Don't Mess with Me Monday- BCA Month: Beatrix Ong Avery

Straight Laced

You can hang with the boys without losing your girlish charm, and that's taken you pretty far, professionally and otherwise. Today, choose shoes that'll take you just as far, fashionably, like Beatrix Ong's Avery lace ups (available at farfetch.com).The sassy-meets-sweet combination of blush leather and black lace is de rigeur for Fall 2010, and the heel height of about 4.7 inches ups the vamp factor. Meanwhile, the styling is akin to that of a men's dress shoe, and masculine inspirations in women's fashion have become a mainstay.

You've been told you drink like one of the fellas, but you tend to draw the line at beer. While you're cheering your team to victory during Monday Night Football, let a Mike's Hard Pink Lemonade quench your thirst. It looks super girly, but it's got the same kick as the original version. Plus, you'll be supporting a company that's down for the cause. Having lost a member of the Mike's Hard family to breast cancer in 2009, the company donates $250,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation annually. Please remember not to drink too many, or to drink them too fast. Malt beverages may lead to gas, and a lady who belches like a man is not sexy.

Almost There Thursday: Melissa Loop High Heeled Loafers

Therein Lies the Rub-ber

It's the end of THE WEEK for New York's fashion set, but most other people have one more day before they can take a breather. Whether you're in the former or the latter group your feet could probably use a break, and if you're in the New York area there's a strong chance of showers in your area tonight. As a result, you'll want to wear shoes that are comfortable, stylish and at least a little practical, but a pop of the unexpected is also a requirement for you. These Loop pumps by Melissa (available for $180 via Karmaloop.com) are everything you need. They're eco-friendly rubber, so they won't be ruined in the rain, and the bright blue color is impossible to look at without smiling. Plus, the chunky round 3.5 inch heel adds extra whimsy and the bow on the front is feminine and fun. It doesn't hurt that their loafer styling is spot on with this season's school-inspired trend. 

The end of Fashion Week is always bittersweet for fashion hags like you. Let your cocktail express your mood, and drink a "Blue Day" this evening. Yes, you'll get free drinks at one open bar or the other tonight, but you HAVE to drink something with you dinner. It's a simple mixture of Absolut Vodka and blue Curacao, so it'll be pretty sweet and plenty strong.

Cutesy Tuesday: Bourne Serena Pumps

Blue it Right

You're not quite in your normally-conservative mood today. Instead, you feel like spicing things up a bit, but you don't want to let go of your ultra feminine look. A pair of bow-adorned peep toes in a bright color will do the trick for you. These "Serena" slingbacks by London-based Bourne (available for $227.45 via amazon.com) are a great example. The blue-violet hue speaks to this season's primary color trend, the bow, sling back and peep toe are all super girly, and the 4 inch heel works for the office but is still sexy enough for after-work fun. The rhinestone detail also adds a bit of edgy glam. If you happen to be participating in any of the Fashion Week fury, the small hidden platform will keep you comfy as you stand in line to get into the shows.

Keep the British theme going this evening when you order your cocktails. Whether you're toasting the end of a harrowing day or pre-gaming for an evening of parties, a Blue London Sidecar (recipe and image via cocktail365.net) is a great late summer drink. It combines Bulldog Gin, Blue Curacao and lime juice for a tart, but refreshing cocktail. It's also pretty powerful, so be careful not to drink too many. 

Almost There Thursday- NYFW Edition: Report Bates Bootie

Starting on the Right Step

It's the first day of New York Fashion Week, and the Big Apple is a ray of sartorial splendor. Whether you're actually visiting Lincoln Center, or checking in online, you're totally caught up in the electricity. Those who are traipsing from show to show (and/or going afterparty-hopping) will definitely want to wear shoes with a comfortable heel height. It's a good thing kitten heels are big for Fall 2010, right? These "Bates" booties by Report (available at zappos.com via myshoes.com), with their cone heel, fold-down shaft and lace-up closure are a good bet for tonight. They speak to this season's military and oxford trends. They also have cone heels, which are extremely popular right now. They'll look great with a variety of looks, too.

Toast the fashion capital with a Brandied Apple this evening. A combination of Apple Brandy and Gravenstein Apple LonjeviTea Kombucha (or other apple tea), it's a great way to knock the edge off a hectic day. The brandy is semi-sweet with a strong kick, and the tea's fresh-from-the-orchard flavor captures the feeling of late Summer. Don't drink too many, though. Brandy is pretty strong stuff, and you'll need your energy- regardless of if it's for reading runway coverage online or for running between soirees.

