Hail Gladiator Sandal, we who are about to go trendy salute you! -or- I had to do this post at some point, so let's get to business PART I

So sorry!!!

My internet crashed while writing this article, apparently having around 30 tabs open all with shoes makes my computer give up (le sigh), this means I had to write this article twice.
Sorry for the long delay though, I just started work and after hours on end staring at computer monitors, you aren't really in the mood to blog when you get home...

Anywhoodle, well trends come and go, and it seems the gladiator sandal came back this season, with a vengeance! (Bum bum bum! Lightning! Thunder!) I'm breaking this one up into 2 parts. In part un I'll blabber on about my opinion, ' do 's, ' don't 's, and some haha's, hehe's and possible a few hoho's. Part duex I'll have some shoes that are available right now in various price ranges.

Now how someone saw these guys:

and thought, "sandals!!!", I don't know. (The one on the right, if he was actually that big, would be adorable with that over sized helmet)

(much like a mouse wearing this: )

Seeing as Roman and Greek styles have been around for over 2,000 years, coming in and out of style, I am not really sure if we can call the gladiator sandal a fad or trend at this point, but this is one trend I'm cool with and if done right will add a new edge to your summer outfits.

What defines the gladiator sandal is the strip bisecting your foot with perpendicular straps attached to that with both these going all the way up the course of the shoe (or boot if it's a gladiator sandal that goes up to the ankle or higher). One simple rule is that the more perpendicular straps, and the finer the straps, the edgier and trendier the shoe. If you looking to pick up a pair remember this: the ones with fewer and wider straps will tend to not look out of date when gladiators aren't in, but if you want that hip edgy look, lots of thin straps are your friend. (Your sexy / trendy friend who doesn't take no sass, Mmmmmhmmmm)

When it comes to gladiator sandals I'm not a big fan of the ones that go up your leg. If your going to play this look remember that, since a gladiator sandal is a fairly simple shoe in terms of structure, you need to use it in the same way you would use a shoe as an accent (more of an accessory like jewlery). You can add a lot of punch to an outfit with one of these shoes climbing up your calf, but only if it acts as part of the outfit, tying in with the look and giving a unified vibe. Perhaps some bangles on your arm will help, but simple, flat, monochrome fabrics on their own won't cut it. You need texture if the outfit is more flat. Think lively folding fabric or textures like leather.

Hopefully that helps a bit, but more will be explained in the next installment. Stay tuned; tomorrow part II is coming (with pictures of shoes, I swear!).



Completely unrelated - To see more mouse, cat and dog armor visit this artist's website; this person has great talent. http://jeffdeboer.com/Galleries/CatsandMice/tabid/77/Default.aspx

Cheap Summer Shoes -or- How to make people "flip" over your shoes rather than being a "flop"

They are cheap, easy and everyone has them. Flip flops are basically a board strapped onto your foot, so as a quick summer shoe they are about as easy, cheap and open to the warm air as anything out there. Way too many people buy a bright color pair that sits by the register at the store they are shopping at and end up wearing them everywhere and for so long that they are barely held together and have changed from hot pink to dingy brown.

The enemy, look how it's evil and shifty eyed.

So, here are a few simple rules so that will keep the feet, eyes and wallet happy:

1) Color

This is easy, if your buying those cheap foam flip flops you have a wide choice of colors; take advantage of it. Buy 2 or 3 different colors so you can match more outfits. Avoid dingy browns, brownish greens and any other colors that will make them look like they are dirty (if you like that dingy color, don't worry, soon enough the bright color will fade to that). Finally be careful of colors like hot pink, if not worn the right way they can make those cheap shoes look cheap and like they are better fit for a 6 year old.

Same price and brand as the pink flip flop, but a much better look. Only a few dollars more, these look much more expensive AND will last you much better.

2) Sole

Here we are talking about foot health and comfort. Flat, cardboard like soles will be like walking bare foot. This is fine as long as you don't wear them all the time and are never walking long distances or doing lots of activity. Foam soles, which you see a lot, are not good for you feet. They cause the arches to curl with each step which is not healthy and will cause pains and problems as time goes on. If you spend the extra 5 dollars or look just a little harder you can find a pair that is still has that nice flexible sole but also has some shape to it to give you the arch support you need. Your feet will thank you (Or rather, won't get angry with you and cause you pains). Later I'll do a whole article on foot health.

