The Return Of The Matching Shoes

I don't know if this really signifies the return of the matchy-matchy style, and as a child of the '80s I'm not sure how I would feel if that was to happen. But as my mom who grew up in a more ladylike era would tell you, there's something to be said for a pulled-together look.

Heidi Klum paired her Victoria Beckham dress with a matching pair of teal pumps. Her hairstyle also works beautifully here. I've combed through several photos of Emma Watson from her Today Show appearance- in some of them her Sergio Rossi peep-toes look more beige and only match her Burberry trench (want!). In others they are more grey, like her Carven sweater dress (I suspect one needs to be Emma's age to pull of this collar). In any case, it's interesting.

Now, let's just hope we'll never see matching scrunchies and socks, OK?

Photos: fashionpatrol.com

Alexis Bledel at the Vogue Eyewear CFDA Capsule Collection Launch

I don't know about you, but my eyes have suffered an overexposure to Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan and the Jersey Shore people. The cure, apparently, is Alexis Bledel. She couldn't be lovelier. According to Just Jared, her outfit consists of Alice + Olivia blouse, Helmut Lang pants, rosette heels by Giuseppe Zanotti Design, a Tiffany & Co. cuff and a Judith Lieber clutch. I'm going to look for these sandals.

Photo: Just Jared

Ugg and Jimmy Choo to launch a collection. Together.

Since we're nowhere near April Fools Day I have to assume WWD is right and Ugg Australia and Jimmy Choo are, indeed, about to cooperate on a footwear collection, set to launch in October:

The collection will be based on the construction of Ugg’s sheepskin boots “with design details that embody the spirit of the Jimmy Choo brand,” the two companies said in a statement.

Prices for the line will range from $595 through to $795, and the collection will be carried at select Jimmy Choo and Ugg Australia stores and the two labels’ online stores, as well as at certain department and specialty stores that carry Jimmy Choo.

I can't even begin to imagine what these shoes are going to look like, but I'm ready to be amused.

Chimera illustration by Rich Morris

I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots

I can't stop looking at the Barneys newsletter you see above. These Jil Sander boots are perfect.

I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I Do Not Need Another Pair Of Black Boots. I do not need...

The It Shoe

I have to give props to whoever does the PR for Christian Louboutin. They managed to get these peep-toe platforms on just about every foot these last couple of weeks. They seem to be a mandatory item for celebs from Cannes to Hollywood, though most opted to wear theirs on the red carpet and not for prancing around like Hayden Panetierre. In any case, as much as the idea of celeb uniform is amusing (I have a few ideas for more items, inspired by Lady Gaga's wardrobe), I find it a bit ridiculous that everyone is wearing the very same pair of shoes, Louboutin or not. It's also kind of boring.

Photos: Just Jared and Faded Youth Blog

Reflection and Self-Reinvention Part 1: In Which I Brave The MBT Boots

I've been curious about MBT Shoes and their big promises from the very first time I spotted their bulky soles in the Bliss catalog (by the way, either someone has been stealing the brochures from my mailbox lately or they stopped sending them. And now that I think of it, I didn't get the discount code for my November birthday, either. What's up with that?). What has always stopped me from ordering a pair has always been their aesthetics (or lack of) and the laces. I don't do laces.

But when the opportunity to test the MBT boots presented itself, I just couldn't resist . The boots are tall (14" shaft), fit snugly around the calve (no Uggly bulk) and are almost sleek for active footwear. They don't look like athletic shoes, which is a huge plus in my book. The question was: would I be seen wearing them in public?

The answer is yes. As part of my birthday resolutions, I decided to be more active in general, not necessarily as "exercise", but more as a lifestyle. You can't really do that in Manolos.

The last couple of months have found me tucking my jeans into the Tambos and braving the world, both for long walks around town (walking to Starbucks. Who would have thought?) and for those inevitable days of mall-shopping (this is Jersey. Malls are considered the wild wide world).

My first observation was how comfortable these things are for my poor flat feet. The fit and support in all the right spots makes for easy wearing and no pain at all, despite the odd angle of the sole, which is the whole point here. Thankfully, the 2" heel was enough for my flat-phobia.

