Shoe blog

Hayden-Harnett’s Shoes

One of my favorite articles ever from the New York Times taught me not to window shop before partying, because my willpower reserve would be so depleted by not being able to buy those lovely goods that I would surely get drunk at the party. (The same rule applies to men, ladies — don’t resist the Hottie and end up going home plastered with the Nottie). Have I ever learned more from a newspaper? Never.

So I should know better than to let myself go to Marc by Marc Jacobs without leaving with even one little tiny bauble like a pair of suspenders or a key fob (or — racy! — MBMJ condoms! Do they turn your lover into a MJ lookalike?).

I had gone in hopes of purchasing the black or violet Classic Q City Bag to come home and be playmates with my chocolate MBMJ Dr. Q Groovee. I ended up almost purchasing the lovely Huge Hillier Hobo, but a) I wanted it in deep blue, which they didn’t have, b) I was disappointed that MBMJ seems to have downgraded from the pebble-grained leather of my Q Groovee of a few years ago, which seemed to make it merit the $500 price tag much less, c)  I wasn’t sure if I could fit my 17″ Macbook Pro in it, d) I was sure it was cheaper online, and I was right and e) I really want a Miu Miu bag (the truth comes out!).

Unfortunately, I also don’t think much at all of the cheap, flimsy, pricey MBMJ shoes. Marc, please correct! They look like they belong in a Delia’s catalogue but they cost $300!

Alas, I know this is not a bag blog, but I know you readers probably love bags as well… so back to the point of the story. I was so unhappy thinking about my lost opportunity to make the Hillier my own that my willpower dam just burst and I ordered this lovely grey (“Eucalyptus,” if you will) Laurel flat by Hayden-Harnett (It also comes in black and platinum). It was half the price of the Hillier, and I should have just gotten the Hillier since I now have over 100 pairs of shoes, but I suppose you can never have too many shoes, especially practical, lovely ones like these.

A Brooklyn girl for so long, I’ve been a loyal Hayden-Harnetter for years because of their incredibly beautiful leather craftmanship and hip style, so what a thrill it was last year when they debuted their shoe line, which includes some gorgeous grey Zelda foldover boots and sculptural Madeleine riding boots that I hope will someday be classics in my closet. You just can’t substitute anything for good workmanship, not flashiness, not trend, nothing.

Also, check out HH’s line at Target. I’m proud to see these locals go large at one of my favorite discount retailers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include any shoes, but the travel bags are as uberpractical as the clutches are adorable. I have needed a weekender bag for ages and they’re cheaper than LeSportSac!

The only thing that worries me about my Laurels, as with all my light-colored shoes, is removing dark scuff marks. On a high-quality leather, cleaning may be a bit easier. The rules are: protect first, so you don’t have to repent later. Here’s what EHow.com recommends.

On a light-colored patent leather shoe, try Soft Scrub on a cloth or a q-tip with a tiny bit of nail polish remover and dab lightly, then allow it to dry before trying again. I’ve tried both these methods with varying levels of success. If that doesn’t work, I haven’t tried it, but others recommend Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. Whatever you do, don’t go too hard on your shoe, as it’s important that you don’t remove the shiny veneer by overdoing it.

And in other news, YOOX.com is having a sale. But then, who isn’t?