No support and no cushioning means these will be KILLING your feet

Same price, almost the same look (maybe even better looking? (GASP!!! A shoe that costs the same as a cheap shoe and looks better? This can not be!)) AND much better support

Here we have more of a classic flip flop but the gold adds a nice bit of bling and that little bit of shape to the sole makes it a better shoe for you.

A quick note: thick foam flip flops not only are bad for your feet, but in the same way platform shoes don't look good, these look like you strapped two concrete blocks to your feet.

Uuuuuugly

3) Design

Variations in color, some accents on the straps, or interesting materials / strap shapes will make a pair of thongs not look like a $5 pair you put on because society demands we must wear shoes, but a $20 pair that is a fashion statement ... but still only cost a bit more than $5. It will be the same wearing experience, but you will look great.

Around $5 like other foam thongs but with a bit more jazz. It also comes in some fun colors.

4) Price

We have covered this in parts one through three but here is the basic rule: if you pay for a $5 pair of mono-color foam shoes you are getting something that looks eh and will last for a year. If you pay $10 and get a shoe that will last 2 or 3 years, or pay even more and get one that will last you will not only save money over time, but will look fabulous. Price doesn't mean quality, so focus on the quality and be willing to give a few extra dollars.

$40 and though it will last longer and have a better sole shape, you aren't getting a $40 look.
Same price, same build, same store as the shoe above, but looks oh so classy.

All shoes shown are available at Old Navy, Payless, Piperlime and Asos

Thoughts on Fuchsia -or- Is it a ouah or a nah?

Every so often I see designers taking the risk and trying to do a fuchsia shoe. I say this is a risk because it is a rare occasion that I see one I really love, and often times it's so bright and pinkish that it makes my eyes gag. Yes, apparently eyes can gag. Let's get down to the ouahs (pronounced 'wah', meaning yes! in French) and nahs (no in lazy person).

Ouah

This Stuart Weitzman shoe ('Woodbow' Pump) has a muted tone to it's color, but the patent leather and bow makes sure it isn't quiet. The peep-toe adds a nice touch and helps the bow. It would be nice in a mid to low height heel so it would be a bit more wearable, but nothing says "Mmmmmmhmmmmm *snap-snap-snap*" like a high stiletto. Personally I like the wood heel; I know a lot of people don't like the wood trend that seems to be going on. Since it's not clunky and has a cool brown color, it makes the shoe a bit more muted and workable with different outfits. $299 at Nordstrom.


Nah

Cork + Fuchsia + Iridescent = My eyes burning
There isn't that much I have to say on this one since it shows perfectly well a bad use of color. The huge amount of saturation and the added exaggerated iridescent snake skin makes this look like a costume piece.
If you want these (I should probably not tell you this as a public service so you don't buy them) you can get the Jessica Simpson (one of the last people I want in the field of design) Josette pump for $88.95 at Nordstrom.

Ouah

I must say this isn't my taste, but if you want to get Barbi on everyone, these sequin pumps from Manolo Blahnik have great lines to them. Then again, Manolo shoes always have beautiful lines, especially with his heels; I tend to gush over him since he is one of my design idols. Since these shoes have a great silhouette, a classic pump design and the sequins add some nice variations in tone making it not glow so much, the fuchsia ends up working. If you want them (like one of my friends, or rather, she REALLY REALLY wants them) they are $585.

Nah

Hooker platform shoe, Jimmy Choo.
... Yup, that about sums it up.


Ouah

Here Jimmy Choo gets it right. Sure the fuchsia is so loud people would be able to see your shoes from 5 miles away... through fog... with a blind fold on, but the Lumiere Patent d'Orsay shoe has a beautiful look and the buckled strap almost adds a slight edge to it (classic Choo). That tones down the "pretty pixies prancing in a field of wildflowers" feel that the color gives. It's almost sculptural, which in my opinion makes a really good shoe. If you can hang it on a wall and call it art, you've got a nice shoe (though the same thing doesn't work in reverse, but that's for another post). The Lumiere Patent d'Orsay are available at Bergdorf Goodman for $585


I don't know...

Personally I'm split on these Kate Spade pumps. The red - fuchsia mix is pretty darn funky. I normally tend to not like her stuff since the color choices lately... well it kind of feels like she put on a blindfold and pulled out a bunch or random bright color swatches. My first reaction was not liking these, but with the right outfit they might just work out well, and they would be a conversation piece. Obviously these aren't shoes you can wear all the time, but what do you think? Leave a comment. Kate Spade "Hera" pump, $318 at Nordstrom.