Trending boots 2011

It's mid-September! That means all the retailers are beginning to push out the fall trend: boots!

It looks like harness, riding, flat, tall, and chunky-heeled boots/booties in black and shades of browns will be popular for this coming season.  Straps, buckles, and laces are also still popular as well.

I'm currently obsessed with Jeffrey Campbell's Lita (which I believe are "inspired by" Charles Anastase  Dungeon Boots)

However, at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to wear them anywhere! :(

Mr. Campbell has come a long way in establishing a great shoe line since I learned about him last year and was obsessing over the line.  Well done!

Sam Edelman Novato - Bridesmaid shoes

Here's a peak into the wedding I was a bridesmaid for.
Here we are wearing Edelman's Novato.

HK Vans

Hardcore Hello Kitty lover? Need new tennies?

Limited edition Hello Kitty Vans are now available from Nordstrom now...$49.95

Looking down

Peep toe sling back stiletto

These are not the newest shoes out there, but I have a wedding coming up and this is what the bride requested the bridesmaids shoes look like:

Left to Right:
Sergio Rossi - Cachet $695.00
Sam Edelman - Novato $99.95
Steve Madden - Laineyy $89.95 (on sale as of 5/26/11 for $53.95)


Since they've been out for awhile, I had trouble finding my size in stores.  I was able to order the Steve Madden Laineyy (black satin, 5" heel w/o the insole, 1.25" platform--these are higher than what's stated on their website) online for the sale price.  They don't make these in 5.5, so I ordered the 6 because sometimes I've had luck with them running small.  Sadly, after getting them in the mail and trying them on, they were too big.  They made a huge error in the length of the straps in the back and they were far too loose.  Back to the store these will go.  For the sale price point, I would not at all have minded keeping these.

SO, because I had to have this style (and I'm not about to fork out $700), I ordered the Sam Edelman Novato from Nordstrom.com (no where else could I find this shoe being carried in 5.5!).  These are patent black leather, 5" heel (including the insole), 1.5" platform.  I can't find these in suede (they don't make in satin) anywhere in my size.  I got these just today and they fit! What a difference in quality too.  The stitching at the keyhole peep-toe is much cleaner and neater, and you're getting much better quality in workmanship and materials (leather sole, patent leather outer).  I'm not even going to go into the Sergio Rossi shoes because that goes above and beyond what I could ever afford.  Oh, P.S. these are really, surprisingly comfy to walk in! Must be that extra high platform.

This is a very rare occasion where I had both the (affordable) shoes at the same time to do a comparison, so please enjoy the photos below!

Satin (SM, left) - Patent (SE, right)

 Satin (SM, front) - Patent (SE, back)

 Notice the difference in the toe box. Sam Edelman are slightly longer in the toe and the keyholes are different.

Stitching. The people at SM could've done better with trimming those extra threads.

 Toe to toe (SE with a slightly higher platform)
&
Heel to heel

 SM with a slightly higher "heel" because of the insole (adds about an extra .25")

Steve Madden - Laineyy on both feet (notice loose, long, hangy straps)

 Sam Edelman Novato on both feet

And walking on the ceiling with the keepers - Sam Edelman Novato

Tsk, tsk

Looks like some designers have been getting lazy, or hoping to get away with copying a design, or both!  I would've thought better H for Halston for Bakers, but as I was browsing the heels, a pair caught my eye. I thought, cute color! (the coral and the turquoise/blue) And then, cute style! And then... I frowned. It looked cute because it looked familiar.

H by Halston - Miranda

and my own Bakers shoes I got on clearance last year:

Yes, different colors, materials, mine have perforations and not as highly stacked platform (layered in H's), but it has the same cutouts and criss-crossing style!

Shame for a brand that prices its shoes a little above Bakers normal prices would use the same Bakers design.

Classic wedge

I saw Jennifer Aniston wearing these last year.  These wedges will be a classic look for spring/summer, but they come at a hefty price--as celebrities are used to and where prices really mean nothing for them.

Stuart Weitzman - Alex

$365.00 at Zappos.com

These are a natural espadrille wedge sandal in the color "swamp" crochet.   I really like this taupey-nude color because it can go with pretty much any outfit for spring/summer--dressed up or down.  The ivory color is nice too.  Dresses, shorts, cropped pants, bikinis (for you whose bodies are poolside/beach ready! mine is not right now)... you name it! You won't expect these to go out of fashion season-to-season.  It's not too much on a "trendy train" with bright, fluorescent colors, or floral prints, or strange shapes.

There are a lot of "inspired by" shoes out there... For example, the regular go-to brands:

Steve Madden - Fantastik

$79.95

Bakers - Midtown

$62.00

Bakers  (by N.Y.L.A.) - Colbie
$62.00

Aldo - Connally

$50.00

(slightly lower heel height)

And the slightly more budget friendly:

from Ami Clubwear
$27.99

City Classified - Jojo
$26.99

Strangely attracted

For some reason I am strangely attracted to these wedges by L.A.M.B.  Maybe it's the combination of textures of smooth leather, canvas, and wood...and the obvious, fat stitch tacks.  And I strangely like the grey-nude combination of colors...  Is that a velco strap??

