Archive for the ‘Suede Shoes’ 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.

If you are looking to invest in a pair of gorgeous boots, you may want to check out these boots by Gianna Meliani.   Made in Italy, these boots are gorgeously designed and crafted using the finest materials.   Gianna Meliani takes her inspiration from fashion, art, and music of the 60s and reinterprets them into the modern designs of current collections.

High-Heeled Leather Boots with sueded leather cuff.  I love the lines on this boot!

Black Ankle Boots with platform and lace-up detailing, side zipper closure, wooden heel.

Brown Sueded Leather Ankle Boots featuring belted detailing with buckle.

 

If you’ve not heard of Gianna Meliani shoes here in the US, it’s likely because these shoes are mostly marketed in Europe.   Thanks to , shoe lovers in the US can find a small selection of Gianna Meliani shoes as well as other European shoe designs that cannot easily be found here.

is a virtual online boutique which offers some high-end European fashions AND they have a warehouse in the US, so you can get your order in just a few days.

These lovely suede Mary-Jane style pumps by Steve Madden Shoes get updated with the latest trends for Fall.   Metal studs and double-buckle hardware fastens a wide shiny snakeskin-embossed leather strap around the instep.   This texture extends down the wrapped 4-inch heel and contrasts beautifully with the rich suede leather upper.

The Steven by Steve Madden Fantacy Suede Pump is available directly from Steve Madden Shoes in several colors but I think this camel suede is just perfect for the Fall Season.   These pumps will definitely add sex appeal to your fall wardrobe.   Wear them with a skirt, pants, or your favorite jeans.   Also available in blue, wine, or black suede.

Damage or premature wear on your heeled shoes from driving can be frustrating, especially if you’ve made significant investments in your shoes.

Driving with heels can permanently damage shoes with scuffs and scrapes.  Leather can also become crinkled with that worn look at the vamp way too soon!   Indeed, this is not a pretty sight!

There are a couple of solutions to this problem.   One of the most popular solutions is to change into another pair of shoes when driving.

This is certainly worth doing to protect the shoes you love from damage!

One option is to change into sneakers or some other sport shoe.  Another option is to change into driving shoes.

Driving shoes are great because they are specially designed for maneuvering the pedals and providing foot support while driving.

I usually keep a pair of driving shoes in the car to change into when I’m wearing heels.

A good driving shoe will be lightweight, form fitting (the vamp and heel fitting snuggly without slipping out), and will have good traction on the sole, extending up the back of the heel.

Some of the more attractive driving shoes have just enough traction on the back of the heel without looking like a “driving shoe”.

Here are some tres chic driving shoes that are also cute enough to wear casually when you’re not driving!

Elie Tahari Janine Driver 2. These pretty little flats have hardware detailing and a sweet bow at the vamp adding a touch of charm.   Shown here in gold, also available in black, pink, red, lilac, navy, and purple.

KORS Michael Kors Apache.  This cute little moccasin-style driving shoe is leather lined and available in suede or specchio leather.   Shown here in mocha specchio, also available in gold specchio, and black suede.

Arturo Chiang Amalie Driver.   This moccasin-style driving shoe has classic lines and a soft leather upper with hardware detailing across the vamp.   Shown here in beige, also available in black or gold leather.

Joan & David Zarza.   These sweet flats feature a rounded toe with knot accent at the vamp and tonal stitching.   Available in brown suede.

Stuart Weitzman DDMOC Driving Moccasin.   These sporty driving shoes feature glossy, snake-embossed patent leather, thickly padded insole. and a cushy rubber outsole.   Shown here in brown, also available in black or ivory patent leather.

If changing shoes is not convenient for you, don’t despair!   There is another solution: the Heel Shield by Achilles Shield.

Keep the Heel Shield in your car and just clip them on the back of your shoes while driving.

They are made of recycled plastic and can also be ordered in a variety of colors and textures, such as black crocodile and pink ostrich.

There are other similar products out there but Heel Shields has gotten the best reviews.

The Heel Shield sells for $15.99.    This is really a small investment to protect the shoes you love!