Wrap Up your Toes in Ribbons and Bows

I have Christmas on the brain. Most holidays affect me this way. Of course, it doesn’t help that everywhere  that I go (except for my car where there is the ‘All Nickelback All the Time’ local rock station) I am surrounded by Christmas music, Christmas decorations, and Christmas advertisements. 

Just this weekend, we put  up our Christmas tree and wrapped the kid’s presents - so that they have time to really get excited about the upcoming holiday. (Did I say excited? They’ve been sleeping by the tree!)

Anyway, all ham dinner and pumpkin cheesecake plans aside, my attention has also turned to shoes that are so dolled-up that you will feel like they are gift-wrapping for your feet. 

Well, here ya go. Ribbons & Bows galore:

 

Type Z Noel $74.56 – $77 at Zappos in Bronze, Red, or Gold

(Appropriately named, don’t you think?)

 

 

Marciano Alida $204 @ Zappos

(What to say? These are simply stunning.)

 

 

Stuart Weitzman Romance $199.12 at Zappos 

(Romantic? And how!)

 

Stuart Weitzman Solitaire $234 – $273.60 @ Zappos in Fuchsia, White or Black

(A pink Marilyn dream.)

 

 

Betseyville Genna  $71.90 at Endless, $75.20 Zappos/$89.99 Heels.com

(Unwrap your inner Barbie Girl)

 

 

Betsey Johnson Rally $150 @ Zappos.com/$104.97 @ Endless

(Also available in pink with black ribbon. No secrets here; I love these.)

 

 

Coloriffics Sierra $66.50 @ Zappos (Several colors)

(Conservative with a touch of Glam, not an easy achievement.)

 

 

 

Martinez Valero Coca $106.16 – $117.97 @ Zappos on Red or Black, you can get the Coca in limited sizes of Black or Tan at Endless for $76.42.

(The perfect dare to the love of your life: ’Unwrap this.’)

 

 

Paris Hilton Destiny $89.95 @ Endless / $93 @ Zappos ; many color options.

(With that wrap-around bow this doesn’t even need a box; just pop it under the tree.)

 

 

Vaneli Puppy  $88.90 @ Zappos

(I’m seeing more of these structured loop-bows lately; honestly, they’re growing on me.)

 

 

 

 

RSVP Rhea $58.50 in Navy @ Zappos, other colors are $69-$74

(Simple, Sexy, and Day-um do I love the Sapphire color on these.)

 

 

!

Kate Spade Gali $247.24 for the Forest Green, other colors are $347.95.

(Sweet, classic and Christmas-tree green.)

 

 

RSVP Afton $58.40 – 68 in four colors at Zappos.

(A sweet and slightly glitzy half-bow in Holiday Red)

 

 

RSVP Judith in red for $60.80 at Zappos; bone and black are $58.40

(Another Pretty as a Package ribbon-wrapped style)

 

 

Gabriella Rocha Heaven in red for $50 at Zappos, other colors $39-$50.

(The polka dots are super cute. I love the wrap-around effect over the top of the hidden platform -

plus it also comes in a silver version that is quite adorable)

 

 

Type Z Kat  $89 at Zappos; in three colors.

(What can I say, it’s 12 degrees outside, boots were going to wind up in here somehow.

 Plus how cute are those little bows?)

 

And, now that I mention ‘Little Bows’ I can’t forget this style by Moschino:

Moschino CA16108C1P  RS0 $624 at Zappos.

(Come on, don’t they make you smile just a little with that itty bitty gift box on the vamp?)

 

 And finally, not a bow, but So Perfect:

Beverly Feldman Fireball $92 @ 6pm.com.

(This one is not ribbons and bows, but how incredibly ‘Holly and the Ivy’ can you get?

 These babies just scream ‘It’s Christmas! Where’s the eggnog?’)

 

Gosh, now I’m wishing it was time to open up some presents!

Hardware Trend Part 1: Zippers

This look is being referred to loosely in fashion magazines as the ‘Hardware Trend’; it’s main indicator is an obvious and sometimes excessive use of metallic visual embellishments such as Buckles, Studs, Grommets, or in this case, Zippers.  When it is used in Fall boots, it has also been referred to as ‘Biker Chic’ or ‘Moto Style’. The common thread to these looks is that the hardware is up-front. While the zippers or buckles may occasionally be functional, in most cases the primary use of these items is decorative in nature.  This type of Metallic adornment is not at all unusual on Motorcycle Boots, as well as at retailers such as Hot Topic who specialize in the Alternative Rock, Punk, Industrial or Goth musical scenes. 

