I’m one of those stubborn girls who insists on wearing her boots in the summer. Why, you ask? Because boots are hot with short little skirts, and I live in miniskirts (until I turn 30… okay, maybe later too…)

But no one wants to be sweating in their boots, however cute. So here are a few that will make you look hot but not feel sweaty this summer, many of them with cutouts for ventilation (who wants to wear socks during the summer?). Winter white was hot, and now summer off-white and white are hot, but that doesn’t mean black doesn’t look still great at night.

I love the cute little curvy laser cutout Jump Mond, available for $100.80 at Zappos.

The famous Giuseppe Zanotti boot with a number for its name now comes in a summer-appropriate shade, but still at $879, unfortunately. You can zip them up by hitting Endless. I still think it looks like a whalebone corset or a skeleton.

Marc, j’adore! MBMJ Leather Cutout Boots for $550 at Net-a-Porter.

If you can afford the lovely YSL Cage Ankle Boots that go for the price of a cheap studio’s monthly rent in New York, scoop ‘em up for $1290 at Net-a-Porter.

If you can’t afford them, then try the Luichiny Star Bound for $93.95 at Zappos. Yes, people will know it’s not the real thing, and no, it’s not as quality, but it’s about $1200 cheaper and if it’s the look you’re going for…

Jimmy Choo’s Reese is $995 at Net-a-Porter.

The Chinese Laundry Kingwood is cute but I think the Western style might go out of style pretty quickly. However, if you dig the trend, it’s pretty adorable for right now. It’s at Endless for $119.95.

I can’t help but like the androidy/Star Wars getup/forcefield-like/constructed-from-Nile-reeds Sigerson Morrison gladiator, but then, you all know I like freak shoes (anything but NORMAL - gasp!). It’s available at La Garconne for $1048.60. (Yes, that’s right, you read that correctly.)

I don’t love Sigerson Morrison’s cutout boot, but maybe you will. They’re on sale for $356 at Zappos.

Lastly, leave it to Proenza Schouler to wow with $1150 boots at Zappos Couture. Love it! The interestingly placed zipper, the great heel detail, the half solid leather, half gladiator-style shredded leather, this is a perfect boot.

Lastly, my other fave, the Halston Cluny magenta cutout boots, $1395, available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Go to Shopbop for more lovely boots, including some of my favorites by Balmain, Camilla Skovgaard, Givenchy, Zero Maria Cornejo and Opening Ceremony.

5 Comments »

Oh My! The Eighties are upon us.

I knew my high school fashions were considering re-surfacing last year when I began catching early glimpses of puffer vests on teenagers around town. Now, with more kids looking like Madonna-as-Material-Girl, Eighties Style is having a serious fashion renaissance.

As evidence, I present Jelly Shoes. A fashion choice in that I actually never indulged in the last time around - having at that point in my teenagedom already have moved into kitten-heeled pumps and the plotting of how to get a pair of sturdy-heeled (cobblestone appropriate) knee-high boots for my 17th birthday.

But I digress. Probably out of an avoidance instinct.

Oh yes, Jellies. Always a style that makes me think of 8-year old girls in pink shirts and floral embroidered jeans; perhaps because they have not gone out of fashion with that age group? I simply wonder how grown ladies pull these off. But hey, if it helps you keep a sense of play in your life, go for it.

So, while these are obviously not a trend that is calling to me, perhaps there is something in here that some of you folks reading will find to your liking. One thing I can tell you, designers this time out have not limited their styles to sparkly pink jelly flats and flip-flops.

We have sandals (including the still-hot gladiator silhouette):

GIvenchy ‘Lace-Up Jelly’ $170 at Saks.com (also in Orange, Olive, Fuchsia and Black at Shopbop.com)

Jimmy Choo ‘Jelly Thong Sandals’ $175 at Saks.com

Kors by Michael Kors ‘Shane Jelly Toe-Ring Sandal’ $72 at Shopbop.com ($69 at Zappos)

See by Chloe ‘Flat Jelly Sandals’ $125 in yellow or black at Saks.com (also at Shopbop in Yellow, Orange, Green, and Violet)

Ballet Flats:

Cesare Paciotti ‘Ballerina 20000′ in Red, Purple, White, and Black. $128.09 $189at Zappos.com

Tory Burch ‘Jelly Reva Ballet Flats’ $95 in blue or coral at Saks.com (also available in Pink, Yellow, Brown and Black at Shopbop)

