So, is anybody else sitting at home feeling miserable with the flu? Ah, the joys of back-to-school and fall weather are balanced by the colds that seem to come home with the kids.

Since local weather is still too insanely warm for me to think about consuming actual chicken soup, consider today’s shoes to be ‘emotional chicken soup’.

Sweet-but-sexy, studded Oxfords … luckily for me, the Oxford trend has not completely wound down yet.

Betsey Johnson ‘Kadina’ $200 at Zappos

As my husband said when I showed him these, “Oh yeah, those are completely you.”  What can I say? I have a week spot for women’s Oxfords. Oh, and plaid. And, of course, Betsey Johnson; it was inevitable that I would love these shoes.

To steal a movie quote, these are ‘Everything I never knew I always wanted’ *…or something like that.

Menswear-inspired, wing-tip appeal; Check.

Adorable, plaid-blocked contrast; Check.

Lace-up Lolita details; Check.

Patent leather, studded-Oxford edging; Check.

High Heels. Oxfords. Plaid. Lace-ups. Rockabilly. Goth. Lolita. Punk…a match made in shoe-heaven!

*Extra points if you can name the flick.

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I just ran into these shoes a few minutes ago and decided they were worth sharing.

Betsey Johnson ‘Layla’ $179.99 at Heels.com

Just look at the detail on these: the metallic heel, the little heart-shaped buckle.  These could be yet another contender for the coveted attention of the ‘09 spring bride looking for her perfect pair of wedding shoes. These are a bit unusual since they are a silver satin upper with an overlay of gold-specked black mesh lace and Swarovski sparkle.  If you are looking for an unconventional sandal that can be worn again with a LBD on your anniversary, these may be the style for you.  Another added plus is that at just under $200, (and one last pair in size 10 on sale for $145 at Zappos) these shoes are friendly to a much wider range of budgets than some of our previous wedding-worthy mentions.

Oh, one last detail, these are “30′th Anniversary” Betsey Johnson sandals and have the additional unusual detail of shoe designer Betsey Johnson’s portrait on the sole.

Definitely a shoe for the more quirky brides among us.

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Hello warmer weather!

As we move into another spring season, certain classic footwear trends have re-emerged as if on an annual schedule. In this case, the trend is of rope-like espadrilles and cork-soled sandals. These continue to be casual warm-weather favorites.

This spring and summer it will be tough to go wrong style-wise if your sandals include a cork sole; or perhaps rafia, bamboo, or jute details. Natural textures, warm tan and brown colors, and an earthy, Boho vibe are making a huge appearance in stores this spring.

First up - Prada’s Rafia, Cork, and Bamboo Wedges:

 

Prada Raffia Wedge Sandals $650 at Saks.com

Prada Bamboo Wedge Platforms $695 at Saks.com

Prada Wedge Platform Cutout Sandals $750 at Saks.com

I’m not finding myself to be much of a fan of the rafia, and I can take or leave the whole cork thing, but the bamboo is pretty intriguing.

Volatile Shoes also has a few bamboo-wrapped offerings in their spring line-up (with more of a reedy effect): Read the rest of this entry »

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I have Christmas on the brain. Most holidays affect me this way. Of course, it doesn’t help that everywhere  that I go (except for my car where there is the ‘All Nickelback All the Time’ local rock station) I am surrounded by Christmas music, Christmas decorations, and Christmas advertisements. 

Just this weekend, we put  up our Christmas tree and wrapped the kid’s presents - so that they have time to really get excited about the upcoming holiday. (Did I say excited? They’ve been sleeping by the tree!)

Anyway, all ham dinner and pumpkin cheesecake plans aside, my attention has also turned to shoes that are so dolled-up that you will feel like they are gift-wrapping for your feet. 

Well, here ya go. Ribbons & Bows galore:

 

Type Z Noel $74.56 - $77 at Zappos in Bronze, Red, or Gold

(Appropriately named, don’t you think?)

 

 

Marciano Alida $204 @ Zappos

(What to say? These are simply stunning.)

