March 2008 Archives

As our shoe closet continues to grow, we are always trying to apply one designer's fit nuances with another. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way...as we all know, each designer sprinkles his/her magic sizing dust into each collection. Many a time, we have bought a pair of Manolo's that weren't quite big enough. Lucky for us, we stumbled upon this quick fit-guide to help us before we shop.

• Chloe: Tends to run true to size.


• Christian Lacroix: Lacroix's tend to run narrow in most styles and have very irregular sizing from shoe to shoe. Lacroix's can run from very small (up to a size and a half small, to true to size). Most times it would be recommended to purchase one half size larger than your usual US size, but because their sizing is so erratic, it would be best to ask the seller about the particular shoe you are interested in.


• D & G: D&G's run a half size small from EUR sizing to US sizing. Example: a 39 would be a US 8.5


• Dolce & Gabbana: Tends to run true to size.


• Donna Karan Collection: Tends to run true to size.


• Emilio Pucci: Pucci's run small. Most times it would be recommended to purchase one half size larger than your usual US size.


• Gianfranco Ferre: Tends to run true to size.


• Guiseppe Zanotti: Tends to run true to size.


• Jean Paul Gaultier: Gaultier's run very small. Most times it would be recommended to purchase a full size larger than your usual US size.


• Manolo Blahnik: Manolo's tend to run small/narrow depending on the style. Most times it would be recommended to purchase a half size larger than your usual US size.


• Marc Jacobs: Tend to run true to size.


• Roberto Cavalli: Cavalli's can run anywhere from true to size to a full size small. Usually the higher the incline the smaller they run, but they can vary from style to style. Most times it would be recommended to purchase one half size larger than your usual US size.


• Taryn Rose: Taryn's run a half size small. It would be recommended to purchase one half size larger than your usual US size.

(Via Studio Blu.)

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With all the talk about Spring Styles, we decided to depart from talking about sandals and flats and...get zippy with it! Yes, zippers have started to make their way into designers pallets as accents - departing from the functional aspects of zippers as we know it. Many of these designs made their way into Spring collections, but look for zippers to be a hot accent for the upcoming Fall collections.

We have highlighted a few of our favorites:

• Christian Louboutin Rodita Zip Plaforms: ($835.00) Via Net-A-Porter
• Sergio Rossi Zipper Sandals: ($744.00) Via Zappos
• Tania Spinelli Cage Heels(Summer Collection): Via Tania Spinelli

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Who says the Preppy look is gone? Well as we all know, the famous pink and green from Lilly Pulitzer has kept the die hard preppies happy for a while now. We love these cute little Flip Flops for hanging-out on those long, lazy summer days - not too far away.

You can find these "Via Shopping Flip Flops" for $79 ($138 Retail) at Downtowngal Shoes.

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Since walking gracefully in high heels requires balance, you need to make sure that the shoes fit correctly. A shoe that doesn't fit can lead to all sorts of problems, including calluses, corns and falls. When you try the shoes on, you should take a minute to test the fit.

Step 1:

Put the shoes securely on your feet. Try on the shoe just like you would wear it. This means putting both shoes on and securing any buckles.

Step 2:

Walk across the room. Once you have a pair of heels on your feet, you need to walk around a bit in order to test the fit. A shoe that feels comfortable while you're sitting down may be painful to walk in.

Step 3:

Turn around. After you walk in a straight line, see how the heels feel when you make a quick turn. Your shoes should not give at all when you make the turn

Step 4:

Examine the way that your feet feel in the high heels. Determine whether or not you feel any pain or discomfort in your heels or toes. In addition, once you take weight off the shoes, your feet should not feel sore.

Step 5:

Check if the high heels stay on your feet. If they stay secure while you are moving and feel comfortable, then you have found a good fitting pair.

(Via Shoeflyer | Shoes, Trends & Reviews.)

We keep seeing the Gwen Stefani influenced L.A.M.B releases and wonder who actually wears these? Apparently a huge number of women in the U.S. and across the pond find them irresistible..their sales have soared since launching in 2003. We on the other hand could take-or-leave them--we just don't own an outfit that would work with the detailing.

These "Crowther" Pumps, are the perfect example of the style we find to have a bit too-much going on...find me a simplified version and we would take notice.

You can find the L.A.M.B Crowther Pumps at Nordstrom.com for $375.00

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If you are like us, we are organizing our closets and happily moving our winter boots to make room for the Spring and Summer Sandals hidden for the last 6 months. The problem is room...we have only so much space for the four seasons of footwear. Enter the "Boot Shaper" from the Container Store. Not only do these dandies form-fit your boots (helping with long-term leather maintenance), but they have a handy hanger at the top.