The very first time I tried the MBTs on, I had to re-learn standing. It's true that the shoes affect your posture and force you into more awareness of the way you hold yourself. You need to re-center yourself and balance your weight differently. It was an odd sensation, but not unpleasant. Supposedly, this is what starts the extra muscle activity, which is something I only felt when spending a lot of time walking in the boots. While I never noticed I was making more effort when actually walking (it was as comfortable and pleasant as any super-comfortable shoes. Not that I would know such footwear if it hit me in the head), but after the fact I felt muscles that have definitely not been used in regular long walks ever before.

It reminded me of the first time I used Gladys, my elliptical, years ago. It was so easy and effortless I had no idea I was giving myself the thigh cramp of the century. Of course, being in much better shape than back in the day and not doing much besides walking, it wasn't even half as bad. Soon I adjusted and started wearing the MBTs regularly. It's not that they replace any of my high heels and personally I prefer them with jeans and not with skirts or dresses, but for very casual days when I try to accomplish something on top of errands/shopping, these are a good alternative that adds some value to the mall experience.

Bottom line: There's something to the hype over the MBT shoes. Of course, you actually need to use them extensively enough to make a difference, and for at least a couple of hours at the time, if not for a full day. If you do, it's an extra workout for some muscles. I'm considering getting a pair of their maryjane-alikes when it's no longer boot weather.

MBT shoes and boots ($230-$390, depending on model) are sold offline and online at many stores. As mentioned above, Bliss catalog is one source, as are Zappos.com and Nordstrom. The pair of boots I received was a PR freebie.

Let's Start The Week On The Right Foot

I don't have the right to make fun of the hair, because that was my hair style in 1986 (I was 15 and it was the eighties. We were allowed to look stupid). But the story here is the shoes. Can you imagine the agony?

Images: Dlisted

In Her Shoes

I know this is probably not the best way to start your week, but on the other hand, why not have a good laugh?

Posh is bringing being a fashion victim to a new level while promoting the latest Beckham perfume. I don't want to know how her feet smell inside whatever it is that she's wearing.

Photo: A Socialite's Life

Happy Labor Day!

Are you putting your white shoes away?


Stuart Weitzman shoes: Zappos.com

More Celeb Nails: Charlize Does Black

I don't know how I feel about this black (or is it the darkest navy? I looked at several photos and it mostly looks black) nail polish Charlize Theron was sporting yesterday at a Tokyo event. I'm also not crazy about the black bra under a sheer beige top (too Madonna circa her bra-showing days). But the shoes are fabulous (as is the vampy pedi) and I love that they're a bit broken-in.

Images: Just Jared

For The Love Of Feet- Taryn Rose Sandals

Forget ballet flats.

I mean, really, forget them.

Yes, I know they're cute for as long as you can erase the mental image of Amy Winehouse in her ratty, blood-stained ones. And I know that J. Crew make them in very nice prints. But in reality, if you have flat feet, a shoe that doesn't have enough of a sole for shock absorbency is a ticket to painville. And, from what I hear from my friends who were blessed with a nice ballerina arch, they require some serious support, too.

Personally, my flat feet and I are much more comfortable in well-made high heels. There's a reason Sarah Jessica Parker was wearing Manolos all over the city when she was nine months pregnant with her son. I consider his mary-janes an orthopedic shoe. They are that comfortable.

I only make one exception. Not only are my hooves ridiculously flat, but also heat sensitive. No matter how comfortable the shoe, if I'm walking for an extended amount of time and the weather is balmy, things get ugly fast and we're getting into blisterland.

A few years ago I attempted to walk all over Paris in a pair of stylish ballet flats. They were quite nice, bought from Sacco, who make pretty and comfortable shoes. By the end of the day I was considering amputation, and spent the rest of the trip wearing my trusty J. Crew wedge flip-flops. Elegant it was not, and I beg forgiveness from all the French people reading this, since I wore these non-shoes everywhere, from Gallerie Lafayette to the Musee d'Orsay (I change into high heels when going out for dinner, though).

