Fall Footwear: Lady Loafers

I'm a fan of menswear-inspired footwear especially for fall. Over the past two years, I've acquired quite a few lace up oxfords. My latest obsession? Slip-on loafers! They're comfortable and easy to wear to skirts or pants.


DV by Dolce Vita "Marcela", $69.00I love the wingtip detals and tassels. I bought these loafers in the natural sand color. It's a bit hard to keep light colored suede and white soles looking fresh, so looking back I kind of wish I had gone with the magenta. I'd imagine they'd hide the dirt better, and they're an affordable way to sport the jewel tone trend happening this fall.


Matiko "Lilo", $114.95These flats are a bit manish, but I'm a sucker for perforated leather and I love how sleek these look. They're black flats; you can't really go wrong.


By Paige Fox "Black Needlepoint", $147.00Needlepoint might seem a bit grandma, but I love how cozy they look. With fitted pants or a pencil skirt, these foxy flats could look great.



Steven by Steve Madden "Madee", $119.00Leopard, love leopard! Pair these with some classics like dark jeans or tapered black pants for perfection.


Jeffrey Campbell "Sunshine", $119.90These vintage-inspired loafers are perfect a preppy black to school look.

Shopping Round Up: Cute Rain Boots

I've done a couple shopping round ups on cute rain boots (exhibit A & exhibit B), but with what feels like never ending spring showers in the city, I felt inspired search the web for more weatherproof footwear.


Steve Madden "Tsunamii" (now $59.78, retail $80)
The ankle straps give these boots a bit of biker style, and the zipper in back make them easy to put on and take off. These boots came out in the fall, so sizes are limited. But if you can find them in your size, you can get them on sale at Zappos, Bloomingdales, Macy's, and quite a few other retailers.



Hunter "Interlaken" ($117.00-195.00)
I'm also a fan of the ankle strap detail on these Hunter boots. I appreciate that these are slimmer than the classic Hunters, and wedge heels can be helpful in balancing the frumpiness that sometimes happens with raincoats. Since my coat is a bright coral, I would probably get the black for myself, but if I had a black or more subdued coat, I might consider the purple. They seem like they'd be quite fun!


Hunter "Arolla", ($195.00)
Another option from Hunter, that's not bad. They're nice, simple black rain boots, and the shiny black from afar could look a bit like patent leather.


Rockport "Lorraine" (now $95.96, retail $119.95)
These Rockport boots are a bit chunky for my taste, but I've been considering them since they they look more like patent leather or PVC than a rubber. And I could use them for rain or snow. They have great reviews online; a lot of people have commented on how comfortable they are.



Rockport "Lorraine Chelsea" ($74.48-$110.00)
Rockport also has a bootie version of their Lorraine boots. I find something about the ultraviolet pair intriguing. I think they would look fun with a bright, bold Technicolor-inspired outfit, but I do worry that they'd be a bit too costumey for everyday wear. So for myself, I would probably get the black pair because I know I'd get a lot of use out of them.


Kate Spade "Randi" ($125.00)
These boots from Kate Spade are a bit more like your traditional rain boot, but with pops of color! The red soles and bows are a nice girly touch that would brighten up any rainy day. These darling boots would look great with a classic trench.

NYFW Spring 2011: Z Spoke by Zac Posen

Here in the Theatre at Lincoln center the crowds are mounting as for the start of Z Spoke, photographers are taking pictures of front row celebs that we have yet to decipher. Devon Aoki is casually chatting with Jaime King, Leigh Lezark (?) is directly in front of us speaking animatedly to Michelle Trachtenberg. Clare Danes has entered the room to sit next to 90210’s Shenae Grimes. Kimora Lee & Russell Simons are seated front row and next to each other! Who else is here? Solange Knowles, Carmen Electra and Estelle. It’s a veritable celebrity circus, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the days before the recession began.Lani and I are both tweeting & typing furiously! I’m so relieved to have a seat because I can make use of my borrowed Vivienne Tam/HP digital clutch and can write about what I’m seeing as it’s happening instead of in recollection.Things must be looking up Mr. Posen as his only New York show is starting with a bang. The room is buzzing and flashbulbs are popping. The backdrop is set with architectural frames and Z Spoke glows in bright lights as the music starts. The show had a feeling of living large and living loud. However when you examine individual pieces they are quite wearable. The perfectly tailored little jackets, the flirty dresses and the slim cut trousers.

The inspiration behind the show? Posen says was "Three girls. We start with an intellectual. She's skinny, has a dog, and went to Sarah Lawrence. Then we have the English rose. She went to art school, loves classical music, and has a cat. And then there's our third girl. She's a fiery redhead and probably has a pet snake."

Whimsical fruit & smiling face prints made me smile back at the cutesy pineapples & melancholy apple. The trench coat above even features a watermelon slice broach!

Statement makeup focused on bold turquoise eyes and stained red lips. Hair was all about curls whether swept up in a twist, pony or wrapped up in high buns. As for the shoes? Sky high wedges and lace-ups are actually part of a collaboration between Posen and Steve Madden that had even the most experience models tottering.

Most notable accessory? The great sunglasses that are very pop happy in very round shapes that were sometimes accented with sparkle.

Coral tones and yellow were the predominant pop colors that were anchored nicely by black in a variety of finishes and denim chambray.

If you didn’t want denim pieces that are not jeans before, you will definitely want them now. Denim looked great in overcoats, trousers, and little shift dresses. The great thing about Posen is that he is able to balance the fine line that separates great feminine details and the cupcake-like (too sweet, too frilly). Soft touches such as a hint of ruffle, a little peplum, a little bow and hints of lace hit the right note.

Skirts are either slim maxis or flirty fun minis that often had bounce in each step. In this collection bust focus becomes important through contrast colors, and style lines that are referential to corsetry and bustier.

The mood was cheerful, fun and that life is a party. The models were vivacious obviously having fun! Cheers to Posen for the great diversity in castings on the runway. One of the rare shows that really reflect the diversity of New York City. We also caught Crystal Renn on the catwalk and although she is considered a plus size model, we don’t really see it! She did look great though :) Loved that the show ended with Posen in a fist pump of victory after the runway finale.

dupli-CAUGHT: Matt Bernson vs Steve Madden

Exhibit 1
Matt Bernson, KM Gladiator, $170 vs
Steve Madden, Broose, $69.95Besides the lack of studs in the back of the foot bed, the Steve Madden pair is pretty much an exact replica of the Matt Bernson gladiators.


Exhibit 2
Matt Bernson, Nouer III Navy Fringe Sandal, $165 vs
Steve Madden, Barbyy, $79.95I think it's clear now who Steve Madden turns to for sandal "inspiration". Again the only difference (besides craftsmanship and materials of course) is the lack of foot bed detailing. Shame on you, Steve Madden!

To shop or check out more styles from Matt Bernson, visit mattbernson.com.