Shoe Of The Week: Report Signature Downey III Sandal

imageWhat shoe genius designed this beauty?? It’s kind of like a peep-toe pump, kind of like a cut-out ankle bootie. It’s kind of like a heeled sandal and kind of exotic, but classic at the same time. It’s kind of amazing and made by Report Signature. The Downey III Sandal is all the latest and hottest shoe trends all wrapped into one gorgeous, versatile, leg-elongating package. Plus, the splash of turquoise and gold snake skin gives it a pop of color and adds an air of exoticism. The crisp white leather is perfect for spring/summer, but doesn’t compete with the many trends already going on, giving the Downey III Sandal an elegant and luxe vibe. Pair it with linen pants or a mini-skirt for a breezily beautiful day ensemble. Or get the black with gold and silver version and strut your stuff for an sexy, edgy nighttime look!

What: the Downey III Sandals by Report Signature
Price: $209.00
Where to Buy: Revolveclothing.com
Who Found It: Idabone was the first to add the Downey III Sandals by Report Signature to the Hive.

Shoe of the Week: Sam Edelman Portia Boots

imageOne spring trend I’m eagerly awaiting are perforations. Whether it’s a coy peekaboo effect on a dress or a unique visual texture for a purse, perforation details are in for spring 2010. Even celebrity stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe agrees with me! She handpicked the Sam Edelman Portia Boots on Piperlime and I can’t find any faults with her choice. The leather pull on boot has an easy going western feel yet the perforated shaft makes it distinctly feminine. Pair it with your favorite sundresses for a weekend picnic brunch or tuck a pair of jeans inside for days you need to run errands while looking put together. I love the distressed leather near the soles for a vintage look without worrying about pre-worn germs! Choose between black or brown, but I guarantee either will coordinate with any outfit you come up with.

What: the Sam Edelman Portia Boots
Price: $225
Where to Buy: Piperlime.com
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Sam Edelman Portia Boots to the Hive.

Tread Brightly In A Trendy Pair Of Neon Flats!

imageEver since I finally mastered the art of strutting in sky-high heels, it takes a pretty special pair of flats to make me revert to my strictly-flat-soled college gal ways. And with a new shoe trend on the block — neon flats — I have to say, I can’t help but be intrigued (can you blame me, they’re practically blinding!). But before you roll your eyes and think, we already tried bringing back 90s neons, do we REALLY need to try again?, keep in mind that saving the in-your-face color for just your shoes allows you to indulge in fun springtime brights without looking obnoxiously dated. After all, there isn’t a much better way to show off even the slightest spring break tan like a pair of neon pink jellies, and nothing says “check out my immaculate new pedicure” quite like a pair of hot turquoise peep-toe flats. Not convinced yet? Check out the slideshow for a selection of my favorite neon flats!

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Shoe of the Week: Dolce Vita Violet Heels

imageIt seems like a lot of shoes I’ve been seeing these days are about putting all the bells and whistles onto your feet (I’m looking at you Balenciaga!). While I certainly wouldn’t complain if a pair of showstopping shoes ended up on my feet, I’m definitely more of a classic girl at heart. As always, classic doesn’t always mean boring. Check out the suede Dolce Vita Violet Heels to see what I mean. A classic peep toe heel is always a staple in any girl’s shoe collection, but the lace-up detail allows it to stand out from the pack. I would wear them with skinny jeans and a floral top for a casual date. On the flip side, you can easily amp up the edginess by pairing it with a body conscious minidress for a night on the town. Since they’re on final sale at 50% off the original price, grab a pair before it’s all gone!

What: the Dolce Vita Violet Heels
Price: $115
Where to Buy: Tobi.com
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Dolce Vita Violet Heels to the Hive.

