Spotted the Jessica Simpson heels in Missbehave mag last month (see post: If Looks Could Kill - So Can Your Heels), and couldn’t get enough of that heel - so bad ass, so not Jessica Simpson. I loved it though - it reminded me of the shoe Nine West has been pimping out to all editorial this past fall, so it was refreshing to see another utilitarian ankle bootie on the landscape. It had been a while since I last scoped out Go Jane - when I spotted another twinsie - it’s so easy sometimes it baffles me. Although I’m not really a fan of the PVC on the Go Jane shoe - it’s important to be aware that not all shoes need cost $80 and up - markup is a sneaky thing in retail and it’s all about business. In the end - I really hope this heel is translated into other shoes across the market from here on out - to me it is very Galliano, and where has he been?!
Shop bootie @ GoJane.com $42.99
If you’re in Miami - check out the Art Basel Miami Beach ruby slipper collection - ending December 7th! Ruby slipper interpretations from the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, & Roger Vivier - pure eye candy.
NY Times - We’re Off to See the Ruby Slippers
www.ArtBaselMiamiBeach.com
Bakers is sometimes a little too LI for me, a little flashy - but has very cute merch if you take the time to look through and edit. I love the combination of the leather and ruffles, it’s girly sweet but tough - and not to mention the peep toe and ankle bootie union - it’s really all their own. I first spotted these booties in Lucky (December) - in a random editorial spread, and they instantly stood out. They look more like $600, rather than $75 - with a real distinct Louboutin flavor about them - which is really, really pulling at my will power right now.
Shop Bakers.com $74.99 ruffle booties
I’m usually not that excited by diamond or ornate embellishments - I LOVE pyramid studs, but this is a whole other aesthetic. This look is so Holiday - that special time of year when you can get away with sequins before 6pm, every occasion calls for a dress, and the egg nog may as well be through an ice luge. Although I wouldn’t classify these Oscar de la Renta and Target shoes as twinsies, I think there’s definitely some sisterly love going on. I actually prefer the smaller peep toe on the Target shoe rather than lovely Oscar’s - less toe is more when we’re talking December. And - the heel on the Target shoe is actually much higher in reality - a relief because I can’t stand a halfway heel, to me it’s 3 inches plus or bust.
Target $34.99
One of my favorite magazines in the world is Missbehave mag - because they feature the raddest stuff. Take this shoe for example. One would never think it’s by Jessica Simpson’s shoe line. I say Jessica Simpson lightly because we all know who really does the designing for celebrity lines, so I’ll retract because I’m sure it’s a very talented shoe designer and not Jess. I am not a fan of her - one of my old roommates during college, who shall remain nameless, used to hang pictures of her on our fridge so that she would eat smart (at least this is what I interpreted). So, it was like a Pavlovian response to hate Jessica Simpson 3 times a day.
Regardless, these shoes are bangin’ - that heeeeel could grate cheese, I would love to threaten cat callers on the street with those babies. It’s not an expensive line, but it’s not entirely budget friendly either - featured killer shoes going for around $150. Eh, if only it didn’t have her name on them, that talented design team needs to take their work elsewhere!
Lopez boots @ Shoebuy.com
Jenni Kayne Fall 08 RTW. Nowhere to be found just yet, it was hell trying to get this picture! I’m feeling a hot pink movement coming on…so L.A.!
@ Elle.com
One of my favorite girls here in Austin was wearing these L.A.M.B. shoes last night - and looked killer - but I had the sinking suspicion that I had seen them somewhere before. Turns out that the knockoff of these shoes (which are in their current season priced at $319) are on that crazy Ami Clubwear site I frequently feature shoes from - and did just so in the post “Dressing Under $100 (Completely) For All Of The Above”
They are even so distinctly similar down to the zipper trim detail on the rosette. I would say the only dis-similarity is that the L.A.M.B. shoes are matte leather, and the knockoffs are patent. Minor detail in comparison to the gross savings of $296, I am making a purchase as we speak (read/type)!
Shop the $24.99 rosette patent slingback @ Ami Clubwear
Shop the real thing $319 L.A.M.B. “Sidney” @ Zappos
I bought this pair last week - from Payless for $19.99! They are super comfortable, I didn’t have to buy a half size smaller like I usually do in heels, and they’re a great transition away from my much loved Balenciaga-esque gladiators (that I wore out completely this summer). I love having something going on over the top of the foot – that creates a little interest and flavor - rather than just what a pump evokes. I also love being able to still wear peep toes here in TX – it’s like the southern version of fall’s oxford heel.
And - either one of these shoes is a sweet deal. The thing about payless, though – is that they don’t replenish fashion styles like this, so when you find something good I am convinced you should always buy 2 pairs (which would still be less than the competition). Nine West’s may be a bit more structurally sound, but their ecomm site isn’t always the best in terms of size inventory, so now that it’s on sale they may not be able to accommodate.
I once had a mild freak out when trying to order above said gladiators - the site had them as unavailable until next month, so I ran to the closest Nine West on Lex across from Bloomie’s - and lo and behold they just got a new shipment in. Thank God the brick & mortar stores are well-oiled-shoe-addict-machines!
Shop Nine West $59.99 (on sale from $80) & Payless $19.99
Alice + Olivia have been a Go International-diffusion-type brand at Payless for over a year now, but this is the first collection that has registered with the fashion community. There were always just too many ballet flats and not enough oomph. The fire engine red, patent peep toe booties are the key piece, killer - and almost an exact replica (disregard color) to their runway Rivington shoe. The other grey sweater bootie is a close second, I LOVE wedge boots (height still absolutely necessary in winter) - and the handbags have a nonchalant, Coach-esque chic about them.
I actually went into a Payless yesterday to look for them (used to designer collections being in every NYC location) - so the lady tells me they don’t carry them because they start at $40 and that’s usually too $$$ for college kids (University of Texas). This is ridiculous! I lived in a squalor, 4th floor walk-up tenement, shoved against 2 other girls in New York as a student (in reality should cost 10x less than Manhattan market price lets it be) - and could afford to buy $40 shoes. I guess it’s about priorities - C’MON TEXAS!
Shop Alice + Olivia for Payless, above Rivington bootie $48.
Hudson bootie $48
Terry messenger $40
Park clutch $34
I wasn’t a huge fan of Prada Sp 08, but when you have the kind of clout Miuccia does, it’s ok to make slight errors in judgement. The shoes, however, were a full on visual trip. This collection hit editorial just as I was finishing up at V and graduating - also when the Whitney had their psychedelic exhibit going on - where I was able to experience a simulated trip via rooms that create sound based on movement (just a regular Sunday afternoon) . When I first saw these pieces it made me feel like that - like I was in a Dali - time is moving really slowly, things are melting, and everything you know is thrown out the window. Since LSD isn’t what it was in the 70’s, we’re going to have to settle for visual stimulation - and retail therapy.
As you’ll see - Forever 21 has proven that it only takes one season to knock off RTW (lucky for us).
Original Prada via Style.com
Take a trip for $34.80, Forever21.com
