Archive for the ‘Platform’ Category

The Elizabeth and James Fall 2010 Shoe Collection has arrived at online shoe retailers and the styles are even better than last Fall. This collection just seems to keep getting better and better! Among the styles, you will find soft suede leathers in neutral hues and lots of platform, open toe, and menswear-inspired designs.

What I like most about this collection is how casual, yet refined, the many of the styles are. They are not the kinds of shoes you will invest in and then only wear a few times during the season. These are styles that you will find yourself wearing over and over again this Fall and Winter

Here are some of the latest styles just out…

Elizabeth and James ‘More’ Suede Pump

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Elizabeth and James ‘Mason’ Pump

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Elizabeth and James ‘Lizzy’ Suede Bootie

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Elizabeth and James ‘Miki’ Ankle Boot

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Elizabeth and James ‘Skylar’ Suede Bootie

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Elizabeth and James ‘Jane’ Flat

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Elizabeth and James ‘Cami’ Bootie

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Elizabeth and James ‘Gasp’ Embossed Leather Boot

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Elizabeth and James ‘Blend’ Boot

Click here to browse the entire Elizabeth and James Shoe Collection.

The Elizabeth and James Brand was launched in 2007 by designing duo sisters, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, and has been highly successful. Subsequent to this, their footwear collection (a collaboration with Steve Madden) was launched in 2009. The Elizabeth and James company has become recognized as a contemporary lifestyle brand that includes apparel, shoes, jewelry, and soon, they will launch a collection of sunglasses. A couple of styles of sunglasses will be released this Fall, but the full sunglasses collection is set to launch in Spring 2011.

The fashion business is not an easy business to succeed in, but the Olsen sisters are hardworking and obviously passionate about fashion and this certainly shows in their designs year after year. As celebrities when they were just toddlers through to their twenties, it’s been fun to watch how their fashion has evolved as they matured- especially from their late teens to now. It’s something I think we can all relate to as our taste in fashion is always changing. I need only look back at pictures of myself as recently as 5 years ago to see changes from my current style of today.

These t-strap pumps are Baroque indeed!  While I personally am attracted to minimal designs and lean toward simple elegance when it comes to fashion, I do enjoy the complex design and opulence of these shoes.  I especially love the textural contrasts of smooth and suede leathers and the way the embellished heel extends up the back of the shoe.

Created by Christian Louboutin for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2010 Collection, these suede pumps were inspired by the Baroque period of late 17th century Europe when the emergent style was one of extravagant and dramatic style.    These pumps would look absolutely stunning with a little black dress or tapered black trousers as shown below.

The Baroque Pump has 3 straps of smooth black leather with gold buckles and a gold embellished heel.   The 4-inch heel is offset by a ¾-inch hidden platform. Currently, the Baroque Pumps are available now for pre-order at Nordstrom.

With all of the new Fall arrivals coming out each day, online shoe retailers are selling their older stock at deep discounts. So, now is a great time to scoop up some sweet deals on shoes!

Summer is not nearly over so you’ll have plenty of time to wear Summer sandals and wedges.  At this time, I also like to try to find shoes that will help me transition into Fall as the weather gets a bit cooler.

Here are a few of my favorite styles that I’ve had my eye on.   Just click the images to get more information.

There are so many deals to be had right now. To get the latest information on shoes sales and promotions, visit our shoe sale page.

Ankle Boots are a must-have for Fall and I must say I’m quite impressed with the latest arrivals of lace-up  ankle boots. While some styles are focused on the latest trends (such as open-toes, studs, and clog-style adaptations), others are quite classic and can easily be worn for years to come.

Whether you choose a smooth or suede leather upper, a bold color or a neutral tone, an open-toe version or a clog-bottom style, I’m sure that you’ll find one or two styles of lace-up ankle boots that you love. They are a perfect transition shoe for Summer to Fall and are extremely versatile and fun to wear. Wear them with long leggings, skinny jeans, or an above the knee dress or skirt.

Here are our top picks for lace up  ankle boots…

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These gorgeous KORS Michael Kors Angie Lace Up Ankle Boots (below) in distressed taupe leather feature a peep toe with classic lines.  The approximately 4-inch heel is offset by the 3/4-inch platform.    There is also a nice tan suede version of this boot, but I love the distressed leather.

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The Marquee Lace Up Ankle Boots (shown below) are a fashion forward design by Velvet Angels that features a lovely blue suede upper, wrapped suede heel, and a hidden 1-inch platform.

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These Marc by Marc Jacobs Lace Up Ankle Boots (below) feature an on-trend clog bottom with studs and a synthetic wood toned heel and platform outsole.

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The Apepazza Strasburgo (below) is a military-inspired  ankle boot with a short lace-up panel, two buckled straps at the top and rear zipper entry.   Folded leather cuffs over the front of the ankle provide the finishing touches on this casual yet stylish ankle boot.

