Falling For Tall Boots

Fall is the time for tall boots.  And I am smitten with the following two styles - both classics to last for ages.

The first is the re-release of the Stuart Weitzman 5050 over-the-knee boot.  It comes in a ton of colors but I think the basic black is by far the sexiest.  And not just because of Miss Kate here.

They are made to go with skinny jeans in the Fall and short skirts for Summer.

The Frye Melissa lace-up riding boot is another classic style. Just like the tall boots I wore for dressage, this boot style will be around forever.

These would also go great with tucked in jeans but they are such an American style staple, you could wear them with long skirts and floaty dresses.  

Stride through the seasons in these grounded styles.

Evolutionary Theory

Sometimes with a designer it is hard to see their evolution and the consistent thread that ties them together from collection to collection. It can be interesting to try and find those connections when each design and collection is so disparate.

But I think it can also be fun to see the obvious themes that morph each year and then how they actually come to life.

In the Fall/Winter 2007 Miu Miu collections (and in the Prada ones as well), we saw a first step of their fanciful creations. I was a big fan of almost everything from this year, especially the ruffled brogues and heels.






For the Fall/Winter 2008 collection, the ruffles went to the next, more futuristic realm.



These are, of course, les wearable than the previous year's shoes, but still, awfully cool.

Now that the beginning Fall and Pre-Fall pieces are coming in, you can see the "safer" version of these ruffles on these gorgeous Prada sandals. They remind me of how my black satin Prada flower heels are the safer version of their Spring 2008 runway cousins.



I would wear these in a second!



Not that I need another pair of black heels but they are just so gorgeous. And would remain wearable forever. It's very hard to resist.

Prada Suede Ruffle Sandals - at Neiman Marcus.

Imitation = Flattery?

In spite of them being obviously ridiculous and only for a runway show, you had to know that a shoe as recognizable as these platforms from the Dior 2007 ready-to-wear show would be knocked off sooner or later.

Well, Zinc, with their Josie platform heel, have tried their best. And I'm not saying it's a bad copy, but do you think the demand is there?

The color is pretty but do you think it's too clunky for all the light dresses and bright colors we have coming out for Spring?

Favorite Fall Colors

I love Fall. I love that it's still dark when I wake up (sort of) and it's getting dark when I'm driving home from work. The cool weather, crunchy leaves, bonfires in the backyard and romping around with the dogs.

Coming from Florida I never really had a Fall until we moved two years ago. we get the seasons now and it's still so novel to me. And I love the colors - dark greens, mossy browns, deep red, bright pumpkin...



Pedro Garcia (whom I'm having a bit of a love affair with lately) seems to be ready for fall if these heels are any indication. These are pointier than mine but still have the trademark frayed edges and I love that deep moss color.



Pumpkins! I can't wait to roast em up, puree them and make a pie!



And aren't these gorgeous??? I love that the colors are called "Fossil" and "Flame". So pretty!

I never really wore orange a lot but I am getting more and more into it. It is a strong but really versatile color.





Not really for kicking around in the leaves but I bet they look great with a pair of jeans and a JCrew cable-knit cashmere sweater (and cute patterned headband, of course!).

P.S. Photos courtesy of Katmystiry and Catalepsy on Flickr

Keep the shine on

While I love the muted tones of grey/charcoal/graphite/anthracite for Fall and Winter, you need some shine to keep everything from being too soft and muted. Silver is grey's bright and shiny cousin and is perfect for mixing with your grey wool skirts and opaque black tights. I'm making a list of all of my Fall needs, wants and "desires" so I don't get too out of control when I'm drooling over all of the fabulous Fall clothes, shoes and accessories.

Not a lot of silver here, but I love the shape and sparkly-paillette hem of this Vera Wang dress.


I so hope I win the lottery any day now so I can get this tunic from Vivre. It is not just flow-y, shiny and covered with sequins... the sequins are made of sterling silver! It's like a modern day "Cloth of Silver/Gold". I think I would wear this at least once a week - and I'd have to because I couldn't afford anything else.



I was getting all giddy looking at the opaque tights and plaids and wool skirts that I was a little crazy when I saw these heels from Guess. I had to do a shoe search to find them in my size, but I eventually got them. I've seen a million silver heels lately (heck I own a few silver heels), but I love the distressed texture of these.

Guess Kasenna

They have a classic shape and color, which I can wear for years, but still look totally on trend right now. They'll be great with the pleated skirts I want to get, plus jeans and denim skirts.

I know it's a million degrees, but now is the time to jump on all the Fall stuff coming out, because selection will be limited later. The only problem is that you have to wait for it to cool off!

Love with the head or the heart?

I'm not really sure why I love these shoes. I have a feeling that the strap may be stretchy (okay, maybe not) and that the heel is bordering on the dreaded "camel-banana" heel, but I still love them and want them.

Prada Bi-color Mary Janes in Nero and Arde suede

Maybe it's because they look like velvety soft smoke. Maybe it's because they call the colors Nero and Arde rather than the more plebeian black and grey. Maybe it's because they look like smudgy graphite from a really soft pencil. Or maybe it's that they will look freaking amazing with opaque black tights and a skirt for Fall.

They're snuggly... I want them.

Best boots

All the Fall boots are coming out and I know there will be controversy about this... but, I think these are the best boots from Autumn/Winter 07.

Miu Miu Bow boots. They look really soft, a great heel, not too pointy or chunky. And I love the extra embellishment of the bow. It's not too overdone. Over jeans or a just over-the-knee skirt would be perfect.

They're $995 but just delicious. Well done again Miu Miu.