I have been wear-testing the following ‘Very Volatile’ wedges for roughly the last month.

Volatile USA’s ‘Nobu’ ($74.99 @ volatileusa.com; the Nobu is also available at shoes.com, Zappos & Endless)

They are a great spring-summer sandal in one of this season’s more popular colors - turquoise. These also have an appealing organic design that really works with a spring wardrobe; particularly if you are like me and have a lot of cooler tones in your wardrobe.

These sandals are available in whole sizes 6-10 B US sizing (37-41 EU). Sizing was my first challenge. As a size 7.5 medium who prefers a lot of toe room, the choice on whether to try a 7 or 8 is the first challenge I encountered.   So, I actually tried a size 7 in the turquoise, and a size 8 in black suede.

The good news is that both sizes adjust fairly well in that the buckled slingback and suede material allow for a lot of fine-tuning and comfort on the initial fit. However, the size 7 had more than enough space to accommodate my anything-but narrow size 7.5 feet.  And, while sometimes slingbacks feel like the strap is about to slip off your ankle, these stayed secure through multiple wearings.

How comfortable are they? Well, they did have a brief breaking-in period of about 2-3 wearings of 2-5 hours each.  Each wearing was successively more comfortable than the last; there were no blisters thanks to the soft suede and roomy shape, but I did get a bit of a workout re-learning how to walk on a platform wedge; these have an almost 1″ lift under the toe and about a 4″ overall lift at the heel.  The footbed it lightly cushioned, and after several wearings, this padding started to form to the shape of my arch - an absolute necessity if you have a higher arch like I do.  If you are not ‘blessed’ with high arches, you may have little or no break-in period with these.

Here are some pictures of how these bamboo-wrapped wedges actually look on the foot:

(Yes, I need a pedicure - fast!)

The turquoise color really is fabulous!

You can see here that the size 7 in turquoise is definitely roomy enough for those of us who normally wear a 7.5. And, while it looks like my pinky toe is trying to escape, it never has. The straps and cutouts are placed perfectly to avoid that happening on my feet.

You can see in this next picture that the size 8 is super roomy. I would definitely think someone who is an 8-8.5 would have no problem with this size working for them.

(If you feel the need to put on your sunglasses to view these, I understand - I really am quite naturally pale.  My hubby has joked that since I don’t tan, I actually bleach in the sunlight. But, I digress).

If I have piqued your interest at all, you can find many other styles of  ‘Very Volatile’ shoes at volatileusa, zappos, endless, and shoes.com.

I have to admit, that although Volatile shoes are a well-known regional brand in the areas such as the Southeastern United States (A ‘go-to’ for wedges, flip-flops, and animal prints), I was unfamiliar with them before I stumbled across them several months ago.

As a brand, Volatile has competitive pricing, current styling, and reasonable comfort.  This is particularly remarkable in the current climate of ridiculously rising shoe prices. This makes Volatile shoes a nice value, particularly for ladies on a budget.

And, if you can get both comfort and style on a reasonable budget, I’m all for that.

3 Comments »

You all already know that I grew up as a lover of fine grain leather in my family’s shoe stores. I think leather is the only thing that unites my love of all things black, street, tough and rockergirl with my seemingly opposite love of all things classic, equestrienne and tailored. Had I my way, I would hit the road clad in leather on a Harley and never look back!

Alas … I’m a bit too small to hop on a Chopper, much less hold one up, and so I’ll have to settle for being driven around in these vehicles that look like they should be motorized.

Aren’t they va-va-va-voom!? These babies are called the Jumpstart, and they’re part of Fergie’s new line, specifically the Glitterati Collection. I consider them a jumpstart for your legs to run the race to Destination: Hotness.

If I do say so myself, they make my fairly average legs look pretty sexy (that’s why I’m such a heel devotee!) and the three inch heel really emphasizes my calf muscles. I wore them around all day (with the exception of my morning run, of course!) to get a good feel for what they would be like as a day shoe. The result: success. They carried me through errands, up and down the street and up and down stairs easily. I’m glad Fergie didn’t make them a three and a half inch heel. Here I am trying them out in the grass, walking around a garden.

Don’t try that at home! That contrast of grass and leather looked commercial-cool but was an ill-advised idea as the stilettos kept sinking into the dirt. I suggest you stick to pavement or at the very least a path. Not for a picnic, these motors.

