Dreaming of a Blue Christmas, Mr. Cavalli.

The view out my front door is a veritable Winter Wonderland:

So, rather than wish for a White Christmas, which would be nothing shy of redundant, I’ll share my wish for Something Blue. 

Just Cavalli Blue Satin Peep Toe Heel $163 $545 at DJPremium.com; All for one lucky size 7/37 out there in shoe-land. Looking at these, I am somewhat reminded of Carrie’s SATC $945 blue satin Manolo wedding shoes; maybe it’s the color & elegant lines.

Crisp and Ice Blue – What a perfect Winter Treat!

Is This Goodbye, Hollywould?

I have only one pair of Hollywould shoes, and those are from the ‘for Target’ line that was produced a year or two ago. I do admit to admiring a number of Hollywould shoe styles; particularly some of the colorful ticking-striped shoes in red and blue that are just too cute for words. Unfortunately, cute is rarely enough for me to shell out close to $500 for a pair of shoes – for me it must be true love combined with an almost mindless desire to get that shoe!  Luckily for me, that rarely happens, leaving most of my purchases in my budget ‘sane zone’. I was, however, hoping to try out at least one pair of Hollywould shoes toward the end of next year when all of my ‘New Home’-related debt was paid off.

Unfortunately, the odds of my finding the perfect pair has dropped as Hollywould follows Linens and Things in closing up shop. I love a sale, but this is a sad way to get a bargain.

Hollywould shoes is subsidiary of the Kellwood Co.; a company which markets both men’s and women’s sportswear as well as, interestingly enough, sporting goods. Kellwood Co. announced plans to sell the Hollywould line back in October of this year; unfortunately, there have been no takers to date. Founder and creative director Holly Dunlap’s final day was November 24, 2008 and the press offices are also closed at this time. 

If the Hollywould website is any indication; this is their last hurrah.  Beginning December 2, 2008, a sale was announced with discounts of up to 85% off original prices; the site is currently down to $79 per item site-wide. Yesterday it was $89, so expect discounts to continue as the stock depletes.  Discount shipping codes appear to have been shut off.  Order confirmations will be emailed, but due to the store-closing nature of the sale, e-mail cancellations are still possible if stock cannot be located.  All items are, predictably, final sale.

So, if you want to take a peak and see what is left, by all means, visit the Hollywould website and get your last shot at shoes that are reputed to be as comfortable as they are attractive.

When last I checked, there were still many styles available, including Ballet Flats, Kitten Heels and a handful of boots:

For those of you who love the Hollywould brand or were thinking of trying it out ‘someday’, this may be one of your last opportunities to own a new pair of Hollywould shoes (Outside of whatever stock is left on websites such as Shoes.com and 6pm.com). Certainly it’s a little bittersweet, and it does show that even the luxury market is affected during an economic turn-down. One of the few up-sides I can see coming from this is a possible slow-down on the price-inflation that has started to become normal in the shoe market over the last few years. Obviously, that’s a very small silver lining to be found, but at least it’s something.

Sale Highlight: L.A.M.B. at Shopbop.com

I am seriously falling in love with the whole L.A.M.B. shoe line. Admittedly, some of the styles tend more toward trend-following rather than trend-setting, but there is always a decidedly fun and sassy spin added to the styles to keep them from feeling too derivative.

So, I popped over to Shopbop today, and noticed that they continue to put large numbers of items on sale; here’s to holiday shopping joy.

In the L.A.M.B. corner, here is what I found:

Rosebury Hidden Platform Button Bootie $520 $364.00. I do love that muted color-blocking take on the classic granny boot.

Fen Square Toe Pump $395 $276.59. This is simply one stylish, cute, and sexy pump.

Essex Plaid Ankle Bootie. $475 $332.50. Let’s see: Plaid, High-heel, Platform, Ankle Boot. How much more on trend can you get for this season?

If you prefer less ankle and more boot, how about the Rose Plaid Lace-up Bootie $515 $360.50 instead?

If you’d rather forego the plaid and stick with a subtle grab for the Zippers trend, you can give the Mika Hidden Platform Two-Zip Bootie a shot ($390 $273).

Now we come to a boot that makes me swoon, even though it screams of Sgt. Pepper’s and Rhythm Nation all rolled together. While I’m afraid I’d be playing right into some bizarre majorette fantasy, I can’t stop drooling over these Belgrave Multi-Strap boots $725 $507.50. . . . . . So incredibly hot.

If you aren’t loving the super-strappy buckle boots (well, I obviously don’t identify); The Vincent Hidden Platform boot is still pretty much smokin’ hot while holding to a mere hint of the buckle-love ($625 $437.50).

Next, we are back to a style that almost always owns my heart: mary-janes. Do you adore this Finsbury Criss-cross Maryjane pump ($400 $280) as much as I do? I Swoon.

Back to one final trend: Fringe. Two Booties and a Sandal. What I do like about these is that they are not ‘Frontier Fringe’ styles and will in no way be mistaken for casual Renaissance Faire garb.

First, the Camden Scallop Open-toe Bootie $430 $301. I can’t help it, I think it’s growing on me.

Next, the suede version (which is a bit less scallop-intensive); the Norland Scalloped High Heel Bootie $425 $297.50.

The final fringe contestant is the Yoyo Chainmail T-Strap sandal $390 $117 final sale (Size 10 only). The ombre effect of the multicolor, layered chain is a rather nice effect.

And, finally, a throwback to summer’s gladiator sandal frenzy (which was, quite possibly, the most ubiquitous shoe of the year): the Ely Shield Sandal $345 $241.50. This certainly is a more feminine and flattering gladiator than many that I encountered this year; the multicolor straps also look like they would allow more coordination within one’s wardrobe than a straight brown sandal would.

