Topic: Shoes

January 18, 2013

Slam Dunked: Take Two

Here we go then! After my last post where I mentioned the leopard print Nike Dunks trainers I ordered were too small – and last size in stock on Spartoo shoes, I swapped them for these. Pink and lime green Nike Dunk GS! They are probably a bit more on the pink side than I would usually have gone for but I liked the lime and black. Thanks to everyone for voting on my Facebook for which colour I should go for that was fun!

I will most likely wear them for walking the dog and stuff, not in a fashion way. Should you be seeking some fashionably ways to wear trainer though have a look at this Pinterest board I did.

January 14, 2013

Slam Dunked

You all know I’m not really a trainer person,well not during the last ten years anyway. Yet for some reason I really fancied having a new pair of trainers for the summer, just for kicking around in. I think the sportswear culture has become more mainstream lately as more and more people are buying into the look. I spotted these cool Nike Dunks whilst checking out the shoes in the Spartoo.co.uk sale and couldn’t resist. To my utter dismay they only had one pair left in a half size smaller than I usually take. I figured I would try them as you never know but alas they just weren’t wide enough. Sob. I snapped some photos for you before I packed them back up for return. They have the Dunks in some other colours which I can swap them for so not all bad. But aren’t these awesome in the leopard print!

Cool aren’t they!

December 31, 2012

The Shoes I Wore 2012

I thought it would be cool to take a look at what shoes I’ve worn over the last year. Some pairs I only wore once, others pretty much daily! My least worn shoes are the Louboutins, in fact the two pairs you see here are no longer with me. My inflammatory arthritis just got too bad and I could no longer wear them without being in pain. But hey when Christian Louboutin himself says “I try to make heels as comfortable as they can be, but my priority is design, beauty, sexiness. Comfort’s not my focus” you start to think maybe he’s a bit of a douche bag. I still have my toffee round toe Loubies but seems like their comfort was a bit of an accident! As always the comfiest shoes by far for me are Vivienne Westwood. This year I have worn to death my gold ‘animal toe courts’ and black ‘Bondage’ boots.

It will also be known as the year I finally trashed my red ‘Mary janes’, after 7 or so years of wearing them in all sorts of weather a torrential down pour in Northampton finally stained the toes forever. High street brand of choice goes to Zara for really well made shoes at cheapy prices, my purple and red sandals were a bargain at £30! The big shoe trend this year has been the wedge sneaker, I still have a hilarious tale of woe on that front – I was sent a pair, for review, only to be sent a pair with a 2cm heel difference, hmmm. So failing on that front the closets I got to the sporty trend were the Y3 ‘Torsion’ heels and the Vivienne Westwood ‘Tracey trainers’ who found themselves on loan for the Sneaking into Fashion exhibition.

How many pairs of new shoes did I get this year? I dread to think but two pairs which made a huge impact on my collection were the vintage VW ‘Elevated platforms’ and the vintage red ‘Heart Buckle’ stillettos – bartered for whilst running around a hospital car park trying to get reception on my Blackberry, with a iffy email account and my even iffier French! I wasn’t entirely sure until they came what I had bought. Those are the highs, what about the lows? Well this year I wore a fair few pairs of flat shoes, my trusty Chanel ballet pumps took a back seat as I stomped around in Air Step furry boots, VW ‘Roman 3-Strap’ sandals, VW ‘Pirate boots‘ and even a pair of Keds.

What other shoes are memorable this year? Well I can’t go without mentioning my burnt gold LK Bennett pointy stilettos. A serious bargain from TK Maxx these saw me through February’s London Fashion Week and many more occasions. The brand itself being thrown into the limlight thanks to mega fan Kate Middleton and I can see why she relies on them for style and comfort. I am not sure I could truly call a favourite pair but if I had to I would say the red VW ‘Animal toe Mules’ take a top seat. Why? I really have no idea, they are a funny looking shoe and for years I hated the style. I wouldn’t even have tried them on if not for me being at a private sale type thing and they were there in my size. I originally wanted the regular court shoe (and still do) but figured I might as well give them a try. I did and I fell in love with them. The only pair of red ‘Animal toe courts’ they had left were in a size up, so I took them home for my mum – and yes I have tried stuffing them with insoles and parading around the house in them, and no I can’t get away with it ha ha! But they are definitely on my ‘save up for’ list.

