VIEWS ON BOOTS
Lesley Dale Greenfield, March of Dimes community director, said she does her research before buying new boots in the fall. “I love boots but am very picky about them. Every year, I get a vivid, specific example of what I want. And I set out on my search. This year my investment piece was an amazing long black winter coat with a pop-up fur collar, so I set my sights on simple flat, very reasonably priced motorcycle boots. Last year, it was vintage cognac boots, also reasonably priced. Year before that, I did invest in black leather booties with a gold heel. They are original, amazing and timeless.”
Angela Smith Ballard, an on-air personality with WDEF-FM Sunny 92.3, said her collection of boots includes a pair she’s had since she was a teenager. “I have around a dozen pairs — everything from Acme cowboy boots I bought in high school to a really beautiful pair of caramel-colored Ralph Lauren stiletto dress boots,” she said. “My favorites are a pair of Frye campus boots that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. I wear them tucked into jeans and leggings and with casual dresses and skirts, too,” Ballard said.
Becky Farmer Browder, vice president of Independent Healthcare Properties of Chattanooga, said she loves boots, regardless of the heel size. “I add a pair every year or so just to stay current,” Browder said. “I love to wear high boots with heels with pleated skirts. I like short boots with long skirts and jeans. I don’t like to tuck them into jeans but love them with bootcut or straight jeans.”
There’s no shortage of boot styles for women this fall. Leg lengths range from ankle to over-the-knee and heels from low to stiletto.
For a change, low heels are the season’s big twist.
“The new boots are comfortable,” said Jonesy Gilbert Wood, manager of N2 Shoes, a shoe store on Frazier Avenue. “Though high-heeled boots are still around, they are no longer the must-have style.”
In past years, low-heeled boots have been hard to find, with the exception of cowboy boots, rider boots and Uggs, three styles characterized by moderate heel heights.
“Not too long ago, the shoes that were ‘good’ for your feet were very unattractive,” Wood said. “That’s no longer the case. Today’s boots are extremely stylish. I used to be all about fashion and would wear shoes regardless if they were comfortable or not. Now that I am a mother, I want comfort. So I’m very glad that today’s shoes — and boots — are very cute and extremely comfortable.”
Arlene Goldstein, vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction for Belk department stores, said wedge-heel boots may be the easiest wardrobe update. They’re both comfortable and contemporary.
“[Wedges are] very modern whether in a short or long boot,” she said. “All the varied heights are popular.”
She also suggested looking for interesting materials, “especially the rustic leathers that look aged and detailing.”
And what about Uggs?
“Uggs are still in, especially for the weekend look,” Goldstein said. “California girls wear them year-round with mini skirts.”
Rider boots, which are tall with low heels, are still fashionable too, Wood said. “They’ve very stylish and equally as comfortable.”
Article source: http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/oct/31/expanded-styles-the-long-and-short-of/
These J. Renee shoes cost R795 at Spitz.
Shoe lovers are in for a treat this summer. Spitz has the new J.Renee collection of shoes.
“The collection is glamorous, sophisticated and feminine,” says Spitz merchandise executive and key buyer, Martine Guise. “Made with uncompromised quality, J. Renee has been designed for women who have style andare not afraid to make their own fashion statements.”
Diamante and Swarovski crystal trims add glamour to both day and occasion sandals, while cork and vinyl compliment the collection.
For occasion and evening outings, pleated satins in sophisticated silvers and champagne hues, adorned with crystal and bow trims, add charm to any outfit.
Matching handbags compliment most styles and complete a perfectly coordinated look. As with all styles in the J.Renee collection, quality, style, glamour and comfort are key features.
“Colour and fabric design are key – bright, abstract floral prints, stripes, polka dots, coloured linens, leopard print and printed snakeskin create excitement and theatre for summer,” says Guise.
“Patent black and navy styles provide a solid foundation for the collection, while patent taupe and black spectator add pizzazz to the classic brand.”
This summer J. Renee celebrates 35 years of premium quality shoes and handbags. Inspired by Texan-born Renee Harrison and her love for shoes and handbags, the fashion empire was successfully taken over and transformed by her two sons, Kai and Eric Harrison, who have continued her legacy with their glamorous designs.
For stores near you, see www.spitz.co.za, call 0860 109 321 or e-mail talk2us@spitz.co.za
Article source: http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/drop-dead-gorgeous-shoes-1.1168591
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Article source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/executive-lifestyle/fab-plastic-makes-rainy-days-a-shoe-in/story-e6frg8k6-1226181892502
Make an impression with your high class fashion-sense. Sport original footwear designs created by the most visionary style gurus of the moment. Nicholas Kirkwood helps women become the center of the attention with a complete cavalcade of artsy pumps and booties. The Nicholas Kirkwood Fall/Winter 2011-2012 shoes collection stick to a futuristic vision of modern accessories.