Top 10 Clogs That Will Make You Want to Pack Away Your Stilettos

imageWhile watching the Spring 2010 shows like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu I noticed one thing…they were all wearing clogs. What? I had to look again; yes those are definitely clogs they are wearing. So it seems that clogs are back, and this trend has been gaining steam for a little while before it went high fashion in Paris and Milan. MK and Ashley Olsen have been wearing clogs for over a year now, and Michelle Williams was seen walking her adorable daughter, Matilda with some equally adorable clog boots by No.6. But if anyone is going to take the look and make it a trend it’s going to be Karl Lagerfeld. While the Chanel ones are drool worthy their price tag (retailing over $1,000) is a little steep for wooden shoes. So I had to look into some other options, because I can’t see this being a long lasting trend. Just to clarify these are not your basic wooden clog or leather nurses clog, and they are defiantly not those horrid colored plastic ones either! These clogs are sexy and embellished, some with heels as high as those on your favorite stilettos. There will be no need to pair them with super light wash 70’s style bell bottoms, these clogs will work best paired floaty little dresses and romantic sheer tops. Check out the SLIDESHOW for the top 10 clogs that won€™t cost you a month€™s rent.

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Number (N)ine x Converse

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As a farewell to esteemed Tokyo brand Number (N)ine, Converse recently teamed up with the now defunct label for a final covetable collaboration.

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The resulting asymmetrical Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star oxford-styled sneakers make a fitting end for Number (N)ine, as designer Takahiro Miyashita explains, “My childhood started with Converse.”

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Takahiro tweaked the classic Converse models with an askew lace-up, a nod to the innovative 1970 Converse Odessa (a more recent version is pictured below left). Made of premium deer skin, the shag suede upper’s uneven texture lends a spackle-paint texture for a modern Boho feel.

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While saying goodbye is always hard, as Takahiro eloquently states “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished”—the Converse collaboration seems a silver lining to that cloud.

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The shoes drop in select stores around the world beginning 13 March 2010, including 10 Corso Como, Colette, Dover Street Market, Wood Wood, Aloha Rag, and more, for $140 a pair.


Shoe Of The Week: Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals

imageI’m usually really not a fan of platforms with tracking on the bottom. I mean, what’s the point? You’d have to be a complete fool to actually try hiking anywhere in heels, and either you or your shoes would likely die in the attempt (I’m not sure which would be worse). But for some reason, I’m totally digging the zig-zag bottoms of these sandals by Camilla Skovgaard. The tracking-inspired soles clearly are just for design and not function, and I actually love the way the edgy jagged pattern offsets the softness of the tan leather and the femininity of the slouchy belted design. While I’d rather get married in clogs (yeah, right) than trek any farther than two blocks in these bad boys, for once I’m kind of buying the whole hiker-inspired trend! Well, not literally buying it — that’s one heck of a price tag.

What: the Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals
Price: $545
Where to Buy: Saks
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals to the Hive.

Lolice shoes by Belma Arnautović

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Recession Chic: 10 Flat Booties Under $100!

imageI’ve been in pursuit of the perfect pair of flat boots for so long that I’ve recently had to modify my search to the perfect pair of short flat boots, given the updates in shoe trends and the passing of more than one season. But even with my more specific and refined target purchase, I’m still having a hard time making up my mind and settling on one ideal pair. Sure, our favorite fool-proof boot brands like Frye and Dolce Vita have loads of options in every color and type of embellishment, but what if it turns out that I’m totally “over” the trend after just a few uses? What if I have my sights on a different pair before these ones even come in the mail? Lucky for us recessionistas, the flat ankle boot craze has caught on and expanded to incorporate more affordable brands in its arsenal of suppliers — Report, Steve Madden, Aldo — so you can indulge in an edgier pair for just a fraction of the guilt… or buy more than one and still stay under the cost of that designer pair you’ve been drooling over! Check out the slideshow for 10 pairs of flat booties — all different, and all under $100 a pop!

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Dezeen’s top ten: shoes

This month we’ve compiled our ten most popular Dezeen stories about shoes. (more…)