Join the Band: Everyone Wants to be a Majorette!

Majorette style is sharp and militaristic, but still feminine and sexy. You get the feeling that the majorette kind of girl would march her dates around and they would like it. How could you not want to be one of these cute, tough, in-charge gals?

So I wasn’t surprised when I saw a whole lot of majorette style on Anna Sui’s runway for Spring 2010. But Bergdorf’s band windows really drove the point home.

Want in on that style? A short, flirty skirt or shorts and a military-style structured coat are key. For shoes, short white Western-style boots, especially with tassels, or high boots with straps that look like frets in a guitar. This LAMB Belgrave boot is the perfect example (though, sadly, it’s mostly sold out online except this Ebay listing).

Or you could go straight to the source and buy a traditional leather majorette boot at Spirit Mall for $57.95.

Met Costume Institute Gala: Superheroes

Last night, while I was drooling over shoes at Iron Man, the fashionistas and celebs were gathering for that hallowed night in the fashion calendar: The Met’s Costume Institute Gala.

This year’s theme (corresponding with the Costume Institute’s major show of the year) is Superheroes, and I couldn’t wait to check out how the attendees decked themselves out for this fun fun theme. And after perusing the pictures, I have to say that while there were some great outfits, it was really and truly the shoes that were the most interesting.

The dresses were nice and all, but lots of people tended to interpret Superheroes as being synonymous with Grecian Goddesses, which made for some pretty but uninspired sartorial choices.

The shoes, though? People went wild with their shoes, and I love it.

There was your typical crop of Louboutins, the best of which were the Spiderman-webbing-style blue pair on Diane von Furstenberg and the Rodita zip sandal on Dr. Lisa Airan.

Jimmy Choo was also well represented, particularly by Eva Amurri and Jessica Stam (though Eva’s got some seriously tight hair and some seriously squished boobs going on, and Jessica’s makeup job makes her look like she could use a few more hours sleep at night).

There were some old favorites that we’ve seen on past runways, like Anna Sui in boots from her Fall 08 collection and Vogue’s Valerie Boster in Spring 08 Balenciaga. While I’m not nuts about those shoes or that dress, I must say Valerie is working the shoes in a suitably superhero-ish way without losing the fashion.

You have your goddess sandal look, as exemplified prettily by Thandie Newton (though please try not to look too long at the frighteningly thin legs of the woman in the ugly bright pink tube going up the stairs behind her) and particularly by Barney’s Julie Gilhart, who has my favorite shoe of the night, as well as my favorite outfit, and the one I deem the best combo of superhero and chic.

There were some unexpected bursts of footwear color thanks to Katie Holmes and Tilda Swinton (who wore matching shoes with transgender performer Justin Bond, though hers are a much better color, I’d say).

Some people went for the unexpected like Kathryn Neale Shaffer in leather thigh-high boots with red flames at the tips (very cool, very superhero). And Monsieur Louboutin himself in black and white striped shoes, accessorized by a superheroic BANG on his lapel and a bizarrely Beauty and the Beast pair of Olsen twins who look like an elegant young woman and her frizzy-haired crone of a great-grandmother.

And last, but most certainly not least, there were patchwork shoes all over. The best were worn by Chiara Clemente and Kate Bosworth, and brought some pizazz to their feet, even though neither dress is anything to write home about.

Wait. No. On second look, I’m more than a little in love with Kate Bosworth’s dress. And her shoes. And her eye makeup. OK, well done, Kate.

And well done on the shoes, fashion fans. While I’m not overall that impressed by your superhero choices clothing-wise, your footwear can save the day any day.

Conquistadors and Indians and Flappers, Oh My!

Anna Sui’s inspirations for her Fall 08 ready to wear collection seem to range all over the map, and some are more obvious than others.

Let’s play “Spot the Style References.” Here we go.

American Indians:

Tiffany and Art Nouveau:

1920s couture:

Medieval armor:

I think that overall, there are few better words to cover this than ECLECTIC.

