Suede Shoes for Fall

There is something about suede that I find absolutely irresistable.  I love touching it.  I love the way it holds color.  I love the way it looks.  I have also heard many of you complain about water damage, so you have completely given up on wearing suede.  That’s understandable.  But, since I live in an area that gets 6 inches of rain a year, that isn’t an issue.  (I know it’s annoying to hear me chirp about our mild winters, but we also hit 113 degrees today, so I get what I deserve.)

Yesterday I was able to go to the local Nordstroms and nearly died.  They had about 30 pairs of suede shoes that I wanted to take home with me.  I did buy a couple of pairs, but  will have to wait to wear them because we won’t see autumn until mid- November.

Let’s see some suede shoes.   All these shoes are from Nordstroms.  Maybe you can guess which shoes I purchased. 

Kors Parker Wedge Pump. $150. (more…)

Christian Louboutin ‘Freddy’ Vs. Dolce Vita ‘Miller’

Let me address a question of extremes.

When is enough, enough? Is there such a thing as too many studs on a shoe?

For me, after seeing the Louboutin uber-studded ‘Freddy’ Oxfords, my answer is, ‘Yes.’

Christian Louboutin ‘Freddy’ studded lace-ups $995 at Saks.com

For a gal who loves statement shoes as much as I do, these still veer just a little bit too much into pokeypine* territory for me. I’d much rather step out in these only-subtle-by-comparison Dolce Vita ‘Miller’ Oxfords.

Dolce Vita ‘Miller’ lace-up flats $130 $90.99 at Saks.com

How about you?

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*My thanks to all of the toddlers I have known for bringing my attention to this awesome word, so much better and more visual than ‘porcupine’, don’t you think?

Spring Eye Candy at Saks Part 2: Metallics

In my last post I rounded up my favorite spring shoes from a recent trip to Saks Fifth Avenue! While shopping I noticed a trend that I am ready to endorse: metallics! There is just something undeniably chic and weather-appropriate about metallics complemented by a glowing tan (preferably fake for people who care about their health!). I am partial to gold shoes, but subtler metallics are also catching my eye. Without further ado, here are my favorite metallic shoes courtesy of Saks!

These Jimmy Choo Wedges are everything I want in a sandal – gold and a low wedge heel!

Jimmy Choo Crisscross Wedges for $595 at Saks (limited sizes remain online; better luck in person!).

I was recently shopping with a friend and we both agreed that we wish we lived an Oscar de la Renta kind of life! These gold heels courtesy of Mr. de la Renta are a bit subtler in tone, but pack a punch in style and height.

Oscar de la Renta Textured Leather Sandals for $575 at Saks.

Gladiators still seem to be everywhere, so why not a metallic gladiator!

Dolce Vita Strappy Flat Sandals for $195 at Saks (also available in white).

I have an inexplicable love for Juicy Couture, so I couldn’t resist loving these sandals.

Juicy Couture Charly Ankle-Wrap Sandals for $225 at Saks (also available in black).

And finally, the cutest metallic flats ever! I love how Jimmy Choo updated and embellished the basic flat!

Jimmy Choo Metallic Suede Ballet Flats for $415 at Saks (currently on pre-order).

Counterfeit Christian Louboutins

Lately, all over the internet, on sites that strive for a good, honest reputation (Luxist and ShoeBlog included) banner ads for shoe sites such as LouboutinMall, LouboutinBox, and other Louboutin url derivatives have been popping up advertising “genuine Christian Louboutin pumps for only $150″. There has been a fair amount of discussion about these sites, including why the advertisements are showing up (for ShoeBlog, we rely on an advertisement network to serve up ads to pay for our costs and have little control on that gets added. We try to take down spammy ads but sometimes, to our chagrin, they pop up faster than we can remove them). The main question all of us have wondered is, are these sites selling authentic Louboutins?

Christian Louboutin as a company is not a publicly traded. So, Mr. Louboutin has full control over the product, marketing, and quality.He graciously turns down investors on a regular basis instead, focusing on sustainable profit, design, craftsmanship and his customer of which he has many loyal. He does not want to answer to investors; he has the luxury of serving his loyal customers, employees and complete design control.

Now, if he has turned investors down regularly because he wants quality control, WHY in the world would he flood the market, charging wholesalers $75, or even $100 for handcrafted high quality shoes? (Remember, wholesalers typically double their cost). We all know these are fakes. Pure and simple. I am not going to go into the moral aspects of the conditions in which these fakes are manufactured.  My issue is quality of your purchase.

Twenty four years ago my husband purchased a Louis Vuitton handbag after the birth of one of my boys.

It cost about $600. It seemed like a fortune to a young mother.  I have used the hell out of that bag.  It was a diaper bag for 3 children, it was a weekender bag, it is now a carry-on bag when I travel.  It has aged reasonably well.  Why?  It was made with real leather and superior craftmanship and it still looks wonderful.    Ten years ago I bought a Louis Vuitton fake for $40.  It looked good for about 2 weeks.  My granddaughter now plays with it in her dress-up box. When I buy something I always figure, “It takes me X days to pay for this, is it worth it?” So, is it worth 3 or 4 days worth of work to pay for something that will last six months at best? Will you have this fake 20 years later?  You will have the real deal 40 years later

Do you want a platform pump for about $150?

Dolce Vida Madison Steve Madden Slique

A maryjane?

Carlos Infinity Harajuku Lovers Infinity

Triple platform?

Steve Madden Triplet Enzo Angiolini

Are these exactly like Louboutin shoes.  Of course not.  Are they quality shoes?  I think so.  Are they counterfeit?  No.  I think the most touching posts I have read is by Islingback in ShoeBlog’s forums.  After hard financial times, she was able to buy a pair of desinger shoes.  Would she be as thrilled with a fake?  I don’t think so.

We want Louboutins because he has spent time, energy and money to make a shoe and a reputation as the best.  With a fake you will get neither, except pictures which have clearly been stolen from Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Ebay of authentic Louboutins.  As consumers, let’s be responsible with whom and how our money is spent.  I learned my lesson ten years ago.  It cost me $40.

Update:  From NYMag, here’s more confirmation from a Louboutin spokeswoman that the shoes are fake and also responses from the counterfeit sites confirming as well.

Cusp Online Sale

The Nieman Marcus ‘Cusp’ website is having an ‘Up to an Extra 50% off’ sale (Online prices include all discounts).

Some of the featured shoes:

Manolo Blahnik’s Green Satin Buckled Sandal $337.80 $805 @ Cusp.com.

Modern Vintage Buckled Maryjane Pump $94.20 $225 @ Cusp.com

LAMB Platform Cap-Toe Booties $218.40 $520 @ Cusp.com. 

Dolce VIta Spectator Maryjane Pump $58.20 $145 @ Cusp.com

As always, have fun & happy shopping!