L.A.M.B. - Kapono

MSRP $325.00 (Currently on sale for $260.00)

Summer neutrals - 2011

Love, want, can't have.

Aldo - Marum

$100.00

Aldo - Trentinara

$100.00 (Sale til Sunday $74.98)
*These are reminiscent of the Jeffrey Campbell wedges I blogged way back when

Bakers - Rayne

$80.00 (currently on sale for $39.99) - only 8.5 left :(

House of Harlow 1960 - Nita

$240.00

And Bakers has a few sandals on sale I've been eyeing for awhile...but, it really isn't practical for me to be buying them :(

Lace me up!

My current obsession... I am dreaming about these shoes! I love the lace up & cut-outs and a tiny bit of raffia--perfect for spring!

BUT, I have nowhere to wear them for the next 2 years! Between being cooped up in my office and the classroom, there is not really any time to doll up... but I can dream, can't I?

Bakers - Nanci ($70.00)

Kind of reminiscent of Christian Louboutin "Miss Fortune"...

Wedge

I love these!! Perfect color and details... too bad they're $240! :(

House of Harlow - Fionna Wedge

Loub wedge steal/deal

Update! 2.19.11

Since Spring is right around the corner, I'm keeping an eye out for wedges!  I found a "steal" of CL's Almeria in Vince Camuto's "Edon" wedge (available in brown or black)!  These look a lot closer to the real things too!

On sale for about $70 right now at Endless

And, also Jessica Simpson "Kowloon" who switches the materials up for $79

5.6.10
Found another... Researching is exhausting!

Left: Christian Louboutin "Almeria" $535

Right: Paprika "Totosa Wedges" $21.99

In this case, I think I like the real deal more because of the overall shape and color.  Any which way, the "steal" is still a good runner up.

You can get the real deal at Barneys.com, or you can get the steal at Cutesygirl.com

Spring 2011 Shoes

Good morning everyone! I'm on MST (mountain standard time) now since my arrival in Arizona!

I have been on a "shoe restricted diet" as of late to save money so I have been trying to avoid tempting myself to buy new ones by researching for them. Aldo sent me an e-mail of their new spring nudes... and I am in love... with the Samella:

SAS--are these okay bridesmaid shoes for meeeee? hehehe... 

Oh shoes

Boots & shoes, shoes & boots: I so love-hate you right now!! My bank accounts cannot drain for your cuteness!! Dang cyberweek sales!! :(

Endless.com has 40% select Steve Madden styles today + free overnight shipping!!

 I want these Linderr boots!! T.T

H by Halston

Wow! I am impressed and in major "want" mode for the new H by Halston collection for Bakers!!

http://www.bakersshoes.com/hbyhalston/

Shiny & studded

I want! :(

LOVE these booties!

Aldo shoes - 50% sale off original prices

For those itching for a new pair of shoes, Aldo is having an online sale off some shoes & sandals.
50% off original prices

Crisscross Wedge

Update!
9/23/10
Zappos has a sale on the BCBGENERATION shoes for $80.95 right now




9/15/10
 Sorry it's been awhile!  My internet went down for the last 3 weeks and the cable guy finally came and fixed the problem last Saturday! Here's my most recent find for shoes! 3 designs for 3 types of budgets!

Givenchy: $1,174.50 Crisscross Stretch Leather Sandals

BCBGeneration: $98.95 Gonzalo Wedge Sandal

Forever 21: $28.80 Pleated Leatherette Wedges

Jessica Simpson shoe sale

Sale alert! Jessica Simpson shoes are on sale from 40-67% off right now!  Pretty darn good if you ask me!

http://www.6pm.com

I own a pair of Jessica Simpsons, and they are comfy and cute! Her design team is definitely doing something right!  I'm not allowing myself to buy shoes right now. T-T But it doesn't mean I'll stop looking & wanting!

Trend Watching Fall 2010

A new season already!  After perusing many sites, I think the top 3 shoes trends coming "back" this season are:

1. Military
2. Print (particularly, leopard)
3. Ankle bootie heels

Some tips to make these trends more wearable:

• Do not go over the top or too literal with the Military trend.  I think as Fall rolls in and as it becomes cooler (when will this happen in So.Cal??) the military cut jackets will be hot!  Otherwise, one good classic blazer will always be a staple item to have.  I am still on the hunt for the perfect black blazer.
• Don't be too matchy-matchy with the leopard prints. Use them as your statement shoes with maybe one accessory to "match" or enhance print.  They will make your outfit look more fun and add a subtle element of flirtiness.
• Booties are hard to mess up.  Wear them with mini's, dresses, or tights.  Perfect to tone down a "serious" ensemble to make it more fun and flirty.  I think the only thing here is not to over-layer and make your outfit be too "heavy" looking.  Keep it light.