My latest shoe purchases

So! It’s been a while since I posted about my newest shoe purchases; partly, it’s because my camera has given up on me lately (it’s the battery, and instead of replacing the battery, I’m seriously considering a new camera–but that will have to wait a little, what with all these new shoes and all. Ahem.)

I had to perform several serious purges of my shoe closet before I could take new guests in, if you know what I’m saying–but that’s going to be the object of another post.

And now–the reveal!

First up: Espace black crinkled patent leather sandals (or shoes? shoendals? whatever).

I got them at a sale at the Joan Shepp boutique in Center City Philadelphia; they were about $110 (half-off). They’ve got a serious wedge and thick sole on them, which makes them some of the most comfortable shoes I have every worn. Unlike other shoes, these don’t rub at any spot, and the thick sole protects me from the harshness of any surface I have to walk on. They go great with jeans and even capris and I proudly count them towards one of my better purchases. Plus, I felt like having something rough and chunky-chic to indulge my tomboyish ways.

Unlike this next pair: Lundi Bleu satin floral print kitten heels, which are as frilly and non-tomboyish as can be:

These I got at Shoefly, about 60% off (maybe $50? I can’t remember). I’ve got to say they looked better on the website than in person; for one thing, the picture didn’t show the kitten heels–I thought there were flats. Second, I wore them without stockings and they gave me hellish blisters. Haven’t worn them since–I’ll give them another try (with stockings!) and see how they fare.

Next up: Morenatom mules from fabulous Elena’s Bus Stop Boutique:

Very cute, no? The colors are a bit off in the picture–the green is a tad more intense, and the crochet flowers on the vamp are purple. They’re very comfy and casual; my only complaint is that the leather at the toe rubs against the pavement and peels off–at least, it did in my case, after only two wears.

This next pair quickly became one of my favorites: Anna Sui patent flats with laser-cut flower details:

I got them at Net-a-porter, about half-off, for $120; you can get them now on sale for $175 at Anthropologie. They are cute, they are comfy (though they do need a little break-in period), they’re a show stealer. I lov’em!

These next ones are from Jean Paul Barriol Accessoire line:

They are dove-gray suede with elastic criss-cross straps, light as a feather and as comfortable as they can be. Asta de Blue, a boutique in my neighborhood, went out of business, and they were offering these for $29. Given that the Accessoire shoes are usually $250 and over, I considered that a very good deal, indeed, for practical, comfortable, light shoes, fit to wear all day long.

I had long coveted a pair of Anyi Lu shoes, but the prices were quite prohibitive (upwards of $350). Well, I got lucky for once with these gorgeous gold and zebra-pattern hair-calf low wedges, discounted down to $118 (from $375) at Benjamin Lovell in downtown Philly:

The leather is soft as butter, the pattern unusual, and the comfort factor is high. I’m very proud of this purchase!

Finally (whew!), here’s an impulse purchase I still have doubts about but which I still think is gorgeous: Le Due raspberry demi-wedges from Anthroplogie, $100:

This is the highest heel I’ve bought in three years, and I still haven’t worn them outside. The cut looks great on the foot, though, and the color is extremely flattering. They’re gorgeous shoes, but I just hope I can wear them without pain outside. I obviously couldn’t resist their charms. They’d be perfect some socially appropriate function which requires minimum mobility.

So, now that’s been off my chest–what kind of shoe mischief have YOU been up to lately?

Anna Sui Spring 2008 Collection at the New York Fashion Week

Anna Sui overdoses on vinyl, snakeskin, and generally…shiny stuff at this year’s Fashion Week. It is certainly fun and, well, sparkly, but here’s the thing:

Despite it having been one of the major trends in the past year or so, I cannot embrace the (mini)-socks-and-sandal trend. It just seems so…redundant to me. The whole purpose of sandals is to let your feet breathe and feel cool in the hot season, right? Why burden them with socks? And if you’re a little cold, why not wear, you know, closed shoes?

Oh, I know, I don’t get it (probably). And the glittery combinations shown forthwith are kinda fun. Still! I will probably–no, most definitely–not be embracing this look any time soon. Or ever!

In the meantime–enjoy!

More pictures below the fold.

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