While economic events have been a bit dreary over the past six months or so, it’s nice to see that we won’t have to worry about being stuck with spring shoe options that are either conservative or gloomy.  

So, what am I seeing at online retailers as well as in every brick-and-mortar store with a shoe section?

Color.

What kind of color? From Payless to Macy’s to Saks, just about every primary, prism-based color is on tempting display.

So, if you like bold colors, then this is the season for you.

Here are some (mostly) high-end highlights.

Red:

Christian Louboutin ‘Madame Claude’ D’orsay Pumps $795 at Saks.com

Valentino ‘Mena’ Day Wear Pumps $695 at Saks.com

 

BCBGMaxazria Patent and Rafia* Sandals $250 at Saks.com

Orange:

Dior ‘Klimt’ T-strap Sandal $570 at Saks.com

 

Miu Miu patent leather wedges $570 at Net-a-porter

Yellow:

Christian Louboutin Platform pumps $736 at Saks.com

 

Brian Atwood ‘Riva’ patent sandals $725 at Net-a-porter

 

Green:

Roberto Cavalli satin basketweave sandals $915 at Net-a-porter

Brian Atwood Suede Sandals $710 at Saks.com

 

Blue:

Christian Louboutin ‘New Simple’ pumps $675 at Saks.com

Oscar de la Renta V-Pieced open-toe platform pumps $755 at Saks.com 

Loeffler Randal ‘Graphic’ wood platform sandal $575 at Saks.com

Violet:

Miu Miu ‘Sandali’ cork* sandals $585 at Saks.com

Miu Miu suede pumps $495 at Saks.com

Costume National slingback flats $560 at Saks.com

What if you want to play with the whole rainbow instead of just choosing by the individual color?  Well, multi-hued styles are available too. Heck, many of us are just starting to experience 2009’s first rainy, spring-time weather; it’s as good a reason as any to bring your own rainbow to the party.

Nine West ‘Mudpie’ bamboo*-wrapped slide $88.95 at Endless.com

T.U.K Rainbow Heart Strap Heel $60.50 at Zappos.com

 

Jimmy Choo Open-Toe Sandals $825 at Saks.com

Brian Atwood ‘Margie’ rainbow sandals $565 at Saks.com

Sergio Rossi patchwork knee-high boots $1500 at Net-a-porter

Here’s to a colorful and optimistic spring.

* See, you really can’t get away from cork & rafia this year. 

 

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Well, Averyl Oates (buying director for Harvey Nichols) may think the Dries van Noten shoes were all that, but I can’t say as I agree.

This is a designer who’s previously brought us such glorious pattern and texture combinations as the Spring 2009 line and the likewise-stylish Fall 2008 line.

But for Fall 2009, I have to say my high hopes were disappointed.  Pattern, yes.  But monochromatic and not terribly interesting.  Texture, sure, but only with a repeated python print (yawn… I’m not down with all the snake usage) and some rather boring brown leathers and… well… see and judge for yourselves.

Sure, that middle shoe is a beaut, but it’s a little snoreish given that it’s coming from Dries.

All right, as Averyl notes, the python soles is a cool idea.

But that doesn’t save this from being a bland collection from a designer about whom I never expected to use such a word.

 

I will, however, completely and totally agree with Averyl’s opinion on the Givenchy shoes.  What a fanciful pile of footwear!  Look!

I’m surprised we haven’t already seen Posh out and about in that last pair.

 

Picking up the Dries van Noten slack, it should be noted, was Emanuel Ungaro, where Esteban Cortazar seemed to take just the right mix of inspiration from the Dries Fall ‘08 line and the Cynthia Steffe Fall ‘09 line I was raving about a few weeks ago.  Who wouldn’t want to hit the town in these fun party shoes?

 

And finally for today’s fashion week report, I can’t leave without making mention of Costume National, where the Rick Owens blousy boots saw their cousins on parade and these gorgeous and funky MaryJanes clip-clopped down the catwalk to stylishly win my heart.

(images from Elle.com and Style.com)

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Do y’all Yoox? Well, you should–I find it a good resource of designer shoes (and clothing and accessories, in general) at discount prices. If you’re on the ball and catch them during one of their fabulous sales, you’ve hit the motherload (like the Sonia Rykiel low pumps I scored once for $30, thirty dollars, that’s right!).