However these ankle boots and sandals were not designed only for eccentric ladies. You can embrace the statement shoes trend if you’re ready to embrace an ‘all-eyes-on-me’ style attitude. Indulge yourself into a mesmerizing transformation by opting for one of these scene-stealing accessory designs.
Article source: http://www.fashion-style.becomegorgeous.com/shoes/nicholas_kirkwood_fallwinter_20112012_shoes-5798.html
Tempe Grupo Inditex, the shoe-making franchise of Spanish fashion giant Inditex, plans to triple its footwear production in Mexico. Meanwhile, other international brands such as Nike, Steve Madden and Puma are also mulling boosting their output in the Aztec country, whose Guanajuato region has become well-known for making high-quality leather shoes.
“We would like to make 2-3m pairs in the medium term and we are working hard to make that happen,” reveals Hector Vera, production manager at Tempe Grupo Inditex. This year, Tempe hopes to make 1.5m pairs in Mexico, up from 1.1m pairs in 2010, he adds.
Inditex’s shoes are made by a cluster of ten undisclosed suppliers in the town of Leon in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Thanks in part to industry chamber the Camara de la Industria del Calzado (Ciceg), the Guanajuato hub has grown significantly in recent years, churning out as many as 244m pairs in 2010.
As it works to win new business, the cluster hopes to export 70m pairs by 2020, up from 19m last year, according to Ciceg executives.
That goal could very well be achieved, industry observers say, as the Guanajuato workshops have improved their quality, design and turnaround to fit the demanding delivery schedules of global fast-fashion brands like Inditex, owner of the Zara fashion chain.
“They’ve done a very good job at meeting our stricter quality standards and delivery schedules,” Vera points out. Vera says Inditex worked hard with Guanajuato suppliers to make their supply chains quicker and more flexible to finish products seven weeks after receiving the first sample design.
Ciceg also helped by creating the so-called Tempe platform which provided suppliers with a new set of software tools to help them meet Inditex’s demands.
With this platform, companies can deliver high quality shoes in seven weeks at a very competitive price,” says Ciceg communications director Jorge Alberto Hernandez Cano, adding that the system helped convince Inditex to bolster output in Guanajuato.
Guanajuato’s competitive prices also helped attract the Spanish firm’s interest. According to Hernandez, they are as competitive as any other leading shoe-making country except China.
Roughly 70% of Inditex’s Mexican output – comprising mainly leather shoes for men, women and kids – is sold in the fashion group’s Mexican store network which also includes Paul Bear, Massimo Dutti and Bershka. The other 30% is shipped mainly to Japan and Europe, Vera says.
However, Vera expects that will change in three years when he envisages Tempe will export 40% of its Mexican output to markets in Japan, Europe, the US, Canada, Central and South America – all of which Inditex is taking by storm with its Zara and other clothing chains.
Currently, Inditex makes some 30m units a year across factories in China, Vietnam, Spain and Portugal. These countries also make leather footwear, but Mexico also has high quality leather so as quality and price ratios improve, Tempe hopes to make more of that type of footwear in Mexico.
Nike could source 750,000 pairs
Meanwhile, Nike is also considering raising production in Mexico. According to Arturo Anguiano Velazquez, owner of Guanajuato-based shoe maker Karosso, factory hopes to make as many as 750,000 pairs next year if Nike commissions a new line of running shoes later this year.
Currently, Karosso makes some 400,000 pairs annually for Nike. It makes Nike’s “fashion” line of men’s and women’s sneakers and is expecting to add a new range of kids footwear later this year.
Diego Zurita, Nike’s Mexican production director, confirms the brand is happy with its Mexican suppliers and that it is working to make them more competitive against rival Nike factories in Asia. He says Nike intends to increase its Mexican output but would not state by how much.
Madden eyes suppliers
Steve Madden also intends to step up its Mexican output as Asian production becomes increasingly difficult and complex. Without detailing precise production plans, marketing director Gabriella Weisser confirms: “Our Mexican production is going very well and is set to be better than ever.”
Marco Delli, which makes its own formal footwear line, is currently making a women’s boot prototype for Steve Madden and hopes to win that and other business when the US brand reviews the project in coming weeks. Other Madden outsourcing partner Lady Glory would not comment.
Lastly, German shoe maker Puma is also considering producing in Mexico, though the process is still at an “exploratory stage,” a company official says.
