What's in Store

“The impulse and will to carry through an unorthodox style are no casual matter.”
Kennedy Fraser, b. 1946

At this point, you’ve probably seen all the press about sequins, feathers and satin being big, big, big this season. And you’ve probably thought, “If only I was a Rockette/Vegas showgirl/caberet singer…then I could wear that to work.” The good news is, you don’t have to quit your day job to work these trends into your regular wardrobe. The key is using them as accent pieces with what you already own and wear. Think of them like glitter- a little goes a long way and too much will haunt you for years.

Sequins

A sequin trimmed tank can be worn with jeans on Saturday night, and under a suit during the week. Look for tone-on-tone (black sequins on a black top, silver on grey, etc.) to keep it work appropriate.

Satin

I know it’s hard to think of satin and not imagine high school proms and bridesmaid dresses. Which is precisely why you aren’t wearing a satin dress to the office. But, satin heels- in a heart beat! Swap out your black leather or suede with a pair of conservative satin heels.

Feathers

Jewelry is the easiest way to incorporate feathers into your wardrobe. Peacock feather earrings are large and light so they won’t stretch your lobes. Street vendors are an excellent bet for finding cool ones on the cheap.

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This week we’re thinking pink as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some ways for you to help support the cause and show you care:

FitSugar gets excited about this Pink Ribbon Sports Bra as an October must-have. You can support your gals, while supporting wider access to mammograms. The Breast Cancer Site will cover one percent of a mammogram for every bra purchased. While that might not seem like a lot, those percentage points add up!

Splendora shouts to all of us bagistas about the “Shop pink” mantra and Rebecca Minkoff’s pink croc patent leather clutch to help support Breast Cancer awareness, research and survivors. I always knew that shopping could be wonderful and beneficial for everyone!

FabSugar drools over Breast Cancer Awareness Bling and Mauri Pioppo Sundari Necklace. Treat yourself to some adorable pink rocks for the cause. In addition to the myriad BCA cosmetics and makeup offerings, a number of companies have come out with cute jewelry and other accessories that contribute a hefty chunk.

StyleHive boasts about Privo’s limited edition ‘Ribbon’ flip flop, dedicated to finding a cure for Breast Cancer. $2 from each pair sold will be donated by Privo to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The upper straps feature the universal ribbon emblem in full grain leather. The billowy, synthetic wool lining offers added comfort and delicate femininity. The footbed border and embossed outsole feature the BCRF’s commitment to ’stepping toward a cure’. The EVA midsole gives you added cushioning with lightweight support.

eBay Giving Works hosts loads of charity auctions benefiting the cause. For example, Munchkin, Inc. has enlisted the support of a diverse group of celebrities to sign and decorate Munchkin’s limited edition pink bath ducks scheduled for auction in October. All auction proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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“Without black velvet breeches, what is man?”
James Bramston, 1694 - 1744

There is a bit of a debate as to whether or not pants can be considered a trend in fashion. Were they around last season? Yes. The season before that? Yeppers. In fact, women have been wearing pants since the 1870s. During WWII women started wearing pants regularly for work and by the 1950s pants were a wardrobe staple. Moral of the brief history? Pants are here to stay, and trend or not, it’s worth investing in a fanny-tastic pair or two. Here’s how to wear the styles of the season.

Wide

Wide leg pants require more substantial shoes. A shoe with a square or almond toe and a thicker heel will balance the leg. Avoid looking shapeless and frumpy by keeping your tops fitted, your jackets cropped and if you wear an overcoat make sure it has a defined waist.

Slim

Unless you’re a Balenciaga diehard or a Tokyo rock star (or both!), forget about wearing chunky heels with slim pants. Instead, choose a classic pump to maintain the streamline silhouette. Play around with volume on top with capelets and trapeze jackets or go très moderne with something tailored.

Men’s

Think of the men in you life. How many of them wear heels with their pants? Few to none is my bet. So if you’re stealing their pants, style wise, take that to heart and wear flats. Ballet flats will keep the look feminine.

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This week we noticed that one of the hottest colors this season, yellow, is brightening up the blogosphere:

GlamSugar highlights this adorable yellow clutch by Forever 21 that will make your outfit pop and won’t break your bank.

Omiru recommends the Filofax Piazza Personal Organizer as one of the best day planners to not only lighten up your style, but help manage your life as well.

Glimpse.com raves about what’s hot in San Francisco including this polka dot headband from Anthropologie that can funk up even the most basic of outfits.

TeamSugar touts these Christian Louboutin yellow satin pumps for those who are looking for a must-have trendy piece.

