Friday, January 29, 2010

Betty or...

I always think of that scene in "Never Been Kissed" where they talk about Betty and Veronica.

Sam: I always liked Betty better.

Josie: Really?

Sam: Yeah. Betty was so spunky and fun. I mean,
Veronica had the great legs, but she was too
moody. Very high maintenance.

It's true. I like cornball movies. I want to be Betty but somehow I always go in for Veronica. That goes for shoes, too, apparently.

Motorcycle boots seem to have a certain cachet, and something about them that never goes out of style. Add to that the Frye factor, and you have an eternal classic. I rarely wear flat boots, but these have become a staple in cold weather. I don't mind letting these boots get rough or worn, even dirty, because it's part of their charm and actually makes them look even better like that.

I loved these so much I actually bought them in both brown and black. I've since sold the brown and just stayed with black, which suits both me and my wardrobe better.

Frye Veronica Slouch, 2006 (?)

Fit on these boots is true-to-size BUT has the added difficulty of being hard to pull on the foot. I sized up because the foot opening is incredibly narrow, but then my foot slides in the boots. It's a catch-22, not only could I not size down in these, but I cannot wear thick socks to make up for the size difference either -- the narrow opening doesn't allow for it. Due to the sizing issues I only find these moderately comfortable.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

I think I've talked about how touchy of a subject knockoffs are. I'm on the fence. Designers have been copying each other for decades, making it hard to say who's was there first. I can't say I've never been guilty of buying a knockoff either. (Can you?) I certainly can't cast the first, or any stone for that matter, so instead I'll just blog about the similarities.

First up, we have the "Studded Pumps" from Forever 21 (available here). They are cute and pretty decent quality for the price. They aren't quite as stud-filled as the pair they are trying to be, but perhaps that is what is keeping them from being sued? They don't quite have the "I will CUT YOU" factor of the Louboutins, but they do give off an air of "I will probably cause you (but not your wallet) some moderate damage!" Either way, for $30 (and I'm sure I'll get stoned myself for this) they aren't half bad.


Forever 21 "Studded Pumps"



Christian Louboutin 100mm Studded Pigalle

Sizing on the Forever 21 shoes is true-to-slightly narrow. I took a US 7, but would need padding. I haven't tried on the pigalles, but if you can find them -- they run larger like most current season Louboutins.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

With a bow on top

Always on the hunt for interesting hosiery, I picked up these stay-ups from sockdreams (I swear they don't even give me money, I'm just in love with their selection and prices).

Beautiful sheer beige nylons with slightly raised stripes going down. They have a delicate pattern at the bandings and a bow, if you're into that schoolgirl thing. (I'm not) There's a lot more I could say about how much I love these -- how they actually stay up, how sexy yet elegant they look, etc.

Leg Avenue Sheer pinstriped Thigh Highs with Bows

Fit on these is like most thigh highs from this brand, "one size fits most 90-160lbs" but the bonus on this pair is they are available in plus size as well.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Strassed out

I went away for the weekend and didn't buy a thing outside of food. I know! Unbelievable, right? Here I had this awesome city at my finger tips with cool stores and yet nothing was calling to me. I didn't even feel like going in some of the stores. It's possible I'm under the weather.

Or could there be another option? Hmm. Well, my friends, let me tell you how strassed I've been. Strass, not stress. I declared myself "shoe-banned" (yeahrite) except for "holy grails". I had admired these shoes for quite some time, but I didn't feel right calling them my holy grails because I never thought they would show up anywhere remotely near my budget.

Alas, about 20 minutes after these beauties were posted on eBay, a lovely tPF'er posted them on the deals thread. They were an incredible deal, so operating under the principle of "buy now, think later" I did a buy-it-now, and a few days later they arrived in the tiniest box I ever thought one could possibly shove a pair of shoes in.

I feel so fortunate, and almost like a fraud for copping these beautiful shoes. They are nearly impossible to find, especially in velvet instead of satin, but I will just count my blessings and wear them as often as possible in homage.

(Okay so the Eugenies aren't really true strass, but they are as close as I'll ever get so that's what I'm calling em)

Christian Louboutin Eugenie in Magenta Velvet with Swarovski Crystals

Fit on these is true-to-size to slightly small. I knew these were going to be snug when I bought them (shut it, like you don't buy too-small-for-you things, too), but they aren't as small as some shoes from this brand. These are a 36.5 and a 37 would have been perfect, or possibly a 37.5 with padding. The heel height may seem daunting (140mm), but with a double platform, they are actually pretty comfortable.

UPDATE: I was able to find these in a 37.5, which fit much more comfortably for me than the 36.5. They only need padded slightly so I will again say "tts to slightly small".

Monday, January 4, 2010

It's snowing, it's snowing! God, I hate this weather...

(Now I walk through blizzards just to get us back together). Who could resist a little bit of Cub's "New York City" when thinking of snow? Not me. I really do hate this weather though. I hate being bundled up, frostbitten fingers while I try to drive, slush. Really, though, I think I hate the most that I feel so unfashionable in the wintertime. I don't subject my shoe babies to the salt-littered streets, and you shouldn't either.

I've never tried on a pair of snow boots that didn't make me feel like a suburban soccer mom. Rainboots on the other hand -- hmm. Maybe it's the rubber or the wonderful patterns that are out there that make me smile every time I look down at my feet.

I love Pucci prints, but it took awhile for me to find this specific print. They had sold out cheaply in-stores, but like anything I was late to the train of realizing I needed them. Several months of eBay searching turned these up. They aren't warm at all, but armed with a pair of wool socks and hot cocoa in hand, they keep me toasty.

Pucci always does a different printed rainboot, but these still pop up on eBay occasionally.

Emilio Pucci Rainboots, Fall 2006 (?)

Fit on these, like any rainboot, is huge. These are a 37 and I really need a 36 (even with the overly puffy wool socks). The comfort is so-so, but relative to the material. They do make quite a splash in puddles.