You can still find some cuteness hidden in their sales section, but this time I’m attracted to some of the fabulous flats they propose in their new arrivals.

These Costume National suede elasticized flats are darling, and the purple version is yum($281):

Even better are these Sergio Rossi polka dot flats, $264. Who likes polka dots? Don’t be shy, let me have it? What was that? Aha! As I suspected, just about everybody!

The Alexander McQueen colorblock flats
are drop-dead gorgeous, but $698? Really? Le sigh.

A more humane price is demanded of these beautiful Jimmy Choo flats
, which have been on my “covet” list for a while, and now they’re $254:

If you’ve had a yellow obsession like yours truly, and think of tempering it with grey (beautiful combo!), I’d go for these–trendy and unusual, $257:

At the end of the day, here’s my hands-down winner at Yoox–provided I had the money: Obeline multi-hued peep-toe flats
, classy and delicate, a glorious example of understated chic, though the price tag of $345 makes me flinch:

Thanks for playing this edition of Fantasy Flats here at Shoeblog. Tell us all about your fantasy shoes in the forums!

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Happy New Year to all fashion lovers (and since I’m in a good mood, why not, to fashion non-lovers alike)! Hope one of your New Year’s Resolutions was to always look and feel fabulous, no matter what. I know that’s one of mine!

These days I’ve been craving boots, and in particular tall (knee-high). It’s the weather, of course, but also something else–a deep need for sturdy, comfortable, stylish footwear that you can rely on during these cold winter months.

Buying boots is not something I do every day. Boots–well made knee-high boots, that is–are expensive and I have to weigh my options most carefully. So what do I look for in a boot? Well, a few things. 

1) Comfort. Why, of course! Cold weather is uncomfortable enough for me to also worry about constraining, painful, ill-fitting, or flimsy shoes. My knee-high boots have to keep me warm, comfortable, on my feet. I have to be able to move with ease and a certain obliviousness to the vagaries of cold weather.

I can’t depend on boots with stiletto heels (well, I can’t wear them, plain and simple)–and if you saw In Her Shoes, you’ll remember Cameron Diaz walking through Rittenhouse Square (downtown Philly, where I live) and breaking the spike heel of a Jimmy Choo bootie. Now, let that be a warning for all of you who want to wear high heels on ice!

2) Quality. As I said, knee-high boots are an expensive purchase I don’t do every day. In fact, I would expect to wear those boots for quite a few years (I’d say, a minimum of 5-6 years, a max. of 10-15). For that, I have to have sturdy leather, flawless construction, a solid sole (leather or rubber), good lining and insulation, sturdy zipper, etc. Usually, most of these are more or less guaranteed with a name brand, and it’s a hit and miss with anything less than that. It’s almost always a miss with, say, Payless Shoes. So, you can’t really skimp on a good pair of tall leather boots. You won’t regret it a few weeks, months, or even years down the road.

3) Styling. This is a delicate matter. Fashionistas are prone to choosing style over function, and I’m no exception. But since I’m not willing to sacrifice 1) and 2) above, style has to come in the shape of [comfort+quality], and that’s where my choices start to be severely limited.  I have to ask myself, since I want to get as long a wear as possible from these boots, will this be likely to be in style next year? a few years from now? How off-beat am I willing to go? How timeless can this style be without looking boring or outdated? Would I be likely to wear pink boots with gold trim 3 years from now, or should I stick with a more classic option? Where am I most likely to wear these boots–casually, functions, what?

So yes, I prefer to get 2 or 3 pairs of tall boots that will take me through many winters rather than a handful that I will toss out next season.

These Costume National boots from Yoox fulfill basically all my criteria. They have a sturdy, comfortable heel of just about 2 inches, the leather is good quality,and the styling is very chic and fashionable without running the risk of getting outdated any time soon. The price is rather high (just under $400), but in my opinion, well worth it since I’ll probably get many years of use out of them. They are also a good mix of casual and fashion, rendering them perfect for just about any occasion, from a stroll in the park to a fancy party.
 

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