Shiny Shiny spotlights that Apple is rumored to come out with a limited edition Beatles-themed Yellow Submarine iPod that will be pre-loaded with every Beatles album!

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Do you ever stop to think about the reasons you are attracted to the shoes you buy?  Why some women drool over a Louboutin with a 4-inch heel, while others have a pair of Crocs in every color?  True, footwear selection is most often influenced by your sense of personal style, but I suspect geography has a bit to do with it as well.   Think about it … if you live in a city where you do a lot of walking, sooner or later the 4-inchers won’t even sound good because their very mention connotes a sharp pain.  Or, if you live someplace where the mercury dips more often than it rises, you are bound to be a boot-lover. 

A recent pile-up of business trips and vacations took me on a 15-day cross country tour from New York to the Midwest to the West and then back to the East Coast.  Most people check out landmarks or restaurants when they travel … I check out shoes.  Here’s a glimpse of what fashion-savvy women are wearing on their feet this summer across our great nation …

East Coast - I spend most of my shoe-gawking time on the streets of Manhattan, and this city gives me a lot to look at!  It takes just a few blocks to realize that the summer apparel essential is the sundress.  Strappy or sleeveless, short or long, flowing or stretchy …  no matter how you wear it, the sundress is an ideal way to stay fashionable and cool on those muggy city days.  The other great thing about this wardrobe lifesaver - there are lots of shoe options to match.  Two of my favorites are espadrilles and thong sandals.  The espadrille is a clever way to add height without foot pain.

My travels also took me a little further east … to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  To describe the attitude that hovers over the Cape as “laid back” would still not accurately depict the mellow individuals I encountered in this part of the country.  Whether you have a summer home there, or are simply spending a long weekend exploring the beaches and stuffing yourself with seafood, this is not a place to break out the high heels.  Flip flops prevailed in this cozy coastal area, though certainly not those rubber monstrosities from convenience store endcaps.  When it comes to flips, only creative and colorful will do for the Cape.

MidWest - Even though I am now a New Yorker, I will always think of St. Louis as home.  After all, I was born in St. Louis, and more than 50% of my possessions are stored in my parents’ basement there.   Though in the middle of the country, St. Louis fashion is by no means middle of the road.  Ladies in the Show Me State know how to show off their pedicures in sassy shoes while clubbing on trendy Washington Avenue in the downtown area, or enjoying long dinners in the outdoor cafes of the Central West End.  Local glossy St. Louis Magazine — along with its oh-so-stylish readership – is loving metallic wedges for summer.  In a city known for July and August heat waves, a little metal adds just the right amount of sizzle.

West Coast - From the hot lights of Vegas to the Fair Isle sweaters of Seattle to the beaches of LA, the one common element among West Coast fashion is diversity.  I visited Las Vegas (hey, it was for work!) during a steamy week of temps above 105 degrees.  But that didn’t stop tourists and locals alike from steaming up their wardrobes with unbelievably sexy shoes!  Forget the poker table, the true queens in Vegas are the stilettos.  I spotted the lofty shoes paired with everything from jeans to shorts to micro minis.  Those spike heels can take you from the Hard Rock’s Body English nightclub, to the sophisticated dining of Caesar’s Palace’s Bradley Ogden, and even to the smoky depths of Fremont Street.  Now that’s what I call a jackpot!

In the hills of San Francisco, the story is a little different.  The climate — languid sunny days and fresh, chilly nights – sometimes means the shoe you’re wearing at 8 a.m. won’t be the shoe you’re wearing at 8 p.m.  Bay Area ladies are often spotted toting an extra pair along in a chic bag … just in case.  Lots of walking and cable car rides means comfort is key … but not at the sake of fashion.  Bay Area ladies pound the pavement in funky, comfy sneakers.  And for nighttime, chill breezes and hilly streets make boots over jeans a favorite look.

Expert Shopping Tip - The online shoe sales arena is overflowing with contenders right now, which means each one is competing for your business with some terrific deals like free shipping and major sales.  For example, check out the Shoes.com Saturday Sale. On the second Saturday of each month, Shoes.com offers up to 60% off a huge selection of men’s, women’s and kids’ shoes. Brands include Hollywould, Delman, Bruno Magli, Stuart Weitzman and Marc by Marc Jacobs.  

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This week we found shoes, shoes and more shoes to drool over:

The Wall Street Journal reporter Christina Binkley pens about the power of the stiletto. She says that if you look under many a powerful woman’s desk you’ll find a serious pair of heels…and she’s right. Power heel shoe designer Stuart Weitzman states “High heels indicate power.” Nobody ever said it would be easy – or comfortable – to be powerful and stylish, but we all know what a well-placed heel is capable of.

