Style Cynics

I love leather and calfskin as much as the next girl, but the truth is; they’re not environmentally-friendly or kind to animals. (Well, duh.) There’s a lot of fur and leather boycotting, and I’m not going to deny that it’s a good cause. However, the problem with a lot of synthetic bags is that they just don’t look as nice as the real leather ones. Although I know I’m doing a good deed by buying synthetic, I do feel a little sad that the real leather bags are so much nicer. So, I decided to see if there was a premier designer willing to make a bag that doesn’t involve skinning a cow, deer or lamb, and I found one in Tod’s collection.

Okay, I’m not normally a huge fan of expensive, cutesy shoes that look like they’re worth about $60 but cost $400. However, looking at the Miu Miu Antic Crystal Ballerina Slipper, I might have to change my mind. I have this feeling that I missed out when I was little. I dreamed about having jewelled shoes to dance around in during my princess-themed games. Now that I’m all grown up, I’m still coveting princess-like shoes, and these ballerina slippers do not disappoint.

Yes, I know I’ve said it before. Every girl likes to feel like a princess when she wears a certain pair of shoes or carries a certain amazing handbag. However, I didn’t actually expect any designer to take me literally! Juicy Couture has made a, well, interesting handbag that calls out to all the little princesses inside those stylish fashionistas. Ever wished you could live in your own fairy tale? Now you can! The question is, do you want to do it so obviously?

I have an addiction to red shoes – I can’t help it. Maybe it stems from the fact that when I was younger, I was absolutely in love with Dorothy’s ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz, and I used to beg my mother to buy me red dress shoes so that I could pretend I had those amazing pumps, too. Maybe I just love the way that you can wear any black, white or grey outfit and as long as you’ve got red shoes, you’re bound to get noticed. Anyway, whatever the reason, when I came across these red pumps from Brian Atwood on the Saks Fifth Avenue site, I knew I had to write about them. These babies are hot, hot, hot! They’ve got a high-gloss patent red leather exterior, smooth, classic lines and a pointed toe, a high four-and-a-half-inch heel, and a leather lining and sole. In short, these pumps are killer – and if I’m going to add another pair of expensive red shoes to my collection, they’d better be.

If the fashion world were like wrestling, Miu Miu would be one of the heavyweight champions. There are other designers who would rank, but I guarantee, Miu Miu would come out on top in a lot of designer duos. (Except maybe for Dolce and Gabbana. They just rock.)

It’s probably happened to you: you see a pair of absolutely amazing shoes and know you have to have them. I pretty much feel that way about all Manolo Blahnik creations, but these ones caught my eye especially, and if I hadn’t just paid down my credit card, I would be inputting the numbers faster than you can say “suede high heels”. Maybe it’s the soft grey-blue suede enveloping the shoe, or maybe it’s the fact that the stiletto heel is a decent three and a half inches, but I think the real draw is the beautifully-shaped collar and buckled strap that make this a Mary Jane, but unlike any Mary Jane I’ve ever owned. This shoe is sexy and classy, two characteristics that should be in every pump. As well, the shoes have got a lightly padded insole, which means that my feet won’t be killed by these killer shoes by the end of the night.

Now, I’m normally not one for animal prints at all, but I do like the way this bag is made. The reason why is because it’s not totally animal-printed; and, they’ve broken out of the common, boring leopard/tiger print to pattern this with a black-and-white zebra look, which actually sets off this bag perfectly. In fact, the more I see the sexy zebra print; the more I really like the look. Most women wear black or white, so the bag can go with virtually anything you’ve got to wear.

I’ve always been one of those people who hate graffiti. I do recognize it as an art form, when it’s done well, but really, I’d prefer that my apartment exterior walls stay clean and spray-paint free. However, after seeing these beautiful Christian Louboutin pumps, it’s safe to say that my dislike of graffiti doesn’t extend to my shoes. Louboutins always get me excited, but honestly, where else would you find a pair of lemon-yellow shoes with a black upper and a red stiletto heel? And what’s even better is that the combination works – I’m not left wrinkling my nose at the thought of a wildly-patterned shoe designed for shock factor. Yeah, I’m shocked, but shocked in a good way – the same shock I’d get if Dolce and Gabbana decided to lower the price on their sexy Tall Harness boots.

Fashionistas are all ages – they don’t just have to be stylish girls. These days, many fashionistas are having babies, and who says that your style has to stop when you’re pushing a stroller instead of carrying a briefcase? Kate Spade doesn’t think it has to – she’s made a diaper bag that could actually be mistaken for a purse. Gone are the days where baby bags have to be garishly printed with colorful animals or flowers – you can have a sexy bag and still have room for all of baby’s stuff (and we know, they can have more things to carry around than we do!).

When fall is in, two-tone is in, and that’s certainly true of this functional, yet stylish riding boot by Steve Madden. I can just see the ads now – beautiful girl striding across the windswept field in cowboy-chic skinny jeans, leather jacket, and peasant blouse. To tell the truth, this boot truly makes anyone’s legs look longer, but the rounded toe isn’t something you’d want to wear out to the club. If you’re someone who doesn’t like a lot of heel, this boot’s for you – with a one and a half-inch heel, it gives you enough height to be stylish, but you’re not going to break your neck on those slippery leaf-covered streets. As well, everyone needs a pair of comfortable shoes; why not let these boots be yours?