Article source: http://www.just-style.com/analysis/mexican-shoe-makers-lifted-by-inditex-expansion_id112587.aspx
Introduction
Opinion
Appeal
Implications
On August 10 2011 the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a motion for preliminary injunction brought by Christian Louboutin and his design house in a high-profile trademark litigation against Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc (YSL).(1) Since 2008 Louboutin has owned US Trademark Registration 3,361,597 for the colour red for use on the sole of footwear.(2) Louboutin’s red-soled shoes are coveted by women worldwide. Prior to this lawsuit, Louboutin had not been shy about enforcing his alleged rights in his red-soled shoes, but no one had publicly challenged those rights until YSL. The case pits French couture footwear house against French couture fashion house, but the decision will affect the entire fashion industry, from high-end to mass market. At stake is the freedom to use colour for fashion versus the rights of a trademark owner to stake a claim and build a brand.
In April 2011 Louboutin filed suit against YSL, alleging trademark infringement and counterfeiting, among other federal and state law claims, and specifically challenging four models of footwear in YSL’s Cruise 2011 collection. Each of the challenged models is available in several monochromatic colourways, including ones “in which the shoe is entirely red (or entirely blue, or entirely yellow, etc.)” (Figure 2).(3) Louboutin challenged only the red colourway of each of these models. In turn, YSL in turn, asserted counterclaims seeking, among other things, cancellation of Louboutin’s red sole registration (Figure 1).(4)
Figure 1: Louboutin’s red sole registration(5)
In a 32-page order by Judge Victor Marrero, the court found that the colour red, as used on the allegedly infringing products, “serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition” in the fashion industry, and concluded that:
“Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection, even if it has gained enough public recognition in the market to have acquired secondary meaning.“(6)
The court not only declined to grant Louboutin’s motion to bar YSL from marketing the red shoes that Louboutin had alleged infringed its trademark registration, but also appeared ready to cancel Louboutin’s trademark registration outright.(7) Louboutin immediately appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit,(8) and the proceedings in the Southern District of New York have been stayed pending resolution of the appeal.(9)
The lower court’s decision to deny Louboutin’s motion hinged largely on the seldom used(10) doctrine of aesthetic functionality.(11) The court cited Supreme Court precedent establishing that:
“[c]olor alone ‘sometimes’ may be protectable as a trademark, ‘where that color has attained secondary meaning and therefore identifies and distinguishes a particular brand’ [but not] where it is ‘functional,’ meaning that color is essential to the use or purpose of the product, or affects the cost or quality of the product.“(12)
Observing that “for Lanham Act purposes… in fashion markets color serves not solely to identify sponsorship or source, but… primarily to advance expressive, ornamental and aesthetic purposes”,(13) the court identified “the narrow question presented” as of whether the statute governing federal trademark law “extends protection to a trademark composed of a single color used as an expressive and defining quality of an article of wear produced in the fashion industry”.(14)
The judge’s analysis began with a lengthy analogy in which he compared the instant dispute among footwear’s couture giants to a “fanciful” hypothetical one between French Impressionist painter Claude Monet and Spanish Cubist painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso.(15) If Picasso were to file a trademark registration for a shade of blue for use in depicting the colour of water in a canvas painting, Marrero posited, would Picasso be entitled to relief in a trademark infringement action against Monet for his use of that shade to depict water in his own paintings?(16) In answering this hypothetical question, Marrero offered a number of parallels between the functions filled by the use of colour in high art and high fashion. He observed that:
The creative energies of painter and fashion designer are devoted to appeal to the same sense in the beholder and wearer: aesthetics. Both strive to please patrons and markets by creating objects that not only serve a commercial purpose, but also possess ornamental beauty (subjectively perceived and defined). Quintessentially, both painting and fashion embrace matters of taste. In consequence, they share vicissitudes natural to any matter of palate or palette. They change as seasons change.(18)
Marrero found that the fields shared “a dependence on color as an indispensable medium” towards cultivating aesthetic appeal to the consumer.(19) He identified colour as “a critical attribute of the goods” that “performs a creative function” in that “it aims to please or be useful, not to identify and advertise a commercial source”.(20) Marrero found that “allowing one artist or designer to appropriate an entire shade… would unduly hinder not just commerce and competition, but art as well”.(21) As to whether the use of a single colour was functional in the context of the fashion industry, the court found “significant, nontrademark functions for [Louboutin's] choosing red for his outsoles”.(22) The court quoted as evidence Louboutin’s own assertions that red soles “give his shoe styles energy” and that they are “engaging” and “sexy”.(23) Marrero noted further that YSL’s use of the red monochromatic styles at issue “is part of the brand’s history, meaning that each of the challenged shoe models is entirely red”.(24) “Color”, the court observed, “serves an additional significant nontrademark function: ‘to satisfy the noble instinct for giving the right touch of beauty to common and necessary things’”.(25)