Splendora raves about Steve Madden Cabanna as the new official office shoes. These wood-heeled shoes give you a lot of extra inches plus the interior padding makes them relatively comfortable.

SheFinds shares how to sizzle in fabulous new shoes from Payless. Designer Lela Rose has signed up to design for Payless, following a trend started by Abaete, whose Fall 2007 line is already available. Two fabulous, guilt-free finds; The Flavin Platform, an adorable metallic sandal, and the Debra Wedge, a performance shoe that’s all business and will look great with the bold lines of fall suits.

FabSugar spotlights Stuart Weitzman’s Oval Metallic Flat Sandal, which can be dressed up or dressed down. These shoes are great if you prefer to wear flats that are fun for tooling around everyday, or having lunch with the girls.

StyleHive bubbles about Seychelles D’Orsay Pump, a sassy peep-toe pump, punched up with color. The bright yellow adds a gorgeous unexpected pop to neutral pieces. If you’re feeling a little less adventurous, take the classic route with black or go mod with shiny white. The effortless style goes with everything from tailored pencil skirts to wide leg trousers.

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 Last week for your gawking pleasure, we found fantastic trends and styles with some that just happen to be celebrity favorites:

 eBay’s Jewelry Blog by Sandy Graham features celebrities such as Jessica Stam in her opulent print dress with back straps made of tourmaline, amethyst and other jewels; Cameron Diaz in her fancy turquoise earrings and matching necklace; and Jennifer Lopez gleaming in her diamond encrusted hair clip.

Splendora touts the Laura Miller Asher dress as a “what to wear” this season. If you like dresses, this one has a wrap belt that nips in your waist for a flattering shape.

Constance White, eBay’s Style Director, blogs about her attendance at Vera Wang’s preview of Simply Vera. She shares with us that her collection will be available to millions of women in America and exclusive to Kohl’s come September.

FabSugar spotlights Cameron Diaz in her favorite frock, the little black dress. LBD’s are forever chic and a great investment piece to add to any wardrobe.

SheFinds boasts about Denise Richards love for shoes and the trendy Dolce Vita espadrilles she’s wearing. Let’s face it – shoes are a woman’s best friend, so check these out and run – don’t walk – to your computer and buy them online!

The Budget Fashionista uses Susan Sarandon as its poster child and gives “how to be fashionable after sixty” style tips and how to continue looking fabulous with age. The top of the list included wearing monochromatic pieces, trendy accessories and denim.

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Entourage fans will recognize Turtle’s custom-designed Fukijamas from the “What About Bob” episode.

As a huge Nelly fan (he’s from the ‘Lou)
I can appreciate Air Force Ones.

So, I thought I’d let you know about this one-of-a-kind pair being auctioned off on eBay. The bidding is already at $11,000 with two days left to win.

For those of you who can’t afford these big boys, let’s hug it out…

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Summer brides, breathe easy.  Weddings are expensive, but your shoes don’t have to be.  Here’s five shoes that will take you down the aisle in style–without breaking your budget:

Touch Ups Trista | $49.95 at Amazon
Asymmetrical classic white shoe with a medium 3″ heel.

Touch Ups Lilly | $49.95 at 6pm.com
A much more affordable version of these $395 Stuart Weitzman Hardcandy shoes. 

Touch Ups Faith | $49.95 at 6pm.com
Pictured (top): A flattering slingback version of the Lilly shoes.

Kenneth Cole Reaction ‘Rich n’ Post’ Slingback | $90.86 at Nordstrom
Pictured (bottom):  A simple slingback with an asymmetrical bow detail.

Franco Sarto Leslie in Silver Metallic | $82.95 at Zappos
A stylish, comfy wedge sandal appropriate for a more casual wedding.

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This week, we found designer trends and favorites from our blogger friends to keep you up-to-speed with the fast pace of fashion:

If you’re shopping for shoes, Splendora is stylin’ the Classic Chanel Spectator Pumps for all you lovely ladies to look fabulous! Not only do they go with everything, but you can consider them somewhat of an investment purchase and get tons of mileage out of this classic designer shoe.

SheFinds.com touts the trendy big, beautiful pendants in bold shapes with so many styles to choose from. Celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears love this look!

StyleBites boasts that designers have taken inspiration from cheaper brands like Trashy.com and are showcasing stripper-esque shoes on their runways. Since it’s hard to differentiate between the haute and “trashy” versions, save yourself the extra $$ and skip the designer labels for this trend.

The Runway Scoop remembers Emilio Pucci and his colorful and geometric aesthetic turned into wearable fashion. Pop a bottle of bubbly and celebrate Emilio’s 60th birthday this weekend.

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