YSL Mohawk Heels

Gently Loved: Shopping Yoogi’s Closet

I was recently introduced to Yoogi’s Closet by one of my sisters who happens to share my interest in shoes.  She and I have widely different tastes in shoes and fashion, but we both appreciate a good value. And Yoogi’s Closet is all about getting value for your shopping dollar.

Their vision, in their own words:

All photos via Yoogi’s Closet website except where otherwise noted.

Yoogi’s Closet is a service for buying and selling authentic pre-owned luxury items.

• Widen the customer base for exclusive luxury brands by providing a trusted source for gently used luxury goods.
• Only offer items that were guaranteed to be authentic and could serve as an affordable alternative to replicas (yuck!).
• Offer a return policy that matched or exceeded that for new goods purchased from authorized retailers.
• Provide a way for owners to sell or trade-in their luxury items to a trusted source.

Yoogi’s closet is a favorite for Sis when she is feeling window-shoppy and doesn’t want the guilt & sticker shock encountered at full-retail websites (you all know the ones I’m talking about).  Of course, like anything else, if you are prone to BUI (buying under the influence), you might want to avoid Yoogi’s if you have already had a glass or two of wine and haven’t locked up your credit cards.

On the other hand, if you are currently in the market for new pair of shoes or designer bag, it’s worth your time to take a peek.

Here are just a few bargains to be had at the moment:

Jimmy Choo Beige Crystal Calf Boots size 11.5 $325

Louis Vuitton Damier Pony Hair Bowtie Heels size 9 $365

Yves St. Laurent Fuschia Vitello Platform Sandals size 9 $365

Christian Louboutin Red Patent Rolando Decolette Vernice Chic Platform size 5 $485

Yoogi’s Closet is easy to navigate and allows you to shop by size, color, price point, or designer. The stock changes periodically, so you never know what you will find.

My sister loves the site and recently took the shopping plunge.  Her shoes arrived within days and look fabulous.

Her purchase? A pair of amazing, green, Manolo Blahnik sandals:

Photo taken by L. W.

Unfortunately, I will have to wait awhile while I continue to reduce my debt load before I can do more than window shop here. But, that doesn’t have to stop any of you folks who are less contrained budget-wise than I.

Designer style that doesn’t leave you in the poorhouse is welcome at any time.

Cary Mulligan’s Style

So I have been idly watching Carey Mulligan, the  twenty five year old British actress, because she seems to have a great sense of style. (Her stylist is Tiina Laakkonen who has a good artistic eye.)  She seems to like Prada and Lanvin, but has been seen wearing other designers too.   I went back a few months to show you what she has been wearing.  She is a tiny, tiny girl, so she has to watch that her clothes don’t overpower her.  I think she has done that.

August 2009.  At the September Issue Premier in New York wearing watercolor floral  Thakoon dress and  Prada (I think) shoes.

October 2009 wearing a gladiator-ish studded dress from the  Prada Fall 2009  with Prada sandals.  I love the red lips. 

August 2010. At the MOCA 30th Anniversary Gala wearing Prada from the Spring 2010 line,  shoes fron the same collection.  These shoes have that clear Lucite heel. This is probably the most amazing skirt around. 

February 2010 at the BAFTAs  in Vionnet dress, YSL shoes.  This is the second Vionnet dress Carey has worn.  She wore a gorgeous red dress  and nude Vionnet pumps on October 2009 for the premier of An Education in London.  Galligator told us abut this design house a few months ago. 

Apparently Anna Wintour has taken a liking to Carey.  The story Carey tells is that,  ”Anna said I should wear short for the Oscars. I was like, ‘No that is so not what I had in my head when I was six years old!’

For the Oscars, she went long, even with a train. (I guess not everyone does what Ms. Wintour says.)  She wore a Prada dress with Prada sandals.   The dress got mixed reviews.  I think she looked great. 

This is what she wears on her day off.  This photo was taken the day after the Oscars.  Trapeze smock, brown jersey pants and black ballet shoes.  Just the right outfit for Los Angeles.

 It will be fun to what she and Tiina decide for the Costume Institute Gala and Cannes.  It will undoubtably be beautiful.

YSL Spring 2010: Runway to Retail

The Yves St. Laurent Spring 2010 fashions were a mixed bag for me. I liked the neutral palette and the extensive use of separates in the show. One or two spectacular, wearable, separates that you can depend on in your wardrobe are always a good thing.

(The ruffled middle skirt is on pre-order now, love the fluidity on it.)

I particularly liked some of the structured bow details and how they contrasted with some of the more deconstructed pieces with unfinished edging:

But these strangely placed bust-ruffle details that felt like Madonna/Gaultier stage costuming aren’t working for me.

…….the  ‘Oh, so you don’t want pockets’   punchline comes to mind.

Nor am I thrilled with the the floor-length, ruffled skirts that are just too long to compliment most body types:

But, the shoes and accessories – Yves St. Laurent, you have my attention.

Just look at this armlet. Gulp. I must find a way to get my hands on this.

Some of the sandals feel like they are a casual blending of YSL’s recent cage sandals with their wildly popular Tribute sandals. These architectural, open demi-wedges have a sweet and flirty summer appeal:

But, it’s the wilted rose-and-thorn shoes have me shifting into full-on shoe-lust mode:

YSL, how completely do these torment play with my desire for a fairy-tale Briar Rose shoe as both Vivier & Mai Lamore have done in the past!

Add these to my list of  Holy Grail shoes (unless I find a smoking deal on a pair of  aftermarket Vivier Rose ‘n Roll beauties; I would be satisfied with owning either style).

So, just in time for spring, the following retail versions of the Spring YSL runway styles are now available for pre-order at Saks, Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, and YSL boutiques:

Yves St.  Caged ‘Essentiel 105′ Platform Sandal $895 pre-order at Nordstrom.com,  Saks.com & Niemanmarcus.com

Yves St. Laurent Criss-cross ankle strap sandals $795 at Saks.com (on sale now)

Yves St. Laurent ‘Gaia’ Platform sandal $830 pre-order at Nordstrom in nude or black suede.

Yves St. Laurent ‘Gaia’ Slide sandal $895 pre-order at Nordstrom.com

Yves St. Laurent ‘Lauren’ ballerina flat $595 at Niemanmarcus.com

Yves St. Laurent Rose t-strap sandals $895 at Nordstrom.com & Niemanmarcus.com

Yves St. Laurent ‘Chloris’ sandal $895 pre-order at Nordstrom.com & Niemanmarcus.com (in nude or raspberry)

* All Photos in this article sourced from NYMag.com & Style.com.

Catherine Zeta Jones in YSL

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Landsbury were at the Etcetera Etcetra Restaurant as part of “A Little Night Music” celebrations.  When I grow up I want to be like Angela.  I can’t tell what kind of shoe she is wearing, however I will assume they are low heeled pumps because Ms. Landsbury is 84 and I can’t imagine her tottering about in platforms.  She is beautiful.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is wearing a black Alexander McQueen dress, also seen on Anna Paquin and Cameron Diaz, with red accessories.  I used to think this was a wonderful way to put an outfit together but I have seen it too many times, so has become a “safe” way to put an outfit together.  That being said, since this dress has red piping on the zipper this works better than most.

CZJ’s shoes are Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin pumps, $875 at Bergdorf Goodman.  Gorgeous.  YSL hit a home run with their Trib and Trib 2, but it is refreshing to see a celebrity wearing something different. 

LOVE the color; love the shape; love the material. 

These are my Holiday Lust Shoes.