Having found that “[t]o attract, to reference, to stand out, to blend in, to beautify, to endow with sex appeal – all comprise nontrademark functions of color in fashion”,(26) the court turned to the question of “whether granting trademark rights for Louboutin’s use of the color red as a brand would significantly hinder competition”.(27) Finding “Louboutin’s claim to ‘the color red’” to be “overly broad and inconsistent with the scheme of trademark registration established by the Lanham Act”, the court concluded that “Louboutin’s ownership claim to a red outsole would hinder competition not only in high fashion shoes, but potentially in the markets for other women’s wear articles as well”.(28)
Louboutin’s claim would cast a red cloud over the whole industry, limiting what other designers could do while allowing Louboutin to paint with a full palette. Louboutin would thus be able to market a total outfit in his red, while other designers would not.(29)
In view of “serious doubts” as to the validity of Louboutin’s red sole registration, the lower court found that Louboutin had not established a likelihood of success on the merits of its trademark and unfair competition claims, and thus denied its motion for preliminary injunction.(30) Even more saliently, the lower court observed that the validity of Louboutin’s red sole registration “is the heart of this litigation”, and ordered that parties appear for a case management conference one week later at which Louboutin would be required to show cause why the red sole registration should not be cancelled outright.(31)
Figure 2: YSL’s red suede “Palais” slingbacks(32)
On August 12 2011, two days after the issuance of Marrero’s order denying Louboutin’s motion for a preliminary injunction, Louboutin filed a notice of its appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.(33) The issues on appeal revolve around whether the district court erred in its findings and conclusions of law. The majority of the issues on appeal are to be reviewed de novo – that is, anew without consideration of the lower court’s determination.
If the Second Circuit affirms the district court’s decision, it is likely that Louboutin’s red sole registration will be cancelled. The lack of a trademark registration coupled with the court’s negative findings would be likely to prevent Louboutin from stopping others from using the colour red on the soles of women’s footwear. This may also limit the capacity of other designers and manufacturers to register or enforce rights in the use of single colours for footwear outsoles, and potentially restrict the range of available protection for the use of single colours in other elements of fashion design as well.
If the Second Circuit overturns the district court’s decision, it may have equally broad implications for the future of Louboutin and the fashion industry at large. Such a victory for Louboutin would serve to bolster and reinforce its enforcement of its red sole registration and would bar YSL and others from using the colour red on the soles of women’s footwear. More broadly, it would establish a favourable precedent for other designers seeking to register or enforce rights in the use of single colours in footwear and possibly other elements of fashion design.
Louboutin has filed a motion for expedited review and has proposed a schedule according to which the appeal may potentially be heard as early as December 2011.(34)
For further information on this topic please contact Michelle Mancino Marsh or Natasha Sardesai Grant at Kenyon Kenyon LLP by telephone (+1 212 425 7200), fax (+1 212 425 5288) or email (mmarsh@kenyon.com or nsardesai@kenyon.com).
Endnotes
(1) Christian Louboutin SA v Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc, No 11-cv-2381-VM (SDNY August 10 2011) (order denying preliminary injunction).
(5) US Trademark Registration 3,361,597 (registered January 1 2008).
(8) Christian Louboutin SA v Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc, No 11-cv-2381-VM (SDNY August 12 2011) (Notice of Appeal).
(9) Christian Louboutin SA v Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc, No 11-cv- 2381-VM (SDNY August 19 2011) (order staying proceedings pending resolution of Louboutin’s appeal).
(10) See, for example, Au-Tomotive Gold, Inc v Volkswagen of Am, Inc, 457 F 3d 1062, 1064 (9th Cir 2006).
(12) Id at 10 (quoting Qualitex Co v Jacobson Prods Co, 514 US 159, 161, 163, 165 (1995)).
(25) Id (quoting Qualitex, 514 US at 170).
(27) Id at 21 (internal quotation marks omitted).
(32) www.bluefly.com/Yves-Saint-Laurent-red-suede-Palais-105-platform-slingbacks/cat20022/315374401.
(33) Christian Louboutin SA v Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc, No 11-3303 (2d Cir August 26 2011) (Addendum B to Form C: Issues Proposed to Be Raised on Appeal).
(34) Christian Louboutin SA v Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc, No 11-3303 (2d Cir September 7 2011) (Appellants’ Emergency Motion for Expedited Review and Proposed Scheduling Order).
Article source: http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=c150bdb6-3549-4dd2-9499-fe191951d074
A WOMAN can never have enough shoes, a fact that men never seem to understand, and for some, the bond between a pair of high heels and their owner is unbreakable.