Here we are from a side view. When standing, you won’t have as much of a gap in your heel area. One downside is that with a fully covered heel cap like this, you’re going to feel a little funny if it doesn’t fit perfectly, and it’s not like our heels are all uniformly shaped. This one fit my heel fine and the leather cap was decently flexible when I stood up. I have pretty thin, if long, feet.

I can’t say that they make the full grain leather cut, but it’s a pretty decent quality and it’s real leather (the website says goat leather, which is fairly new and experimental in fashion; my research turned up some articles saying that goat leather can be more expensive because goats are often bred in the city near to where the leather will be tanned, etc.). Don’t expect buttery soft pebble grain leather. That doesn’t work in a shoe like this because it’s too soft to maintain a tough shape and support your foot with so little material. If you want to condition the insides of the leather straps to make them a little softer on your skin (though they’re already a different softer grain, I like to do this on strappy shoes since the strap is supporting your entire weight and can really chafe), you can use a leather lotion by Coach, Wilson’s, Kiwi or any number of other companies, though time will also soften the straps a bit.

Here’s a look at the detailing and the sole.

SURVEY SAYS:

Innovation: 6. I like the cutouts, but this is a pretty basic shoe following a pretty traditional pattern. What I do really like are the subtle cutouts on the ankle strap and the extra skinny ankle strap for support and style. I also REALLY like the stretchy elastic goring on the ankle straps that allows for a more perfect fit. Good thinking, designers. The elastic could stretch after a while but they made it pretty tight so you’ll stretch it out to your natural ankle size, and if they stretch too much, a good shoe store can repair that (my favorite is the shoe store that services Vogue, Shoe Service Plus, which is pricy but excellent as long as you are very specific).

Style: 7. They’re still very au courant and rocker chic will be constantly classic for the fast forward future. They’re simple, but they get the job done in keeping you in mode. They’re actually pretty dignified because they’re so simple and Fergie’s team kept the studs to a limit and made the accenting zipper and studs silver instead of a flashier gold. I think if there had been a platform it would’ve looked too chunky and not streamlined enough.

Sex factor: 9. Holla! These kittens are HOT in the “Don’t Mess with Me Unless You’re Tough and then DO Mess with Me Cause You’re My Kinda Man” sort of way. Just don’t overdo the outfit. Let the attention be the shoes.

Comfort: 6. I’m used to wearing very high heels, so this is relative, but shoes that look like this are usually SO uncomfortable. There’s no platform and it’s a three inch heel, so I can’t give them a 7.

Practicality: 5. Wear them beneath your long work pants and they’re practical for work. Bring a pair of shorts or a skirt to change into for the evening out. If you’re a tough city chick who doesn’t work corporate, these will blend seamlessly into your wardrobe. Otherwise, they’re practical only for nights and weekends.

Price: 6. I think $99 is an acceptable price for what they are and for being a full leather upper. Steve Madden charges more for shoes that are probably of an equivalent quality, with less leather and more fabric. Sometimes Nine West and Aldo charge more for non-leather.

Overall score: 6.5. This is a sexy urban girl shoe. It’d work in LA or New York or Detroit or Atlanta or Chicago, or in the trendiest venues of smaller towns. Keep the outfit relatively contrasting, like a silky top and not overly short shorts, and I think you’ve got a weekend warrior. Get your style fight on by buying them here or enter the ShoeBlog Fergie Shoe Giveaway where 3 pairs of Fergies’ shoes are being given away.

Now I’m going to go be glamorous, flossy and Fergalicious in my Jumpstarts, even if it’s just to hit the drive thru at Taco Bell (or In-N-Out for their animal style burger, as is usually the case for yours truly).

7 Comments »

The birds are chirping.  The leaves are budding.  The flowers are blossoming.  And I’m in a total case of spring fever.  Since I’m me, this extends to shoes.  I’m browsing for sandals left and right and getting all excited over pedicures and ballet flats and all, just like I do every spring.

But I’m also doing my other thing that I do every springtime.  Wondering if I’ll be able to find walkable, supportive, cute shoes for the warm weather.

How perfect the timing then, for Thierry Rabotin to step on up.

Thierry Rabotin is one of those classics of the comfort shoe industry.  The man himself used to be the designer for Taryn Rose, and after some legal bad blood a few years back when he left the company, he struck out on his own, with his own mission to make high-end, handmade comfort shoes.