 

 

Stuart Weitzman Romance $199.12 at Zappos 

(Romantic? And how!)

 

Stuart Weitzman Solitaire $234 - $273.60 @ Zappos in Fuchsia, White or Black

(A pink Marilyn dream.)

 

 

Betseyville Genna  $71.90 at Endless, $75.20 Zappos/$89.99 Heels.com

(Unwrap your inner Barbie Girl)

 

 

Betsey Johnson Rally $150 @ Zappos.com/$104.97 @ Endless

(Also available in pink with black ribbon. No secrets here; I love these.)

 

 

Coloriffics Sierra $66.50 @ Zappos (Several colors)

(Conservative with a touch of Glam, not an easy achievement.)

 

 

 

Martinez Valero Coca $106.16 - $117.97 @ Zappos on Red or Black, you can get the Coca in limited sizes of Black or Tan at Endless for $76.42.

(The perfect dare to the love of your life: ’Unwrap this.’)

 

 

Paris Hilton Destiny $89.95 @ Endless / $93 @ Zappos ; many color options.

(With that wrap-around bow this doesn’t even need a box; just pop it under the tree.)

 

 

Vaneli Puppy  $88.90 @ Zappos

(I’m seeing more of these structured loop-bows lately; honestly, they’re growing on me.)

 

 

 

 

RSVP Rhea $58.50 in Navy @ Zappos, other colors are $69-$74

(Simple, Sexy, and Day-um do I love the Sapphire color on these.)

 

 

!

Kate Spade Gali $247.24 for the Forest Green, other colors are $347.95.

(Sweet, classic and Christmas-tree green.)

 

 

RSVP Afton $58.40 - 68 in four colors at Zappos.

(A sweet and slightly glitzy half-bow in Holiday Red)

 

 

RSVP Judith in red for $60.80 at Zappos; bone and black are $58.40

(Another Pretty as a Package ribbon-wrapped style)

 

 

Gabriella Rocha Heaven in red for $50 at Zappos, other colors $39-$50.

(The polka dots are super cute. I love the wrap-around effect over the top of the hidden platform -

plus it also comes in a silver version that is quite adorable)

 

 

Type Z Kat  $89 at Zappos; in three colors.

(What can I say, it’s 12 degrees outside, boots were going to wind up in here somehow.

 Plus how cute are those little bows?)

 

And, now that I mention ‘Little Bows’ I can’t forget this style by Moschino:

Moschino CA16108C1P  RS0 $624 at Zappos.

(Come on, don’t they make you smile just a little with that itty bitty gift box on the vamp?)

 

 And finally, not a bow, but So Perfect:

Beverly Feldman Fireball $92 @ 6pm.com.

(This one is not ribbons and bows, but how incredibly ‘Holly and the Ivy’ can you get?

 These babies just scream ‘It’s Christmas! Where’s the eggnog?’)

 

Gosh, now I’m wishing it was time to open up some presents!

8 Comments »

This look is being referred to loosely in fashion magazines as the ‘Hardware Trend’; it’s main indicator is an obvious and sometimes excessive use of metallic visual embellishments such as Buckles, Studs, Grommets, or in this case, Zippers.  When it is used in Fall boots, it has also been referred to as ‘Biker Chic’ or ‘Moto Style’. The common thread to these looks is that the hardware is up-front. While the zippers or buckles may occasionally be functional, in most cases the primary use of these items is decorative in nature.  This type of Metallic adornment is not at all unusual on Motorcycle Boots, as well as at retailers such as Hot Topic who specialize in the Alternative Rock, Punk, Industrial or Goth musical scenes. 

Interestingly enough, I first encountered zippers as trim on the following very exuberant shoes: The Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipped and Studded Pump  in blue denim or black calfskin ($197.80 6pm.com; also available in a slingback Flat for $163.30)) and the Metallic Naughty Monkey ‘Gudahame’ ($40.25 6pm.com). These are rather aggressive shoes that have quite a lot going on.

