The Spirit of…Hallospleen?

I don’t know what’s come over me this Halloween, but I feel less Halloweeny and more…Hallospleeny. You know, in the sense that the French used “spleen,” particularly Baudelaire:

Spleen

Quand le ciel bas et lourd pèse comme un couvercle
Sur l’esprit gémissant en proie aux longs ennuis…
…

When the low, heavy sky weighs like a lid
On the groaning spirit, victim of long ennui…

Needless to say, donning a costume and going out partying seems like a faraway prospect right now. Where’s that Halloween candy? Give me some more.

But! If I needed some nice shoes to get me out of this funk, go out, and own the night, it would probably be these Roberto Cavalli burgundy metallic booties:

What would I go as? As someone who can walk in high heels, of course!

Happy HalloWEEN, everybody!

Happy Hallowe’en!

A few weeks back, I went nuts over John Galliano’s Paris Fashion Week collection.  And in particular, I went nuts over these fishnet-n-lace sockettes with ribbons that were included in one of his fantabulous outfits.

I was never really hoping to find them, but lo and behold what should I come across at DSW last weekend but a variation on this theme.  They’re by Via Spiga, and sadly they’re discontinued, but I snapped up a pair of “loafer socks” that are basically a fishnet footie with long elastic laces that tie up your legs.

Today they are gracing my Halloween spirit outfit over orange tights, but I swear that when the warm weather returns, I will wear them a la Galliano with open toe sandals.

Mauro Giuli Boots: Too Flashy, or Tres Smashing?

I love these red patent boots, with a chrome heel and subdued stitching. Plus, I love their price: a reasonable $159 at Bulo Shoes!

I also love their white and black (and belted) cousins ($159, and $169 respectively):

However, I’m afraid the black patent and gold version of the same boot crosses a line–the invisible, capricious line between fabulous and trashy (and yes, I know the two, alas, can often be synonymous):

…although…damn! I’d still look hot in any of these boots, under just about any circumstances. And suddenly I have boot cravings. Oh yeah, winter is coming!

Longest Wedding Dress Train

Oh my! Imagine trying to walk down the altar in this? I pity the poor bride and bridemaids that have to manage this train.

A bride in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou will soon walk down the aisle wearing the country’s longest wedding dress.

Her fiancé contracted a local tailor to make the wedding gown, with the dress’ train stretching for 200.8 meters, Guangzhou Daily reported.

The bridegroom says the length echoes the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

It has set a new domestic record, grabbing the title from the previous holder at 99 meters.

The couple’s wedding is scheduled for Monday, after which the dress will be put on for charity auction.

Via CRIEnglish.com

I wonder whose bright idea this was? If it was the fiancé’s, then I say he should be left at the altar!

Surprisingly (to me at least), this did not set the world record. According to Guinness World Records, the winner of that title goes to Andreas Evstratiou of Cyprus. She set that record in February 2007 with a train 1,362 m long. Top that!

It’s all in the details

I don’t know about you, but for me, a shoe is often made by its details. Well, unless you’re talking about custom-made $1500+ John Lobb shoes, where materials and craftsmanship stand above anything frilly like that; but when we’re talking a middle-of-the road, good but not extraordinary, moderately-to-low price shoe, you know not to expect the finest leathers, or 40 hrs of labor going into each pair. No, you expect cheap, affordable shoes made for next to nothing in some factory in China, but which are fun, spunky, and will satisfy you trendy tooth for a season or so.

That is why I’m delighted with this “vertical” rather than “horizontal” buckle in this Nine West flat (which, btw, is 20% off at Piperlime, going for $62.50, so grab it while you can):

See what I mean? Most buckled shoes feature the buckle perpendicular over the vamp (as if it actually buckles something, mhmph). This one runs in line with your toes, as a rather ironic commentary to the futility of erstwhile utilitarian details. This rather small, but delightfully inventive decoration makes an otherwise so-and-so jacquard in a neutral color scheme stand out in a crowd. I approve!