And he’s done it.  If you’re a geek about shoe companies like I am, check out that link to the company website for some interesting information about their manufacturing process and design vision.

In case you’re not a geek like that (though, really, I bet a bunch of you are… it’s Shoeblog, after all), I won’t go into it much, except to say that Rabotins are made in Italy (as the good shoes always are) and use the legendary sacchetto construction (basically where full grain leather linings are sewn directly to the upper of the shoe instead of being glued to mid-layers or shanks or insoles) that a) makes shoes a lot lighter and more flexible and b) is fairly rare, since it takes a lot more care in the construction of a shoe and doesn’t lend itself to assembly-line mass production techniques.

Oh look… I went on about geeky shoe things anyway.

Right.

Well, let’s cut to the chase, shall we?

So up to now I’ve been very curious to try a pair of Thierrys, but I’ve never been tickled by their styles until I snagged myself a pair of these Georgia maryjanes for my very own.

Of course, it’s time to share the experience with all of you good people out there.

First off, I was a mite sceptical to be honest.  I’m generally leery of this sort of flat ballet-inspired shoe, because most of the ones I’ve ever tried on, even those from “comfort” companies, don’t offer much in the way of support or shock-absorption, and they often cut up the back of my heel something fierce.

But when I slipped these on and walked them through the concrete and cobblestone streets of London for a few days, the most I could complain about was one spot where the edge rubbed at the outside of my little toe.  Even that, honestly, I’m not too worried about.  The leather feels like butter, and it’s already stretching around the shape of my foot.  No heel rubbing, because there’s a genius patch of suede on the inside of the shoe’s heel.  There’s even built-in arch support!  It’s like a little sigh of relief putting these puppies on my feet.  Word of advice, though: I’d go up a half size if you’re in doubt.  I’m usually an 8 US, and I got these in the 8.5 (which in Rabotin sizing is 38.5), and I wouldn’t want ‘em any smaller.

They’re a bit on the narrow side (hence the toe rubbing), which also worried me looking at them in the box.  But they’re actually quite flattering once they’re on, and they don’t gap weirdly, which I often find is a problem with ballerina-style shoes.

Style-wise, I can’t say as they’re the most cutting edge pair of shoes I’ve ever put on, and that’s in keeping with the company’s ethos of making shoes that are “classics” and don’t follow the whims of fashion.  Personally, I think there’s still room to get a bit less old-fashioned with their collections while maintaining a classic overall style.  But the inclusion of these metallic leathers that they’ve been doing for the past few seasons has made a huge difference.  Case in point: in black, the Georgia isn’t nearly as interesting to me.

Likewise, it’s the pewter that catches my eye on the Grace flat.

OK, maybe I’m just a sucker for the shiny, but make something in a metallic, and I’m all over it.

All in all, I’d say I was really pleasantly surprised by these shoes, and I’d give them high marks all around, with perhaps a few points off for style innovation.

If you’re after a pair of your own, follow the links above to the shoes at Joseph.  And if you’re still not convinced that these are awesome and worth the (admittedly high) retail price tag of $400-450, there are plenty of other comfort brands there with some adorable shoes for spring.  I make special mention of these funky Arche perforated sandals, which are not only a ton of fun in hot pink, but damn trendy right now with their zip-up heel and combination clunky/cut-out styling.

Or, in a yet-lower price bracket, there’s the Cole Haan Air Ariana sandal with Nike sole technology.  I haven’t mentioned it recently, but seriously, the Cole Haan Air series (as well as its precursor, Cole Haan G Series) makes up by far the highest percentage of my go-to shoes for summer walking in stylish comfort.

You know what?  Just go ahead and browse through all the spring shoes over there.  There are some beauts.  And there’s even a fun article from their head shoe buyer about some of his favorite picks for spring shoes.

