Vintage/Americana: An Important 2011 Trend

Women’s Wear Daily just took a poll that asked readers what they thought was going to be the most important trend for 2011.  This poll showed that Vintage and Americana will be on the top of next year’s shoe trend.  We saw this in many shoe lines and on the runways.  Let’s look at what we could be wearing this coming year.  The poll result, I think, is influenced by increasingly casual lifestyles.

Maeble on sale for $79 at Ninewest.com

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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…)

Spring Eye Candy at Saks Part 3: Espadrilles

One of the best things about summer is that I can wear my favorite shoes: espadrilles! During and after college I lived in Spain and became an espadrille devotee! My favorite place to buy espadrilles is La Manual Alpargatera in Barcelona. But if you don’t have a trip to the Iberian Peninsula planned anytime soon, Saks has an amazing selection espadrilles. And nothing says summer like a sundress and a pair of espadrilles. 

So I’ve rounded up some great pairs courtesy of Saks to help everyone embrace the warmer weather!

Christian Louboutin has designed some great classic espadrilles! This pair is also closed-toe for my ladies that don’t like to shoe off their little piggies.

Christian Louboutin Carino Plato Canvas Espadrilles for $425 at Saks.

If you want something a litte higher and sexier, Christian Louboutin has you covered with these espadrilles.

Christian Louboutin Praia Platform Espadrilles (also available in black) for $595 at Saks.

Regular Shoe Blog readers know that I am devoted to flats. Marc by Marc Jacobs is thinking of me this summer – with polka dots to boot!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Lace-Up Espadrille Sandals for $220 at Saks.

Michael Kors has a bunch of great espadrilles this season, but I’m a sucker for black patent so these are my favorite pair by Mr. Kors. Perky indeed!

Kors Michael Kors Perky Espadrille Wedges for $195 at Saks.

And finally, a very lady like pair of espadrilles with a great wedge heel. Nice job Prada!

Prada Espadrille Wedges (also available in tan) for $475 at Saks.

What did Fall 2010 Fashion Month tell us?

With the three major fall 2010 fashion events, New York, Milan and Paris,  concluding, there were a few shoe trends that recurred in several collections.  This is what we saw.  Mad Men curves are in.  Fur is in. Many of the big name fashion houses went with classic investment pieces that were timeless looking.  Several of the lesser known houses had some beautiful and interesting  pieces.  Let’s look at some shoes – that’s why we are all here.

Pointy toe shoes are returning, so dust off your Guess “Carrie” shoes because we will be seeing more pointy toes in the future.

Prada

Valentino.  There was a flat and a kitten heel also presented in this collection.

Louis Vuitton

While stilettoes were seen, typically  if the heel was high - especially boots -then it was a chunky heel.  I love the stability chunky heels offer.  Can you imagine tottering around in the above Vuitton shoes if  the heel was pencil thin?

Alexander Wang

Fendi

Erdem – love the print on these boots.

Not many wedges were seen, so I am guessing we will be seeing those phased out over the next couple of years.

Kenzo

Bottega Veneta featured this wedge on all the shoes.

Dries Van Noten.  I LOVE this half wedge.

With the retro girly-fication of the styles  no tough girl platforms were necessary.

Marc Jacobs

Dolce Gabbana

Carolina Herrera

Lanvin (Arguably the best line of the season.)

But lots of platforms were presented.

Christian Louboutin for Phillip Lim

Michael Kors

Burberry Prorsum

Brian Atwood for Victoria Beckham.

There must have been 10 different colors of this shoe because Mrs. Beckham likes to match her shoes to her dress.  These shoes are nice but nothing to hyper-ventilate over.  Her dresses were nice, wearable, and pretty.

Over the knee boots will be around for a while.  We saw over the knee boots in several presentations.  Since this is the fall season, we should not be surprised.

Burberry Prorsum presented some of the season’s favorite boots.

Roberto Cavalli

Statement shoes were everywhere.

If you are a chiropractor, you NEED these shoes.

Dsquared

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte

Louise Goldin

Chanel.  Notice the ice heel.

Chanel’s show, in my opinion was one of the goofiest ideas I think I have ever seen.  Uncle Karl shipped a glacier from Sweden to Paris, had it sculpted it for the runway, put it on a swimming pool type platform,  then the models walked through about an inch of melting glacier water.  He presented some beautiful suits, IF you could see past the heinous fake fur that accompanied these outfits.  Global warming, glaciers melting, save the furry animals was the message of this show.  Here’s the thing. 1) Lagerfield  used more fur in Fendi than virtually any other collection, so why use cheap looking fake fur with Chanel.  2) The carbon footprint of this show was massive and the power it took to present this show could have powered a small country.  (Here is where I usually go off on my global-warming-leadership-hypocrasy tirade, but I won’t because you came here to see shoes.)

OK,  I rarely look at purses, but I WANT THIS PURSE.

Forgive me for this long post, but there were so many beautiful shoes, and even more beautiful outfits.  I wanted to show them all to you but that isn’t possible.

Better Late Than Never: Amazing Prices at 6pm.com

This is a rather embarrassing confession being that I write for a blog about shoes, but until today I had never shopped at 6pm.com. Then, while watching the Olympics and shopping for shoes (yay multitasking!), I came upon 6pm.com and the prices blew my mind! The sales are incredible, and the selection of sizes is impressive! After a few hours of shopping, I narrowed it down to my favorite shoes with amazing prices to match. And, of course, I had to share!

These heels by Faryl Robin fulfill all my 1940′s dreams!

The Faryl Robin Molly is $32, regularly $160! Yes, $32!

I can always use another pair boots, especially Frye’s. The burgundy leather is so stylish!

The Fyre Betty Inside Zip Boot is $205, regularly $398.

Recently, I’ve been loving all of Michael Kors’ shoes. These red flats are so sassy!

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Artisan Flat is $68.60, regularly $98.

This week I am traveling on business and wish I was packing these Cole Haan slingbacks!

The Cole Haan Nanette Slingback is $113.85, regularly $225.

And finally, the cutest pair of kitten heels courtesy of Delman.

The Delman Ziba-Pc Kitten Heel is $63, regularly $315. What a deal!