Now, I think I can retire the flip-flops. These Taryn Rose sandals are named Tyra, but I'll ask you to ignore the name and have a look. They are amazingly comfortable while still cute, have a thick, absorbent sole and don't chaff my skin. Even the thong part is soft and easy on the area between the toes. and French people will no longer have a reason to throw things at me.

Taryn Rose sandals are available from Saks and Neiman's, but I bought mine online from Zappos, where they are significantly cheaper.

Analyze This

I get that Rihanna is a young, beautiful pop star. This status definitely allows for some questionable fashion choices. The goddess of teenage girls remembers Madonna circa 1984 and the millions of fans who ran out to but fingerless lace gloves and tied ratty ribbons in their hair (for the record, I never had a buckle that said "Boy Toy", just so you know).


Now, I like the combination of a sweet but sexy corset and those punk cuffs. I can also deal with Rihanna's shoes and with the concept of wearing tons of makeup (I would never tell Chrissie Hynde to go easy on the eyeliner). But that lipstick color is just way too much and would look tacky on anyone outside of the pop star context, especially when worn with that nail color.


Speaking of tacky, Ashlee Simpson, who otherwise looks very pretty here has ruined the whole thing with these sandals. I love colorful shoes and orange is one of my favorite colors, but this pair just looks cheap to me. Interestingly enough, Cameron Diaz wore the same footwear, only in white, to the same event, 20th Annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards last Friday, where she was photographed all shiny-faced.


Opinions? Help me see the light?

Images: Hollywood Rag

Things you can wear when you're 18

Hayden Panettiere is probably the only one in the universe who can wear thigh high boots without channeling the classy Mrs. Ice-T.

Don't try this at home. Please.

Images: The Superficial

Sole-less

This slide show from today's NY Times not only brings new meaning to the phrase fashion victim, but also proves to us that even runway models aren't perfect. Someone here is in a dire need of a good pedicure.

And no, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. These YSL shoes (designed by Stefano Pilati, shown in Paris fashion week) don't have a sole. Only the metal rod you see in the picture, which keeps both part of the sandal together .

Chunky Heels

Speaking of questionable heels (see previous post), a Bergdorf Goodman newsletter declared yesterday the return of chunky heels. It's not exactly a surprise: We've been seeing it on runways, and it can also be considered as part of the natural fashion cycle: The next logical step after the platform shoe.

Some of these are better than others (I'm quite fond of the ones by Kors, Fendi and the Yves Saint Laurent seen in the photo, but I could do without the duck beak toe.

Are you sending your stilettos to long term storage?

Miuccia Really Likes Flowers

These Prada shoes (and pants), shown in Milan fashion week, are so incredibly over-the-top, that I just can't stop staring. I'm curious to see a (sane) wearable interpretation. I just might go for it.

Photo: Antonio Calanni/Associated Press from the NY Times

Something to Wear

Among all the booties and shboots filling the stores and providing us all with fond memories of Desperately Seeking Susan, here's a pair from Cole Haan that has been calling my name and fits perfectly with my sense of style. I live in skirts, dresses and jeans. Rarely (if ever) wear pants, so my perfect boots are tall, slim, high-heeled and full of character.


Last fall I embarked on a search for the perfect denim skirt. I found it at J. Crew. That skirt was a great purchase. I wear it year-round, dress it up and down, with boots or sandals, colors or neutrals, and it always looks good. This season they have a new skirt, in a beautiful grey-ish wash, which promptly joined my wardrobe.

A word of advice if you're a size zero: Call the store in advance, because most locations are already out of it. They'd gladly order it for you, but you can do that yourself. While I was at it, I stocked up on opaque tights (20% off when buying three pairs or more).

Rumors of Fall

I'm not sure what was it exactly about these shoes that made me fall in love with them. Might be the colors or the use of two different textures. Now they are mine, and I can almost smell fall (until I open the window, that is).

Miuccia Prada wants us dead

Slow, agonizing death by shoes.

I saw this pair on Shoewawa (the best name ever for a shoe blog, if you're asking me), and had to bring them here. I can dance all night in well-made stilettos, but this is too much. Just look at the slope and imagine the pain.

I see these shoes in Posh Beckham's future. She deserves them.

My Fendi Problem Continues

I thought I was over and done with wedges, but this pair is calling to me. Must be the color.