black at Shopbop.com)
Jimmy Choo ‘Jelly Thong Sandals’ $175 at Saks.com
Kors by Michael Kors ‘Shane Jelly Toe-Ring Sandal’ $72 at Shopbop.com ($69 at Zappos)
See by Chloe ‘Flat Jelly Sandals’ $125 in yellow or black at Saks.com (also at Shopbop in Yellow, Orange, Green, and Violet)
They're fun, flirty and comfy--KD
I have seen a lot of online rants over copycat and designer-inspired fashion. Certain consumers hate the idea of brand-dilution that they perceive to occur as trends spread out into the general populace. Others love the opportunity to get a designer look or similar style at a fraction of the runway price.
Interestingly, I rarely see discussions on brand-dilution or concerns over intellectual property when this situation occurs in reverse.
I’m also curious when this style-borrowing happens at the haute-couture level. At what price range and perceived quality level do shoes move from being outrageously stripperlicious (thank you jitterbugbaby for adding that word to my vocabulary) and instead transform into glamourous, runway-quality, high-fashion objects? If these styles were made by anyone other than shoe-royalty, would women be lining up to own such styles?
Today’s case in point:
Christian Louboutin’s ‘multi-buckle sandals $1495 at Saks.com
This hybrid sandal boot is straight out of the ‘more buckles, more skin’ school of footwear-as-lingerie. Heck, if you are a size 6, you can get a very similar look on clearance over at 6pm.com; and at a fraction of the above price:
Report ‘Diaz’ $87.75 $175 at 6pm.com
I actually prefer the Report boot over the current season Louboutin version. I like that the Report boot has a softer feel due to its natural leather upper and its more-rounded cut-out styling.
Anyway, I’m of the opinion that fashion is cyclical. High-fashion borrows from low and low-fashion borrows from high; this back-and-forth cycle helps keeps fashion feeling fresh and dynamic.
Here’s a question:
What type of consumer criticisms might have occurred if the Report shoes had appeared the season after the Louboutin’s instead of before? I’ve seen enough folks cry ‘Copy!’ ‘Get your own designs!’ over the appearance of a plain black platform pump that I have to admit to being curious to the answer on this one.
I welcome your thoughts and observations.
Roberto Cavalli L70038 $1494 $1072.80 at Zappos.com
I find these to be an interesting and fresh alternative to the many recent glittered, sequined, pailletted, and otherwise bedazzled shoe options being offered in nearly every price range. They also happen to make me smile because they bring immediately to mind one of my favorite, illustrated, children’s books, “The Rainbow Fish
These Cavalli peep-toes are just as sparkly as the rainbow fish is at the beginning of the story.
Though, I must admit that I actually love the illustrations as much or more than story text; a morality tale centered around the concepts of vanity, sharing, friendship, and inner beauty. Over the course of the story, the rainbow fish eventually passes out most of his scales to those around him - sharing his beauty and gaining friends as he learns humility and the ability to share. There is also a great, tactile, quality to the artwork; foil scales are inset into the watercolor illustrations - adding sparkle and collage interest to each page.
Looking at these shoes, I feel kind of like the rainbow fish at the beginning of the story. They are soooo pretty; you would feel spectacular any time you tried them on. I suppose that even as a grown-up, it’s hard to share certain things that make us feel fabulous and personal all at the same time.
I certainly wouldn’t want to share these if they were a part of my closet. I’m afraid the closest I come to the tale’s selflessness (in regard to shoes) is by periodically donating any non-worn shoes in my closet.
How about you?
Anna Sui gladiator sandals
I think the popularity of gladiator sandals have completely redefined how women dress today. There are so many options to choose from these days and a good pair can be bought for less than $100. This pair is somewhat more expensive but I have seen designs that look fairly similar in Nine West and Stuart Weitzman.
Here in Manila, you can find a gladiator sandals like these made by local shoe designers for less than P2000.00 ($40.00).
