Week In Review Redux

As I've been looking through shome of my shoe shots and uploading things to Flickr, I see shoes that I haven't worn for while. I get sad... why have I been neglecting them???

So I've been trying to wear some old loves and give them the attention they deserve.

On Monday I wore a white v-neck and linen skirt with a skinny red belt from Target.



The center of attention were my Louboutin gold and cork Prive peep-toes.



Red!



It's amazing how high they are and yet how comfortable. That hidden platform really does it's job.



On Wednesday I had a client meeting so I wore something that I knew would look good and be comfortable - this black dress which I think I've worn about 5 times already. And to keep me from totally freezing, I wore my cropped olive cardigan. The dress is Target and the cardigan is Old Navy.






Oh, yeah... and these gorgeous vintage brocade heels.



Classic, classic retro shape. One of my favorite heels shapes of all time.



This is the good stuff.



And today, I just wanted to hav fun. I mean, I'm not going to be doing much but work work work, so why not?

Grey jersey top with metallic threads, khaki pencil skirt, sparkly silver knee-socks and vintage liquor tag necklace from Etsy.



My favorite part of this is the fact that the silver is a bit worn off. It gives the tag and extra dimension and shows it's age.



Sooooo cute!



But for fun, it was all about the socks and shoes. I always find Delman shoes to be a bit big but I just didn't care. These pink silk stripe-y oxfords were just too adorable.



Yes, I'm wearing them with super sparkly silver knee-socks. That's right. I'm mature.



Oh, yeah. And pink fluffy pom-pom sock garters from Sock Dreams. Pink! Fluffy! Pom-Poms!





I got these from Anthropologie. They called the Parrotfish Oxfords. They look like candy to me. I like. I need to get some baggy khaki pants, suspenders and a white shirt to get all 1920's Garden Party.

Or a cute white swiss dot sundress.... wait! I think I have one of those. I'm off to go search through the closets!

Poochie and Pucci

Duh! Poochie and Pucci - what a natural combo!

Actually I've never been a huge fan of Pucci prints although Manolo and StyleSpy (and friends of Gala) have found some lovely options. But with these, I'm quite the smitten kitten.

I like the pattern and the balance of colors and the shape is very curvy and graceful.




The cork platform is high, but it almost becomes invisible.



And look at that back view - whoo hoo! Sex-ay!




They're pricey - $680. But maybe no one else will like them and I can get them on sale. I'm keeping my eye on these.

Eeeewwww!!!

I can understand that sometimes it is hard for designers to continually keep coming up with ideas, especially with the need for multiple collections throughout the year and increasing competitive pressure.

Resort collections, while an opportunity to break out and have fun with bright colors and playful designs can be a challenge. It's hard to go from just launching a Fall/Winter collection and not yet in the next year's Spring/Summer pieces.

And while I love Resort, I would much rather do without a shoe that looks like it is a hold over from the previous year that got left out in the wet and got all moldy!



Ombre on the main body of the shoe or on fabric can be spectacular. when done on a chunky cork wedge, it just looks like some sort of water seepage or bad dye job problem.



The resemblance is uncanny!



Worse yet, it can look like a full on mold-ridden bio hazard!



Eeeewww!



Grab the bleach!

P.S. If you like these, they are the Yves Saint Laurent Getty Patent T-strap Sandal at Saks - $690!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
Today's outfit is sort of a glam-prep Summer outfit. Kelly green cable summer sweater with 3/4 sleeves, khaki linen a-line skirt and sky-high Louboutin cork heels.




The Focal Point
What else could it be? Of course it's the Louboutins. I love the gold that peaks through the cork and the pattern and texture of the cork itself. I had not worn these yet and I have to tell you, I expected them to be way less comfortable than they are.




It's amazing how the architecture of the shoe can counteract what could be a challenging shoe to wear.

Classic cork

We are in the throes of summer and that is the time for seasonal shoe materials to get their time to shine. Rope, straw, canvas and seersucker get a lot of play but the material that I think is the most unique is cork. It's light, has a great texture, and, unlike the other materials, can be played up fancy or dressed down and casual. While espadrilles and flip flops say summer casual - cork can be crafted into a shoe that will make a statement at the most stylish event.

My favorite cork is used on this pair of Louboutins, below. Pair them with a belted white shirtdress or dress up a pair of jeans - summer doesn't get any more glamorous. There is a contrast with the soft but choppy sheeted cork, the gilded leather below and the vibrant red sole. It is a true marriage of materials and style that creates a classic shoe epitomizing the spirit of the season.

Nine West made their attempt at imitating the Louboutin with the Liatris below. As you can see, although the silhouette and shape is very close, the inferior quality of their cork in comparison to the above, makes for a vast difference. The balance is lost.

But even the master may stumble - with this criscross platform, all of the elegance and class found in the first example is gone.

And then there is that poor unfortunate shoe that should never have been made at all - Office's Wafa Cork sandal.