Syrian artist Safaa Alset explores this bond in her new exhibition at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Bahrain City Centre, which features 25 shoes created out of copper, iron, metal bolts, coils and metal sheets.
Inspiration
Entitled Shoe, the display is intended as a double entendre from the Arabic meaning “What do you want?” – a popular phrase in the region.
“My sculptures reveal my personal relationship with shoes, the fascinating bond between women and shoes, the way they express femininity, their sense of fashion and their representation of the social status,” said Ms Alset.
“So the exhibition is about this secret relationship.”
Her designs have been inspired by stories and the women she has come across in her life.
“I create my own shoes inspired by stories I hear, things I see around me in the nature and the women I’m surrounded with, with their endless hidden stories, and aspirations,” said the artist.
“My other work has been inspired mostly by nature with all of its components, trees, grass, flowers and birds, as a metaphor to the feminine and aesthetic aspect of them.”
Ms Alset has a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University and worked as a graphic designer before she shifted towards sculpture and using iron as a medium for her artwork.
“I use metals in my artworks, specifically iron and copper,” she said.
“I know the common perception of metal is spiritless, rough and hard to handle, but I try to transform the hard nature of the metal into art that is alive and flowing.”
Ms Alset was chosen to showcase her work by Saks Fifth Avenue and Albareh Art Gallery due to a recent new trend of displaying art and fashion together.
“The new trend internationally is going now towards showcasing art and fashion together, you can see a Chanel dress beside a Monet painting in a museum and so the collaboration came between Albareh and Saks Fifth Avenue to exhibit my work and it’s a new experience for me,” she said.
The artist admitted response to her iron creations had been slow as people did not know how to approach her work.
“At the beginning people were unfamiliar with art made of iron, created by a female artist and the idea of how to display it at their houses was rather unfeasible for them,” she said.
“However, in time they got used to the idea and now they come to see my exhibitions and new artwork.”
The shoes are of various sizes, shapes and designs, with different degrees of difficulty required to create each piece.
“The time taken to create each shoe varies, according to the size, idea, shape and difficulty and so some pieces will take four days and others might take up to two weeks,” said Ms Alset.
Her exhibition was first displayed in Damascus in March and as for the future she plans to keep admirers of her work in suspense.
“I have many plans and ideas that I’m currently working on for the future, but let’s keep the surprise element and so you will have to wait and see,” she said.
Shoe will run daily during mall opening hours until November 8 and will move to the Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya from 10am to 8pm from Saturdays to Thursdays until November 24.
alicia@gdn.com.bh
Article source: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=316657
Want to be cozy and fashionable this winter? The Towerlight arts life staff has compiled a list of several winter trends to keep on your radar during the colder months.
Happy Shopping!
Infinity Scarves
If only we could wear scarves all year round. You can, and some do, but having that kind of heat wrapped around your neck doesn’t bode well for surviving a Maryland summer.
Instead, make scarves last forever in a new way. Basically, an infinity scarf is a giant cowl you can loop over and over around your neck as the weather deems appropriate. You can even throw a loop over your head or around your mouth for good measure.
One scarf has the options of several and they go with layers, sweaters, coats or could even be worn inside instead of a blanket around your shoulders.
Boots with Buckles
If it’s snowing in October, there’s no way it won’t snow through November and December, and maybe even into the new year.
When you’re trudging through the slushy muck to class, you want something on your feet a little sturdier than rubber rain boots.
A thick-soled boot will do the trick, and boots with buckles of all shapes and sizes are walking their way across catwalks everywhere.
Whether you’re feeling fur, suede or snakeskin, buckles are abundant.
Even Ugg boots have hopped on the buckle bandwagon, as if you needed an excuse to wear them, Towson ladies.
Winter Scents for Men and Women
As most men know, the era of Axe is over. To attract the ladies, men need to experiment with a fragrance that matches and enhances their personality and fashion identity. But what most men may not realize is that scents vary from season to season. Specifically for the winter season some men want to apply stronger scents with hints of Christmas-time: wood, slight bitterness, honey. The lighter smells, leaning toward slightly flowery, are meant for spring and summer.
Suggestion: BLEU de Chanel
Women can continue to wear fruity smells. Specifically, berry notes are popular in the winter. Subtlety is key. Mixing those sweeter scents with more base smells like vanilla or sugar also results in enticing fragrances. Richer smells include muskier amber and small hints of citrus.
Suggestion: L’instant of Guerlain
American-Indian Patterns
It’s hard to believe that top designers hold Fashion Week for Winter 2011 in February, but it’s finally time to break out the bold patterns predicted to take off.