Interestingly enough, I first encountered zippers as trim on the following very exuberant shoes: The Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipped and Studded Pump  in blue denim or black calfskin ($197.80 6pm.com; also available in a slingback Flat for $163.30)) and the Metallic Naughty Monkey ‘Gudahame’ ($40.25 6pm.com). These are rather aggressive shoes that have quite a lot going on.

However, the current popularity of the trend can likely be laid at the feet of Christian Louboutin’s Caracolo (previously blogged about here) out around Christmastime last year. Recently available at Bluefly ($616 in Red, Black, and Dusty Pink),the Caracolo has not lost it’s delightful edge; it was also striking enough that Steve Madden apparently created a very faithful (Sans Red Sole) replica that sold out in very little time indeed). 

Similar in spirit to the above Louboutin, I also love this cute Punk/Industrial-styled  ’Zipper Point Flat’ by well-know alternative shoe brand T.U.K. Shoes (Zappos.com $45).It has that same look of the zipper ‘swallowing’ the foot as the Caracolo that I find really appealing and fun while retaining a practical and walkable cut for everyday use.

Back to Christian Louboutin, the ’Rhodita’ summer sandal ($835 at net-a-porter.com and Niemanmarcus.com) continues with the zipper taking front stage as an integral and eye-catching detail.

Similar but not identical to the Rhodita is the slightly more budget-conscious LAMB ‘Shauna’ in Black or Gunmetal ($279.95 Endless.com /269.99 Heels.com / Shopbop.com);This is a chunkier YSL-esque platform for the girl who really loves that extra oomph! a few added inches can give her.

Yet another similar sandal, Carlos by Carlos Santana’s ‘Cougar’ in Silver, Bronze, or Black (Endless.com $98.95 / Zappos.com $100); this one also has zippered straps and its price range is much more in line for all the bargain fashionistas out there.

Coming back to LAMB, we have two styles that play up zippers on the vamp area.  First, the ‘Selene’ pump with zip-trimmed tuxedo-shirt flaps in Black or Gunmetal ($239.00 Endless.com /$252.95 Zappos.com /$299.99 Heels.com). Second, the slingback ‘Sidney’ with Zipper Rosette on the vamp ($319 Zappos.com / $315 Shoes.com / $239.90 Endless.com/ $220.50 on sale at Shopbop.com). Both of these styles are riding the zipper trend to keep Gwen’s L.A.M.B. brand fun and funky.

Are these early adopters all we can expect from the Zipper trend? Most assuredly not. A quick search as I am writing this has come up with dozens of late contenders for moving into Fall. Among these styles:

Betsey Johnson’s ‘Tayla’ in Black, Grey or Camel ($235 Zappos.com / $234.99 Heels.com / $234.95 Endless.com / Sale priced $119.99 at Smartbargains.com). As this is Betsey Johnson; it should come as little surprise that the zipper pull is in the shape of a lightning bolt. If there is an opportunity for Glam, Betsey usually takes it.

For a bit of playful appeal, Not Rated’s ‘Sidestep’ in Pink, Green, Yellow, Charcoal, or Black, ($39.95 Endless.com / $49.00 Zappos.com) gives a colorful kick.

Sergio Rossie ‘Patent Leather Platform Sandal’ ($850 Nordstrom’s Pre-order). This is a fairly conservative interpretation on the zipper theme.

BCBGirls ‘Lotun’ in Croc-embossed Red or Black Calfskin ($109.95 Nordstrom.com); another conservative interpretation.

Taryn Rose’s ‘Bridger’ Ballet Flat with Zipper Rose detail ($495 Neimanmarcus.com). I sure hope that’s one cozy Flat.

And yes, Helle Comfort has made a Zipped and Studded Clog ($174 Zappos.com). Oh My!