There you have it, a year in shoes. Up next a year of my favourite outfits.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

December 30, 2012

Cinderella Stories

Christian Louboutin

Versace

Two designers interpretation of the Cinderella fairy tale for the Harrods windows. Christian Louboutin used cream lace over tulle studded with sparkling Swarovski crystals and applique butterflies (top). Versace went for a modern pointed stiletto in clear PVC, accents of metallic pick used on the heel and the brand logo. Both houses choose court shoes in their design. Accompanying a shimmering full skirted strapless gown. On the street outside a huge clock face is projected, the hands almost at 12 midnight.

Walt Disney (courtesy Disney)

The Cinderella story we are all most familiar with today is likely to be the Walt Disney version, where the handsome Prince rescues Cinderella from her cruel step-mother and awful step-sisters. The presence of the glass slipper is pivotal to the story, had the girl not lost her slipper, the Prince would have had no means of finding her again. The fact that the slippers are crafted from glass makes no sense, a real pair of glass shoes could never be worn, the material would be unmoulding preventing the foot from flexing and of course it would be dangerous, at risk of shattering. Why is the the slipper being made from glass important to the story? The material itself is not at all malleable and prevents the anyone but the true owner from fitting into the shoe – securing the Prince finding it’s rightful owner. The unrealistic nature of the shoe also lends further magic to the fairytale. The tale itself however can be traced back for many years and across many countries. The main theme of the lost shoe is retained however the shoe comes in the form of leather sandals, fur shoes and even gold slippers.

Maison Martin Margiela (courtesy of MaisonMartinMargiela.com)

Throughout my childhood I often wondered what a real pair of glass slippers would look like. Maison Martin Margiela created a beautiful glass version, purely for show of course. For all practical purposes a material such as transparent perspex would work giving a similar illusion to glass. Only trouble is when you mention a perspex shoe most people will recall the traditional stripper shoe! High fashion has created many stylish variations such as my personal favourite Prada SS10 and the recent reinvention of the Maison Martin Margiela perspex wedge for H&M. So perhaps we can all be modern day Cinderella’s.

Pole dancing shoes (courtesy hotstrippershoes.com)

December 24, 2012

Wearable Art: Milly J Customised Shoes

Last week I went to visit Northampton Shoe Museum. The Museum is one of the largest collections of shoes in Europe and covers the entire ground floor. There are two permanent exhibition rooms, a changing exhibition space and the ‘Shoe Lounge’. The lounge is an a gallery which also boasts comfortable couches so you can have a coffee surrounded by fabulous shoes. The show space in the gallery at the moment is filled with the awe inspiring creations of Milly J, from shoe sculptures to wearable art, they are a thing to behold. I particularly liked the pink wedge ankle boots and the court shoes covered in orange slices. Enjoy!

November 24, 2012

Hello 6″ Platforms!

“Shoes must have very high heels and platforms to put women’s beauty on a pedestal” – Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood’s 1990 ‘Portrait’ collection was all about stepping out of a painting. Vivienne was hugely inspired by the Wallace Collection taking inspiration from things she saw there. With prints taken from Andre Charles Boulle furniture transformed into black velvet dresses with gold leaf. Details from Francois Boucher paintings were made into waist cinching corsets, pearl chokers and drop earrings adding to the opulent look. The key to the collection however were the pedestal’s the models were put upon, the 6″ platform heels. My black suede platforms are from that first collection, though you can still have a pair custom made from Vivienne’s shop today. Due to the sturdy platform and chunky heel they aren’t as difficult to walk in as you might think. I would only wear them for a night out, however it makes me smile to think in my teens I used to wear a pair of boots with this heel daily! These days I am lucky if I can manage a night out, ah the joys of youth.

Portrait collection and cabinet from the Wallace Collection

Vivienne Wore a pair of patent platforms to collect her OBE, she also flashed the photographers too!

A few years later Vivienne created the Super Elevated Platform shoes, which Naomi famously fell on the runway wearing. Here she is with Kate moss in looks from the Anglomania 1993 collection, I adore this photo of them. How I would love Kate’s coat.

You can see this great video of Vivienne taking a tour of the Wallace Collection and explaining the influence it had on her collections.

(Other images courtesy Vivienne Westwood Ltd)

October 19, 2012

Lovely New Slippers

EMU ‘Jolie‘ Slippers

I’m ill again, or still ill I suppose. It is frustrating not being able to share outfit photos – believe me it’s not pretty right now, so I have been getting creative over the last week. It has actually been nice to get to write some different types of posts, but don’t worry I will bring out some extra special outfits to make up for it. After the hacking cough I’ve now lost my voice so I’m feeling sorry for myself.

