As the onslaught of fashion shows continue, it wasn’t just my eyebrows which were raised when I saw how tall the shoe platforms were. Here’s a quick look-see.

The Japanese inspired spring collection over at Basso & Brooke brought an array of colorful prints, the highest of the platforms I’ve seen thus far for spring 2009, and obi belts that I’m dying to own. As if to signify that the heels were as tall as trees, birds and flowers were nesting on the heel.

Gucci’s spring ‘09 collection bought forth buckles, metallic trimming, and bold colors on top of platform heels.

Marni Spring 2009 shoes featured interesting striped knee high socks an array of colorful platform shoes.

D&G Spring 2009 got patriotic in red, white, and blue nautical theme clunky platform wedges.

Bottega Veneta incorporated their classic weave pattern into the platform wedge and heels. Compared to other runways, the platforms looks downright walkable.

And finally, Burberry Prorsum picked up the platform trend in autumn colors and ice-pick like heels.

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For those of you in the United States, Labor day is one of those three-day weekends that is synonymous with shopping (although for plenty of men it is synonymous with grilling). For many of the younger set, it is the last big holiday weekend before school resumes. What is interesting to me is that a holiday that originated with the intent to give a day of rest and appreciation to the working citizens has morphed into a day where those folks working in service industries (particularly retail and food service) continue to work during the holiday to serve the rest of us who are lucky enough to have 9-5 employment.

If you happen to work in a government or white collar job, enjoy your day off.  For those of you in the service industry, been there, done that; I do hope you’re eligible for overtime. 

To all of those working through the holiday, THANK YOU for your commitment and work ethic.   This is my cheerleader moment: Our people are what keep our nation strong.

And, to those in a shopping frame of mind, there are a few sales. Unfortunately, there are not as many as I might have hoped:

1.) Asos has a shopping discount code good until Sunday, Sept 7th; Enter “ASOSGLAMOUR” at checkout for 20% off (I do not know if there is a price floor on this discount):

(Lotus Long Vintage Panelled Boots £190.00 before ASOS discount)

2. Bloomingdales is having a “Big Brown Bag Sale” through today [Extra 30-50% off Select Sale Items valid thru September 1st, 2008 on Bloomingdales.com only. Sale Items as marked. Discount Automatically Taken at Checkout. Offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Delivery charges and applicable sales taxes are additional. No adjustments to prior purchases. Offer excludes Electronic Gift Cards Beauty, Gifts, and Home (Including Furniture & Mattresses). Online Offer differs in Bloomingdale’s store locations and is not valid on bloomingdales.weddingchannel.com]:

3. Bluefly has select shoes at and additional 25% off through today. I don’t know about you, but in my book extra discounts at Bluefly are always a good idea:

4. Eluxury is giving an additional 30% off sale items:

How about these D&G patchwork sandals for an additional discount off the $539 sale price (Originally $895). That puts these under $400:

5. Nieman Marcus has free shipping for orders over $200 and for any shoe or handbag purchase over $350, a gift set of 12 designer notecards will be sent as a gift with purchase. 

I don’t happen to have any $350 shoes that I can’t live without. However, the notecards are darned cute.

6. Payless Shoe Source is having an online and in-store BOGO: Buy one; Get one for 1/2 Price. Always a crowd pleaser:

7. Shoebuy has a 20% off discount code; Enter “LD2008″ during checkout.  This is a great time to purchase a last-season clearance boot for fall.  With few exceptions, boots are a classic, trend-proof fall staple.  Don’t forget that if you are registered with Shoebuy, you normally receive an additional 10% discount above any current sales promotions.

Bronx ‘Zari’ on sale for $194 -20% -additional 10% = $139.68; 35% off the original $215.  Gotta love them stacked discounts.  I know I already said it, but the extra discounts make this a great time to browse; great time to buy.

As always, happy browsing!

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I have a sinking feeling about the shoes of this season, at least as far as posting about them goes.  Because here’s the second week running where a number of the interesting shoes don’t seem to be available on Bluefly anymore.

Take Suede’s fantabulous dress, which rocked the runway and deserved its win (well… wait till I get to the Jerell dress).  Its shoes were similar, but not identical to, these Dolce & Gabbana red satin numbers.

The idea of buying that dress from Bluefly is seriously tempting me.  I love it.

Apparently using the same shoe in black was Korto, whose dress wasn’t as terrible as all that, in my mind.  Not great, but at least tailored and structured and classy looking (unlike Wesley’s mangled mini and Leanne’s overly elaborate number that looked like the secret love child outfit of Peter Pan and a flight attendant).

And, oh look!  Terri used the same ones, too, but in what looks like a navy patent leather.  But the closest that seems to be available is this Modern Vintage Karina sandal.

Here’s another triple play shoe of this episode, used by Daniel, Joe, and Wesley respectively.

