Shopping for Woven Oxford Flats

Many of you have asked me where you can find my brown woven flats. Mine were a limited edition run from Jeffrey Campbell & Shoe Market. The vintage inspired style was called Driggs named after a street just a block away from Shoe Market. Unfortunately this pair was from last summer and no longer available, so your best bet would be to search for a vintage pair. If you find them at a boutique or on etsy/eBay, they will range from $50-$100.

I've been searching for a replacement pair for myself since I get so much wear of these. I've had no luck for myself, but I've found quite a few pairs for friends who wear different sizes.

This pair is exactly, and I mean exactly the same as the Jeffrey Campbell pair that I have. I really wish these were a 7, but hey, now my friend Ashleigh can have a pair too! So keywords to find similar pairs - "woven (and your shoe size)" or "woven oxford" have been the most successful for me.

I've come across a blue and black pair, but no brown. If find a size 7 brown, please email me!

Not the same shoe, but I came across a very cute pair of pixie booties that I wanted to share in case anyone who wears a 7.5 would be interested. If the heel didn't have a zipper, I would have maybe considered purchasing them myself and using some inserts in the front and back.

Erin in WSJ & Online Shopping Tips

I guess you never know what's going to happen in your life! Blogging + living in NYC has let me to so many unbelievable moments and opportunities that I am so very grateful for. Perhaps, through it all it's been teaching me to aim higher personally and that anything is possible with a little bit of hard work. Hope I don't sound too sentimental :)

Anyways, here at Sugar Rock Catwalk we know shopping! My previous post on being cautious with pricing on Online Sample sales got me noticed by the lovely Ms O'Connell at the Wall Street Journal and she interviewed me for the article. To read the WSJ article click here.

Special thanks to the wonderful photographer Brian Harkin who so patiently took my photo (check out a couple of the shots that weren't used his photo blog and website)!

I guess there are always things that you can't control when other people are doing the writing, but for you readers, I can honestly say that I wish the article had mentioned the blog. Also, I feel it's important to note that Lani and I are regular girls, with very ordinary budgets so we are always careful to scrutinize who or what will get our hard earned dollars.

Truth be told, I will not give up online shopping! I love the thrill I get from looking at what I could get, being educated on knowing what's out there, and what is possible for what price.

I honestly have found great bargains on Gilt Groupe, Hautelook and The Savvy but it is important when shopping online to know your size, know how the brand fits and to know what the retail of those items are before buying (if a brand you like is coming on Gilt soon, do a little internet research! I love ShopStyle for comparison shopping). It's important to consider not the perceived discount but rather the amount you would be willing to pay for an item and be happy with. Also important to consider are shipping costs which often add at least $10 to the final price and shipping time (Gilt has a 1 to 2 day turnaround in the East Coast, but both Hautelook & the Savvy can take weeks, so I only order basics or items I know I won't get sick of from them).

Remember to note sale starting times too to make sure that you have the opportunity to get the best selection! Online sample sale shopping can be very competitive and if you don't shop fast enough, items in your cart can disappear but don't rush! Great deals come to those that are patient and persistent shoppers!

Question of the Week: Finding Nice Jeans at a Nice Price

"I need some new jeans. Any suggestions on where I can get some for a reasonable price?"
- Veronica, New York

Since you live in New York, my first suggestion would be Uniqlo. They have a variety of cuts and washes for $49.90, and there's almost always a few pairs on sale for $30-$40. For more information on the fit and quality, check my Uniqlo denim review.

Another option and great classic is Levi's. They're really expanded over the past few years and have jeans at every price point - some as high as $158.00 and some as low as $19.90. They have a great selection (and sale currently) on their website and in-stores for $40 or less.

If you live in California or New York, sample sales are another great place to look for affordable jeans. For sample sale listings, sign up for mailing lists or just keep reading Sugar Rock Catwalk! Erin always does a great job of updating our sample sales listing.

For those living in other parts of the country, check out The Warehouse Sale. They hold huge sales, and their prices are reasonable. You will have to sign up for their mailing list and RSVP to attend their events. They will often offer VIP admission the day before the sale for $5 or $10, but personally, I think they usually have enough stock to just go when it's general admission.

And finally, I would recommend Gilt Groupe, which I feel like you're all familiar with by now. They're a great resource for online shopping, especially for designer and high-end denim. Yes, online shopping for jeans can be difficult, but if you know what you like it's awesome, which brings me to my next and final point.

A shopping tip for jeans, know your brands and size in each brand. That might seem like a no brainer, but if you know your brand and your size, then you can nab them when they're on sale! So the next time you're out shopping at a department store or what have you, try everything on and make a mental note of your favorite lines and styles.

How to Style Vintage

A follow up to How to Shop Vintage, here is Episode 5 How to Style Vintage. We've got a few guidelines so you can avoid looking too costumey or dated. Plus we demo with a few pieces from our personal wardrobes.

We hope you enjoy the video! And if you have pictures of how you wear vintage, please share them with us!

Stay warm,

Erin & Lani

How to Shop Vintage

We love vintage. Finding that coveted vintage piece is like searching for the diamond in the rough. It's not easy, but when you score, it's exciting and satisfying. "It was meant to be!"

Here are some of our vintage shopping tips (and secrets). Good luck and happy shopping!

XOXO

Erin & Lani
Sugar Rock Catwalk Dot Com

Now Wearing...

Surprise, surprise...I love sparkle! This was my planned NYE outfit but I ended up doing something low-key so I actually wore it out a couple nights later...As for shoes, I wore my Delman Over the Knee Boots.

Feather Hat - Urban Outfitters
Sequin Dress - Lux, Urban Outfitters
Shiny Leggings - Xhilaration, Target
Small Studded Purse - Betsey Johnson
Bow Necklace - Dominique Cohen for Target


Shopping Tip: I bought the dress & hat online last year and learned that Urban Outfitters pricing online and in store is completely different! The dress was $70 cheaper online and the hat was $20 cheaper! For some things the store is cheaper so if you have time I would definitely recommend checking out both before a purchase.