Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong

What is happening here? Why, oh why would anything coming from Miu Miu, namely these flats,...



Miu Miu elasticated cut-out shoes - $395

... look, even remotely, like something from Crocs.



Crocs Prima "flats" - holy crap, are you kidding me? $25!

That is just so, so wrong!

Store Focus: Spiegel

I get a lot of catalogs. And I mean A LOT. When Christmas time rolls around, it becomes truly disgusting the amount of stuff that comes in the mail. Most of the time, however, I love catalogs and online ordering. With my crazy schedule, and my low patience for crowds, I prefer not to schlep around to the stores.

One catalog that I have always looked at but never really purchased from is Spiegel. They are a pretty comprehensive book with clothes, shoes, purses, accessories and even some home goods. I think part of the reason I've never really considered them is because I have this perception in my mind that they are full of clothes that are too Garanimal matchy-matchy, too crazily designed or too full of outfits like this:



Ugh! Or just as bad, something like this:



How wide are those friggin' pants? Anyway, even though those are actual pieces from Spiegel and they are hideous, I believe that, if you search and are selective, any store can yield a few gems that can enhance your wardrobe. A few of the pieces that rose to the top were this chiffon color-block dress. I love the colors and the style, but I think I would have done this in a less wrinkly fabric.



I do love a red suit and this has a great shape, especially the neckline and seaming of this jacket. It's sexy and professional.



I also really like this leather croc-embossed skirt. Really versatile with a great shape. I think it look much more expensive than it is. Good find there.



One thing I did notice as I was going though the book was a very strange trend in the shoe styles. Now overall the shoes in the catalog were not good. And to me, there were a great number that looked like orthotic shoes.

I have several friends who, for various reasons, have to wear orthotic shoes and/or inserts. And I know that it must be a major challenge to find shoes that are stylish but can also accommodate their needs. So, I'm sure these are some great options. However, I don't think this is what Spiegel intended and that is what has me confused. Take a look at these and tell me what you think.


Cheetah print wedge - $55


Slip-on wedge skimmer - $49


Wedge ankle boot - $59

I can't even recommend them for this purpose because they don't position them as good for orthotics, but if you get them and find they help you expand your shoe wardrobe and you like the styles, let me know.

There are some other options that do bring a more affordable price tag to some classic and even designer styles. I like the metallic (hopefully not plastic) look of these brogues that would be right at home with the menswear styles I featured earlier.


Platform Oxford - $59

I also think these chunky Mary Janes would get a lot of wear paired up with jeans and skirts.


Mary Jane pump - $49

So, overall I'd give Spiegel a 50%. There are some shudder-inducing clothes but there are some fun options too. And the prices aren't too bad. Worth checking out and picking a few key items. I think if I do place an order, I'm going to grab this hoodie here. It's my favorite thing out of the whole book - Sequin hoodie $59.




Happy Shopping!

Put your money into podiatry

My Dad, the Croc freedom fighter, was joking to me one day about how much money the product has made and that he wished he had invested in them when they first came out. He said to let him know if I think anything else was going to make as much money so he could invest early.

I said: "Start looking into podiatry and orthotics. There is going to be a huge rise in foot-related problems showing up earlier and earlier because of so many people, especially young women, wearing flip flops all of the time."

And now, ABC is saying its true too - check out the video here. (It was also featured on Yahoo today, if you don't want to sit through the ad)



In the video (and a corresponding article) they state:

"Flip-flops have singlehandedly caused more problems with people's feet in the last couple years than probably any other type of shoe," said Dr. Rock Positano, a podiatrist at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery.

I believe it. I've never really liked flip flops. I think it stems back to when I was a kid. I remember having a pair when I was 10 or something and I was wearing them while I was riding my bike. The toe of the flip flop hit the ground when I was pedaling and it got caught, dragged me down off the bike and I scraped up the whole top of my foot leaving a scar that I have to this day. I don't really remember wearing them much after that. Plus, I slip out of them all the time. I don't need anything extra making me any clumsier that I already am.

I'm trying out the Fit Flops, but I only wear them around the house. Somehow, I've still jammed my foot while wearing them. This is the same reason I don't wear those wooden sole Dr. Scholl's. I've nearly killed myself on those things before. The only other pair of flip flops I own stay in the car for when I go to get a pedicure. That's it.

I just think they are tacky and inappropriate most of the time - and there are many many people whose feet I would prefer not to have that much visual access to. Shudder! The Manolo has also featured some of the other dangers people have encountered because of flip flops. Check them out here, here, and here. The pictures in the last one are gro-oss. And reinforce my fear of Wal-Mart. Blech!

I know people love them, especially in the summer. Heck, in my office, I would say most people wear them 80% of the time. But I just worry that people are unaware of how dangerous these are for your long term foot health. Just like sun exposure, I think in a few years we are going to get warnings that this type of shoe is responsible for long term, degenerative damage and there will be a huge rise in orthotics, physical therapy and corrective surgery.

My advice is to limit the amount you wear them. Grab a nice pair of Keds instead.

This post's for you!

In one of my earlier posts I talked about my distaste for Crocs (shudder). Well, my Dad thinks I have a vendetta against them and keeps trying to convince me that they are good. While I dislike them and personally would never wear them, my main issue is with people wearing them inappropriately.

If you want to wear them on your boat or in the garden, fine. Just don't subject me to seeing them in the grocery store or at a restaurant.

However, my Dad, the Crocs freedom fighter, told me two negative things about Crocs yesterday that I thought I would share. 1.) His feet get dirty when he is wearing them and 2.) Ants can get in and bite his feet. If you have ever been bitten by fire ants in the South, you know what a bad bad thing that can be.

Aaacckk!

If bad fashion wasn't enough to keep you from wearing them, is this scary enough for you?