P(f)urrrfect

Fur seems to be so on-point for fall, and then there's my love of all things Rene Caovilla (and ostentation), which leads me to this latest eBay find.

The taupe satin meshed with the pop of fur at the toe with little jewels embedded make them spectacular. I still like the Gianvito Rossi pair I posted before, but I think these are pretty wonderful, and more practical for my life.

I'm thinking of making them a bit more showy and either glittering the satin or putting crystals on it, but for now I think I'll leave them as they are and let them shine in their simplicity.

Vintage Rene Caovilla Gold Laminato Leather and fur shoes

Fit on these is small-to-size. These are a 37, and while the heel strap is a bit stretched from the previous owner, the length is just right. I'll add a pair of strappy strips to these shoes to make them fit better and then they'll be perfect!

Pea green with envy

For about a month I successfully shoe-banned myself. Then these shoes happened. I'm fairly new (and will probably remain that way) to Rene Caovilla shoes, having only tried on a few pairs (I do own those snake shoes, too), but their allure keeps growing on me.

So, back to the shoe ban. I still have saved searches on eBay, and this brand is one of them, you know... in case a good deal comes along. Interestingly enough, just that deal came along last week and I ended up winning this pair of vintage gorgeousness... for $17. I couldn't believe it myself, and honestly I still can't believe no one bid more.

Vintage Rene Caovilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Mesh and Leather heels

With my new green heels in tow, I set out to find a dress for them. Armed with a J. Crew gift card, I took advantage of their extra 30% off sale code (which ends today, the 28th) and found a pretty dress that seemed to match the Mad Men vibe of these shoes.

I know a lot of people aren't a fan of matchy-matchy, but sometimes I think it's pretty great.

J. Crew Leighton dress in Pine

I can't wait to get the dress, and wear it (provided it fits okay). I'll be sure to post the results.

Fit on the shoes is small, but comparable to vintage sizing. These are a 37, and they are fine in length but narrow at the toe-box. Because of the mesh front of the shoe, I would be worried about the integrity of the shoe if I tried to stretch them, so I do not plan on it. In general, Caovilla shoes are not made for wider feet.

Eve, the apple of my eye

I've got something of a fondness for snakes. In fashion. It started with the craving for the Diane Von Furstenberg Eve snake dress (which I do not own, but would love to -- size 8, 10, or 12, please email me if you see it!). Maybe instead I feel an affinity with Eve.

Diane Von Furstenberg Eve Dress, 2007

One of my favorite all-time movie lines is from Gas, Food, Lodging:

Darius: Well its like Adam and Eve. He was fine
grooving in paradise, but Eve wanted something
scary. She wanted the fucking edge. She wanted
to jump off cliffs just so she could see what
it was like to fall.

And so, like Eve, I gravitate towards the snakes. In this instance, it's shoes. Ever since the Caovilla "Plisse" sandals (which I also do not own, but would love to -- size 37) Rene Caovilla has been on my radar.

Rene Caovilla Plisse Sandals Fall 2009

Like I needed more overly expensive shoes on my brain, right? So now I have the brand saved as a search on eBay, and then these vintage beauties showed up.

Beautiful red satin shoes with an intricate lattice on the uppers, finished with a crystal-encrusted snake. How could I pass up serpent shoes to match my evil personality? I couldn't.

Rene Caovilla Vintage Satin and Crystal Sandals

Fit on the vintage sandals is slightly small. After trying on a bunch of Caovilla shoes in DC, I've found that a 37 is my perfect size in this brand (up from my usual 36.5 open-toe size). These are a 37.5 and are just slightly big, but the ankle strap makes them work great.

Note: polish is a quick hack job of China Glaze's Lubu Heelz.

Vacation (window-) shopping

I was out-of-town this weekend for a conference, and delightedly checked out the shopping in Washington, DC, my beloved stomping grounds from many years ago. I hadn't been there in nearly a year, you may recall the last time I was there for a Louboutin signing, but this time shoes were only a secondary part of my visit.

I only had a bit of time on Sunday to peruse, but I managed to make it to Tyson's Galleria so I could check out the fall wares from Neiman's and Saks. This way, I know my size when sales come as I am decidedly not a full-price shopper. I had wanted to check out the Georgetown shoe shopping as well, but it was so disgusting outside I couldn't deal, and alas I ended up leaving town early.

My favorite find of the trip is from a brand I typically loathe. I'm not sure there's anything that annoys me more than logos ruining the design of something, and Fendi seems to be a master culprit of this habit. First I'll see a beautiful shoe, sadly ruined by their ugly little Fs all "look at me, bitches!"

But, oh the ponyhair! So pretty!

They are available at the Neiman Marcus in Tyson's (703-761-1600) or online at Barneys. I highly recommend the lovely sales associate Tina, who is so wonderful and remembered me, nearly a full year later.

Fendi Ponyhair Bootie, Fall 2010

Fit on these seems true to size. I don't like bugging sales associates when I know I am not buying, so I didn't ask for a larger size than the 36 that was on display, but it seemed as though I would need a 37, but could make a 37.5 work since they are booties. I could not, however, size down.

Next up we have two somethings so fabulous (and completely out of my price range) I couldn't help but try it on. Fur and crystals and satin, oh my! At a mere 3k, surely these would tempt any shoeductress.

Rene Caovilla Jeweled Sandals, Fall 2010

I would say these run true-to-size to slightly small. Both of these were a 36.5 and fit, but just barely. Were I to cough up six thousand dollars (from where, I don't know) and get these, I would probably go with a 37 since there is an ankle strap.

Tomorrow I will weigh in on the not-so-over-the-top, extravagantly priced shoes.