I so frequently don’t understand why beach shoes and summer flipflops have such uncomfortable thong parts. Even Havaianas, which are supposed to be so comfortable, bruise up the top of my foot. I want something that can maybe transition from shopping to the beach and vice versa, so I need to be able to wear it all day.

I was therefore thrilled to come upon a reasonably priced pair of fabric thong flip flops at Coup de Coeur in Fort Greene, designed by incredibly reasonable-in-general company Chinese Laundry. The style is the Diablo and is selling for $48.95 at Zappos.

Leather or terrycloth are also good options for the thong of the flipflops. Here’s one by Jeffrey Campbell for $39.00. Sure, that’s more than Havaianas, but they’ll probably be on your foot longer because the thong is more comfortable.

Got any suggestions for readers on flip flops with comfortable thongs that can take you from the beach to a casual dinner and shopping? Share them in the comments.

9 Comments »

Sam Edelman is on sale in New York and San Francisco, and I’m sure in other places. I’ve always liked the flats, but I’ve never bought a pair.

These Edelman flats were on sale at David Z on Broadway in New York. I would wear all of them — they’re all chic and would blend from work to night.

These quieter puppies were in a shop in the Marina in San Francisco, the name of which immediately escapes me, unfortunately:

Have you worn Edelman flats? Are they a staple in your wardrobe? And are they comfy, or do they so utterly lack arch support like so many flats that you need to put inserts in them? I have a French/London Sole addiction, but they almost always require an arch support insert because they’re so very flat.

I also loved these Campbell flats, on sale at David Z as well.

Hello, I am pretty! The Jeffrey Campbell Bring Old Bronze for $94.00:

8 Comments »

Last week, my best friend and I were shopping at the Urban Outfitters on 14th Street and 6th Avenue. I am not a big fan of the store, but it’s fun to browse in when you have a good degree of patience for messy racks.

Unfortunately, I have to report that good ole UO has not given up on granny chic. However, they have expanded their shoe section downstairs near the dressing room, and while it is disorganized as your grandmother’s attic, I am happy to report that it is young and daring and fun, as it should be. There were lots of hipster boots, of course, but some pairs were hard to find because UO had not labeled the cabinets where they were stored. You just had to sort of dig around like you were at a rummage sale. Ah, modern uncivilised shopping.

This is my absolute favorite pair on display, following the trend of open-heeled boots that defy logic or understanding but are often quite cute. Though I’ve no idea at all how I would wear them yet, other than with skinny colored or blue jeans, I love them in hot pink! They make me feel as M.I.A. as I do in colorful high tops, but as current and stylish as I do in my other pumps, only funkier. They also come in red and black. Buy them online here.

1 Comment »

Snakeskin is sizzling hot this summer (though, let’s be honest: is reptilian dermis EVER going to go out of style? I think not!). Much to my dismay, upon cursory inspection of my closet, there was NO snake print in sight!  I was looking for a quick fix for this glaring omission–and this Jeffrey Campbell “Johnny Ex” sandal presented itself as a pretty and–at just under $70–inexpensive alternative, just the thing I need to breeze about downtown:

The “Johnny Ex” sandal is $69.95 at Nordstrom.

1 Comment »