But does it appear on Bluefly?  Doesn’t look that way, because the closest comparable I can offer you is the Kenneth Cole Paper Back, which ain’t too close at all.

There were a couple pairs of shiny silver shoes, too.  This closed-toe maryjane from Stella, and this (cuter) sandal with the (cuter) outfit last week’s winner, Kelli, designed.

But, again, the closest Bluefly has to offer is this Dolce & Gabbana strappy sandal.

So, with a final note of trepidation and a hope that this “mystery shoe” situation will soon remedy itself, I will leave you with the outfit that I was the most head over heels in love with.  Jerell’s.

Oh, how this outfit deserved more love from the judges.  Peacock feathers for earrings and trim.  Perfectly matching bracelets.  Look at that collar!  This is young and sophisticated and fresh, and I love love love it.  Sure Suede’s deserved the win (look at how much work he put into that thing, and how beautifully it turned out), but this was the dress I wanted to walk off that runway with.

Of course, shoe-wise, even these seemingly basic black patent mj’s don’t seem to be on Bluefly, because the closest I could find was this pair of Dolce Vita suede and patent Brighton heels.

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I love wedges. They give you height without pain (or, at the very least, they minimize the pain), they provide comfort,  padding, and arch support, and they are often quirky, innovative, whimsical, and plain ol’ fun. I don’t want wedges to go away anytime soon, but unfortunately, if trend spies are to be believed, they are gently phased out of the fashion spotlight and replaced with vertiginous, slightly chunky and/or whimsical heels. The wedges you can still find for the new season are definitely more toned down, stripped of nearly all the bells and whistles that the designers played with a mere 1-2 seasons ago.

Just so you don’t forget the fun to be had with wedges, I’ve reached into the deep underbelly of Yoox sales and pulled out a few quirky models.  Links, in the order of appearance, are below.

Alexander McQueen wedge, $344.

Alaia industrial wedge, $304.

Marc Jacobs architectural wedge, $135.

D&G Art Deco red wedges, $240 at Yoox.

Le Silla wedge with diamante orchid brooch detailing INSIDE the wedge, $168.

Parisi spiderweb wedges, $148.

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Prompted by a recent reader inquiry, I went over to Neiman Marcus’ Shoe Trend site, which I haven’t peeked at yet for this season. As per usual, I found plenty of tempting options. So, like any good blogger, I’m now here to spread the word.

Heel Detail

You may recognize a number of these from the runway shows, because they tend to go heavy on the dramatic flare. These Fendi cage heels walked the Great Wall of China and these Prada flowery sandals made an organic statement in Milan back in September. Now they can be yours for $690 and $790, respectively.

Metallics

Personally, I’m of the opinion that a metallic shoe is always a great way to spruce up an outfit. In any season. If you agree, you might want to snap up a pair right now, when there are so many options available. You can get your metallic fix in everything from a classic Kate Spade loafer to a pewter Donald J Pliner t-strap to a Valentino multi-tone platform.

Floral

What says spring more than floral-embellished shoes? Try a pair of cheerful Manolo Blahnik’s with the Marimekko patterns that we mentioned back here, or a pretty and understated Bettye Muller (whose designs we Shoebloggers always love), or–to be kinder on your tootsies–any color of these Costablanca suede thongs.

Woven

Here’s a trend we haven’t seen for a few years now, and I’m glad it’s back. Woven shoes have an earthy, organic sort of look that I always like for the warm weather months. What shoes are here to feel the natural inspiration? Well, there’s this Frye low wedge sandal (in a handful of pretty colors) and this Stella McCartney wedge (also note it covers you for the metallic and decorative heel trends, all in one fell swoop) and the Cole Haan Air Bria (in gold or silver and thereby also hitting the right metallic note), to name a few.

Gladiator Sandals

Nope, they’re not gone. They’ve been the ubiquitous trendy sandal for the past several years, but I’m not complaining. I always like a shoe that mixes elements. Refined and rough. Masculine and feminine. And the gladiator sandal does that, whether it’s a glamazon version by Stuart Weitzman, a buckled and studded strappy one by Claudia Ciuti, or a basic brown leather Dolce & Gabbana.

Safari

The final trend is the one you have to be most careful of. When you start getting anywhere near animal prints, you’ve got to be careful not too go too over the top. I’d recommend sticking with things that are a little more toned down like this Oscar de la Renta mini-wedge. Or get a safari-esque look by sidestepping animal prints in favor of wooden embellishments, like on this t-strap sandal by Shoesense’s guru, Robert Clergerie. Because, while I dearly love Taryn Rose shoes and all they stand for, their take on the safari style is WAY too much in my book.

So go, Shoeblog readers. Find your spring shoes armed with trend awareness. It’s a fine line between trendy for its own sake and trendy in a way that will last into future springs to come. But you can do it. You’re savvy people.

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