Giuseppe Zanotti’s Strappy Floral Sandals

Rain, rain, go away.

Is anybody else having weird spring weather? Rain one day, clear the next, then right on back to more rain?

This is not the weather one expects when living proximate to an area nicknamed, ‘The Palm Springs of Washington’.

Madame Nature needs to tell Old Man Winter to back off, already. After all, summer starts in less than a week. Most of the flowers I’ve seen are – sadly – attached to fast-growing weeds that have been thriving in this rapidly shifting weather.

So, here are  my consolation flowers for today:

Giuseppi Zanotti E90042 sandals $875 $411 at Zappos.com . . .  for one lucky size-10 foot out there &

$481.22 (size 8 ) at endless.com

Now, message to whoever is in charge of summer, ‘Hi. It’s  mid-way through June,and I’d like my flowers already.  Peep-toe appropriate weather would also be greatly appreciated. -G. ‘

Alexander McQueen Neutral Moto Boots

Do you remember earlier this year when we showed you these very hot Moto boots from Alexander McQueen?

These deliciously hot boots:

Alexander McQueen 227122WAG42 $1134 at Zappos.com

Well,  just recently arrived at Zappos, they now come in a neutral beige leather:

Alexander McQueen 227122WA2B3$1159 at Zappos.com

So, what’s hotter than a monster-sexy ankle boot?

…..A monster-sexy ankle boot in a neutral that make your legs look like they go on forever!

*** Final note: I dropped by the official Alexander McQueen site today, and there is a sale going on right now…limited styles and quantities available!

Sigerson Morrison reflects the evolution of the gladiator sandal

I’m not a fan of gladiator sandals and boots. I’ve tried to like them and just can’t seem to find any gladiator love in me. Something about the entire open, caged, flat-soles of the core gladiator sandal style just leaves me cold.

Sure, there are some super skinny, super tall, young ladies who can wear this style without looking stumpy.  I am currently none of these things, so perhaps that is part of my bias.Preview

Whatever the reason, I have no love for the basic, flat gladiator.

Over the last few years, as gladiator sandals have become a  spring and summer shoe-staple, the closest I have come to the gladiator styling are these Chie Mihara’s I picked up about 18 months ago:

And, honestly, these barely give nod to the whole gladiator trend.  Plus, they evidence what occurs when you add a heel to a strappy-styled flat. The original trend concept starts to change…which we have been seeing in action over the last year in the morphing of flat gladiator styles into caged sandals, openwork boot, sandal boots, hybrid boots, and an increased availability of open-front boots and lace-up styles at retailers.

To demonstrate how drastically heels affect gladiator styles, let’s look at Sigerson Morrison.

First, the basic gladiator:

Sigerson Morrison ’9879′ $499.

Now,  add a heel to that:

Sigerson Morrison ’9880′ $654

Look at how the whole silhouette changes. Yes, some people will like the first sandal better. But for me, the overall  lines of the second sandal are just more beautiful. Sure, it’s an individual aesthetic judgment, but there it is.

Another Sigerson Morrison example:

These:

Sigerson Morrison ’9829′ $485

Sigerson Morison ’9828′ $795 $556.50 at the Sigerson Morison website.

Vs. these:

Sigerson Morison ’9873′ $695

Sigerson Morrison ’9804′ $1204

I really, really, don’t like the  flat versions of this style.  The buckles feel incongruous and out of place on the more faithful, flat,  gladiator style. But, on the heeled version, the package as a whole works for me. Rather than feeling like an overworked gladiator, the heel takes this into the level of modernized granny boot with an attitude. The word ‘gladiator’ does not even come to mind when looking at them.  The only thing that I might have changed on these would be to have them on a slightly shorter, stacked heel. These are already channeling a retro-modern weird west vibe, why not go the whole way and keep them at an easy walkable height?

Maybe that’s not the only thing I’d change. I’d also want these to be in a price range that I could afford. Alas, such is not the case . And so, temptation is averted by cold, hard, economic realities.

