Oxfords | ShoeBlog

The Ce Ce Chin ‘Signature’ Collection

posted by: brianka in Focus on the Shoe Brand, General, High heels, Mary Janes, Oxfords, Pumps, Spot the Shoe on Sale, spring 2010 shoes

Ce Ce Chin is the main creative mind behind 80%20 footwear, a brand I’ve discussed a couple of times this week. The main 80%20 brand combines casual silhouettes with modern styling that seem perfect for urban gals on the go. These styles are meant to be wardrobe workhorses.

In contrast, the recent (April 2010) launch of the Ce Ce Chin collection website is all about classic influences and old-world elegance – all wrapped up in a fabulous statement-shoe package. Even better is that it’s all been offered at an accessible, if not exactly inexpensive, price point.

Originally revealed at the Project Tradeshow, these shoes are stunners. The heels were inspired by classic glass perfume bottles and the uppers are made of satins, lace overlays, and soft leathers.

What’s not to love?

80%20 Ce Ce Chin Collection.

More styles are available through boutiques whose locations and contact information are available at the Ce Ce Chin website. But, the gorgeous princess oxfords shown above are available at Karmaloop right now – and they are all on sale for under $130 (0riginal retail was around $175-190). Shoe deals don’t come much better than this.

Which leads me to a dirty little confession. I buckled and ordered a pair before I finished writing this post. I apparently didn’t trust that a pair in size 7.5 would be left for me once our readers got their eyes on these.

Of course, I might be wrong about that, but why take the chance?

Related Links:

Karmaloop Lookbook.

Daily Candy interview & Sneek Peek.

Moxsie guest blogger (MISS) interview.

MISS Sneek Peek.

Venuszine interview.

Design Glut interview.

Riffin’ interview.

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8020NYC: Urban. Casual. Modern. Boho. Chic.

posted by: brianka in Endless, Focus on the Shoe Brand, General, Oxfords, spring 2010 shoes, Wedges

I showed you a pair of 80%20 wedges earlier this week. And, while I am still undecided on how I feel about that pair of shoes, the 80%20 brand deserves a closer look:

The 80%20 goal is clearly stated on their website:

The concept behind 80%20 came from Ce Ce Chin’s observation that we tend to wear our favorite 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. The smallest percent has the greatest impact. The ratio of knowing your life, your style and your aspirations.

80% life, 20% shoes=100% love.

It’s a lovely vision statement, you have to admit. As for the shoes? The current line reminds me a little bit of Irregular Choice, when that brand actually manages to practice restraint – or even Marc Jacobs from last year’s runway.

Some examples:

80%20 Marlee Tea Party Floral Shoe $52

80%20 Ellorie Open Toe Bootie $69

80%20 Jordan Open Toe Wedge $135

80%20 Molly Open Toe Hidden Wedge (black) $165

80%20 Molly Tea Party Hidden Wedge (Floral) $116

80%20 Sadie Seersucker Cork Wedge $98

While some of these are outside my own particular fashion comfort zone, they are both quirky and unique. The gal who falls in love with these may indeed find herself adding them into her own 80/20 fashion rotation.

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Finding a balance with Irregular Choice

posted by: brianka in Boots, Endless, Fall 2009 Shoes, Focus on the Shoe Brand, General, High heels, Irregular Choice Shoes, Mary Janes, Oxfords, Pumps, Sandals, spring 2010 shoes, Walking Disasters, Wedges

I have heard that Irregular Choice shoes can be very comfortable. But, I have never felt the urge to test whether this is true based on many of the past designs made by the brand.

After all, it’s with good cause that the extremely funky styles offered by Irregular Choice have more than once made their appearance in ‘Ugly shoe’ blog posts across the interwebs. Originality is a fantastic quality, particularly in shoe-land where runway copies run rampant most seasons. But, there is such a thing as too much going on – and Irregular Choice often seems to let its exuberance and excitement take a front seat to good taste.

With any artistic endeavor – from painting to sculpture to wearable fashion and shoes – it helps if we understand that editing is key. Know when to stop and time to put down the pen, paintbrush, or fabric swatch.