This winter, men and women can rock vibrant reds, yellows and blues woven into geometric or Aztec patterns similar to those worn at the Thanksgiving dinner table (just without the rampant small pox).
This also translates to low ponytails, smokey eyes and metallic chokers (also in style this season).
For further inspiration, visit the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., over Winter Break.
Lumberjack Chic
With the first days of No-Shave November upon us, it won’t be long before you start looking like a back-woods lumberjack. And now, you can DRESS like a back-woods lumberjack!
Denim jackets, long-sleeved plaid flannel shirts and puffy vests, combined with tan suede hiking boots and a knit hat, and you’re ready to chop off the wolf’s head to save Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.
Girls can also try this look, since androgynous fashion is also making a comeback this winter.
Socks with Shoes
Wearing socks with your dress shoes might trigger flashbacks to middle school fashion mishaps, but as long as you’re not wearing tube socks, socks and shoes can keep you warm while adding a pop of color to your outfit.
Rihanna wore socks and stilettos, socks and booties and socks with chunky pumps in photo shoots and on the red carpet. And while most can’t pull off her groundbreaking style, this trick is easy enough to copy.
If you’re not brave enough for socks and shoes, try a thick pair of tights. They’ll still keep your legs warm (or let you mask a few days of hair growth).
Boxy bags and wrist clutches
Bags always come in twos: cigar-box purses and tote bags; satchels and draw-string bags; and now, boxy bags and wrist clutches.
Bigger, shapeless bags have been easy enough to toss your books and water bottle in, but adding some shape to your sack will also add a level of professionalism to your ensemble.
As for clutches, they never go out of style. But when you’re out dancing, do you really want to have a drink in one hand and your bag in the other? How can you swat off creepers or crook a “come hither” finger at a cutie? Instead, Velcro or snap a wristlet (even one the size of a clutch) on and suddenly you’re hands free!
Fitted Blazers
As an androgynous choice, fitted blazers can function as a casual piece of apparel with a t-shirt and jeans or over a blouse for women or button up for men for a date or outing for the weekend. Blazers exist in almost all stores, and make almost any other article of clothing look classy.
Riding Boots
Riding boots galloped onto the scene last year, but the equestrian look is equally trendy in 2011. Imagine rain boots without the slippery surface or squeaky steps.
The problem is, as you might remember from your youth, the girls who rode horseback had pretty wealthy folks (some of them even had their own horses!)
‘Tis the season to shop thrifty: Head to the Salvation Army on Joppa Road to save some cash for later holiday shopping.
Article source: http://www.thetowerlight.com/2011/10/winter-fashion-preview/
Reassuringly expensive: Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick wears velvet slippers. Photograph: Startraks Photo=/Rex Features
I have noticed a surprising number of young women walking around in what appear to be slippers. What in heaven’s name is going on?
Tom, by email
What is going on, Tom, is you are seeing the newest incarnation of a special genre of shoe that we shall call the Acceptable Flat Shoe. The Acceptable Flat Shoe changes every two years or so and it is, as you might have guessed from the name (truly, it is the Ronseal of footwear genres), a shoe that is flat and yet also stylish. Note the all important inclusion of the word “yet” because, with only the exception of whatever the Acceptable Flat Shoe may be at the moment, flat shoes are not deemed fashionable. Quirky, clumpy, cute and functional – yes. But not fashionable. This is just one of the reasons you have never seen Anna Wintour in a flat shoe. Also, she was born with Barbie syndrome which means her feet are permanently up on their tippy-toes. Fact. (NB: this is not a fact.)
Now, as has been said on this page many, many times, this is clearly a stupid state of affairs. To say that high heels are the only fashionable style of shoe is like saying only thin people can wear fashion: both of these claims are patently untrue and both play right into all the worst stereotypes about fashion as opposed to emphasising what should be about, ie self-expression, having fun and experiencing the pleasure of the perfect Topshop dress.
Anyway, the slipper, as you have wisely discerned, is currently the Acceptable Flat Shoe. This does not mean the puffyslippers that your mum wears while watching ‘Enders, nor the novelty ones that your dad gives you for Christmas. These shoes are modelled on the posh slippers that I imagine very wealthy men wear. In my mind, Alistair Cookie from Sesame Street wore velvet slippers, although seeing as it’s difficult for Muppets to show their feet, for obvious reasons, I am probably making that up.
A few years ago, when Tom Ford had just launched his own line after leaving Gucci, I went into his New York store to check what was what with him these days, and the answer was: unbelievably expensive clothes. I saw a jacket that cost as much as my bed, I picked up a coat that probably cost the same as my flat. But what I most remember were the velvet slippers, which cost a frankly hilarious $950 (£590).
