Versace Leather Cutout Sandals: Flashy or Classy?

The covered heel measures 4.5 inches. Kinda love the loopy snake-like design that embraces the front. I like to call them swirl gladiators rather than leather cutout sandals — so much more exciting.

$795 at Neiman Marcus, $975 at Net-A-Porter ( is this more expensive because it’s red, or because it’s N-A-P? Not sure, but either way it seems a bit ridiculous.)

What would you wear with these shoes? Net-A-Porter suggests this Leger Geometric Jacquard Bandage Skirt, and I would agree for the red pair, if you’re being flashy. But for the light cocoa pair, I’d say what Versace has chosen in the window is about right — a feminine gold skirt with scalloped detail at the bottom and subtle layered cutouts throughout.

Manolo Blahnik Sedarbaby in Floral Pink

It’s so strangely alluring. Amongst a sea of royal blue and silver Manolos, I was drawn to this one.

Top shoe designers have been doing a lot of wacky prints lately; witness our post about the Jimmy Choo Multicolored Snakeskin Wedge (which many of you hated — perhaps with good reason).

This Manolo, however, is a bit different. Much more feminine and slim, it has a 3.5 inch heel, ruching, an open toe and feminine sparkle.

Manolo Blahnik Sedarbaby in Floral Pink with Pink Crystals, $715 at Bergdorf.

Cole Haan’s Upper-Class Oxfords

What I like about these oxfords is that they’re well-made, but still trendy.

I feel like I want to hop on the oxford trend wagon (as usual, I’m suspicious of new trends and very late on joining in), but all the oxfords I’ve seen have either been ridiculously trendy but shoddily made, with very little arch support (a la Urban Outfitters), or well-made but lacking one whit of avant-garde trendiness. A superclassic design like the oxford needs a little spin if it’s going to be fashionable for women, doesn’t it? My favorite of the three is the cream python print oxford at left. It’ll be perfect for summer’s billowy pants.

Cole Haan Oxfords, $258, ColeHaan.com

Anthropologie for Today’s New York Snow

I can’t really believe it, but it’s SNOWING today in New York. At this moment, crazy amounts of white flakes are pouring down from the sky in Manhattan. This is very disappointing, Mother Nature! My only conclusion is that Mother Nature really loves boots and wants us to buy more of them. Maybe there was a surplus of boots so the fashion industry decided to pour fake snow on us. In any case, I’ll be damned if I buy any more snow boots! I need cute ones I can wear throughout the spring and summer, like these ones from Anthro.

Midnight Blue Wedge Boot, left, $172.
Leather and Suede Curvy Wedge Bootie, right, $168.

And when this wretched snow stops, I want a pair of clogs, especially in saturated colors like the ones below. I suppose I could wear them now with thick wool tights.

 Lemon Butter and Cinnamon Orange Clogs, $110

All shoes available at Anthropologie.

Manolo Lace-Up Grey Sparkle Heel Bootie

I honestly have to say, not being a hugely girly shoe dresser, most Manolos are not my cup of tea (though I do attend the sample sales and have some amazing evening stilettos from them). And while Manolo did a collab with Band of Outsiders recently, I doubt the Manolo image in general will change or become edgier or downtown-oriented. Their audience is feminine, uptown ladies, and that’s that.

However, these booties, while being feminine, with their sparkling lace holes and heels, as well as their demure velveteen laces, are still quite a bit edgier than the normal MB fare. And I like it. The open toe is a nice touch as well for this spring. While not avant-garde per se, they are something I’d be more willing to wear downtown.

Manolo Lace-Up Grey Sparkle Heel Bootie, $1095 at Manolo Blahnik boutique