Edit, edit, edit.

Finally, I am finding shoes from Irregular Choice that are benefiting from this basic concept. Someone, somewhere in the Irregular Choice hierarchy is learning how to edit; the ‘less is more’ theory of design.

Have they lost their originality and funkiness?

No.

Have they perhaps mellowed to become to become accessible to a wider audience?

Well, ‘mellowed’ isn’t the right word. But, there are currently a number of funky-yet-modern styles being offered by Irregular Choice; styles which, thankfully, lack any of the crafters-gone-wild excesses of past styles offered from this brand.

Let’s take a quick peek so that you can decide for yourselves.

Irregular Choice ‘Spit Spot’ boot $340.95 at Endless.com

I love these. They are still funky, but wearable for seasons to come. I know that I would make excuses to wear them.

Okay, less commentary, I promised you more shoes:

Irregular Choice ‘Aslan’ $295 at Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice ‘Women’s Wicked’ side-laced boot $194.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Atomic Apple’ $190.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Brooklyn Beauty’ $149.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Pap Papps’ $130.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Flick Flack’ $103.96 at Endless.com & Spat Attack $146 at Irregular Choice

(Two more personal faves; my obsession with mixing stripes and polka dots is evident here.)

Irregular Choice ‘Crystillina’ $125 at Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice ‘Shimmmmy’ $120.95 at Endless.com

Oh, and for those of you who liked Irregular Choice’s over-the-top tendencies of seasons past? Never fear, a trip to the Irregular Choice website still has the plenty of the funkiest styles for the more daring shoenistas:

I’ll admit, most of these last styles are too much for my taste. Although the embroidered bootie is quite a thing and I’d be tempted to get the kitty boots just for wearing at Halloween each year.

Related forum discussion thread located here.

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Elizabeth and James for Spring 2010

posted by: brianka in Boots, Fall 2009 Shoes, High heels, Oxfords, Pumps, Sandals, spring 2010 shoes, Zappos

Elizabeth and James is a brand that I find myself bookmarking and adding to my personal favorite’s lists a lot this year.

It started with these open-toed boot/sandal hybrids. The allover lace is nice, but that button up the back had me at hello:

Elizabeth and James ‘Janet’ $329 at Zappos.com, $325 at Nordstrom.com

(There is also a plain leather version for $325 at Saks)

I like the touch of vintage in the buttons paired with its overall modern styling.

Then, the ostritch-embossed leather on these booties brought me back for more drooling:

Elizabeth and James ‘Jean’ $ 319.20 $399 at Zappos.com (on clearance at Revolve for $194)

These are a great Oxford variant for those who love a sexy menswear shoe – love that pointed toe and covered-to-match buttons.

So, now that winter is officially (by calendar if not by temperature) over, here are my favorite Elizabeth and James picks just in time for spring.

Check out this textured yellow leather. There’s nothing basic or gloomy here to remind you of winter.

Elizabeth and James ‘Layla’ $254 at Zappos.com.

Or, how about this pastel mint sandal? It makes me think of light summer breezes and beautiful rain-free skies.

Elizabeth and James ‘Kori’ $349 at Zappos, $345 at Saks.com

Of course, the little screwhead studs don’t hurt here, either. They have a nice vintage feel while still allowing the shoe to maintain an open, feminine line.

And, finally, I’m back to those adorable up-the-heel, covered buttons; this time in a workhorse style and goes-with-everything spring neutral.

Elizabeth and James ‘Jazz’ $263.20 $329 at Zappos.com.

Elizabeth and James is officially one of my new, favorite, brands.

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Louboutin for the Spring Bride

posted by: brianka in Christian Louboutin Shoes, General, High heels, Mary Janes, Mules, Oxfords, Platforms, Pumps, Sandals

I’ve been married for almost 20 years. So, I am not currently in the market for anything resembling a pair of spring bridal shoes.

But for our readers, I expect that at least some of you are in wedding planning mode. So why not add one of these spectacular wedding-worthy shoes to your bridal wish list?