Our boots can now hang on a clothing rack....saving much needed space for our new Spring Louboutin's!

You can find these handy hangers at the Container Store for $9.99/pair (plus shipping and handling)

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These Manolo's are just tooo cute! We love the patterned floral design with embroidered flowers...perfect with a pair of faded jeans! Bring on Spring, cause' we will be ready with these cuties in our closet.

You can find these Manolo Blahnik Floral Mules at Downtowngal Shoes for $319.99 (Retail $685).

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Which shoes are worth the money?

Taryn Rose "Babe" Flats    Retail $495
We have written about these cute little flats before. Made with exclusive Poron material for added comfort and Italian craftsmanship. Available at Downtowngal Shoes for $219.

Nine West "Lovable" Flats    Retail $110
Comfy satin upper with a handmade leather sole make these a nice accessory for almost any occasion. Also in bright multi, green, melon and yellow/pink. Available at Zappos.com for $83.

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Watching the news the other night and seeing female solders coming home to a warm family welcome made me wonder: How does one look stylish and wear camo at the same time? Like a cross between G.I Jane and Carrie Bradshaw, these camouflage Manolo Blahnik's with Bamboo Straps are the only way I could pull it off.

Probably not combat rated - but good enough for storming through the concrete urban jungle on my way to work.

You can find them for $299 ($699 Retail) at Downtowngal Shoes.

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Strappy sandals are always on everyone's mind when the temperatures climb, but this season, straps have gone a bit wild. However, a few designers have managed to stay away from the strap eccentricity craze. One such designer is Tods. We love their new Sasha Crisscross Sandal with classic Tod's silver hardware for accents.

Pictured here from eluxury for $595.00

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We stumbled across this handy set of Snakeskin buying tips in the latest Lucky Magazine. Needless to say, it has changed how buy and care for our lovely exotics.

1. As far as aesthetics go, designer Anya Hindmarch says, "The size of the scales should match the size of the product." Since shoes don't have a lot of surface area, pick smaller-size scale patterns instead of the large ones for the prettiest graphic effect.
2. "The type of tanning chemicals used makes a huge difference," says designer Devi Kroell: Chemical dyes can stiffen the skin; vegetable dyes will leave it more supple. And in general, the darker the dye, the harder it is on the snakeskin, so natural or light-hued skins will last the longest.
3. Once you get them home, use clear furniture polish to gently moisturize your shoes at least once a month.

Photo courtesy of Downtowngal Shoes.

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Which shoes are worth the money?

Jimmy Choo "Eros" Heel (Black)    Retail $495
These classy heels are cut a bit lower on your foot to make your legs look extra sexy. These icons also come in camel and coffee. Available at Bergdorf Goodman Online for $223.

Carlos by Carlos Santana "Fierce" Heel (Black)    Retail $97
Sexy pleats with an extra deep dive at the instep make this the pump to wear to impress for less. Also in bright multi, green, melon and yellow/pink. Available at ShoeMall.com.

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Spring Fever has official hit us big-time! As such, we have started to make a list of sandals from Lilly to Tod's that should keep us happy without breaking the bank!

• Manolo Blahnik Turquoise Strappy Sandals  ($269.00)
• Kate Spade Boistero Red Suede Sandals  ($99.00)
• Tods Purple Silver Fiji Sandals  ($149.99)
• Lilly Pulitzer Green Ida Sandals  ($69.99)

You can find the entire Summer Sandal Collection at Downtowngal Shoes.

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Reading this morning's edition of wwd.com while enjoying my coffee, I was a bit shocked to read the following story: "Citing a conflict with the board, Taryn Rose is stepping down as president of the company she founded 10 years ago, Taryn Rose International. Rose, a former orthopedic surgeon whose search for a comfortable and fashionable shoe led to creating her own line, said, 'I had a different vision for the future and operations of the company and it was too divergent from the point of view of the board, so we mutually decided it was best for me to resign.'

Although Rose declined to be specific, she said the differences were over the business operations and management of the company. 'For the sake the staff, whom I still care very much about, it was better for me not to be in constant battle with the management,' she said.

Rose has resigned from the board but remains a minority shareholder in the $40 million-plus firm, which launched handbag and jewelry lines last year. There are no plans to name another president.

The company has not announced plans for the product going forward, but said it will reevaluate the handbag line and will discontinue jewelry".

As you know we love Taryn's designs and the comfort they provide. We will now have to wait and see what comes from her new endeavor - Mille Rosas.

(Story courtesy of Marcy Medina; WWD.com.)

(Photo courtesy of The Westchester County Business Journal; www.westchestercountybusiness.com.)