I first saw passementerie-embellished footwear on a pair of boots several years ago while browsing through one of those old paper Spiegel catalogs that used to arrive in my mailbox on a near-daily basis.  Back when finding a catalog item on back-order was a normal course of events with mail-order houses and not an internet emergency requiring the thwarted buyer to immediately write a scathing site review; my, how expectations have changed. This was also before I knew how much other women were willing to spend on things like shoes and fashion and the then-$60 price-tag on the boots in question still fell firmly into my personal idea of ‘too-spendy’ to consider actually purchasing. Since then, I have seen passementerie-bedecked shoes arrive in stores at rare, irregular, and unpredictable intervals that easily defy my own, limited, ability to predict.

Anyway, on to the now - and Christian Louboutin’s recent forays into passementerie…which, since they have been out for more than five seconds, are pretty much sold out everywhere.

Oh well. If you, unlike me, are unable to resist the appeal of these sumptuously-styled pumps, now’s the time to grab the style….because Louboutin’s popularity makes anything he touches golden and therefore likely to be copied by other, less creative (or expensive) footwear brands.

Case in point:

Martinez Valero ‘Olivia’ passementerie pump. $107.19 - 160.00 at Nordstrom, Heels.com, Endless.com, Amazon.com and Myglassslipper.com - just for starters.

The ivory or white pairs are simply ideal for matching to a bridal gown.  I am surprised that this isn’t more of a bridal-shoe staple.

So, if you like the passementerie style, you may not have another chance at purchasing anything like this for some time…the braided ribbon detail really doesn’t come along and visit all that often here in shoe-land.

3 Comments »

How many of you remember the Dior/Galliano chain-link-and-leather, caged, ankle boots from last year?

Let me refresh your memory:

Well, for those of you who are looking for a (relatively) affordable alternative, Pelle Moda has once again positioned themselves as the ‘designer inspired alternative’ with this boot:

Pelle Moda ‘Karena’ in brown or black; $196.19-217.99 at Heels.com, endless.com, & Shoebungalow

(This was in the hotel boutique when I stayed in Las Vegas last month. Yes, I tried it on. Yes it is an eye-catcher. Yes, I did leave without making a purchase)

Much like the Prada-inspired Pelle Moda shoes that I showed you previously, these are near-knock-offs; with just enough details that are different from the original to keep these from being a 100% faithful copy.

Which do you prefer, the original or the copy?

I actually find that I prefer the copy; the heel is less fussy and allows the chain-link upper to take center stage.

What about you?

No Comments Yet »

I just ran into these shoes a few minutes ago and decided they were worth sharing.

Betsey Johnson ‘Layla’ $179.99 at Heels.com

Just look at the detail on these: the metallic heel, the little heart-shaped buckle.  These could be yet another contender for the coveted attention of the ‘09 spring bride looking for her perfect pair of wedding shoes. These are a bit unusual since they are a silver satin upper with an overlay of gold-specked black mesh lace and Swarovski sparkle.  If you are looking for an unconventional sandal that can be worn again with a LBD on your anniversary, these may be the style for you.  Another added plus is that at just under $200, (and one last pair in size 10 on sale for $145 at Zappos) these shoes are friendly to a much wider range of budgets than some of our previous wedding-worthy mentions.

Oh, one last detail, these are “30′th Anniversary” Betsey Johnson sandals and have the additional unusual detail of shoe designer Betsey Johnson’s portrait on the sole.

Definitely a shoe for the more quirky brides among us.

4 Comments »

As always, I hope our readers are having a wonderful weekend.  Here’s to time to unwind, relax, and spend time with those we love.

I am currently decompressing from my last, crazy, soccer-family weekend … that is, until it all starts back up again in the fall.  So, what did I run across today that made me smile? These gorgeous and airy cage sandals:

LAMB ‘Flavia’ woven peep-toe sandals in ivory, brown, or black $424.99 Heels.com, ($429 Zappos).

This is the kind of sandal a soccer-mom may dream of …. but can only get around to wearing after the spring soccer season is past. It must wait until she is no longer likely to find herself trudging across the kind of damp fields whose devious nature is to trap the unwary (OK, foolish) heel-wearer.  Don’t get me wrong; my brocade Skechers excel in that particular role.  But these basket-woven Maryjane beauties by LAMB?  They are a light, refreshing, and welcome, breath of spring.

1 Comment »

Hello warmer weather!

As we move into another spring season, certain classic footwear trends have re-emerged as if on an annual schedule. In this case, the trend is of rope-like espadrilles and cork-soled sandals. These continue to be casual warm-weather favorites.

This spring and summer it will be tough to go wrong style-wise if your sandals include a cork sole; or perhaps rafia, bamboo, or jute details. Natural textures, warm tan and brown colors, and an earthy, Boho vibe are making a huge appearance in stores this spring.

First up - Prada’s Rafia, Cork, and Bamboo Wedges:

Prada Raffia Wedge Sandals $650 at Saks.com

Prada Bamboo Wedge Platforms $695 at Saks.com

Prada Wedge Platform Cutout Sandals $750 at Saks.com

I’m not finding myself to be much of a fan of the rafia, and I can take or leave the whole cork thing, but the bamboo is pretty intriguing.

Volatile Shoes also has a few bamboo-wrapped offerings in their spring line-up (with more of a reedy effect): Read the rest of this entry »

6 Comments »