The Summer Shoe, Part 2

Perhaps an espadrille is just not your style.  Would you like something a little barer, with more of a sandal feel yet just as comfortable?

Look no further than the avarcas.  A traditional Spanish sandal originally made for workers, it can be worn by men, women and children and has a handmade look and rustic appeal that make it great for casual summer wear.  They are natural leather, still made in Spain and updated with more colors and spiffy options like recycled tire soles.

Doesn't this say summer to you?  Tanned legs and pretty sandals.

They come in almost every color you can imagine.  They're available in a wedge style for those who want a bit more height. They also come in an ankle strap version which might appeal to you if you aren't crazy about a sling back.

The original or traditional version came stateside a few years ago and are now widely available. In addition, there are many "inspired by" offerings.  Jeffrey Campbell can always be counted on to knock off a popular style and give it a twist, like this floral iteration.

The best source is www.arvacasusa.com.  They have the widest variety of colors and styles.  I've also found them on Amazon.  Naturally, they've ended up on eBay and Etsy as well.  There is a price point for everyone, though the originals come in at under $80 for women's styles. 

For the non-traditionalist, they're now being turned out with sequins, leopard print and metallic, like the orange pictured above. 

I am fairly certain a white pair will be making it's way to my doorstep soon. 

2014 Color of the Year . . . Hmmmmm

I don't know how long the Pantone company has been choosing the color of the year.  I don't know why they do it or how they pick it.  All I know is that some years I'm happy with their choice and other years not so much. Their winner for 2014 falls in the not so much category.

From the Pantone press release:

“Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

(Source)

 



Okay, now I see the problem.  An enchanting harmony of fuschia, purple and pink??  No wonder I get chicken skin every time I see it.  Pink, along with its variants, are non-starters for me. The perfect garment or pair of shoes could appear at my doorstep by magic and if they were pink I'd toss them in the donate bin.  Even as a little girl I eschewed pink.  As an adult, I truly believe I'd break out in hives if I put it on.  I'm certain that I'm not feminine enough to wear it. It's a girly-girl color and I'm not a girly-girl.

Mind you, on others I can find it quite fetching. 

(Image from Instagram)

I know I'm going to see this color everywhere this year.  From makeup to shoes to dresses, it's applied to anything you can imagine.

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Apparently it will show up at lots of weddings.

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As a confirmed pink-phobe, I'll be avoiding it.  What's your take on Pantone's color of the year? 

Style Resolutions for 2014 - part three

The last part of the process, after determining what you want to do with your wardrobe and purging what doesn't work, is deciding what you need.  There may be holes that need filling, basics that have worn out or extras and accessories that will add personality. 

I've decided on a few things, some of which will get wear mainly in the spring and summer, and some that will span seasons.

First, a pair of cognac sandals. I have black sandals in a mid heel and a flat, as well as a dressy light grey sandal. These Via Spiga Fola2 sandals come in black and natural, the latter being the color I'm interested in.  They have gladiator details, a walkable heel and will work well with skirts, shorts and cropped pants.

Next on my list is a white pencil skirt.  The caveat is that it must be washable.  The perfect one is this Jonathan Simkhai knit pencil skirt, which unfortunately has sold out on Shopbop. I keep stalking hoping for a pop back. 

 

It's actually a cream and white blend, as you can see in the close up below.  Washable!  I must have it.

 

 

My wardrobe has a lot of black, grey, white, camel and navy.  Both the above items would work very well with what I already have.  Which is the whole point of building a wardrobe, no?

 

I've been thinking about a patterened jacket. Something to slip over all those neutrals that would work in the office and on weekends. I haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet.  Maybe something like this.

 

 

 

Last on my list (at least for now until I come up with something else to want!!) is a red handbag. I have a camel bag I use for day, a black bag that works well for weekend and errands, and a few good travel handbags that can tolerate being shoved under the airplane seat.  Red would punctuate all the neutrals I wear.  It also happens to be my favorite color, although I wear it very little.

 

What style?  A bucket bag?  A satchel?  I'm open at the moment.  Maybe something like this amazing vintage bag will find it's way to my closet.

 

 

 

What is on your list to add to your wardrobe in 2014?



An ode to the cropped flare jean

I don't wear jeans often. My office does not have casual Fridays. We may have the rare dress down day connected to the success of the Arizona Wildcats, that's once or twice a year. I live in the desert where at least six or seven months it's far too hot for long pants and certainly for denim.  There are some lovely chilly days in the winter when I wear jeans. I look forward to those opportunities all year long.  Just any old pair of jeans will not do.

I've been searching for the perfect jean for me.  I like a mid rise.  The tummy no longer allows for a low rise pant.  I like a slim cut.  No retro 70s wide leg for me, I lived through that the first time.  I need jeans that will work with flats or heels.  I've spent hours on the internet clicking on image after image until I thought I finally found the pair of my dreams.

Behold the MIH Brighton jean.

Lovely!  A mid rise slim with a little kick flare. Ticks all the boxes.  Except one.  Sold out in my size.  And back to the drawing board I go.

What do you do when you strike out completely and descend into despair?  (Okay, that's a bit melodramatic but these are jeans we're talking about here.)  You reach out for help, that's what you do.  Having seen the gorgeous Tabitha of Bourbon and Pearls in the very style I was lusting after, I emailed her.  She shared the information, the pair that made her stems so gorgeous were J Brand Gigi jeans.  The bad news was the style was several years old and no longer sold.  Undeterred I turned to eBay and there they were.  As worn by many celebrities including Elle McPherson, one of my style icons, they are the perfect combination of rise, rinse and flare. January Jones wears them all the time.

They're fabulous with heels, Audrey Hepburn-esque with flats.  The dark wash is dressy enough to be worn with a black blazer and pumps, and they can go casual with flats and a tee.  I'm giddy waiting for their arrival. 

Fall trends

If you're like me and get emails from your favorite retailers, you know they are pushing fall and pushing it hard.  It's still officially spring, the first day of summer is a week away, yet we're being inundated with images of coats and wool skirts.  The designers have shown their fall lines at fashion weeks around the globe, we all know what we have to look forward to.  The preordering and retailing has begun in earnest.

Each season seems to have a color or two that show up across fashion houses.  This year we're going to see a lot of grey, a lot of violet, together with black and white combinations.  The grey ranges from light dove to dark charcoal on everything from sweaters to boots.  Violet showed up in small but potent doses, appearing in dresses, bags and shoes, like this pair from Alexander McQueen.

 

Speaking of shoes, the single soled pointy toed shoe continues the charge it started in the spring.  Showing up in everything from flats to classic pumps to booties, in every color and heel height, with and without embellishment, there is much to choose from.

 

Prada

 

Each season there are trends that make it to the retail floor and onto unsuspecting fashion bloggers but are unwearable by most of us and unlikely to last until the credit card statement is paid.  Ostrich feathers and thigh high boots anyone?

 

 





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