When I later interviewed Ford and I mentioned the slippers he assured me that these were to be “classics” and were a symbol of “quiet elegance” with real “desirability.” I laughed inwardly. Not for the first time, Ford turned out to be right about fashion and I turned out to be hopelessly wrong because versions of those velvet slippers are now all over the high street. One point Mr Ford, nul points moi.
But this proves my long held theory about the Acceptable Flat Shoe: in order for it to be acceptable, it has to have a connotation of wealth. Loafers (last year’s Acceptable Flat Shoe) suggested sloaniness, deck shoes suggested one had a boat on which to stroll, even ballet shoes carry a suggestion of refinement.
This in turn suggests that flat shoes need a bit of zhooshing up in order to be acceptable, and that aforementioned zhooshing means suggesting that the shoe’s owner is loaded. This is clearly daft and also kind of disgusting. All a flat shoe needs to be is elegant, comfortable and waterproof – and velvet slippers only fulfil one of those three criteria. One all, Mr Ford.
At Zara recently I was surprised to see brightly coloured neoprene tops on sale. True, I have been toying with a neoprene outfit, but for outdoor swimming purposes. What happens if one wears neoprene in an office or social context? Isn’t perspiration a problem?
Ros, London
It’s always interesting when someone’s eyes alight on fashion without wearing fashion goggles. You see, Ros, with fashion goggles Zara’s current scuba-style collection looks like a clever high street take on Balenciaga and US label Proenze Schouler’s similar collections from seasons past. Without fashion goggles, it looks like a bunch of potentially sweaty sports tops being flogged in the wrong department. So, Ros, you can either don a pair of the goggles and join in the fun, or opt out. Warning: the goggles only last for a season. After that, every time you open your wardrober you’ll wonder what the hell you were thinking when you bought that nonsense. In other words, wearing fashion goggles is a bit like being drunk. I told you fashion was fun.
• Post your questions to Hadley Freeman, Ask Hadley, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Email ask.hadley@guardian.co.uk
Article source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/30/flat-shoes-velvet-slippers?newsfeed=true
The key to aging gracefully is to do it with style — and to know that you can’t (and shouldn’t) shop the junior department forever.
On this page, we introduce four women at various stages of their lives and on various levels of their style evolution. Each woman recognizes what works well for her changing body and circumstances.
Read on as these style makers tell us what style means in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Tawny Thieu, 31, Sylvan Lake
Occupation: Owner of the Pink Pump and P2 shoe, clothing and accessories stores.
Frequently seen in: Skinny black pants (she has 30-40 pairs) or dark jeans, a fitted blazer and platform heels or wedges.
Shops: BCBG, Neiman Marcus, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Club Monaco, Zara (which now has an online store) and, of course, the Pink Pump.
Past style regret: A spiral perm in high school. “I thought it was going to look good. It was horrible. I had to go get it straightened the next week,” she said.
On style in her 30s: “I turned 30. I said, ‘I don’t want to keep dressing like I’m in my 20s.’ I think my style has really evolved now into still trendy, but more comfort. I think now that I’m getting older, I am more conscious of the hem lengths of my skirts and dresses. Now I’m doing the fingertip thing. If the hemline doesn’t at least touch your fingertip, if you bend over, you’re going to be flashing someone.
“I wear a lot of skinny pants and skinny jeans with blazers. I have always been a jackets and blazers girl,” she said. “If you look in my closet, I have more jackets and blazers than anything else. When you can pull out a great jacket or blazer and make a pair of jeans look dressy. It’s the best way to be formal without being formal. It’s the one piece that you can wear and really transform your outfit just that quick.
“And, of course, shoes. We can’t forget the shoes. I love shoes. I used to teeter around in those really tall stilettos. Now I look for comfort — wedges. I’ve got a 9-, 12-hour day today, but I can’t do it in these stilettos.
“I don’t ever want to be that girl that thinks she’s younger and dresses way too young for her age,” Thieu said. “I see that a lot. It just makes you look older.”
Lisa Maas, 47, Royal Oak
Occupation: Owner, Publicity Works, a Royal Oak public relations firm.
Frequently seen in: A short black skirt, jacket and something with a leopard print motif, bangs and red lipstick.
Shops: Neiman Marcus, Linda Dresner, eBay, Barneys New York, lululemon.
Past style regret: Spiral perm circa 1980s, bright pink fingernails.
On style in her 40s: “I’m less focused on trends, and I’m more comfortable with my own look. I really know what works for me, and I know what makes me feel good. I just think of fashion as more of a form of communication and a way to make me feel good as opposed to how other people see me.