I guess it must be winter then and with it the fun games you get to play on the commute to work… wrestling with people over who want the window open, using your scarf as a gas-mask as yet another person sneezes without a tissue, blerg. On the plus side I really do like winter fashion, I like coats, scarves, gloves and jumpers. But for the most part I prefer winter viewed from my window, whilst I’m wrapped up warm inside. Last year I got myself a pair of EMU sheepskin slippers and wore them pretty much every day since, they even survived two rounds in the washer. After doing the decorating in them, they started to look a bit sorry for themselves so I treated myself to a new pair. I have to say they are such high quality, I’d usually get through about six pairs of regular slippers over a year so they are good cost-per-wear too. I don’t just wear my slipper in the house either I end up running around the garden in them after the dogs and putting washing out and stuff so having a really sturdy pair has become essential. The sheepskin makes them so snug and warm, I don’t know what I would do if I had to go back to plain old slippers now. The only warning I need to give – make sure you don’t get too comfortable and go out without your shoes on, oh yeah I got half way down the path before realising I still had my slippers on once!

September 25, 2012

Winter Florals & Cowboy Boots

Embroidered boots by Eden

I know I’m meant to be resting up but I got bored so thought I would have a little browse online to see what new season goodies I could lust after – you know I have to start with shoes. When I laid eyes on these I just had to share them with you, aren’t they absolutely gorgeous! Two key trends this season are Dark Florals think Alexander McQueen’s McQ and Cowgirl thanks to Isabel Marant, these combine the two wonderfully. I was meant to be looking for a new pair of winter boots, something practical like warm sheep skin boots or sturdy biker boots but I am so tempted with these. They remind me of my super high heeled Christopher Kane embroidered boots, but of course I could wear these everyday. Perfect with dresses and thick ribbed tights There is a similar version in black by Elva which are really nice too.

What do you guys think?

August 31, 2012

Spur of the Moment Shoes Purchase!

Y3 shoes from TK Maxx

You know when you are just out browsing, just having a look, killing some time and all of a sudden you decide to buy something totally not your usual style just for the hell of it? Well that! I saw these super cool Y3 shoes, that’s the label by Adidas and Yoji Yamamoto and I had visions of myself all spots-luxe a bit Alexander Wang street sports cool! Obviously I get them home and realise I have absolutely nothing to go with these shoes – or are they trainers? But hey I do like a challenge, I’m thinking maybe the Wang blazer, slouchy t-shirt, tailored trouser possibly even a baseball cap…? I also have to mention how comfy they are, seriously the are actually like trainers, so soft and padded, why more heel’s don’t come with that I’ve no idea. They are almost bouncy!

What do you think, are they keepers?

August 27, 2012

Girl Crush – Emanuelle Alt

(Michael Perry patent boots, Rupert Sanderson ‘Bessie’ heels, Kat Maconie ‘Camilla’ boots)

I have a confession to make, sometimes when I’m out shopping I shop for a tiny Emanuelle Alt who lives in my head. She is the version of me and how I would dress had I been born with an extra 9″ and thin as a rake. Don’t get me wrong I have no problem with my body but sometimes there are some trends I love but alas cannot pull off! How I would love to be able to rock a pair of skinny jeans and a baggy t-shirt like Emanuelle, she has the perfect figure and attitude for dressing simply. She always dresses it up with either a statement jacket, think leather or shoulder padded blazer or a killer pair of heels favoring designers Isabel Marant and Balmain. I was just checking out the new season shoes on offer and spotted some gorgeous pairs, for some reason blue is appealing to me. Here are three of my favourite and whilse I’m not sure if they are my own style I think they would be perfect for Emanuelle. I can just imagine her in the Michael Perry patent ankle boots with their rows of tiny buckles. The kitten heel Rupert Sanderson’s are typical of her style, she often favours a black court shoe but the navy detailing adds a nice splash of contrast. I have a pair of Prada kitten heels which are similar to this which I can’t wait to get out again this season although it will be with skirts not skinny’s for me! Finally I chose these midnight blue velvet Kat Maconie boots, they are just so beautiful and the velvet seems so luxurious for winter. They are a little different to what Emanuelle would wear but hey every girl needs to try something new every now and again. As for me I really think shades of blue and navy will be my think for autumn / winter.

Do you ever ‘Shop’ for other people?

(Image of Emanuelle Alt via Stockholm Street Style)