Hot Weather, Hot Shoes, Hot Mama! -or- Letting those little piggies free while staying stylish

I know I said I would do a post on gladiator sandals, and I will, but in the mean time, here are some nice summer shoes I've run across:


I know these are pretty damn girly, so all you Tom Boys out there, avert your eyes (or maybe pull your baseball cap and hood over your eyes). With a really light look in blush pink or more of a night-on-the-town feel in black these Bourne sandals will go great with your lighter summer clothing, and a few diamond-like stones don't hurt either (after all, even if diamonds aren't a girls best friend, they still look amazing). Maybe some of you will disagree but I think these shoes would be great for an afternoon out with the friends paired with a light flowy skirt. I can almost guarantee you will be the best dressed girl around.

Bourne Diamante And Chiffon Ankle Wrap Sandals, $190 at ASOS.com



First I must break the sad news to you that this pair of shoes is sold out except for a few size 3 UK pairs, so all of you tiny elves and pixies out there can pick up a pair.

Now adding wicker to a pair of shoes in my book can look much cleaner and better than espadrilles do. These shoes are a perfect example. I LOVE them! The heavier leather ribbons in off white, a small knot detail in the front with a bow on the back, and to top it all off a demi wedge with a really aggressive lean to it makes it says both, "It's summer, I'm girly, I'm fabulous, love me," and with a bit of edge that adds in a, "Don't mess with me because I can mess you up!" flavor. Now normally I'm not a big fan of wedges, since they tend to get a bit clunky, and normally espadrille type shoes just don't seem right to me, but some how these shoe manage not to look like a hooker wedge that the hooker added some macramé work to the heel as she works her way up from the streets using her skills in crafting (I think Lifetime did that as a movie...), but instead these shoes just look amazing. If I had to make one complaint it's that it might work better in a canvas instead of a leather, but I would have to see them in person to really get a feel for that.

Ok, I think I've gobbed on enough, so just remember that almost any kind of shoe can be done right, you just have to shop around a bit. If you want them and they get more in stock, or you are a magical pixie with tiny feet, you can buy the Head Over Heels Woven Heeled Bow Back Shoe at ASOS.com for $185.

The Designer, The Substitute, and The Affordable -or- Half an hours effort shopping around to find the same shoe over and over and over...

The Designer-
So no designer is infallible, but Christian Louboutin is close. Sure his canvas orthopedic espadrilles are pretty bad (or to be a bit more accurate, they look like grandma stepped on a wicker basket) but on average his designs are classic and make me seriously consider going into a life of crime so I could have the kind of money needed to buy such high quality (Think an officer would be fine with the excuse, "Yes I robbed the bank, but Louboutin's new collection just came out!"?). Anywhoodle, the shoes pictured above are great. Sure they are over $700 and sure they are 4" stilettos, but with the ruching, the peep toe and a few colors and materials to choose from, these shoes are cute, classic, easily matched with many outfits, have that signature Louboutin look and would be a great shoe for a night out this summer. Since I know almost everyone reading this won't be able to afford them, here are some similar looks for far less money.


The Substitute-
At $138 at ASOS.com this pair of Steve Madden shoes are the next best thing to the Louboutin's. The materials might not be as nice and the ruching pales in comparison, but at around a quarter of the price, I think we can deal with that. Normally I don't like Steve Madden so much since it seems like he is going way too trendy, copying everything or lists this:
as a "classic". A classic for a door stop or a good shoe for throwing at any person who makes this and called themselves a designer, sure.

So lets say you really want to go cheap? Well don't you worry.


The Affordable
At $40 from NewLook.co.uk this shoe gives you a great look for the money. I just checked and the black appears to be out of stock right now, but "spearmint" blue and red are still in stock. When it comes to just plain looks, I like these much better than the Steve Madden pair, maybe because the ruching and the knot detail just seem cleaner. Hopefully they restock these since this is a good shoe at a great price.


P.S.
I came across this pair in my research for this post (along with hundreds of butt ugly shoes, and a few nice ones I'll show in future posts). I really like them; it's a similar style but a bit more playful and I could see it adding to lots of outfits. I've never heard of the Ash shoe brand but looking at some of their stuff I like it. Definitely something to check out in the future. If you want them they are $187 at ASOS.com

P.P.S. Ew

Shoe? -or- Shoe!?!?

So the question is, would this ever work with anything? I think if you can make an outfit that works with these, you should get a Nobel Prize.

Coming up soon:
The Designer, The Substitute, and The Affordable
AND
Hail Gladiator Sandal, we who are about to go trendy salute you!