Others will disagree with me and continue their flirtation with the classic gladiators that drive me nuts.

But, that doesn’t change the inevitable movement of fashion that, thankfully, constantly reinvents itself to help all of us find styles that we can love.

I see the gladiator-sandal trend in the process of merging into other silhouettes – from strappy sandals to ankle boots – and coming out on the other side as something a bit more classic and refined.  I suspect we will see a modern take on more conservative or classic boot styles in full force come fall; ranging from fairly faithful, granny-inspired boots to sleek, open, cut-work hybrids. True lace-up and button-detailed boots will easily blend in with these other silhouettes. I have to admit that after almost two years of studs, zippers, et. al. attached to every visible surface of a shoe, plain old leather with brass highlights seems positively retrained.

*Note: I chose Sigerson Morrison by way of illustration because they have so many excellent examples of what I wanted to talk about contained within one brand and season. Plus, I love the 9804 boot and would have found a way to share that with our readers one way or another. We generally do not receive compensation for our posts from any brands mentioned in the blog, and will specifically mention if such a relationship exists.

Skechers Tone Ups

Okay, first Skechers jumped into fit-walking shoe market with their MBT-reminiscent Shape Ups line.

Now, with the introduction of Tone Ups to the Skechers line-up, it appears that Skechers is ready to take on a competitive position against Fitflops as well.

(Ad banner from the Skechers.com website)

According to the Skecher’s Website:

Tone-ups® sandals are a great new way to help tone your legs, get more exercise and lose weight while you walk! Tone up in style in our top sellers and new arrivals.*

* Walking regularly in Tone-ups® may lead to the fitness benefits noted. individual results may vary

Skechers certainly has the market saturation and household name recognition to make a good run at this.

And, if you are one of that seemingly growing segment of the population that embraces thonged sandals as everyday casual and business wear, you’ll be happy to see a wide number of colors and fabrics available for your perusal. The following is just a small sampling of currently available styles:

Skechers Tone Ups ‘Glamgirl’ $44.99 $49.99 at Zappos.com, $44.95 at Shoebuy.com, $49 at Skechers.com, & $49.99 at Endless.com

Skechers Tone Ups ‘Meow’ $44.99 $49.99 at Zappos.com, $49 at Skechers.com

Skechers Tone Ups ‘Candy Bar’ $44.99 $49.99 at Zappos.com,  $49 at Skechers.com

I, as no great fan of flip-flops in capacities outside of beachwear, am unlikely to be swayed into buying a pair of these.

But, for flip-flop lovers galore? These may be a tempting wardrobe addition.

As is the case with Shape Ups, the main question for Tone Ups will be the same:  Do they work as claimed?

In regard to the validity of any health claims, that  issue remains to be seen and tested objectively in the real world.

However, whether or not rolling-stride walking shoes such as these are actually miracle bun and calf shapers, I suspect that anything that gets people on their feet and get moving is a positive thing.

Tough Love: Rock & Republic’s Alayna

I ran into these shoes months ago and instantly loved them. Yet, somehow, I’ve not managed to write about them here on Shoeblog.

*Yet*

How remiss of me!

I ran into these again last night on a Zappos shoe-browse break and determined to share them with you this morning.

Et Voila!

Rock and Republic ‘Alayna’ $302 at Zappos.com, $298 at Rock & Republic, $297.95 at Endless.com. The Alayna is also currently on sale for $208.60 in the pewter color over at Shopbop.com; the black version is still at full price.

How sweet is that ankle wrap? Not quite an ankle strap, not quite an anklet, very non-traditional, and totally feminine – way to take a rocker-chic detail and make it uber-sexy and playful!

What is better?

More colors. These R&R’s  also come in gold and pewter:

And better yet, they not only come in 3 colors, the ankle chain strap also reverses to double as a decorative swag on the back of the shoes.

These are fabulously, incredibly, hot.

I love it.  Shoes so sexy, they deserve their own jewelery.