Melissa ‘Ultragirl Peep-Toe Jelly Flats’ $70 in Pink, Blue and Black at Saks.com

Melissa ‘Campana Corallo Jelly Ballet Flats’ $60 at Saks.com

Melissa ‘Campana Corallo Webbed  Jelly Flats’ $80 at Saks.com

Sneakers:

Kenzo Shoes Lace-up Jelly Sneakers in pink, yellow, white, and black. $80 at Shopbop.com

Oxfords (And you thought that this trend was on the way out!):

Mellisa ‘Joy and Alexander Herchcovitch Jelly Oxford’ in Gold or Black. $100 at Saks.com

And, of course, Heels:

Melissa ‘Jelly Peep-Toe T-Strap Wedge’ $100 at Saks.com.

Oh, and in case you are wincing just a little bit at the not-so-humble prices being charged for colorful pieces of molded plastic (or is it flubber?) there should be Payless versions soon enough.

12 Comments »

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.

9 Comments »

Ok, so some of you may know that I have like a million jobs. Really. Just ask me. At any rate, one of the glitzier ones is that of production assistant for a fashion production company. And by glitzy I mean that average tasks involve being on set during photoshoots and running out to pick up whatever the photographer or stylist might need. Most memorably, I have been sent to fetch body-length human hair and fake boobs (called “chicken cutlets” if ya’ll wanna learn a little industry speak.

But I digress. I recently worked at a photo shoot for a very high end hair and makeup brand. I will not divulge their name because I am really not sure if I am supposed to. But for you clever folk out there it translates to ”Real Gold” from the French. This particular client hires stylists who bring in really incredible stuff. It’s so cutting edge, I get paper cuts (da dum chhhhssss).

 To demonstrate my point, a tableau:

Take a breath now:

YSL, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Louboutin, Louboutin, Louboutin, Givenchy, Louboutin, Balenciaga

Light headed yet?

I did a little research in case any of feel like spending your life savings on a piece of fashion gold.

 Shoe Beauty #1

These are my absolute favorite. If you want to take the plunge, these would be the ones to do it for. I was trying to figure out how to cram these suckers into my tiny clutch or under my blouse. There was much self-recrimination for not being into the whole peasant blouse, tons-of-excess-fabric thing. Behold the grail.

These are the YSL High Heel Lace Up Sandals with Jeweled Medallion in Black Patent. They are a whopping $895 dollars on ysl.com even now as the wintry winds begin the blow down Broadway. But so what. They. Are. Gorgeous.

Shoe Beauty #2

These Balenciaga Gladiator Sandals are obviously not available. The Sex and the City gladiator rampage of ‘08 wiped the Internet clean of these highly coveted critters.

However, because I aim to help the readers who are looking to cash in on the end-of summer sales, here is a stand-in which is significantly cheaper that the 600+ price tag on the original. These Vaneli Gladiator Sandals are much cheaper at the low, low price of only 88.79.

Shoe Beauty #3

Pretty, pretty Balenciaga. How I love how you shine through the dark of the night. You add luster to my evening. Unfortunately, these are also no longer available and I couldn’t find a worthy substitute, but I will give you a close-up for contemplation.

 Shoe Beauties #4, #5, #6, and #7

These assorted black pumps are the collective Little Black Dress of the shoe world.

Pictured here is the Christian Louboutin hidden platform pump, $700 courtesy of Neimanmarcus.com. I just think that when you wear these you can’t help but feel beautiful, sophisticated, glamorous, and all those other words that the fashion mags list under the stuff they want to sell you.

Shoe Beauties #8 and #9

Booties are kind of my new thing. The first year that they entered the world of trends I disdained them, looking down on them as underdeveloped boots or overdeveloped heels. However, I have reassessed the situation and realized that they are most excellent.

Shiny, Louboutin booties are an excellent way to get my thinking on track.

And the less shiny Balenciaga version keeps me on the wagon.

Though I couldn’t find either of these. I found this Balenciaga stand-in. They really look very little like either of them, but what’s another shoe to lust after among friends?

They are on sale at overstock.com for 569.99, still pricey, but an excellent discount from the original price of 1195.00.

The weird looks the stylist gave me as I crouched around the shoes shooting photos were totally worth it.

7 Comments »

Test your knock-off knowledge here.

See if you can identify the manufacturers of the following shoe styles.

I’ll give you a hint.   

They are not: Marc Jacobs, YSL, Dior, Prada/Miu Miu, Gucci or Givenchy.

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.:

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

8.)

9.)

10.)

Answers Below:

Read the rest of this entry »

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