5 Comments »

Ahhhhhh ASGI, producer of extremely comfortable footwear, we are quite fond of you. For those of you who have been with us awhile, you may remember that this Science-of-Shoewearing brand showed up here on Shoeblog last spring when Shoesense reviewed their “Joy” Mary Jane. She went through their amazng Soleplex technology, but since it’s always a good time for good news, I am going to tell you about it again. Here is the first major reason to get interested in this brand, and fast:

ASGI claims to design their shoes “from the inside out” and in this image of the heeled version of their 3-tiered Soleplex design, you begin to see why. In this image, tiers 1 and 2 make up the “Footbed and Stabilizer” level. It is a contoured base that conforms, memoryfoam-like, to your your foot so that you almost feel like the shoe was made for you. It is then reinforced to provide extra support. The bottom tier is a combination of the “Chassis” and the “Pods” that are seperated in the flat version of the shoe. The Chassic is the stong durable foundation that gives you stability even on cobblestones and uneven ground. The “Pod,” or in this case, the heel, is carefully placed to distribute weight. Even though this is a heeled shoe, you are in no way balancing on your toes. For more information on Soleplex technology, check out the ASGI website.

The CLAIM: ASGI shoes are designed with comfort first and then wrapped in the latest fashion designs.

The TEST: Twinkletoes will wear the Carina Bootie all over the streets of New York and render her decision.

The VERDICT:

Here is a photo of the Carina bootie in which I did, indeed, traipse all over Manhattan.

CLAIM 1 RESULT: COMFORT. I found that ASGI totally lives up to the hard sell on the Soleplex technology. The shoe does actually feel like it molds to your foot. The longer you wear it, the more comfortable it gets. On top of that, New York is incredibly hard on shoes. Virtually ever pair of shoes I own looks like it has been in a streetfight. In the past I have found that the heel caps on my shoes can wear down with one wearing. ONE! But the polyurethane Chassis and Heel scoffed in the face of the NYC streets. Subway Grates? Sure, I got caught in them (I am not the most graceful of girls), but they came right out with nary a nick on them. Questionable puddles in the street? No problem! The leather was not damaged at all and any grime just washed right off! These babies are amazingly street savvy.

CLAIM 2 RESULT: FASHION. On this level, I feel that ASGI has a little way to go. I paired these with several different looks to see how they worked.

Business:

Casual:

Dressy:

I think that it definitely works best with the work look. It is a sturdy, comfortable work shoe but i think it needs a bit of tweaking before it can be called full-on Fashion. My main issue with it is the toe box. The squared off toe looks a little old-fashioned to me. Tweaking it just a little by making it either rounded or pointed would go a long way for the look. I understand that it is supposed to loafer-esque, but I think the look needs a bit more streamlining. However, I stand firm on the idea that if you are looking for comfortable, good-looking work shoe, these are perfect.

I did spend a great deal of time perusing ASGI’s website and found that the Daisy Ballerina shoe is super cute! Based on my time with the Carina Bootie, I am also 100% certain that it is incredibly comfortable. In addition to the black style, it is available in gold and silver, a perfect fit for the new Spring trends.

You can find the Carina Bootie ($102.00) and the Daisy Ballerina ($104.00!) on Footwearetc.com.

1 Comment »

Hello All!

I know it’s been several weeks since I introduced you to the pet-able ‘Tsar’ shearling-lined boot (brand-new and out of the box):

Now, here is what they look like after a bit of casual wear & tear. I’d like to think that hint of slouch is just starting to give them even more character:

Oh, and I did promise you a review.  So, on to the details.

First of all, I have managed to wear these in conditions ranging from temperatures hovering just at freezing (32F) to a crowded trade-floor with temperatures approaching the high 70’s to low 80’s (which I was only able to do since I had otherwise dressed lightly, I wouldn’t recommend making this a habit).  So, I think I can give you a fair idea of how these babies performed and exactly where their strengths and weaknesses are in everyday settings.

Reasons to Love ‘Love from Australia’:

1. These boots are cozy and warm.  In most temperatures at the 40F to 60F range, these are warm enough that socks are simply not required.  At about 34F outside during soft hail (poofy tiny snowballs), I was able to tolerate 45 minutes of open-air soccer-momming before hitting a point where I actually felt the cold begin to penetrate my toes. Conclusion? These are not meant to replace anybody’s ski boots, but they are perfect for errands around town on chilly days or as super-fun ski-lodge wear.  The shearling lining is warm enough for most indoor/outdoor winter errands while the sheep’s wool acts to wick away moisture. An added bonus is that the lanolin content of the shearling acts as a natural moisturizer against the skin - incidentally helping to combat the dry skin that many of us encounter during the colder months.

