I was lucky enough to get the chance to interview Hayden-Harnett designer Toni Hacker back in October and she's so great! I'm dying to get my hands on a pair of her Madeleine Riding Boots ($448) which come in a beautiful brandy color (also black and eucalyptus). Toni was so excited about her new (and first!) collection of boots a few months ago when I interviewed her and she let me feel the samples so I know that they're super comfy and cozy! I keep gearing-up to head to her store in Greenpoint because I'm not sure what size I am so I don't want to risk getting the wrong one online, but this damn cold weather keeps making me chicken-out! In addition to boots, come January 2009, Hayden-Harnett will have a whole range of flats, sandals, wedges and pumps:) But, in the meantime, check-out the boot collection and preview of the Hayden-Harnett Spring collection here!
Recently in Boots Category
It has been about seven years since UGGs first burst onto the scene via Kate Hudson and other celebs donning them with ultra-minis. Though their appeal has somewhat dwindled they are still countless styles sold-out at Bloomingdale's in NYC and at the Soho UGG store. Yes, I'll admit it, I stocked-up and once again bought a few pairs this year! Forget that they're not sexy, they're not even that great quality -- every year the pairs I buy get ruined by snow/rain (even though I spray them to help make them water resistant) and then others end-up hardening from the salt that gets put on the NYC sidewalks so I can't fit my feet in them! So why do I buy them? Because they're comfy and relatively inexpensive. Plus, compared to Timberland or even Pucci or Marc Jacobs Moon Boots, they are actually not that bad looking. Though I have to say if I wear the tall Uggs too long, they rub against the back of my ankle and start to hurt! Anyway, even after all this time, UGGs seem to still be popular and there are countless imitators. Of particular note, Australia Love Collective. That said, if your're going to go for this kind of boot -- stick to the original is my opinion! What do you think? Do you still wear UGGs?
I was sure that the Gucci Babouska Studded Bootie ($995) were going to be my absolute fave booties this season and they ARE gorgeous -- not to mention popular with celebs (Charlotte Ronson wore them at the Gucci-Unicef party, I spotted them on Vanessa Marcil's character Josie from Lipstick Jungle...). So, of course, I was saddened that everywhere I looked the shoes were sold-out in my size!! Literally at every department store and Gucci store in NYC and Paris I couldn't get them in a 7.5. Luckily, I just came across these Rupert Sanderson Kit Kat shoe boots ($1,100)! LOVE!! I just hope 1/ they go on sale before the Holiday season is over (seriously, leave it to me to fall in love with the only boots not on sale yet!) and 2/ they don't pinch!!:)
A few pieces from Helmut Lang in your wardrobe is all you need to look chic, day in and day out. I selected a few of my favorites from the line with must have boots of the moment from Miu Miu and Louboutin ponyhair platforms. All of the above are simple items that you can mix with your current wardrobe no matter what your style is! Michael and Nicole Colovos, creative directors behind the brand, has breathed new life into Helmut Lang without compromising his minimalistic aesthetics. I for one am a major fan, the prices are not bad either, the strapless dress is $435, slim pants are $345 and cardigans are $380. (Jump for details!)
1. Helmut Lang Cashmere long cardigan $495
SJP image People.com
I've been eying these booties for a while now (how could I not they're on the main net-a-porter page!). And now I see a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker wearing my coveted shoes casually on the streets of NYC. I actually prefer this metallic color over SJP's purple, but I love that she's wearing them with cropped pants to show 'em off. They have such a fun, futuristic feel to them.
Check them-out for yourself! -- Christian Louboutin Sigourney ankle boots,$1,030.
Coming back from Paris all I can think is BOOTIES! I saw so many chic women decked-out in the cutest booties paired with skinnies or pencil skirts. There are two in particular that I'm currently obsessing over. First the Babouska Studded Bootie ($995), from Gucci's Fall 2008 collection which I spotted on the feet of numerous women during Fashion Week in Paris -- they're so sexy-chic, I love the hint of rock in them. Secondly, I'm loving these heavy, gold with black accented booties that were shown in the Iwaya for Dress 33 Spring/Summer 2009 runway show that I went to. Unfortunately these won't be available for months to come, but they definitely stood-out as the strongest piece in the collection. I'm so curious to see what these would look like tried on -- they seem like they would be very heavy and something about them is somewhat goth, but how fun are they??
What do you guys think? Bootie or Not?
By Liza Powel O'Brien
Or is the question more, Is there an authenticity limit? These boots speak to my inner self (the one that never ages; the one that has always been shyly drawn to the dark side without ever having the courage to go there). I've been looking for them all my life. They are bad-ass.
Or are they? Is a $600+ pair of "biker-style" boots like pre-shredded jeans? Is it the ultimate in poseur fashion? Or is that beside the point, at a certain point? Belstaff is a manufacturer of actual "biker" apparel, but still, something about this feels a little like buying an Army-Navy surplus style coat from Prada--a frou-frou knock- off of something down-to-earth; a frivolous approporiation of utilitarian reality. Either way, I'm sure there are people who can pull this off, but sadly I don't know if I (an average, aging mother of two, who wouldn't ride a motorcycle if you paid me) can do it. Belstaff boots $601 at Matchesfashion.com
Images from people.com
Kate Moss, Blake Lively, and Anne Hathaway -- some pretty chic gals have been spotted in over-the-knee-boots. Personally I can't help but think Julia Roberts in Pretty Women and couldn't ever imagine myself rocking this look, but I have to say that Kate looks pretty chic with her tight, high black boots over black skinnies. What do you think?? Jump for some over-the-knee looks!
Guest blog by Julia Dinardo of Fashion Pulse
We recently discovered that for Spring 2009. It's chic to have your zipper out (not down, mind you). From zipper detailing that resembles pleating to blatant down the front or down the back exposed zippers it's in to reveal, not conceal. You can choose faux or functional, but most importantly: forget the invisible zipper and go for a zipper with thick, metal teeth that walks the fine line between punky, edgy, and just plain fabulous. We first spotted the zipper sensation at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show(below), executed so artfully that we had to do a double-take before we realized that the draped, ruffled effect was really lined with zippers! Next up the Proenza Schouler (above) boys sent down the runway a concentration of exposed, center-zippered garments from jumpsuits to dresses and skirts. Our absolute favorite was this look that combined a cropped sleeveless leather-like vest with a minty, parachute material skirt; adorned, of course, with an in-your-face zipper down the front! Accessories also partook in the trend, like these amazing bootie/peep-toe/pump hybrids at BCBGMAXAZRIA (below) and the oversized carry all at Alexander Wang.
No runway trend is complete, however, without us finding some items that will most certainly help you get the look for extremely less. (Jump for our Luxe to Less options!)