“I like European fashion. (Her favorite designers: Azzedine Alaia, Givenchy, Chanel and Dolce Gabbana). I like to have a little edge. It’s not really so sportswear-focused. It’s fashionable without looking like you’re trying to be fashionable. And usually there’s a special piece that stands out. It’s so special, it could be something that’s new or it could be something that’s 10 years old,” Maas said.
“But then I’m also drawn to the basics, like a great sweater, a great jacket. My look starts with a great jacket — a blazer or a leather jacket. My favorite jacket is the motorcycle style. I have it in leopard. I have a red one. I have a black one.
“I’m not a big fan of what I call disposable clothes because I think it’s a waste of money. By the time you buy a lot of things that are low quality, maybe you could have waited until something nice was on sale. I have to be really mindful of my budget. I have to think really carefully about my purchases.
“What I think the purpose of fashion is, is to make people feel good about themselves. It’s not about money or designers. It’s about how you feel and boosting your confidence.”
Linda Budd, 52, Rochester Hills
Occupation: Human resources consultant.
Frequently seen in: Tailored trousers — especially skinny jeans — boots and a blouse.
Shops: Macy’s, T.J. Maxx, Parisian, Lord Taylor, boutiques Up North on vacation, outlets — armed with coupons. “I’m a very good bargain shopper. I have to say, that’s probably my one claim to fame. I’ve got this great safari jacket: It’s Ralph Lauren. It was $199, and I bought it in August at Lord Taylor when it was all on clearance. It was 60% off and then half of that and then I had my 15% off. I got this $199 jacket for $30!”
Past style regret: Loud holiday sweaters. “I used to have a dozen of them. When the kids were younger, you had a Halloween sweater. … Now I wouldn’t be caught dead in them.”
On style in her 50s: “I’ve grown to appreciate black a little more. When I was in my 30s and early 40s, I didn’t own anything black. I would have had bright reds. In the summer, I would have had your lime green T-shirts, your fuchsia T-shirts. And now, a third of my wardrobe is black. It’s a flattering color — even though when I was younger, I didn’t necessarily agree with that. I still have some red, but it’s more of a deeper red, burgundy.
“Black is slimming. I have a lot of black shirts and sweaters and blouses. I think I have probably more solids than patterns nowadays. I have a lot of pins. So rather than overdo a printed blouse or printed sweater, you have a solid item you can dress up with a pretty scarf or a fancy pair of tights. I’ve got some real nice funky pins or vintage pins that I wear,” she said.
“I think a lot of people in general just wear clothes that are too tight. I don’t need to see every roll. I’m not going to run around with a skintight cami or tank top on. I don’t like how that looks. I don’t care if it’s fashionable or not. You can take a piece of fashion and make it work for you. But you don’t have to be a slave to fashion because it’s the style.”
Susan Maas, 68, Bloomfield Hills
Occupation: Retired elementary school teacher, mother of Lisa Maas, researcher for Publicity Works.
Frequently seen in: Tailored trousers, a sweater and a jacket or blazer and Chanel ballet slippers or Chanel boots.
Shops: Neiman Marcus, Saks.
Past style regret: “I think I wore my hair way too short for too many years. I always say when I look at past family pictures, ‘Why didn’t you guys tell me?’ ” she said. “It was over my ears short.”
On style in her 60s: “Sometimes women can try to stay so youthful, they can look silly. What a 20-year-old wears, a 68-year-old doesn’t wear,” Maas said.
“When women get a little older, they don’t need to show as much. Or they should not show as much because it doesn’t look as good. You like to put the accent on what still looks good on you, but not going to an extreme.
“I would never wear hot pants again or I’d never wear my skirts as short as I once did. My clothes are a little looser fitting than they used to be. The slit is not as high in my skirt as it might have been.
“I have a couple Dolce outfits that I like to wear. I have a Chanel suit that’s also another favorite of mine.
“I think that you try to maintain a look when you’re getting older that doesn’t make you look like you’re getting older — that you have accessories that make you stand out, that one good piece of jewelry that you like to wear.
“I grew up when Escada first came out and Valentino and Armani did their first tuxedos. I still have my first tuxedo jacket from Armani.”
For a 50th high school reunion, “I had my leather pants and my fur and suede vest and my belt that fastened on the outside. I felt pretty good about myself. I thought, ‘You know what? You don’t look like you’ve been out of high school 50 years.’ “
Contact Georgea Kovanis: 313-222-6842 or gkovanis@freepress.com
Article source: http://www.freep.com/article/20111030/FEATURES13/110300323/Women-their-30s-40s-50s-60s-tell-how-they-make-fashion-work-them
