Hayden-Harnett’s Shoes

One of my favorite articles ever from the New York Times taught me not to window shop before partying, because my willpower reserve would be so depleted by not being able to buy those lovely goods that I would surely get drunk at the party. (The same rule applies to men, ladies — don’t resist the Hottie and end up going home plastered with the Nottie). Have I ever learned more from a newspaper? Never.

So I should know better than to let myself go to Marc by Marc Jacobs without leaving with even one little tiny bauble like a pair of suspenders or a key fob (or — racy! — MBMJ condoms! Do they turn your lover into a MJ lookalike?).

I had gone in hopes of purchasing the black or violet Classic Q City Bag to come home and be playmates with my chocolate MBMJ Dr. Q Groovee. I ended up almost purchasing the lovely Huge Hillier Hobo, but a) I wanted it in deep blue, which they didn’t have, b) I was disappointed that MBMJ seems to have downgraded from the pebble-grained leather of my Q Groovee of a few years ago, which seemed to make it merit the $500 price tag much less, c)  I wasn’t sure if I could fit my 17″ Macbook Pro in it, d) I was sure it was cheaper online, and I was right and e) I really want a Miu Miu bag (the truth comes out!).

Unfortunately, I also don’t think much at all of the cheap, flimsy, pricey MBMJ shoes. Marc, please correct! They look like they belong in a Delia’s catalogue but they cost $300!

Alas, I know this is not a bag blog, but I know you readers probably love bags as well… so back to the point of the story. I was so unhappy thinking about my lost opportunity to make the Hillier my own that my willpower dam just burst and I ordered this lovely grey (“Eucalyptus,” if you will) Laurel flat by Hayden-Harnett (It also comes in black and platinum). It was half the price of the Hillier, and I should have just gotten the Hillier since I now have over 100 pairs of shoes, but I suppose you can never have too many shoes, especially practical, lovely ones like these.

A Brooklyn girl for so long, I’ve been a loyal Hayden-Harnetter for years because of their incredibly beautiful leather craftmanship and hip style, so what a thrill it was last year when they debuted their shoe line, which includes some gorgeous grey Zelda foldover boots and sculptural Madeleine riding boots that I hope will someday be classics in my closet. You just can’t substitute anything for good workmanship, not flashiness, not trend, nothing.

Also, check out HH’s line at Target. I’m proud to see these locals go large at one of my favorite discount retailers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include any shoes, but the travel bags are as uberpractical as the clutches are adorable. I have needed a weekender bag for ages and they’re cheaper than LeSportSac!

The only thing that worries me about my Laurels, as with all my light-colored shoes, is removing dark scuff marks. On a high-quality leather, cleaning may be a bit easier. The rules are: protect first, so you don’t have to repent later. Here’s what EHow.com recommends.

On a light-colored patent leather shoe, try Soft Scrub on a cloth or a q-tip with a tiny bit of nail polish remover and dab lightly, then allow it to dry before trying again. I’ve tried both these methods with varying levels of success. If that doesn’t work, I haven’t tried it, but others recommend Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. Whatever you do, don’t go too hard on your shoe, as it’s important that you don’t remove the shiny veneer by overdoing it.

And in other news, YOOX.com is having a sale. But then, who isn’t?

Moschino Cheap and Chic Fall 2009 Runway Shoe

Ever wonder what would happen if a fictional character was interpreted into a shoe?  Meet the Two-Faced shoe.  Like the sympathetic Harvey Dent from Batman: The Dark Knight, this Moschino Cheap and Chic Fall 2009 shoe is part dark boot and part happy, summertime sandal.   It’s a shoe that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.

Other shoes from the Moschino Cheap and Chic fall runway collection weren’t quite as interesting, like this suede wedge with cutout.

Even an version of the wedge with ruffles didn’t raise an eyebrow since it reminded me of the lace and ruffle collection from the Prada Fall 2008 show.

