One of the must-have items of the season is, apparently, the good ol’ penny loafer. I’m all for that: school season is knocking on your neighborhood’s door, and even if you’re not in or around a school at the moment, you must feel the buzz of books and the studious energy in the air. No? It must be me, ahem; still, you are probably seeing a preview of collegiate fashions by now. And if you indulge one of my pet peeves for just a second: I for one would LOVE to see young women sporting an elegant, well-made penny loafer rather than a flip-flop way into November, as I often see, and which is just….wrong.

Penny loafers were named as such because they could be decorated with a penny (or often, a dime). I didn’t realize there was actually an urban legend behind this:

In 1934 John R. Bass (a bootmaker in Wilton, Maine) started making loafers and called them Weejuns (meant to sound like Norwegian). These had a strap across the upper part of the vamp that was shaped like a pair of lips (said to be John’s wife, Alice Bass, kissing each shoe on its way out the door). The mouth opening soon was used to hold an ornament (such as a penny), and thus penny loafers became a style. Penny loafers often held a dime instead of a penny. (From Wikipedia).

Edited: Correction: Allison in comments points out that it was actually George Henry Bass (and not John R.). Thanks, Allison, for pointing out again why Wikipedia can’t be entirely trusted!

In the days of yore, the penny loafer was a low-heeled shoe through and through, with a strong masculine vibe (it makes sense, since it started off as a men’s shoe). These days the penny loafer, just like the oxford, has gone through a high-fashion transformation, and the New York Times’ T Magazine is eager to present these options to us:

Clockwise from top: Christian Louboutin shoe, $1,050 a pair. Go to christianlouboutin.com. Yves Saint Laurent shoe, $770. Go to ysl.com. Tod’s shoe, $545. Go to tods.com. Nine West shoe, $99. Go to ninewest.com. Cole Haan shoe, $275, and Anna Sheffield for Cole Haan coin, $45. Go to colehaan.com.

This style is a classic that’s been around for decades and is bound to stay in style for a long time; in theory at least, you can’t go wrong wearing a pair of well-made penny loafers. I do admit to having misgivings about the 3+ inch height of the models shown in T Magazine; but again, I also have misgivings about models that look so masculine I have no desire to wear them. Therefore, I have also scoured teh interwebs for more pleasant AND easier on the feet loafer-options and found a few. Behold:

From top to bottom:

Marc by Marc Jacobs patent loafers (available in other colors, too), $264 at Zappos.

Marc by Marc Jacobs high-heeled loafers (2 & 3/4″, also available in other colors), $354 at Zappos.

Kate Spade Lindsay loafer (also available in other colors), $199 at Zappos.

Givenchy gold calf loafer, on sale for $204 at Zappos.

Tory Burch Clayton Loafer (also in red), $275 at Nordstrom.

Celine tasseled low-heeled brogue, $460 at Yoox.

MariaCristina low-heeled loafers, $178 at Yoox.

L’Autre Chose tasseled loafer, $68 at Yoox (only one size left!)

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I’ve been reading this piece in the New York Times on the opening of the Tory Burch boutique in SoHo, and I’ve been haunted by this vision:

Summer! Sandals! Shiny! Whee! And unlike most high-end designers, these are actually almost affordable, as they are priced in the low-to-mid $200. You can, of course, find a good selection of Tory Burch shoes at Nordstroms. As for me, I’m partial to the gladiator:

The “Alexis” sandal is $275 at Jildor Shoes - perfect for a stylish summer romp!

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Most of the shops were beyond my budget, but while attending the World Show Association (WSA) Convention last month I felt it was my solemn shoeblog duty to at least window shop at the the Shoppes at Palazzo Las Vegas.

First up, the 85,000 square feet of retail space at Barneys New York. I loved the wire framed high heel which greeted me at the main shoe window display.

The fierce lioness growling at anyone who dares to come near her sumptuous feast of luxury shoes. I found it amusing that she was biting a pair of faux cow-hide pumps. All the fun but none of the blood or gore.

This particular mannequin reminds me a bit of the African tribeswomen who might gracefully balance woven baskets on their heads. Only in this case, instead of baskets she’s balancing metallic handbags.

A Jimmy Choo boutique was also present. This particular shop had similar decor to the boutique in the Forum Shoppes of Caesar’s . Business must be good to be able to open two boutiques so close to each other.

But then again, who wouldn’t want to buy these lovely sandals if they could afford them.

There was also a Tory Burch boutique embossed with her signature logo.

But sadly, Christian Louboutin’s boutique was under construction. I guess the means I need to plan another trip when it opens for business. Just kidding…..

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Despite the cold weather that I keep reading about in New England, I’m convinced that spring is right around the corner.  What better way to flop your way into warmer weather than with these cute flip flops by Tory Burch.

They’re $45 at Bloomingdales.com but if you use promo code ‘TEEN’ at checkout, $25 will be knocked off the subtotal.   So, even though generic flip flops are cheaper and money could be better spent on shoes with better support,   I figure $20 plus shipping/tax for a pair of designer flip flops might be worth skipping about on a few lattes this week. Plus I need to start reducing calories for that summer body that I’ve always wanted.

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Purple is such an autumnal color for me. Not literally, of course–maroons and oranges and browns would probably more appropriate for the color palette of the season. Metaphorically though, it’s evocative of twilights, it’s melancholy, it’s spiritual–just like fall can be. Which is why I stubbornly look for purple shoes every time fall comes, just to get me in the mood.

Ok, it’s also a fun, fun, FUN color to wear, I admit. Happy now?

Here are seven of my favorite purple picks for this fall:

1) Sigerson Morrison violet suede pointy-toe skimmer, with a demure Mary Jane buckle and bold silver lining, $379 at Zappos:

2) Tory Burch ‘Quinn’ quilted patent ballet flat, lined in deep purple and featuring the signature ornament on the vamp, $225 at Plaza Too:

3) Dolce & Gabbana assymetrical high-throat, peep-toe pump, with cutout detail at the heel, $454 at Zappos (very appropriate come witch season, may I add):

4) Taryn Rose ‘Desi’ ankle boot, with black patent rosette detail, $645 at Nordstrom–absolutely stunning:

5) L’Autre Chose distressed leather oxfords (very in this fall), $174 at Yoox:

6) Vince Camuto ‘Heaven’ cutout patent pumps, $128 at Zappos:

7) Marc Jacobs violet slingback with frayed grosgrain trim, $355 at Shoes.com:

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