Imitation = Flattery?

It's been a while since I've done an Inspiration = Flattery post.  Sadly for me, I just haven't had the time to browse so I'm probably woefully out of touch with the latest designs, designer or mass.

But when I was excitedly checking out the new Rachel Antonoff x Bass collection, I stopped dead at the multi-color Maebird clear oxfords.  And not just because of their colorful style.

Nope, it was because they totally looked like the Ground Zero x Alex & Rose clear brogues I almost bought last year.

The colors on the RAxB ones are a bit toned down and simplified but the inspiration is there, I think.  I love the sweetly quirky pieces in the Bass/Antonoff collection but now they're a bit sullied for me.

What do you think?

Le Sigh - Simone Rocha Perspex Brogues

Along with sequins and glitter, I have a passion for clear materials - perspex, Lucite and more...

So I'm totally smitten with these chunky brogues tied with a perspex heel by Simone Rocha for Spring/Summer 2012.

They had the black pair at Colette but I'm a fan of the blush pink pair. 

I haven't decided if I'm going to hunt these down, but maybeeeee.......

Inspired by Nature - Jil Sander Brogues

What do you think? Inspiration?

Jil Sander Brogues

What a pop of Pink!

Back to Brogues

Thanks to some of my lovely readers, I've been actually able to track down my dream white oxfords.

But now I face another dilemma... do I get them?

I can get these very shoes but they are 496GPB (approx $740) with the commando soles.  I could get them with flat soles for 305GPB (approx $450).  Pricey.  Which I knew they would be. 

So should I be more frugal? I did order the Steve Madden Milites but they ran very very small. So I sent them back. I could order up and have a frugal option.

Today I got an email about these Robert Clergerie trompe l'oeil Jili wingtips which are interesting but still not cheap at $495 at Barneys.

My newest, and least expensive, option are these Markey oxfords from ASOS.  They're only $63 have a good look but a dark sole.

So, more options.  What do you think?

UPDATED:

Here's another witty option.  Not really a serious contender but unusual... What-A-Cut-Up Brogues from Anthropologie - $238

More to love from JCrew

I know I've said this in the past, but I just love the accessories coming out of JCrew. They are really investing in interesting styles of jewelry, bags and shoes.

The only thing is I am resistant to spending the amount of cash they want me to lay down. I don't know what it is but I just can envision that their shoes should go for $225+. They're gorgeous and all but the connection just isn't there.

That said, I love love the Penelope Mary Janes in Silver and Yellow. Yellow looks like crap on me in clothing but on shoes I can work it in. I even forgive their Miu Miu stealing elements.



These Penelope peep-toes caught my eye first. I love that combo of tan, red and navy. It's very classic American with out looking like a flag in all red/white/blue.



Both of these come in other color combos, but I think these are the best.

Imitation = Flattery?

GAH!

It was bad enough when Steve Madden did it but now another company is jumping on the Miu Miu brogues bandwagon.

These are the Hale Bob Imagine pump, aka the Blatent Copy pump. Has anyone even ever heard of Hale Bob?

WTF?

This is so not a good introduction to your brand.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
On Monday I decided to push the envelope a little bit and really start wearing the knee socks more, so I wore my '06 JCrew tan sweater with the lion crest (with little orange crown to tie back to the bag), a brown skirt and tan/taupe knee socks from SockDreams.com.




The Focal Point
This whole outfit is to bring out the colors and the quirkiness of the Miu Miu brogues with the ruffles.



I debated about wearing lavender socks but the browns and tans all worked together. My socks were a little chunky (they were the O Lovelies) but they stayed up well. I would like to wear a shorter skirt with them, but maybe when it gets more to Spring.

That is the good thing with these shoes. Even though they are for Fall, with the chunkier heel, the colors are delicate enough to work for Spring.