these shoes are knockin' on heaven's door

In continuation and in addition to Knock on wood by Jeisa

In response to Jeisa's post about these wooden shoes that are popping up all over the SS 2011 collection, I decided to add some of my own picks in this wooden shoe trend. I actually had a huge obsession for clogs this summer. Wooden clogs to replace those straw platform sandals that I've seen way too often. I thought that would be a nice replacement, no? Plus wood can withstand rainy weather and not fall apart (unlike my ancient straw platforms that shredded apart after that sudden short rain shower one night). So, personally, I think this wooden shoe trend is here to say. Get ready to throw out those gladiator sandals and find some space for those clogs, wooden boots and all those wooden heel shoes that are available. Here are some of my picks that lean towards the affordable side (btw, in no way am I advertising for these companies or brands, these are just my personal preferences I've found so far)...

Jeffrey Campbell

Phone Platform Oxfords

Broome St. Wedge

Less wood, less chunky option: Lexie Platform Pump

pictures from and shoes available for purchase on shopnastygal.com

ZARA

 Wooden Sandal with Cross Straps

Vamp Sandal with Strap Wood
I swooned over these shoes for the longest time in Europe, during my summer trip. I told my mom again and again: I'm gonna get this, no matter what you say! (My mother's a very "comfort-oriented" person, so wedges/clogs are a big "no, no" in her opinion) I ended up hoping to buy these shoes in HK (*shhh, I wouldn't need to let my mom know!) but ZARA in HK didn't seem to carry these shoes. Darn!

pictures from and available for purchase on Zara's UK online shop

Swedish Hasbeens

Sky High Peep Toes

Covered Super High

the Autumn and Winter Option: Lace-up Boot High

pictures from and available for purchase on swedishhasbeens.com and urbanoutfitters.com

Next question: How will you match these shoes for the upcoming and present Autumn/Winter season? Well, before it gets too cold, I suggest a long cardigan, long t-shirt of any sort, and skinny jeans with a pair of wooden sandals. Since wooden sandals generally have a ankle strap, you can roll up the bottom of your jeans or khakis to show off your pretty new shoes. The Swedish Hasbeen boots are good for those cold winter days, wrapped up in your down jacket or this year's preferable military jackets or shearling jackets. And lastly, Jeffrey Campbell shoes are a good all-year-round option. Match Jeffrey Campbell shoes with jeans, shorts, skirts, and leggings. It'll look good and your shoes would be good for as long as this trend stays.

I'll let you know if I buy a pair of wooden shoes. :)

All for now!
Delilah

knock on wood

TREND REPORT 2011: CLUNKY WOODEN SHOES

[photo credits: style.com]

It seems to me that designers are quite obsessed with the element of wood in the recent showcases during New York Fashion Week. I'll let the pictures do the talking before I give my own take on it.

3.1 Philip Lim

Custo Barcelona

Derek Lam

Donna Karan

Doo.Ri

I'll be blunt: I'm really not a fan.

The only pair of shoes I would consider wearing would be from the Calvin Klein Collection, who did an amazing job in utilizing the element of wood in a more modern and demure manner.

What do you think of this trend? Will it last or disappear after a season?

More fashion week posts coming soon so stay tuned!

the truth about warehouse sales.

Living in Hong Kong, I don't exactly get the sample sales that fashion lovers in New York and London get. However, what we do have are major end of the season sales and warehouse sales all the time. So this weekend, when my friend C. called me up and asked me if I was interested in stopping by the I.T (the shop that French Connection, Izzue, and a billion other brands are part of in Hong Kong) warehouse sale, I thought "umm...why not? I guess I wouldn't mind another pair of shoes and I remembered that I had an email last week about the Pedder Warehouse sale at Times Square. But I also had in mind my past experience at an I.T. warehouse sale, which wasn't all that fun. Most of the clothes there were leftovers and of sizes which no one could wear. However, Pedder Warehouse at Harbour City was slightly better, I got to freely try on YSL heels and Marni glasses without annoying salespeople wandering around me.

But to my disappointment, the  I.T.  sale was no different than my past experience. Way too many people in a room filled with clothes that no one really wanted. Warehouse sales basically look the same as sample sales in other places. You get a big empty room filled with racks of clothes, sometimes tables with clothes folded up, and racks of shoes by sizes. They say that it's market down 90% but really, it depends on the style and the prices. For example, there were a bunch of funky high heeled boots. But the problem was, it's almost spring and the prices were so high (1500-2000HKD, that's around 200-250HKD, for non-designer), that even on 70 or 80% off, you weren't going to buy them. So C. and I just headed towards Times Square for the Pedder Warehouse sales, hoping to find some really amazing shoes. Well, the shoes were there. Lots of Stella McCartney, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman heels all lined up on shoes shelves. separated by sizes. All you had to do was go to your shoe size and try them on. But to our disappointment, nothing was anywhere less that 1000HKD. The only thing I found slightly reasonable was simple beige Marc Jacobs leather tote at 4000HKD, marked down from the original 13,000HKD but still, I wasn't going to spend that much money at one go on a bag that I didn't have my mind set on.


So, there it is, my weekend at warehouse sales. To tell the truth, I really don't suggest anyone to go to these sales, unless you're really into something and you know that you'll find it there. Otherwise, my suggestion would be to RUN the moment you hear that the store you like is on sale and get whatever you like and think is at an appropriate price. Everything outside your budget can wait till the prices are market down (Zara does this a lot, so it's definitely worth the wait). Other than that, you can also try boutiques (which are readily available in Hong Kong, and a lot of places in Asia) or online shops (eg. Ebay, Taobao in China, Urban Outfitters online). There's a great selection out there, so warehouse sales don't have to be the solution to your shopping frenzy. Have fun!

ow-do.

Hola darlings!

Jeisa's turn.

Now I'd like to clarify that this is strictly my own opinion and I'm aware that everyone is entitled to their own.

Unfortunately, unlike sweet Delilah, I'm starting out with a post of hatred and dislike. You see, like any other young girl out there in the world, I absolutely adore heels. They make your legs look longer, leaner and let's face it, they make you feel pretty damn sexy. Now, on our college budget, we can't all afford Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci platform stilettos on a daily basis, which is why we resort to more affordable brands that offer stylish, high-fashion-inspired heels.

ALDO is one of those brands. I'll be honest. The first time I stepped into those shiny tiled floors of theirs, I was hooked. I saw YSL look-a-likes for an affordable amazing price! Everything from classic peep-toe pumps to the latest gladiator sandals stood gleaming on rows and rows of white shelves.

So, being the impatient, idiotic self that I am. I rushed out and bought myself 3 lovely pairs of Aldo heels, thinking my dreams have come true and I now own three marvelous pairs of heels that will make me feel like Gisele Bundchen...err...not really, but I try.

Here's where my review comes in:

My feet were torn apart...yes, literally torn apart...from wearing Aldo heels. I will spare you the gory details but it took nearly a month for them to properly recover.

I even stupidly wore one of them out clubbing all night. 20 minutes in, I was clubbing in my bare feet. Nasty, I know but if you knew the pain I was in, you would be too. Needless to say, I will never touch another pair of Aldo shoes again. All 3 pairs of mine are currently sitting idly somewhere around my room, collecting a fair amount of dust and it will remain so that way.

Nonetheless, it seems that Aldo still racks up quite a number of customers each day, so I must question...are they actually comfortable to other women? Or do other women just have a higher tolerance of pain?

You tell me.

I'll return with a happier post (hopefully) by next time.

Till then,

Jeisa