the it lists – fashion & trend blog

I just bought my first shoes for spring - I’m off to Hawaii next week (six more sleeps!) so thought why not grab a new pair of gladiators.

My must-have sandal was this Giombetti from Aldo – mostly because of the trendy hues in soft metalics and spring hues that will go with so much. So if I have to travel light at least I’m pretty much handled for a few outfit changes!

Oh, and I’m just a sucker for any shoe that has a zipper up the back.  Sigh.

From thigh-high boots, to chunky neck jewelery, accessories are the “it” trend this season. What about accessories for your accessories?

Shoe Jewelery has been popping up tons on runways to fashion blogs everywhere. With good reason:

1. They are cool.
2. Fun & inexpensive way to spruce up your wardrobe.
3. Breathe new life to pumps, that may have found their way to the back of your closet.

Simple or rock star crazy! But keep in mind, like any accessory, it should compliment your outfit.

For subtle and simple: add a thin chain, long enough for the chain to loosely drape around your ankle, (Lanvin’s SS2010 collection featured beautiful, gold chains); or feminine and edgy, add a bright coloured feather shoe clip.
For that bad ass rock star look: layers of chains of different sizes, on a pair of ankle boots will do the trick. LitterSF has amazing designs (The “Jay Walks has mini bullets on them!).

Now, the land of the forgotten pumps is no longer. And all the shoes rejoiced.

The fringe trend is not going anywhere soon.  And it refuses to be pigeon-holed as a fall/winter trend either.  This summer is full-on fringe everywhere you turn.

This modern take on bohemian should be limited to one item per outfit.  Whether a large or small item is up to you, but don’t go crazy as it can be overpowering.  Easiest way to work fringe into your wardrobe would be with a staple item like shoes or a handbag – add a splash of style to a jeans and tank outfit.  Don ‘t forget Accessories! Fringed earings, necklaces and even bracelets are easily add instant pizzaz.

Fringe is not just for casual attire, it can also be sexy.  It graced this seasons runways in collections from Hermes to Vivienne Westwood both of which are known to make a woman look and feel like a seductress.  Fringed dresses and tanks are perfect for this look and if you really like to push boundaries opt for a sheer version and pair with a nude tank.

When it comes to designer collaborations other retailers may try as they might but H&M will always reign King (or Queen) of the collaboration.

With names like: Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf and most recently Matthew Williamson under their belt – H&M obviously does a big collaboration or doesn’t do one at all.

For their first collabo with an accessories brand they decide to team with British powerhouse - Jimmy Choo.  Keeping with the staple Jimmy Choo glamorous & sexy style, these shoes, accessories and handbags will be no different.  The surprise twist – it will also include a men’s collection of shoes, bags, & accessories!

The collection will launch Novemeber 14 in 200 H&M stores accross the world.  If you’ve learned nothing from past collaborations, know this: people will sleep on the street to get these.  Go early or don’t go at all – as I predict this collection could easily be sold out by November 15.

I love Jessica Simpson…Shoes! Perhaps it’s the strong Christian Louboutin influence seen in most styles.  Or that her shoes look like high-end designer pieces, but at a price I can afford.  Undoubtedly the fact that they are hands down the most comfortable pair of heels I own; despite that they are the highest of any of my stilettos, yet never hurt my feet is a huge bonus.

You can imagine my excitement to find I no longer had to make the treck accross the border or shell out a good hundred dollars extra in markup for some Jessica’s when I stumbled across them at Le Chateau last week!  I have been sooo-o impressed with the improvement in Le Chateau’s Canada shoe game, hats off to them for picking up this line.  For spring the have open-toed and pumps in soft pastels to edgy neons.

Tip: I found this season fit a little large, so ask for your size and one size smaller when trying these babies on.

Fashion Week Quickie: Tracy Reese Goes Eclectic Fabsugar

Look Sleek In A Mike & Chris Jacket; The Classic Tiered Skirt & Sterling Drop Earrings Couture in the City

P.S. Also check out Mike & Chris shoes (some of The It List’s fav shoes)

Shopping Guide: Sweet Yet Sexy Lingerie Omiru

Made in the Shade in Chic Resort Wear Fashion Tribes

The first shoe trend of the year is Caged footwear.

Michael Antonio’s Chai is getting lots of print coverage. I like it in blue! But the one that really started this trend is YSL Spring 2009 Heels. The YSL lattice mesh shoes were one of the biggest thing on this runway.

I love, love these YSL – just crossing my fingers a few decent knockoffs come around. And also a bit of caution in the sun so you don’t have lattice tan lines. No no.

The other thing this trend means…be prepared to pull out your gladiators from last year.

Image [source]

The Coach Lizza Shoe.  I can’t believe I’m writing this post – unlike Shelley, I’m not a big fan of Coach.  Not really even for a minute.  But when I saw these shoes I couldn’t deny why I liked them. 

