Spring 2012 Fashion Week Footwear: More Updates from the Runways

Of the most recent crop of runway shoes out there, I was smitten by… wait, no.  I’ll save the smitten-making shoes til the end.  What I’ll start with instead is another trend I’ve been seeing a fair bit of: transparency.

Like these from three from Marchesa.  The collection was floaty and ethereal and romantic, and the transparent shoes matched that with some gorgeous graceful lines.

Oscar de la Renta also showed us some transparent shoes, though in that show there was quite a bit of playing with colors and socks underneath to make the transparency show up very differently (god, I just typed that “shoe up very differently” at first… guess what I’ve been thinking about this week).  I dig the oxford inspiration and the buckles and the ankle straps… but you’re probably getting tired of me mentioning those things this week.

The next triad here is three shoes from three shows that I loved.  Left to right we have Narciso Rodriguez’s take on a super high class Ace bandage, Sophie Theallet’s spectator-inspired pump that looks like murder to wear but is so damn adorable (plus double buckles!), and one more by Oscar de la Renta that was a mule so beautifully embellished and so reminiscent of something Marie-Antoinette might have slipped on that I couldn’t pass it up.

But the shoes that had me smitten (you’ve been patient until now, after all) were the shoes that out Lepore’d Nanette Lepore for quirky feminine… Tory Burch.  I was hella surprised, I must admit, because usually I find Tory Burch shoes insipid and ubiquitous, and Nanette Lepore usually does the quirky feminine to a T.  But first, look at the Nanette Lepore offering, of which I only present one to save your retinas some serious searing.

You can click on that image and enlarge it, but you might want to put some sunglasses on first.

OK, back with me?  Sunspots cleared from your vision?  Well if you want to cool things down a little, then check out the adorableness (and look! some low heels!) of Tory Burch’s offerings and coo in delight that these may be coming to a store near you in a matter of months.

Radiant Tory Burch Logo Rainboots

Tory Burch Logo Rainboots

All right. I know what you’re probably thinking. Of all the Tory Burch shoes out there, why these? I’ll be completely up front with you. The reason I’m highlighting Tory’s Logo Rainboots ($150 at Saks) is because of Sandra Bullock. No, you’re not misreading that – and no, as far as I know, she has not recently strutted any red carpets in these very, very bright red boots.

She did, however, star in a little movie called All About Steve. Not her greatest film, no – but it’s a Saturday, it was a lazy day at my house, there was nothing else on TV, and so I caught it on the tube. I’ve seen it before, and I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve always been fond of her character’s risky red boots.

Of course, those boots aren’t quite the same as these boots, (more…)

Tory Burch Howard Wedge Kiltie Lace-Up Bootie

Tory Burch Howard Wedge Kiltie Lace-Up Boot

Tory Burch’s inspirations are sometimes quite clear and sometimes much subtler, so it’s a joy to puzzle out just where her aesthetic is going. For me, that’s definitely the case with her Howard Wedge Kiltie Lace-Up Bootie ($395 at Neiman Marcus). There are so many things about these boots that really shouldn’t go together, that seem like they would clash and create a serious shoe disaster, yet somehow all the elements work together.

For instance, in the royal tan shade seen here (the booties are also available in black), (more…)

Tory Burch Pink Rain Boot and Umbrella

Tory Burch’s Limited Edition umbrella ($58) and rain boot ($150) in pink are a perfect way to add some color to the otherwise dreary weather we’ll soon be experiencing.   The best part of these boots, however,  is not the cute footwear,  but the knowledge that Tory Burch will donate 15% of the the sales generated from the boots and umbrella to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.    So please kick your boots into high gear and help us find a cure for breast cancer.

It’s Summer, Put On Your Flip Flops

For me, summer means lots of time at the beach. Although I no longer live on California’s Central Coast, I still spend every moment I can in the sand, or at least dressing like I’m headed to the beach. While in Santa Cruz for the 4th of July I realized I need new flip flops! There are some great new designer sandals available this summer that are rather stylish. Pure luxury at the beach – I love it!

Valentino Couture Bow Jelly Sandals for $275 at Saks

(more…)