Today the April showers have decided to have one last hurrah before May comes. But let that not deter us from excitement about springtime shoes.

On a recent stroll through the high end department stores in New York City, I snapped some pictures of shoe friends old and new that are out in the stores.

First up, of course, how can I pass by the now-infamous Marc Jacobs heel-less shoe? It’s on display at Bergdorf’s in all its oddly-shapen glory.

(those are my MUCH comfier Converse sneakers there reflected on the pavement, and believe me, I won’t be making that trade anytime soon)

At 10022-SHOE, the shoe floor of Saks that’s so big it needs its own zip code, corset styling is the rage. Chanel’s combined it with their classic quilted pattern in a variety of colors.

Though I must say I’m partial to this more literal interpretation of the corset, with ivory waxed canvas peeking through the laces.

Don’t want such crazy high heels (because I sure don’t)? Then how about these classy little loafer-inspired ballet flats.

Or my very favorite shoe spotted on the whole floor, this flat Prada boot.

It’s a flat! It’s an ankle strap! It’s Super Boot!

Tell me this wouldn’t be the perfect footwear for a really well-styled lady superhero. If my wallet had the ability to stretch indefinitely, this boot would be coming home to my closet, that’s for sure.

3 Comments »

While the Armani Prive spring 2008 couture show featured some titillating high heel fashion that had me wondering how the models walked on daggers, Karl Lagerfield kept in simple, girly, and presumably comfy on the Chanel Couture runway. Seemingly, he seemed to channel Coco Chanel who once said “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

To wit, there was nary a single high heel on the fashion runway.

Of course these sequined flats could only go with this tweed number.

My favorite flats on the runway were these soft pink mary janes with ruffles on the vamp and side. Can’t you just image that one of the ballerinas in Edgar Degas‘ paintings would wear these?

Sadly, the remainder of the shoes on the Chanel runway were just a bit too plain for me.

and left me wishing that we could see updated, comfy versions of this lovely silver banded flat.

Photos from Style.com

3 Comments »

As I mentioned, last month I had relatives in town. As the dutiful niece and family-assigned tour guide (my mom doesn’t like driving on the freeways), it was my job to show my aunt a good time on Rodeo Drive.

First up, we went to the newly redesigned Chanel Store in Beverly Hills. Sure, these window displays look ever so casually thrown together but I’m sure every wrinkle on that sequin dress and the angular tilt on the beautiful nude Chanel d’orsays were well planned.

Even for Chanel, I’ve never be a big fan of tweed. The material is simply too thick and I don’t like the pattern.

Okay, maybe tweed accents like the ones on these tall Chanel boots are okay.

Chanel shows that splats are back.

Of all the shoes on display, my favorite were these Chanel pink bow-tie pumps. They are ever so feminine and delicate, no?

2 Comments »

I think I just had a mini-orgasm:

Oh, to be clad in these majestic boots, with a jeweled bracket gently embracing the heel, lifting you up to the world of the well, no, make it exceptionally well-heeled. You’d be untouchable. Frankly, I’m not sure what more you could possibly want from life.

The Chanel boots from the Paris Monte Carlo collection are $3,600 at Bergdorf Goodman (regrettably, no available online.)

1 Comment »

The folks over at Style.com have rounded up their favorite accessories for the holiday season, and of course, some divine shoes are on the list.  Some of them, like this Alessandro dell’Acqua platform and this Chloe “ski boot”, you may remember from the recent catwalks.

Some just scream hobnobbing at a party with the fashion elite, like this playful Bruno Frisoni slingback.

 Some are begging you to dance the night away in a club with a light up dance floor.  See this retro Chanel number.

 Some, like this gorgeous Christian Dior spectator and spat-inspired Ralph Lauren, are begging for a Great Gatsby themed holiday party.

Some scream down-to-earth funky chic, like this flat from Proenza Schouler.

Some are clearly designed to match your champagne, like this Givenchy ankle-wrap sandal and this Marc Jacobs bootie.

And some (like this spangled Sergio Rossi) simply SCREAM at you to party away your New Year’s Eve in the height of sparkly, festive style.

No Comments Yet »