Plain Jane, like Coach is notorious for what attracts me to this very simply styled shoe for this season.  Simple yes – but this double strap addition to the Mary Jane is also ’styling’ right now. I’m predicting these shoes have the ability to look good with almost anything. 

Vanity Fair recently featured Lizza Shoe in Black with a black and white pair of stripped stockings that made me want to run out a grab a pair right away.  At $278 this deal of price is also what Coach is notorious for – means that you could be wearing this shoes to work on Monday!

In Gunmetal or Bronze I suggest matching them with your best suit.  ~ Nicole, guest "it" writer.     

I’ve been looking at my little booties and wondering how they were going to fit into spring. Well they’re not going away, but to be completely in style they’ve evolved to peep-toe booties.

Expect to see the updated oxford, slips of patent leather, and ribbons for spring 2008’s version of the ankle boot. And of course spring colors in trend – like pink.

Here are some tips for wearing peep toe shoes: http://womens-shoes.suite101.com/article.cfm/peep_toe_shoes 

Before one of the best things about a Vancouver-based fashion chain, was it’s name: SPANK.

Spank’s always been great for Canadian designers (like one of my favs – Chulo Pony). And now it’s added a fourth location all about shoes: Spank Shoes. If you’re looking for a value option to local Gravity Pope, but still want something funky then you’ve just scored!

Spank Shoes is the newest offering of interestingly unique footwear for shop-a-holics. Or shoe-a-holics, for that matter. They offer designer brands such as Jeffery Campbell, Seychelles, Poetic License, and London Underground. 

I recently scooped up two-tone brown & black pair of Marcs. No their not Marc, by Marc Jacobs – rather a German line. Soft leather, Euro-style.

And don’t forget to check out vegan, Matt &Nat bags while you’re there.

Spank Shoes
2003 West. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC                                             Pic: Seychelle’s One Night Only

I’m a bit late on posting this since it aired the other week on Oprah, but still worth sharing! Hey, I got busy and forgot. It’s Cole Haan. It’s sporty science. It’s not cheap.

Cole Haan Air is the unexpected and unique collision of two worlds, sport and fashion. Cole Haan’s new line of fall pumps and boots leverages Nike Air technology to help when marching around the office or standing for hours at swanky cocktail parties. My favorites are in the G Series (and even though it’s not really sandal season – love this Kyla).

"I’m not going to say that a 4-inch heel feels like a sneaker. But you feel the effect of walking in a shoe that has some support, you feel that padding and cushioning under the ball of your foot," said Annie Taube, CH’s Fashion Director, who worked closely with Gordon Thompson III, Senior VP/Creative Director, during the two years it took to design the new line. [via Cole Haan].

A peak over at She Finds give her take of the Oprah fest and her picks (and a bunch of options of where to find these cushy shoes).

P.S. Nike owns Cole Haan.

Shopping just got geekier! Like.com is the first true visual search engine, where the contents of photos are used to search and retrieve similar items. In Shop-inese what that means to you is this…

Want to know where to buy that trendy new bag that Jessica Alba was photographed with last weekend? The sparkly new watch Paris was snapped in? Like.com can look for it without you even knowing the designer.
 
Don’t have an image to run thru the search engine? Instead start with text so – if you enter a text query, like “jet black almond toe wedges,” Like.com will convert that query and look for related image results.

The site launched today returns results only for shoes, jewelry, hand bags and clothing, but more categories are coming soon. See a sample search here.

I know it’s a bit geeky for fashion, but think of all the pretty things you can now find. And best of all Like.com is offering free shipping to the first 10,000 fashionistas.

Image [source].

Slouchy, Sleeky, Chunky and Wedgie…no not some bad dwarf names but rather the great chill season footwear I found. I want, I want, I want. On the weekend Babs and I were talking boots and I said hands down Piper Lime is my fav’ new site for shoes (especially boots).

Kenneth Cole New York Ride & Seek – Almond toe, and a chunky row of buckles.

Dr. Scholl’s Fable – slouchy, green suede. And tell me a Dr Scholl wouldn’t be comfortable?

Naturalizer Denzel - a high, flat boot that is super sleek. What wouldn’t this go with?

The Aerosole wedges are still my favs, but for wedges with a twist of style I like the Apepazza Basso – in rust suede, and love the sculpted wedge. Kenzie Faith – brass studs and stitched accents make it a rich looking.

I noted these in my Fall 2006 picks, but thought they’re grand enough to be featuring in a solo post. I don’t know who is designing for Aerosoles, but has this shoe company ever found some new soul (sole).

My favor"it" is the Sleigh Thread Shoe (deal$ here) My local mall is only carrying the black and brown – it’s pretty basic, but I’m jonesing for the moss green or bronze. Shop Etc Magazine voted this the #1 most comfortable heel this season.

Another good pick is the Durrific Boots – triple trend points for the buckles, kneehigh length and wedge heel. And if you prefer the flat heel don’t miss the Ride Line.