He has a point!
I recently came across this video clip, and feel inclined to share it with my fellow fashionistas:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/29/fashion/20081130-street-feature/index.html
“Don’t be depressed by the stock market,” says New York Times commentator Bill Cunningham. “You just jump right in and do something imaginative yourself.” His voice, endearing, convinces us like a pat on the head for good behavior that everything will be okay - if the shoe fits.
What do you think? Can a patent platform wedge distract us from shaky geopolitical news that flames off the front page of the newspaper? Will fabulously feathered stilettos (check them out at 1:25) fly us away from the ups and downs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Are those boots made for walking, or kicking ass at your next job interview?
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?)
Loading ...Posted by Karyn on Thursday, December 18th, 2008 | Boots, Celebrity, Uncategorized | No Comments
Weathering the storm.
Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan
- When it rains in Boston, it pours Wellies.
Wellies, formally known as Wellingtons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_boot), are rubber boots worn by hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to protect themselves from the sticks, stones, and other muddy debris that one can be faced with in nature. However, dodging puddles amidst chauffeured town cars in the great outdoors of Beacon Hill hardly requires more than a little bit of resolve and creative thinking.
One solution that has fared well for me in my 20-some odd years is weatherproofing my leather shoes against the elements, including the heaviest of New England rainstorms. Kiwi’s Camp Dry Water
Kiwi's Camp Dry Water Repellent
Repellent (spray or aerosol) has worked consistently well on my leather and suede boots, loafers and pumps, and can be purchased at your local hardware store for under $8. Check out http://www.kiwkishoeproducts.com for more information on Kiwi products.
Ladies, reject ridicule and salvage your souls - Wellies look out of place on anyone over the age of 5 or not involved in the task of hunting a duck or classifying oak trees and can turn your rump into what my friend describes as the “Canadian Royal Mountie” look. Protect your feet by protecting your footwear - and don’t forget a toasty pair of socks if you’re so inclined.
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?) Loading ...Posted by Karyn on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 | Boots | No Comments
Calling all Shoe Lovers!
Do you love peep toes, ballet flats, wedges, and all things shoes? Do you eat, sleep, breathe and dream about shoes? Do you find yourself at work all set to start on the huge project that your boss wants today, only to find yourself browsing for shoes instead? Then you may be interested in blogging about shoes! And we’ve got the perfect gig for you! Sole Envie is now looking for resident shoe bloggers.
We can’t pay you, but the exposure and visibility you’ll get as a writer and style expert will be shoe-tastic! This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your writing skills on the web and of course brag about your shoe knowledge.
If you’re interested, send us a note (info@soleenvie.com) with a sample blog post about a favorite pair of shoes, a shoe-buying experience, a shoe-related article, or anything to do with shoes!
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?) Loading ...Posted by ShoeGuru on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 | Boots, Celebrity, Flat, Gladiators, Peep Toes, Platforms, Pumps, Sandals, Uncategorized, Wedges | No Comments
Dearly Departed.
A few months ago, I hit the jackpot at Poor Little Rich Girl (http://www.shoppoorlittlerichgirl.com) in Davis Square, when I blindly stumbled across a pair of Kate Spade patent leather loafers for $48. The flats, which looked like warm caramel that sits atop a decadent sundae in both color and viscosity, came detailed with crushed velvet bows near their gently rounded toes, and - best of all - were obviously never worn. I gripped those shoes with all of the life I had in my right hand (my left hand, arm and shoulder were occupied with months of neglected dry clean I had finally rescued from the shop next door) and carefully navigated my way to the register, knowing full well that if someone else were to discover the hidden gems in my paw, a brawl wound ensue.
Upon safely returning to my apartment (I had my eyes peeled for thieving fashionistas the entire half mile walk home, my purchase clutched feverently under my right arm), I tossed the dry cleaning aside and threw open my closet, determined to match my new soled friends with whatever trouser, skirt and denim I could get my hands on. The problem was, I couldn’t. My beloved wool crepe suiting pants, purchased both on a sale and a whim from Theory two winters ago, dragged along the carpet, demanding heels for their extra long hem. Pencil skirts I easily paired with knee high boots looked dowdy - and dare I say frumpy? - when my feet were wrapped in that low-heeled patent leather. Even jeans, the quintessential piece of any wardrobe that works from morning to night, from boardroom (if your company allows it) to neighborhood bar, looked somewhat silly and elementary with the dainty bows I had just one hour previously fallen in love with. Hell, I didn’t even have a purse to go with the damn things.
Much like Cinderella’s stepsisters were insistent on making the glass slipper fit their ogre-like feet, I was determined to make these shoes work in any way, shape or form I could. And so, one Sunday morning on my way to brunch, I teamed a maroon satin blouse, beige sweater vest and navy sateen cigarette pant with the loafers, ignoring the BCBG pebbled leather pumps that begged for showing, and giving little regard to the fact that the shoes, which felt oh-so-comfortable in store, sort of, well, hurt. Two hours and three blisters later, I’d had enough of both the Western omelette that sat in front of me and the aching pups that whined below me. I cab-ed home, kicked my feet free of their Kate Spade enclaves, and called it a morning.
I let those loafers marinate and provoke on my shoe rack for a few weeks before coming to terms with the fact that I’d never wear them again. Instead of pitying myself for wasting money on frivolty, I repackaged my forlorn footwear and marched myself down to Second Time Around (http://www.secondtimearound.net), where I re-consigned them in the hopes that I’ll not only profit back at least some of my loss, but that another fashionista - perhaps with a smaller and slender set of feet - will herself delight in the buried treasure that await a new owner within my beloved boutique on Newbury Street.