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These Donald J Pliner Hoa Ankle Boots (shown below) feature an antique metallic leather upper with elastic panel for a stylish and comfortable fit.    Like all DJP footwear, these boots are leather lined and crafted of superior quality.

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The Jeffrey Campbell ‘Loggins’ Oxford (below) is a vintage inspired lace up ankle boot with fold over collar & comfortable mid heel.

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Chic rocker style best describes these Chloe Black Leather Ankle Boots (shown below).  These sexy boots feature lace up detail on the front and zippers on both sides of the boots!

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The Trouve ‘Jenna’ Bootie (below) features zipper teeth detailing on the trim of the cuff and vintage-inspired lace-up styling with a flirty peep toe. The stacked heel and platform provide a considerable lift, while the side zip closure ensures easy on and off.

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These Giuseppe Zanotti Ankle Boots (below) are absolutely gorgeous!  The suede upper has smooth leather trim and lace up detail the front with brass loops. 

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Click here to browse a large selection of ankle boots!

There are many ways to wear ankle boots. The most popular is with skinny leggings or jeans.  Longer styles of jeans and leggings look better in my opinion, though I have seen a few people pulling off cropped versions with ankle boots.

Only skinny pants should be tucked inside ankle boots. Pants with wider legs will balloon out to much when tucked inside ankle boots. Instead, wear your wide-legged pants over your ankle boots. I find that ankle boots actually make for a comfortable and less bulky fit (than tall boots) when worn under wide-legged pants.

Skirts and dresses also look great with ankle boots.  Go for lengths that are at least a few inches above the knee (or shorter). Avoid wearing ankle boots with mid-length skirts and bare legs.  For a classic combination, you could also pair ankle boots with a long skirt.

Look great showing some leg with your ankle boots, especially while the weather is warm! As the weather gets cooler, you can wear them with tights or leggings for a polished and put-together look for Fall.

Wooden-heeled shoes are very popular this season and come in many attractive styles. There is no better artist when that artist is Mother Nature. The natural beauty of the earthy wood grain paired with quality leather uppers on a beautifully designed shoe will add style and a timeless quality to your look.

Popular design features of wooden heeled shoes include beautiful sculpted and cutout wedges, clog-style studs and other hardware on sandals, sexy leather cutouts, and stunning shoe designs that will easily take you through Summer and into early Fall in style.

Such unique shoe designs that we are seeing this season often make it difficult to classify a shoe as a sandal, a wedge, or a clog. They resemble classic styles but have a completely modern spin. So, whether you shun the classic clog or love the throwback style, you’re sure to find a style that will suit your tastes!

As a follow up to our recent post on classic contemporary clogs, here are our top 10 picks for wooden heeled shoes that don’t exactly fit the classic clog design.

The alluring Elie Tahari Sage Clogs (shown below) are cage style sandals with a beautiful wooden heel and platform.   Bold and stylish, these sandals will certainly stand out in a crowd!

Check out these utterly fabulous and sexy Frye Dara Honeycomb Slingback Sandals (shown below).  It’s all in the details as you can see! I love the studs details on the leather upper and the woven leather that surrounds the wooden platform.

So chic are these Jimmy Choo ‘Urban’ Sandals (shown below) with their rich suede leather and golden studs atop a gorgeous earthy wooden heel and platform.

You’ll be right on trend in these Clog Sandals from Marc by Marc Jacobs (shown below).  I love the gorgeous leather and the tie front. The chunky heel and platform is well-balanced by the simple, yet flattering, 2 piece styling on the leather upper.

These edgy MIA Limited Edition ‘Adelphie’ Wedge Sandals (shown below) are styled with antiqued studs atop a sassy wooden wedge heel.

The MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Sycamore’ Wedge Sandals (shown below) are styled with wide leather straps are tunneled through the sculpted wooden heel of a chic platform sandal fitted with an adjustable buckle.

So unique and stylish are these Rachel Comey Badger Twist Platform Sandals (shown below).  I love the lines on this sandal!  The unique leather straps and ankle wrap on the upper and the earthy solid wood heel and platform just seem to come together perfectly. They are a bit pricey but the quality is superior and the style is timeless making this a worthy investment.

These Ralph Lauren Collection Timila Sandals (shown below) have classic styling with studs and a braided leather rope around the ankle. The wooden, tapered high heel is offset by a generous platform for comfort, and the burnished leather upper are studded with gold.

The See by Chloe Wodden Wedge Sandals (shown below) is without a doubt my favorite of this selection. I love the modern, yet earthy design of these shoes and they will easily take you from Summer into Fall.

These Stuart Weitzman Apron Clog Sandals (shown below) came out early this Spring and are great transition shoes for Fall.  If you are having trouble finding your size in this popular sandals, check out this online retailer.