Shootie — A combo shoe/bootie. I sort of hate the term but shooties are big this season, probably the top footwear trend for women. I’m loving the gray suede on this pair, they remind me of a pair of gray fold-down ankle boots I wore circa 1986 and ruined in the snow.
I’m seeing lots of metallic leather on the horizon. Target’s high/low accessories line by Botkier has a range of gold leather products, including this clutch. I think it makes a great evening bag. I have no idea about the quality, although cheap bags are usually cheaply made. This bag fits my ethos of spending less on special-occasion items and more on well-made staples.
Coach has a new line of bags called Zoe. My favorite is pictured above. If I were in the market for a new bag I’d buy this one. It’s a good size and has solid hardware. And the color! It would look good with warmer brown toes or an all-black ensemble. Gorgeous.
Metallic leathers are making their way into other accessories. This belt from Banana Republic would look great with wide-legged wool trousers or atop a blouse or cardigan. My honey gave me a gold leather wallet for my birthday (with pink polka-dot lining!) and I feel fancy and grown up carrying it.
I love it when people ask for fashion advice. Dear reader Angela wrote in with a footwear crisis:
I am going to Bermuda next week and am renting a scooter to get around. I need to find some shoes (pronto, so Zappos would be ideal) that are sturdy enough for biking around, but also cute enough that I can to drop into places for lunch and not feel dumb, like I would in sneakers or flip-flops. I would prefer open-toe to show off my pedi, but that’s not 100% necessary. My color preference is boring black, but I am open to other options.
Anything I can do to end the rule of flip-flops, Angela! Flops are great on the beach but like you I find them too casual for much else.
Basic black sometimes looks too hard with resort wear unless you’re wearing all black. And if you’re in the sun I hope you’ve opted for some light fabrics and color. These polka-dot flats from Privo are neutral and would look great with a tan leg. I especially like the penny detail on the heel. They also come in black if you insist. Privo makes sturdy, stylish walking shoes as I’ve posted previously.
Gladiator sandals are all the rage these days. This pair from Jeffrey Campbell strikes a good balance between sandal and costume.
These silver peep-toe flats would look great with Bermuda shorts, short-shorts or a sundress. I’m a Puma fan and these peep-toe sneaks are adorable; I like the black and the almond. If you’re looking for more of an open-toe shoe, these T-strap flats are only $40. I would probably ditch that flower charm but who knows, resort wear can take a lot of whimsy without being too precious.
If you like a wedge heel these are adorable. Every color combination of these peep-toe flats is adorable; good luck choosing.
I love yellow shoes. I usually prefer a rubber sole for my expeditions but if you’re on the scooter you’d do fine.
I bought these shoes the other day. They were described as athleisure. I previously labeled this sort of sneaker/shoe as a hybrid. A quick internet search tells me that athleisure may be catching on in the industry. I’m not sure if I like it. It sort of smells like advertorial.
Dude. Seriously. You can create your own Chuck Taylors! Head on over to the Converse One website and trick out a pair. I am pondering a pair of the high hi-tops. A woman at school was wearing a pair of sequined Chucks. OMG.
I have a history with Chuck Taylors. When I was 10 years old I bought two pairs, one pink and one purple. Sometimes I wore one of each. In middle school I got a pair of hi-tops that were designed to fold down at the ankle but could be laced up the calf. In high school I went through a phase of not wearing leather (a genius idea in winter) and I had a pair of blue hi-top Chucks that I scribbled on. You know, anarchy symbols and Smiths lyrics about how meat is murder. Stuff like that.
Yay for Chuck Taylors. I am totally gonna get me some.
It does not matter that the heels are four inches. I almost fainted when I saw these shoes. Have mercy.
It’s no secret I have a thing for Tod’s driving loafers. I imagine myself wearing a pair, downshifting in my [fantasy] copper-brown 1974 Mercedes coupe as I take a tight turn along a coastal highway. That, my friends, is the life.
But I own neither the luxury loafers nor the vintage glove box to keep them in. For now I’ll make due with Maisie Driving Mocs from JCrew. I wouldn’t walk across town in them but they are adorable and lightweight, perfect for air travel or fancy house shoes.
I bought the loafers in orange to go with the brown car, natch.
UPDATE: The mocs are going back. After walking around my house a bit I have determined that they are uncomfortable. There is a lump of leather in a seam that leaves an indention through my sock and into the top of my foot after less than five minutes. Dang.
New York Magazine ran a story called “Ugly Shoes: A Brief History” and I’m guilty on four counts.
Crocs, check (although I think at this point they’re only appropriate for outdoorsy water activities)
Doc Martens, check, worn throughout college
Birkentstocks, check, now retired
Dansko clogs, wearing them as I type this (pictured above)
Interesting that the shoes on the NY Mag’s list are all comfort models. Maybe that’s why the these styles caught on with the public. I cannot handle sore feet — it makes me angry and want to go home. I like wearing supportive, comfortable shoes. Somewhere there is a photo of me headed to junior prom wearing flats.
It’s time to buy boots. Maybe you heard that already. Perhaps you were already thinking about getting something nice to replace that beat-down pair you’re still wearing. Maybe you didn’t know where to look. Here are some ideas.
I would lick these boots, provided they hadn’t been worn: Perforated leather Prada boots are hot. If you work in tech and aren’t in debt or facing a lien you can probably afford them.
My favorite men’s boots aren’t all that tall — today’s boots have more of an above-the ankle style. One exception is the O-ring motorcycle boot, a classic I love in brown (pictured above) or black. In my experience these take some breaking in but last for years. Camper boots are a happening riff on that style.
Better boots have cooler details. Like these boots, which you could try on at Gimme Shoes Hayes or Fillmore locations.
Rules for boots: They may need to be broken in but they have to fit — boots don’t have the laces that help other footwear work. Insoles are sometimes helpful but you have to account for that when purchasing.
And your socks? It might be time to buy replacements. Smart Wool is now making high-performance everyday (read: awesome shoe appropriate) socks for their Dress and Metro lines. These socks are super-comfy, look good and keep feet/shoes from stinking, plus they don’t fade. Everyone wins.
I’ve written previously about my favorite indie SF shoe stores. I also love me a Union Square department store — Saks, Neiman’s and the new Barney’s all have worthwhile shoe shopping (even if it’s just window shopping).
Saurday evening I attended the lovely wedding of two friends. I wore my four-inch peep-toe pump (by Christian Loubutin as pictured above) all night. In these shoes I am 5 ft. 7 and that is why I love them. I had spares in the car — shoes of a more comfortable nature. My feet got a little sore but nothing a cocktail didn’t erase. I have worn shoes that hurt my feet from the moment they’re on until I wake up the next morning with throbbing appendages.
My feet feel fine but my legs? My legs are sore. My calves are tight. I feel like I had an especially rigorous workout with weights.