As always, Happy Shopping. And remember, we all love too Ooh and Aah folk’s new additions to their shoe collections over in our Forums (No need to be shy).

Nine West Sale

Yet another sale. I can’t keep track of all the sales that have been springing up of late.

While all the sales are possibly another indication of trouble for retailers who are hoping for any cash-flow boost during the current uncertain economic climate; they remain good news for all of us hoping to make our budgets stretch just a little bit further. I certainly hope most of our favorite shoe retailers weather through the current financial troubles without too much difficulty.

So, if you feel like hopping over to the Nine West website, they are having a 20-30% off sale on any footwear on their site.

Some seasonal options?

How about the faux-fur cuffed ‘Accents’ boot for $179.99 $199.99 before the additional 20% discount?

Me, I’m feeling pretty partial to the ‘Cuzza’ ankle boot for $109.00 $149.99pre-additional 20% off. Anything that manages to hit tough, sexy and practical is a winner in my book.

Of course, if you loved last season’s Jimmy Choo Maryjane sandals but missed them or need a lower-priced alternative, you can find a fair and affordable substitute in the Nine West ‘Lex’ for $29.99-34.99 $89.99 before the additional 20% off.

Finally, what fun would it be talking sales if we didn’t find something in the fun and funky category? The ‘Bela’ hair-calf ankle boot in black or brown for $89.99 $119.00 before that additional 20% kicks in. Pretty decent prices, all the way around.

Well, I’m off to enjoy dinner with the family. That, unlike all these sales, is a least easy on the pocketbook.

Different Yet Suprisingly Sexy: Spats Boots

Have you ever found yourself enamoured of a particular style or trend while simultaneously finding yourself at a loss as to how to make it work within your own wardrobe and personal style?

Alas, that is my predicament with so-called ‘Spats’-styled boots; those boots with an add-on ankle cuff, or more commonly, an extremely extended cuff that falls all the way to the instep to ‘break’ at the top of the instep.  The cuffs on this second style of boot are rather distinct and work just a touch of trompe l’oeil trickery that suggests either an actual removable spatted cuff or an illusory pant-leg that appears to be floating over the boot itself. I am definitely put in mind of the Givenchy ‘Gaiter’ boots from Jitterbugbaby’s (Fall 2008) Paris Runway Roundup post from earlier this year. And, since I have yet to encounter any naming consensus among shoe sites and fashion blog as to a definitive title for this type of boot, I have decided to stick with ‘Spats’ – it has a certain evocative appeal and works for me.

In my case, the first real example of this style that I encountered (outside of old black and white movies) was the now sold-out LAMB ‘Crowther’ which was available last fall.  This was in fact a classic pump with a separate spat attachment. And, while I loved the look and convertibility of the shoe, I could not justify the purchase of this altogether adorable shoe. A year later I am still trying to find reasons that I could wear this and have almost come to turns with the fact that this shoe simply does not work within my personal wardrobe and everyday style. More’s the pity.

If you fancy this particular detachable ‘gaiter’ style, you can also purchase individual ‘Gaiterettes’ from LesFrivolities at Etsy.com. These are spats/gaiters that can easily be added to shoes or ankle boots that you already own. Prices range from $55.00 to $155.00 per handmade pair.

Next is a more casual offering, the LAMB ‘Zeyn Tex’ ($179.95 at Shoebuy.com). While I am not really a fan of this particular boot, it clearly illustrates the idea of the boot incorporating the actual  trouser cuff or pants-leg as an integral part of the boot shaft itself.

What I now present to you is the result of several months of squirreling away these styles one-by-one into their own special favorites folder as I periodically encountered them online.  For your inspection and in no particular order: Spats, spats, and more spats.

Zucca Black Buckle Tall Boots $1422 at Creatures of Comfort

Delman Suede Knee High Boots $595 at Saks.com

Marc Jacobs Nappa Leather Boots in Grey or Black $640$578 at Yoox.com

Botkier ‘Xenia’ $715-$725 at Endless.com and Piperlime.com

Chie Mihara ‘Saigon’ $695$409.99 at Piperlime.com (Size 9/39 only).

Tahskent by Cheyenne ‘Osgood’ $760 at Shopbop.com, on sale for $439.99 at Piperlime.com

Materia Prima by Goffredo Fantini  Style # ’4M4753′ $484 $228.85 in size 8/38 only.
(This is my size and is right up near the top of my list of most drool-worthy uber-spats.)

Jessica Simpson ‘Mazzey’ Boot $138.00-$140 at Zappos.com, Endless.com, Piperlime.com and Shoemall.com.

London Underground ‘Bit of Romance’ $164.99 at Shoes.com.
Confession time: Whatever the reason, I love this boot truly, madly, deeply.

T.U.K ‘Cara’ $85 $70 at Zappos.com (size 7 only).

Naughty Monkey ‘Belly Up’ $119.95 at Endless.com and $131 at Zappos.com.

These last two ankle boots are also really turning on my positive, feel-good vibes.  I think it has something to do with the split, buttoned cut of the cuff that also conjures to my mind the Alfred Noyes poem ‘The Highwayman’; Such a romantic and dashing image that these boots conjure up in the imagination.

I’m thinking that with the right pair of brown Spats, and a warm wool Kinsale cloak, I might just have the perfect thing to wear during a long, cold winter.  Maybe the key to Spats (at least in my case) is to embrace my anachronistic fashion tendencies and mix some period styles in with my modern wardrobe.

Of course, I still need someone else to guide me on what to wear with the LAMB Zeyn boots. That challenge continues to elude me.