2. The boots are gorgeous. They are not for folks who are trying to blend into the crowd. As evidence, I simply need to let you know that while I attended my annual pilgrimage to the Puyallup Sew Expo, I became ‘the lady with the fabulous boots’.  I am even now uncertain if any of the women who approached me ever noticed my face … But comments such as “I love your boots”, “Where did you find your boots. They’re fantastic!”, and ”Those boots are amazing!” will follow you wherever you wear these. These are, no question, an attention-grabber.

3. These boots are low-maintenance.  It wasn’t until after a third day of wearing these that I was able to get to the store and pick up some suede cleaner and suede protectant (Rain was predicted).  Before applying the protectant, I noticed a slight dirt smear over the toe area. Horrors …  and fears of permanent damage were on my mind. However, a touch of cleaner and a damp washcloth were all it took to restore the original color and nap of the suede. Since applying the spray-on protectant, I have noticed no other dirt or blemishing on the suede.

4. These boots are comfortable and reasonably supportive for a flatter boot and have a generous tread. The interior shearling lining extends onto the foot-bed and acts almost like memory foam; compressing at the side of the foot, the heel, and toe areas while keeping its original shape in the arch area. This resulted in a touch of gentle arch support and a remarkably comfortable fit  …  appreciated since I usually have to add monster inserts into the majority of my shoes to accommodate a medium-high arch and prevent foot fatigue.

5. These boots are wardrobe investment. At $450 they are not inexpensive; but they are well-crafted to last you many seasons of loving wear.  And, with many designer dress shoes increasing this season to record highs of $750-$2000 for a pair of special-occasion pumps and $1500-$6000 for a pair of designer boots, the purchase value on these becomes even more obvious. Oh, and for those with simpler tastes, there are plain styles at a lower entry point starting at $175-$195 for the ‘Cosy Short’ and ‘Cosy Long’ styles:

Australia Love Collective ‘Cosy Long’ $195

Now, I just need to mention a few things to be aware of, though they aren’t stopping this gal’s fuzzy-boot love-fest.

1. There may be a break-in period for these boots.  The length on my right foot is about 1/4 shoe size shorter than my left foot. As a result, I experienced a small amount of heel ’slippage’ with the right boot.  On the second or third day wearing these boots, when I had a chance to wear them continuously for about 8 hours, I did develop a very small abrasion (about 2mm around) at the back of my right ankle. It was nothing a little circle band-aid or medium weight socks didn’t fix.

2. This style may not fit wider or excessively slender calves. If you are below or above average calf circumference, one of the lace-up styles in this collection may be more appropriate for you. My calves (mentioned previously) are right at the edge of standard circumference fit by most boot manufacturers. On the ‘Tsar’ I can put 2-3  ‘fingers’ worth of space between my calf and the boot while they are being worn; that is a bit of extra space where the shearling has a touch more room to compress.

Australia Love Collective ‘Party Nomad’ $395

3. These boots will stretch. This is important when determining size. Australia Love Collective boots are made from natural sheepskin and require you to get the right size (your size or the next size lower if you normally wear half-sizes) to allow for normal breaking-in and stretching to occur.

4. These boots are not for the shy. If you are not comfortable with people approaching you to comment on your appearance, you will likely be interested in a more conservative style like the ‘Fame’ or ‘Vixen’:

Australia Love Collective ‘Fame’ $300

Australia Love Collective ‘Vixen’  $425

5. You may find yourself needing a new pair of skinny jeans. Okay, maybe this isn’t a bad thing per se. I’m not much of a tunic and leggings gal, so skinny jeans are the next best thing to tuck into a pair of lined boots … and I don’t own any; too many memories of skinny rocker-boys from my high school days, perhaps.  While It is possible to to the boot ‘fold and stuff’ with straight-cut jeans, that seems like a lot of work and bulk. Me, I just wore them with my normal just-below the knee skirts and hoped that I didn’t look too much like a Russian Nesting Doll; at 5′-2″ there’s always a little chance that bold styles will make my look fall more on the ‘cute’ side.

All in all, the experience of wearing these boots has been thoroughly enjoyable.  If you are at all like me, you might find yourself being a bit less reserved than normal while wearing boots like these.  They are simply not something that allows you to be shy when they are on your feet.

If any of this has you curious about more boots from the Australia Love Collective, you can view their current collection here.

10 Comments »