Shoe miracle (?)

I have been crowing about the Rock & Republic Sabra booties for months now, and didn't think I'd be able to find them at all. They were sold out, but then secretly a pair in my size showed up on piperlime awhile back and Sarah even had a coupon code for me! I stayed up until midnight to wait to buy my shoes on sale and when I clicked at 12:04 AM, they were GONE.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, my fellow shopping enabler and dear friend Cecilia emailed me that Gilt had these booties, in my size, for way cheaper than I had seen them previously.

I quickly logged in and bought these booties and waited patiently for them to arrive. Being snowed in nearly completely last week had left me thinking I'd never see them, but there they were bright and sunny on Monday, delivered by my faithful UPS guy (back from back surgery).

So... that brings us to the booties themselves. Hmm. I like them, but upon first fitting I thought they looked a bit hoofish. Maybe it's the shape of the toe-box, or the suede, but I guess I haven't let it stop me before.

My only major qualm with these is the pain. Not in my foot, even, but my shins! The tops of the booties are quite stiff and dig into my shins like nobodies business. It's so depressing when something I've wanted so long falls short of the hype, but I still think I'm keeping them. I might try putting some moleskin where they dig into my shins and hope that solves the problem.

Rock & Republic Sabra bootie in black suede and patent leather

The fit on these is true-to-size, but I would say work better on a narrow calf. The heel is quite tall, but there is a hidden platform and exposed platform that make them pretty easy to walk in.

Shock value

I try to keep my shoe collection limited to shoes I actually wear, and every time I have a "spring cleaning" I glance at these vintage Nine West flats. I don't shy away from loud, but I have had a hard time actually imagining what to wear them with. With the cut-outs on the toe and heel, they aren't really winter shoes so perhaps I'll find something springy in the coming months.

The tights were actually inspired by a lady on a fashion forum. She had posted an amazing head-to-toe shocking pink outfit and I thought "that looks so cool!" When I came across these Vivienne Westwood/Wolford collaboration tights at Marshalls for five dollars, I decided to try and make that dream come true. Cheers, Helga!


Fit on the flats is true-to-size (unlike other vintage Nine West shoes, I typically have to size up). The stockings are another story entirely. I waffle between a medium and large in Wolford, but these are like "extended leg medium" (my words not theirs). They are too snug, but also too long. I don't have particularly short legs but these weren't made for someone 5'2" apparently.

Spectator sport

Many years of thrifting has blessed me with quite a vintage collection. I've said goodbye to a lot of those shoes (mostly lower heels), but the ones I kept are special. Not just because I know I won't see anyone else wearing them -- but because they have been years in the making of a well-curated collection. What? Shoes are art, they deserve curating.

Before eBay and resellers came along, my favorite thrift store was a treasure trove with vintage goodies. These delightful spectator shoes were one of my many finds after poring over shoe after shoe.

There's just something enticing about spectators. The pattern, I mean. I feel like a sexy villain, the kind that Dick Tracy falls in love with before ultimately being betrayed. The smooth lines and curves of these shoes elaborate that feeling. The era is difficult to guess, but I would say 80s, just by the look and feel of them, but to me they are timeless.

Vintage Oscar De La Renta Spectator heels

Fit on these is surprisingly true-to-size for vintage. They are a 7.5, and slightly too big for my standard US 7 feet. As with most vintage shoes, however, they run quite narrow.

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.

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.

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.

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".