Photos from Coutorture and Elle.com

In Her Shoes, It’s A Whole Different World

When the weather is rainy or cold, there’s nothing I like better than to watch a completely frivolous, fun rom-com, and In Her Shoes, starring Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz, indulges my love for shoes via the contents of Toni Collette’s shoe closet. The film features an irresponsible party girl (Cameron) and her sister, a responsible lawyer (Toni, of course — I would’ve actually liked to have seen it played the other way since I think Toni’s beautiful and such a great actress, but so seldom plays the hot lady).

However, it’s the financially stable Toni who has the amazing collection of shoes locked up behind doors. My favorite scene:

Cameron Diaz’s shiftless party girl character: “Shoes like these should not be locked in a closet. They should be living a life of scandal and passion … If you’re not going to wear them, don’t buy them. Leave them for somebody who’s going to get something out them.”

Toni Collette’s boring, stable lawyer character: “I get something out of them! When I feel bad, I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good, food just makes me fatter, shoes always fit.”

How true! How many times have you used a pair of shoes to make you feel better on an off day? They always fit through the years, on the off days and the off weeks and sometimes, even the off months…

However, with the writer of Erin Brockovich and the director of L.A. Confidential, this frilly film actually turned out to be good. Though there were a few plot road bumps, there was some real (and unexpected) depth, commentary on what it means to define yourself by how you look, confidence in your appearance and yourself, and relationships between sisters who share wardrobes and little else.

Watch the trailer for In Her Shoes or make it your own for your rainy Friday night home. Whether you’re wearing houseslippers or a pair of red patent leather pumps, you’ll enjoy it if you love shoes and if you can identify with a sister who stole yours (or if you are that sister!).

Sam Edelman from Coast to Coast

Sam Edelman is on sale in New York and San Francisco, and I’m sure in other places. I’ve always liked the flats, but I’ve never bought a pair.

These Edelman flats were on sale at David Z on Broadway in New York. I would wear all of them — they’re all chic and would blend from work to night.

These quieter puppies were in a shop in the Marina in San Francisco, the name of which immediately escapes me, unfortunately:

Have you worn Edelman flats? Are they a staple in your wardrobe? And are they comfy, or do they so utterly lack arch support like so many flats that you need to put inserts in them? I have a French/London Sole addiction, but they almost always require an arch support insert because they’re so very flat.

I also loved these Campbell flats, on sale at David Z as well.

Hello, I am pretty! The Jeffrey Campbell Bring Old Bronze for $94.00:

Hosiery Trend at Fashion Week

A very prominent trend at fashion week this season was interesting hosiery. We were definitely in luck with the weather this year; the temperature was above freezing almost all week. However, hosiery (or tights, as the kids call them today) is the best way to deceive yourself into thinking that the little dress you’re wearing is actually warm.

On the runway at Carlos Campos, I saw some of the sexiest hosiery that’s been around in recent times:

I admit that the super shortie romper is not something that most women can pull off, but the hosiery would definitely make the wearer feel sexy, whether it was completely visible or not. Even looking at this still photo right now, I can see that the impact doesn’t transfer. In person, these suckers just radiated sensuality. There was an audible silence as all the men in the room collectively caught their breath when this model strutted down the runway.

At the Barbie runway show, (I know, I keep going back to that one, but it was FULL of material) we saw the be-hearted little girl princess tights that I know at least half of you had when you were young. Admit it! I’m on to you!

There were Wicked Witch of the East tights at Erin Featherston and pretty patterned paillettes at Custo Barcelona.

And those were just the tights on the runway! Off the runway, it was clear that the hosiery trend has already swept the New York fashion elite.

I’m am curious about whether this trend is New York-centric. I know that even outside fashion week, the streets of New York are littered with ladies in Jewel Toned and pattered tights. Not to mention the leggings (which are NOT pants, ladies) and stirrup tights that are all over the place. Is this trend prevalent where you live?