Dsquared2 Shoes for Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

Holiday wishes from all of us at Shoeblog  to our readers living ‘next door’ .

And, as usual, your clever Canadian twins Dan & Dean Caten have your patriotic soles covered (gratuitous pun is wholly intentional) with a maple-leaf Maryjane-esque appliquéd sandal.

Dsquared2 Maple sandal (was 584.95) now $321.72  via  Endless.com

Flirty Caovilla crushes at YOOX

I don’t buy shoes because they are in fashion or stylish, per se.  I simply like them – and if I think I will still like them seasons and years from now, I may be willing to spend higher prices for that – as I perceive it – value.  But, if I can find that same shoe a little bit later at a discount, that is like a double-win.

As a result, I love YOOX. You can find fabulous after-season shoes at some great discounts.  As I slowly shape up my budget, I will definitely be visiting YOOX with more regularity.  As it is, my YOOX dreambox(wishlist) is almost always full.

So, here are a handful of Renee Caovilla sandals that I have been eying over at YOOX but have not yet decided whether to add to my YOOX dreambox.

Rene Caovilla Women’s beaded ankle-wrap sandals $590 $355

I like these almost as much as the floral versions shown here. But, the price on these beaded sandals is accessible, if not exactly cheap; giving them more than a slight edge over the $835 floral version…and doesn’t that base price rising from $590 to $835 show us just how much prices have changed over just  a couple of years?

Renee Caovilla pailette platform slides $550 $385

These are cute, but I’m a little leary of slides. I’m occasionally clutsy on my feet, so I generally like to have a slingback or ankle-strap to protect me from my occasionally betraying ankles. Plus, my pants inevitably get caught between my heel & the top of the  slide.  Annoying.  But, if you want a different way to indulge current trends while clog styles are still extra-hot on the fashion scene, these are refreshingly different. And, once the current fad for clogs die down, they’ll still be an adorable pop of color.

Rene Caovilla platform demi-wedge sandals $570 $342.

Okay, here’s one of those YOOX downsides. I love how different these sandas are while still being crazy-cute and sweetly-sexy. But there are currently no pairs in my size. These are a possible dreambox entry anyway, just to remind me to keep an after-market eye-out for these.

Rene Caovilla crystal sandals $590 $395

Ah, bling – always a great place to start on shoes. Yet again, my size is not available. If you are a size 10 or 12, though, these are just waiting for  a loving new home.

Rene Caovilla strappy mandala sandal $590 $395

What do you think? I’m definitely loving the first pair the most out of all of these, but all of them have at least a little bit of  my attention.

Designer Shoe Deja Vu: Giuseppi Zanotti vs. Vince Camuto

Sometimes you encounter a style and just know you’ve seen it before.

Compare this:

Vince Camuto ‘Wendy’ Sandal $118.95 at Endless.com & $120 at Zappos.com

To this:

Giuseppe Zanotti I90265 $750 $357 at Zappos.com & $412.50 at Endless.com

The differences between these are minor, but noticeable when comparing them side by side.  Which ones do you prefer: the originals from Zanotti, or the near-copies from Camuto?

Also, how do you feel about designer inspired styles that are near-knockoffs of higher-end designers?  Such styles are legal at this time as long as no trademarks from the original design are copied onto the lower-end style – but should we demand more creativity from mid-end brands who can probably afford to invest in more original design talent rather than resorting to being runway copyists?

*I should note that a lot of Camuto designs are not so imitative. I love the brand, in fact, because they have been some of the best-fitting heels I have found for my arch height and shape.

Robert Clergerie clearance styles

I’m not certain exactly how I feel about Robert Clergerie’s shoe designs. Clergerie shoes tend to be playful -  with unusual sole designs and non-typical silhouettes.

They are interesting styles, but I’m not sure I would find myself actually wearing them very often. Let’s say that I like them, but that for whatever reason, they don’t  ‘feel like me’.

But, if you, unlike me, are wont to wear chunky, funky or mod-styled shoes that stand out from the crowd , some of these sale-priced Clergerie shoes might be your perfect match.

Robert Clergerie ‘Mannor’ $395 $118.30 at 6pm.com and $217.77 at Endless.com

Robert Clergerie ‘Monday’ $450 $135.10 at 6pm.com

Robert Clergerie ‘Houle’ $625 $241.20 at 6pm.com and $343.72 at Endless.com

Robert Clergerie ‘Diof’ $565 $339 at 6pm.com & $310.72 at Endless.com

Robert Clergerie ‘Dahra’ $684 $411 at 6pm.com

Robert Clergerie ‘Frofro’ $694.95 $333 at Zappos.com and Endless.com

I do appreciate designers who buck trends.  I suspect that in the case of Clergerie, I just haven’t found my own ideal shoe-match yet – Although, that  ‘Dahra’ d’orsay wedge does comes awfully close.

Ask the Shoeblogger: Christian Louboutin Zipette

A recent email request to Shoeblog had me searching my memory this weekend:

I’ve searched high and low for the attached shoes and I’ve come up empty handed.  I don’t know what else to try…so I’m trying you all!  I joined your forum and love your blog…it’s given me several ideas to date.

Do you happen to know what makes these shoes and where I might find them?

Any help or guidance, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Jenn

Luckily for Jenn, this shoe was tickling my memory.   It is definitely similar to styles that we saw being produced by many designers last spring; blending cage and gladiator sandal styles with a zip-front and high heel.  After a little bit more investigation to jog my memory, these are eerily similar to the (now out of stock)  Christian Louboutin ‘Zipette’ that was available for sale last spring and the prior fall (2008-2009).  That double platform has been favored by Christian Louboutin for several seasons now.

Unfortunately, these are past-season shoes which will make purchasing an original Louboutin style a challenge and test of personal patience (which can pay off, if time is not an issue for you).

On a positive note, there are several designers producing similar, zip-front, caged gladiator sandals for the upcoming spring 2010 season.

The original Louboutin Zipette has long since sold out of luxury retailers such as Saks and Neiman Marcus. So, now it’s up to Jenn. Does she wants to pursue a Louboutin aftermarket shoe-quest? Or would she prefer a to look at similar, but not identical, offerings that are currently available from several other brands?

I have rounded up several alternatives if she is looking for a style to wear this spring, since a Louboutin quest can take months or years.

Velvet Angels ‘Mondrian’ platform sandal $189.66 $294.95 at Endless.com

Jessica Simpson ‘Stelana’ $75 $87.95 at Zappos.com & Endless.com

Steve Madden ‘Hitower’ $99.95 at Zappos.com, Stevemadden.com & Endless.com

Promiscuous ‘Social’ $76.23 $100 at Zappos.com

BCBG Max Azria ‘Aceline’ $ 140.0 $250 at Endless.com & $147 at Zappos.com

Promiscuous ‘Enraptured’ $106.60 $139 at Zappos.com

We hope that his helps Jenn out in her quest for her perfect high-heeled cage gladiator.

• One word of caution for Jenn if she decides to go the auction/aftermarket route:  There are numerous Louboutin counterfeiters out there these days.  If you find something in your size claiming to be the Louboutin Zipette at auction  online, please be sure to have them authenticated, so that you can be confident in your purchase.