Hillary Duff is ready to BBQ… in cork boots

Note for those who want to enjoy their 4th of July barbecuing in style:

1) Oversize scarf, check;

2) Oversize shades, check;

3) Oversize earrings, check;

4) Oversize baby-doll top, check;

5) Short shorts, check;

6) Fishnet stockings, check;

7) Williams-Sonoma Grilling Basics book, check;

8 ) Oversize GrillMaster Seasoning, check;

9) Blackberry, check;

10) Coffee, check.

Wait, there’s something missing, but I’m not sure what…Oh, right! The boots!

Maison Martin Margiela cork boots, $535 (down from $890) at Barney’s. Now, off you go grilling. Go on then!

(Hillary Duff photo courtesy of Celebutopia.net.)

The Week in Shoes

The Devil wears Prada but the Pope does not – Via Catwalk Queen

For those of you with kids, but not only: you might want to consider supporting The Affordable Footwear Initiative (AFI), http://www.EndTheShoeTax.org, a coalition of footwear industry associations and their member companies, lobbying to reduce the “shoe tax.” Yes, it’s a real piece of legislation, and it can benefit all of us (the shoe tax may represent about 40% of the cost of the shoe, and this law would abolish it on lower- to moderately-priced footwear as well as ALL children shoes).

Someone, somewhere, periodically invents a shoe that will double up as a wallet. I say it will never, ever take off. Just give it up, already! (There’s no telling what you’ll step in when you walk, and the electronic device that can withstand the weight a grown person’s body pounding down on it has not been invented. Can you imagine: meeting with friends: “Oh, let me pay for that–oh, don’t mind the dirt and the bug I just stepped in, it’s still money!” or, “Let me text her–my Blackberry’s right here….oh, damn! can you still text with a broken screen?”)

Brazilian plastic shoe manufacturer Melissa and famous British architech Zada Hadid have teamed up to create this (architectural) (plastic, of course) shoe:

What’s more spectacular, is the creation of these giant shoe sculptures (you’re never tired of gigantic shoes, are you?):

(via http://www.todayandtomorrow.net/).

Giselle’s Tapeet sandals

Here’s leggy goddess Giselle Bundchen trottying about Manhattan in a pair of comfy strappy silvery sandals:

…which sandals, upon further inspection, turn out to be these Tapeet by Vicini numbers, $379 at Zappos:

A chic and comfy choice worthy of a supermodel, for sure!

Friday Shoe History Corner: Custom Historical Shoes

Sometimes Friday Shoe History Corner includes shoes that are for sale to any and all comers. But in many of those cases (like Mrs. Henry Ford’s riding boots here), the prices aren’t easy to swallow.

Well, if you dream of owning a pair of historically-styled shoes, your day may just have arrived.

Fugawee is a company that makes custom shoes for men, women, and children that range in period from the French and Indian War to the Civil War (roughly mid-18th century to mid-19th century, if you’re fuzzy on the dates).

They use historically accurate lasts (some of which come in lefts and rights, some of which come straight… ergonomic design came about later) to make shoes that are high quality replicas suitable for any of your period footwear cravings.

Want a pretty Civil War/Victorian era ladies boot? Look no further than the Victoria with its pretty stitching details.

And it’s only about $80! For a leather boot!

In the mood to style yourself like The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere? Then these sleek riding boots are just the ticket (about $250).

I’m not a fan of the boots-over-jeans look, but I have to admit, these would look pretty hot with a modern outfit or a historical reenacting one.

Or if you want to play dress up like a well-to-do lady, then check out the options for brocaded shoes, where you choose your last and send in your own fabric (and $180, which is still pretty damn cheap for made-to-order shoes), and they’ll send you back a shoe like the courtly Jennifer.

The website is a bit difficult to navigate, but the merchandise seems to be high quality indeed, and even their most expensive pairs are a hell of a lot cheaper than shelling out for actual vintage shoes. And, of course, these you could actually wear!

Who Wore Sonia Rykiel’s T-Strap Platform Best?

Both Jessica Simpson and Mary-Kate Olsen were seen wearing Sonia Rykia’s ‘Sergio’ T-strap wooden platforms. Their fashion style couldn’t be more different. Whose outfit do you prefer?