Other Honorable Mentions go to the following:

Sergio Rossi ‘Farisa‘ Zip-toe Pump $373 clearance.
Chinese Laundry ‘Betsey‘ Zipper Platform in Denim or Black $79.95
Chinese Laundry ‘Arcane‘ Zipper Pump $89.95.
Harley Davidson ‘Fortune‘  High Heel Sandal $64.00.
Fly London ‘Mall‘ Peep-toe Heel $96.23.
Fly London ‘Mex‘ Peep-toe Heel $82.49.
Not Rated ‘Zip It’ Flat $44.95.
Michael Kors ‘Berkeley‘ Flat $99.00.

Project Runway 5.1 – Get the Look.

Project Runway 5.2 is tonight. (Season 5, Episode 2 for the non-PR junkie).

Reading Jitterbugbaby’s Project Runway 5.1, those Dior python shoes looked vaguely familiar to this small-town girl.

Dior Anniversary Python in Green:

(Discounted 40% to $834 off from Bluefly)

Maybe it was the glammed-up L.A.M.B. “Georgina”?

(Available in Grey, White, or Camel from Endless.com, Shoes.com, Zappos and retailing at just shy of $400; It is currently on various sales at Heels.com/$349.99, Shopbop/$197.50, and DJPremium/$266)

No, it was the Guess “Karavi” slingback:

(They are available in black, white, tangerine, pink, green, or espresso at Zappos/$114, Shoes.com/$110, Endless/$109.95, & Heels.com/$108.99 . However, you can steal these for $59.99 at Smartbargains.com).

And there you go. There truly is a shoe for all budgets.

Zinc’s Flashy Footwear

It seems that I was telepathically hooked into Shoesense’s vibe yesterday. While she was posting about wedges and lamenting that they may be on the way out, I was at my local Macy’s drooling over this shoe on the clearance racks. In fact, I severely fractured my shopping ban grabbing these funky babies:

The Zinc “Cassidy” slingback.  Love, love, loving that tattoo “flash” that wraps around the wedge all combined with that soft suede upper. I am almost tempted to keep these as a display; I can’t stop staring at them.

As far as I could discover, there are only two actual ’Cassidys’  available for purchase online: A Size 7.5 in Red at Endless.com for $88.95 and a Size 6 in Blue at Zappos.com for $93.00.

On a positive note for wedge lovers, Zinc doesn’t appear to be abandoning the wedge style anytime soon.  While I was still haunting the local shoe department, I saw that they have now released the “Cassidy Too” which is based on the above  style. This time, its edge comes not from tattoo art, but from a bold pop-art graffiti style.

Have a look:

Available in a variety of colors from Heels.com ($84.99),  Endless.com ($88.95), Shoes.com ($90.00), and  Zappos.com   ($93.00). 

These are for the person who likes their feet to do the talking.

Miu Miu Deja Vu

I loved the Miu Miu “Pop” brogues that came out last fall. With subtle color-block styling, including topstitching and wingtip styling, it was a wonderfully feminine version of a classic menswear shoe. (See Manolo’s take here):

There are a few isolated sizes & styles available at Net-a-porter and Bluefly- but Bluefly is already selling out some styles even as I am writing this, so these will not be around for long, even at discounted prices that are still around $500.

These were apparently too original to stay original.   I am in true awe at the sheer mass of imitations that have spawned from these fun and elegant originals. 

Be warned, some are quite cute, but others border on a level of “What were they thinking?” that leaves me shaking my head in confusion.

So, in no particular order:

Contestant #1 –  Guess by Marciano “Yerex” $125 at Shoes.com & $129 at Zappos.com (Not too extreme, and I kind of like the slender heel):

Contestant #2 -  Two Lips  “Cotton Club” $79 at Shoes.com and Zappos.com (Not sure I’m really ‘feeling’ the antiqued/brushed metal finish.):

Contestant #3 -  Hale Bob “Imagine” $87.47 - $124.95 at Endless.com, Heels.com & Shoes.com. (I’m okay with the metallic color balance, but the red is just too much for me.)

Contestant #4 – Dollhouse with the “Warhole” and “Rembrandt” styles $69.99 at Heels.com for either style. (Honestly, I do like the blue combo as it has enough differences to make it a nice variation on the original idea.)

Contestant #5 – Bamboo ‘Hanete01′ $34.99 at Cutesyshoes  (I can’t ever see myself wearing this cotton-candy color combo.):

And, no,  I have not forgotten Steve Madden, master style imitator; He has an honorable mention for the “Specs” which have apparently sold out at most online retailers.

So, how do we feel about these?