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?) Loading ...Posted by Karyn on Monday, December 1st, 2008 | Flat, Uncategorized | No Comments
Heels from Hell
If you think Regina’s shoe pictures were bad, check out these shoes from joe-ks.com
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Posted by ShoeGuru on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment
What do we want? Fashion AND Comfort! When do we want it? NOW!
The New York Times printed an article the other day in the Health guide section about properly fitting shoes. Yet, to me, the advice in the article seemed practical only in theory: Purchase your shoes in the afternoon after ‘leisurely’ walking around, so your feet are a bit swollen and you won’t end up buying shoes that fit too tightly; make sure there is 0.5” of space in between the edge of the shoe and your longest toe; Oh! and, only buy high heels if you “insist” on wearing them, and be sure to keep the time spent walking in heels to a minimum! Well, if only we could all have those luxuries! With today’s women’s busy schedules, we’ll be lucky to have the time to order a pair of shoes online, let alone purchase our pumps on Newbury after a leisurely walk around the Boston Commons on a fine fall afternoon. And if Regina’s post is any indication, we’re lucky to even FIND any fashionable, good fitting, high-heeled shoes that aren’t going to cause us major foot problems in the future. The fact is that a lot of women’s clothing styles, especially within business casual attire, are even tailored to fit as if we’re wearing heels. Take pencil skirts for example (or any skirt and jacket suit for that matter) – they all look better when you’re wearing heels. Perhaps we do “insist” on wearing these God-awful, uncomfortable heels, but it’s probably because there aren’t many other options available to us. Can’t we have good fit, good fashion, AND comfort in our footwear?
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?) Loading ...Posted by ShoeGuru on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Shoe-fficiency.
As I sit massaging blisters that dot the pads of my heels, battle wounds from maneuvering through a Monday in 3-inch St. John calfskin d’Orsays, I wonder if I’ll ever turn into one of those women who bravely marches through the subway sporting sneakers and socks over their pantyhose and under their Calvin Klein suits. I’m reminded of a particular episode of Sex and the City when Miranda, shortly after she moved to the dreaded side of the Brooklyn Bridge (or, Brooklyn) from her beloved Manhattan, complained to Carrie about how sore her feet were after walking a far distance from the subway. Carrie, clearly on the right side of the bridge, asked why Miranda didn’t wear sneakers and carry her shoes like everyone else, to which Miranda replied - and I quote - “Stop. You can take me out of Manhattan, but you can’t take me out of my shoes.”
What is it about our egos that refuses to embrace practicality - L.L. Bean duck boots when it’s cold and wet; Reebok hightops when you’ve got to get somewhere quickly - and instead embrace the idealism of making our way through the day in 3-inch heels with the occasional Band-Aid poking out the back to shield us from abused Achilles tendons? The ancient Greeks had a word for “tragic pride”: hubris. Then again, they typically got around in gladiator flats, and while theirs may have helped build the Parthenon, my modern day version are bejeweled and meant for pairing with twill shorts and a venti soy latte from Starbucks. The truth of the matter is, we affiliate lots with our shoes: our wardrobes; our moods; our plans for the day or evening, and heck - I’ve even gone with a flat over a stiletto depending on how long my bangs are. Shoes can be icing on the cake (us!), and whether that confection comes in leather, pleather, suede or satin, it truly can help a girl put her best foot forward.
Besides, being practical is for your 30s.
(Is This Shoe Hot or Not?) Loading ...Posted by Karyn on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 | Boots, Flat, Sandals | 1 Comment
Heels: Why can’t we have sexy shoes we can walk in???
The other evening, as I was walking home from a Halloween Party, it struck me that we fall in love with gorgeous, sexy shoes that we can’t walk in for more than thirty feet; and we sure can’t dance the night away in them. Isn’t it possible to have amazingly beautiful shoes, that make us feel like Cinderella; but have a heel that is, oh, say, 3″ instead of 4-1/2″?
Then I came across this Antonio Berardi shoe and I realized the problem… these designers all imagine us as the Swan Queen! Does anyone else notice the similarities???
Antonio Berardi Heel-Less Shoe (Photo: Etienne Tordoir, NY Times)
Honestly, why can’t we have fabulous shoes that we can dance in which don’t require 14 years of ballet training?
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Posted by regina on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 | Platforms | 3 Comments
Kickin’ Ankle Booties
Jimmy Choo Erica Shoe Bootie (Photo: Saks.com)
Ankle booties bring a few words to mind: 80s, mini skirts, FABULOUS! Don’t worry, I’m not stuck back in the days of St. Elmo’s Fire. But seriously, I think the bootie look for fall is absolutely…well I think I’m forced to make up a word in order to accurately describe these boots – scrumtrelescent. They’re scrumtrelescent. And they’re versatile -you can wear them with clothes of many different styles from slacks to swanky dresses. Take this pair from Jimmy Choo at Saks – they come in this great purple color which is very in this season. The heel even has a very cool retro, geometric design! Ah these boots are fabulous….oh, did I mention that already?
(+4 rating, 2 votes) Loading ...Posted by ShoeGuru on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 | Boots | No Comments
Strappy Shoe
Salvatore Ferragamo Nocciola Wedge (Photo: Neiman Marcus)
What I like most about this shoe from Salvatore Ferragamo is the lucite wedge. The silver and black color combo makes this shoe elegant enough for a romantic dinner date, and the clear wedge makes it just the right amount of casual to break these sandals out for a night of dancing.
DO wear these shoes with a vibrantly colored cocktail dress that has a simple-style, so as not to detract attention from your footwear, which should be the focal point of your outfit with so much going on as far as the funkyness of this shoe’s design!
DON’T wear these shoes with your cutoff grey sweatpants to walk your dog in the morning!
(+2 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...