However, the current popularity of the trend can likely be laid at the feet of Christian Louboutin’s Caracolo (previously blogged about here) out around Christmastime last year. Recently available at Bluefly ($616 in Red, Black, and Dusty Pink),the Caracolo has not lost it’s delightful edge; it was also striking enough that Steve Madden apparently created a very faithful (Sans Red Sole) replica that sold out in very little time indeed). 

Similar in spirit to the above Louboutin, I also love this cute Punk/Industrial-styled  ’Zipper Point Flat’ by well-know alternative shoe brand T.U.K. Shoes (Zappos.com $45).It has that same look of the zipper ’swallowing’ the foot as the Caracolo that I find really appealing and fun while retaining a practical and walkable cut for everyday use.

Back to Christian Louboutin, the ’Rhodita’ summer sandal ($835 at net-a-porter.com and Niemanmarcus.com) continues with the zipper taking front stage as an integral and eye-catching detail.

Similar but not identical to the Rhodita is the slightly more budget-conscious LAMB ‘Shauna’ in Black or Gunmetal ($279.95 Endless.com /269.99 Heels.com / Shopbop.com);This is a chunkier YSL-esque platform for the girl who really loves that extra oomph! a few added inches can give her.

Yet another similar sandal, Carlos by Carlos Santana’s ‘Cougar’ in Silver, Bronze, or Black (Endless.com $98.95 / Zappos.com $100); this one also has zippered straps and its price range is much more in line for all the bargain fashionistas out there.

Coming back to LAMB, we have two styles that play up zippers on the vamp area.  First, the ‘Selene’ pump with zip-trimmed tuxedo-shirt flaps in Black or Gunmetal ($239.00 Endless.com /$252.95 Zappos.com /$299.99 Heels.com). Second, the slingback ‘Sidney’ with Zipper Rosette on the vamp ($319 Zappos.com / $315 Shoes.com / $239.90 Endless.com/ $220.50 on sale at Shopbop.com). Both of these styles are riding the zipper trend to keep Gwen’s L.A.M.B. brand fun and funky.

Are these early adopters all we can expect from the Zipper trend? Most assuredly not. A quick search as I am writing this has come up with dozens of late contenders for moving into Fall. Among these styles:

Betsey Johnson’s ‘Tayla’ in Black, Grey or Camel ($235 Zappos.com / $234.99 Heels.com / $234.95 Endless.com / Sale priced $119.99 at Smartbargains.com). As this is Betsey Johnson; it should come as little surprise that the zipper pull is in the shape of a lightning bolt. If there is an opportunity for Glam, Betsey usually takes it.

For a bit of playful appeal, Not Rated’s ‘Sidestep’ in Pink, Green, Yellow, Charcoal, or Black, ($39.95 Endless.com / $49.00 Zappos.com) gives a colorful kick.

Sergio Rossie ‘Patent Leather Platform Sandal’ ($850 Nordstrom’s Pre-order). This is a fairly conservative interpretation on the zipper theme.

BCBGirls ‘Lotun’ in Croc-embossed Red or Black Calfskin ($109.95 Nordstrom.com); another conservative interpretation.

Taryn Rose’s ‘Bridger’ Ballet Flat with Zipper Rose detail ($495 Neimanmarcus.com). I sure hope that’s one cozy Flat.

And yes, Helle Comfort has made a Zipped and Studded Clog ($174 Zappos.com). Oh My!

Other Honorable Mentions go to the following:

Sergio Rossi ‘Farisa‘ Zip-toe Pump $373 clearance.
Chinese Laundry ‘Betsey‘ Zipper Platform in Denim or Black $79.95
Chinese Laundry ‘Arcane‘ Zipper Pump $89.95.
Harley Davidson ‘Fortune‘  High Heel Sandal $64.00.
Fly London ‘Mall‘ Peep-toe Heel $96.23.
Fly London ‘Mex‘ Peep-toe Heel $82.49.
Not Rated ‘Zip It’ Flat $44.95.
Michael Kors ‘Berkeley‘ Flat $99.00.

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