Ballet madness: Dance with Maloles

Posted by shoesense in Flats, Maloles Shoes

Look, I confess, I’ve been know to badmouth ballet flats on occasion. I admit it. Most of them are, indeed, a little too flat to be truly comfortable, making no accommodation for those of us with high arches.

However, I’ve been most intrigued by a Spanish brand, Maloles, which does mostly high-end espadrilles but not only. Let’s agree, the Spanish do have a wonderful sense of style. You need just watch an Almodovar movie and see those stylish interiors–or better yet, go to Spain and see for yourself!.

I have a beautiful pair of Blay shoes, and a pair of great Kowalski sneakers, both Spanish brands, and I think they’re funky, colorful, youthful, and in many ways quite innovative. Several other well known brands come to mind–Castaner and Pedro Garcia, among others. And let’s not even count such designer labels as Balenciaga and Oscar de la Renta.

So yeah, I’m sold on Spanish style, and so I believe it’s time for me to try Maloles, a brand that has piqued my interest for quite a while. And this might just be the season to save big on their ballet flats–which don’t come cheap (usually in the $250-300 category). But who in their right mind could resist these lilac polka dot suede ballet flats, with gathered vamp topped with the most delicate white bow? And they’re only $89, down from $225, at Saks.

Or what do you say about these breezy lilac mesh peep-toe espadrilles, with gingham trim and pin and flower detail, and the subtlest of wedges? They’re now $114, down from 285, also at Saks.

 

I’m also drawn to these classic black and white canvas espadrilles with white leather bow detail, now $120, down from $300. I know it’s too early to be thinking of summer, but with savings like these, and style like this, who can resist?

The jury is out, however, as far as I’m concernced,  on these unusual suede Maloles flats, reminscent of the Spanish Renaissance high collars, perhaps?

(As usual, I love the Anthropologie description of their product: "Silky suede wears a fanciful high collar of dotted tulle trimmed in velvet and sprinkled with silvery grommets.") They’re still quite pricey, even on sale ($250, down from $378), but hey, you’re guaranteed to score major originality points with them. I’m still trying to come up with an outfit for them, but for now I’m at a loss.

Still, three out of four ain’t that bad! I think it’s time to get my grubby little hands on a pair of Maloles before the sales end. Better hurry!

2 Comments »

D’orsays for the Holidays

Posted by shoesense in Anthropologie, Cynthia Vincent Shoes, Pumps

I’m loving these "Imperial" half d’orsay pumps from Cynthia Vincent. It’s the delicate tooled leather, with beautiful details, in a marshmellow-cream color, or the silver whipstitching, or the wearable 2 1/4 inch stacked heel–or perhaps all of the above. Whatever it is, I would gladly dance my night away in these–preferrably paired with diaphanous, gauzy, flesh-hued gown with fluttering sleeves. And a tiara. Or not. At any rate, if you’ve got $400 to spare, they’re available at Anthropologie.

No Comments Yet »

Christian Lacroix for the holidays

Posted by shoesense in Christian Lacroix Shoes, Slingbacks

Every year it’s the same: I start the season by complaining about the incessant, trite holiday music (how many times can one listen to these tunes without getting a little crazed glint in one’s eye?), and then, little by little, I get into the spirit of Christmas, and sooner than I can understand what’s happening, I have fesitve wreaths hanging on my every door, pine ornaments all over the place, lightbulbs on every rail, and a gigantic Christmas tree decorated to the nth level. And then I shop like crazy and wrap every gift in red and green paper with gold bows.

If you’ve gotten into the spirit of Christmas, too, let me offer for contemplation this beautiful and cheerful pair of Christian Lacroix slingback. A comfortable heel, a fun black-white-red polka dot+tassels combo. Simply poifekt. Less perfect is the price ($574, ouch!), but hey, maybe Santa can be generous this year, no? One can only dream!

 

No Comments Yet »

Pumps I can (almost) live with at a price I can (almost) afford

Posted by shoesense in Ashley Dearborn Shoes, Pumps

I’ve been admiring these bitonal suede "Pessy Sue" Ashley Dearborn pumps for quite a while, but only toda is the Bluefly slashing the price to almost bearable territory: $152, down 60% from $375.

The heel is only 2 1/4", which is still high for me–in a stiletto, no less–but I would imagine quite acceptable for most fashionistas. What is striking about these pumps is, of course, the unexpected taupe-purple combination, which is at once daring and subtle. I love that the shoe doesn’t fall into the ‘yawn’ category but makes a statement with those purple suede covered heels and ultra-elegant lines. Chic, sophisticated, and slightly edgy–in other words, deliciously perfect.

No Comments Yet »

Revive the inner child in you….or not?

Posted by shoesense in High heels, Kate Spade Shoes

All I could think of when I saw these rubber Cinderella pumps from Kate Spade was, where were these shoes when I was playing dress-up? I can almost feel the excitement of the little girls who finds these in her mom’s forbidden shoe closet, and pairs them with some glittery pearls and rhinestone buckles and what not.

(As an aside, have you noticed how playing dress-up as a child is primarily about accessories? That’s probably because you don’t really fit in any grown-up clothes, but the piling-on of accessories–necklaces, bracelts, rings, hairpins, handbags, shoes, you name it–will still allow you to pretend. Hence, us fashionistas’ continued love with accessories well into our ripe age.)

So that’s why I’m torn about these pumps, which, you must admit, are as cute as a button. Part of me says that I probably wouldn’t wear them in a million years, but the little girl in me is just dying to take them for a spin. And at under $50 (they’re 68% off Bluefly today), that’s not that inconceivable…

No Comments Yet »