Wear or Beware? Dsquared Bone Heels

Them Bones, Them Bones...

The "back bone's connected to the hip bone", and the "finger bone's connected to the hand bone", but the Dsquared twins seem to have rewritten the song (and some people's fashion sensibilities) with their A/W 2010 shoe collection. Apparently heel is connected to it all. This Spine Heel Sandal (via LuisaViaRoma.com) features a sexy strap around the ankle, a playful peep toe and a subtle stud details.  The Satin Finger Bone Sandal (via LuisaViaRoma.com), with its blood ruby red jewels and gold heel has an opulent and formal look. These shoes are definitely an indication that embellished heels and sky high platforms will remain a shoe trend for Fall 2010. However, are they a harbinger of something morbid afoot? Yes, they send chills down your spine, but are they the good or bad kind? Would you/ could you wear them? Where do you think would they be appropriate (other than the runway, an Addams Family Gala or a Lady Gaga video)? Would you buy them as collector's pieces? Let's discuss it!

Yours Shoely,

Me

Shoe Review: New York Fashion Week Fall 2010

Love on the Run(way)

The fashion world converged on New York from February 11-18 to see what everyone in the know will wear come Fall 2010. Designers found various ways to fashionably interpret the current global financial climate and sartorially lift spirits during New York Fashion Week. My focus, though, was on the shoes. I usually dread the coming cold season (especially when there's STILL snow on the ground), but some designers gave me something to look forward to. Here's a sampling of what caught my eye:

Christian Louboutin's designs for 3.1 Phillip Lim featured details galore: layered kilties, grommets, tassels and buckles. There was supple suede, metallic leather, luxe velvet and contrasting combinations of textures. The forest green peep toes with the double ankle strap were my personal favorites. I see them with fishnets and plaid skirts... not too short, but also somewhat playful.





Calvin Klein took more of a pared down, but toughened-up approach. Simple mary janes and ankle boots got the urban warrior treatment with metal platforms and lug soles. During the winter, it's often difficult to find footwear that's both chic and durable. For Fall 2010, Calvin will be my go-to guy. These ankle boots will look great with a pencil skirt/ dress and opaque tights or a pair of cropped skinny pants.

Opulent accents with pops of deep red and mustard ruled the Carolina Herrera runway. Her shoes were demure and decadently decorated with 3-D sueded jewels. They're so serious that there's almost something fun about them. However, they should only be worn with the most ladylike of attire. The mustard/ deep red combination in the pair pictured called out to me. They could easily be the focal point of an ensemble, requiring only a simple shift dress to complement them.



It was all about exotic skins and metallic leather treatments at Donna Karan. However, she kept things simple, showing ankle boots, updated mary janes and sandals in varying shades of black, bronze and gray with elastic gore detailing. I'm most likely to wear the ostrich ankle boots with patent and elastic side gore shown here. They're simple and versatile, but the ostrich leather luxes them up, and the stilt-height heel is right up my alley. 

A favorite among the swank set, Oscar de la Renta opted for a color palette of regal purple, gold, red, deep blue and teal. The clothes were a nod to the "Dynasty" days, but the shoes were timeless. Tassels, jeweled embellishments and straps accented classic platform pumps, knee boots and ankle boots. The funkiest look was probably a pair of purple suede platform pumps with copper piping and back tassels affixed to a copper strip. They're definitely not a "wear with everything" pair, but they'll add a royal touch to a skirt suit or pants look. Those sparkly tights are a winner too!




Rodarte went a bit wacky, combining textures, fabrics, colors and styles into a fashion hodge podge that somehow worked amazigly, and Nicholas Kirkwood's shoes for the collection were a veritable icing on the chaotic cake. Oxfords with sandal toes, ankle wraps and heels that resemble melted wax may sound a bit odd. But I was in love at first glance. Shoes like these aren't for the faint of foot (or fashion), though. They're best worn with an abundant dose of confidence and an outfit that says "I care not what you think..."

Fur, calf hair and suede on peep toes, ankle boots, wedge pumps and ankle strap heels made Thakoon's show a game of hide and seek. In some instances fox fur peeked from inside a peep toe, lace up bootie. In others, calf hair wedge pumps were accented by a puff of fur at the toe. I can see myself in the peep toe booties with the metallic underlay. They're simple enough to go with almost anything, but the metallic accent adds a unique touch.


Stay tuned for my picks from London, Paris and Milan! In the meantime, what were some of your favorites from New York Fashion Week? Who's designs totally turned you off?


(Images via Style.com and Elle.com)