The (Real) Sweet Life: Dolce Vita Shoes

We’ve all heard of Fellini’s infamous movie, La Dolce Vita, and while some of us might not have seen it (I, personally have just embarked on the viewing of the 2 hour and 50 min. film. . .) we all get its meaning, and the idea that Italians and most Europeans for that matter have been able to embrace, the sweet life.

So, in tune with what makes up the REAL sweet life, is shoe brand, Dolce Vita. And we’ve decided to stock their stud collection that they’ve got goin’ on since studs are all the rage and craze these days.

Josh is graciously holding our two stud styles, the Brylee is in his left hand (pictured right) and the Wesley is pictured in his right hand (pictured on the left). They look hot against Josh’s purple draped shirt.

While the proportions might be playing tricks on your eyes, the shoe style is not. Check out the solid heel on this bad boy of a bootie. The Wesley can sit in the palm of your hand too for only $135.

 

Not quite into heels? Want a flat boot but with studs? Then the Brylee is for you and is a little less hard on your wallet than the Wesley at $125.

And if you’re not into studs at all, we have the Dolce Vita “Carly” heel in right now that is all about ties and straps, if that’s more your thing. Come in and see it for yourself.

DTSF: Alexander Wang

Fur covered wedge? For Spring/Summer 2010? Really? Apparently Alexander Wang thinks so. This seems destined for those fierce ladies out there, and fierce as in animal print power ALL THE WAY. Initially, I’m attracted to the shape and the shoe’s three sectioned parts, but the pattern inevitably takes over and hides everything simple about the shoe. And I’ve never been one to wear patterns on my feet, let alone cat power patterns on the foot. I could do this shoe if it was made in other fabrics, but alas, runway shoes just don’t work like that. But maybe it does for you! Let us know if you’re a cat calling person and are totally feeling this shoe. Or if you’re not into such a statement wedge, tell us that too! Tell, us does this shoe fit for you?

 

 

 

Shoe Trend Alert: Kelty/Fringe

Have you seen it? It’s everywhere: kelty. Sounds maybe like an Irish jig or a Scottish drink you might have on a pub crawl, but it’s really all about fringe detail on a shoe. The kelty detail is almost you could say rampant on shoes this season. But all for good reason. Most often the kelty on boots is removable for a kelty kind of day or for a sans kelty kind of day, which always a delight of an option to have. We scoped out peoples’ feet all week and found some great examples of the kelty. Need a lil more fringe in your life and don’t want to get a hair cut? Then look down and go for a lil on the foot.

 

 

 

This kelty/fringe detail with the tiny metal studs on the end is a perfect layer to an otherwise simple black dress shoe. The texture of the fringe combined with the tights pattern is all together delightful to the eye.

 

A double kelty! Look out! The Justin brand, known for their kelty boots, take the detail to a new height by not one, but two!

 

 

Combine the two-toned kelty with the pebbled leather and it’s a unique combo that everyone seems to want. (Note: this Justin boot cannot be found on their website or online. Bought at a vintage store, it was implied they were somewhat hard to find, but sighting the boots on two separate people the next day, leads me to believe that they’re not all together old.)

 

Last but not least we found a butterscotch kelty running loose. The leather is crinkled and worn in, so the boot looks at home with itself and at home with the fringe layer look. So, be on the lookout for kelty/fringe shoes around you, and you know, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

DTSF: Clogs

Clogs can be a touchy subject when it comes to shoes. A good half of the shoe wearers these days swear by them. They won’t go back to their old shoes what with the added height, help in posture and back issues. They’re devoted. Then you have the other side saying they just can’t get over the shape factor. I’ve heard, “No clog has ever looked cute enough for me,” “It’s just too clunky for me,” “It’s pretty god-awful ugly, who wears these?” But clogs had a hay day back in the 70s, and now designers are working to amp up the shape and design of the clogs. Take this biker clog by Vera Wang Lavender:

 

 

If you can get over the rounded scoop toe design and you’re into the rough, black leather and metal look, then this designer clog could work for you. The height seems a bit daunting though, but maybe you were born to walk in heels since birth. And if you’re not into height, but want to really see what all the fuss is about with Dansko and clogs in general, then give these a try:

 

 

 

 

Dankso’s Professional clog is for the working man or women. All doctors and surgeons pretty much swear by these clogs, and if you’re looking for a shoe to straighten out your back problems, then this is it. We have the patent red, indigo, and muted black clogs in stock.

Come into the store and decide for yourself, does this shoe fit? Are clogs for you? Are you for clogs?

You Just Can’t Ditch Those Boat Shoes

We know and understand how attached you guys can get to your boat shoes. They mold to your feet, they are the comfiest to slip on, they go with just about everything, not too casual, and not too dressy–they’re perfect and just right. But, let’s face it, they’re not going to be great for the cold days ahead with that low ankle cut and really just not ideal for winter. But, if you can’t seem to part from that style, then Sperry has an alternative version for you to use for the upcoming months. It’s the same style, and same cut, but just with a higher ankle cut, so socks can be worn with these and your feet will totally stay warm in the Authentic Original Chukka.

For $110, you can carry on wearing the boat shoe, but in a slightly different style in dark brown. . .

. . . or in a rusty green color. In case you’re curious, created in 1935,  the Authentic Original is the blueprint for the American boat shoe. And straight from the website, here’s all the special details that Sperry gives you with Chukka:

• Genuine Handsewn Tru-Moc Construction Provides Durable Comfort
  
• Stain & Water Resistant Leathers Provide Durable & Lasting Wear
  
• 360° Lacing System™ with Rust Proof Eyelets for a Secure Fit
  
• Shock Absorbing EVA Heel Cup for Added Comfort
  
• Non-Marking, Rubber Outsole with Razor-Cut Wave-Siping™ for Ultimate Dry / Wet Traction

Blimey! It’s a Seychelles Oxford Heel!

The English have many o’ funny words in their language, and Americans seem to love to take after their lingo as well as their accent. Let’s all admit the attractive quality the English accent possesses. So, want to vamp up a shoe? Name it with an English name, hence Seychelles direction with their Oxford heel: the Blimey. For $110, you can have an extra high heel that looks a little bit English with the Oxford (old school) look. With tights, leg warmers, or skinny jeans, the English look plays out best with this “Blimey!” of a heel. We have the look in black and in clay, both work well with contrasting tights, we think. And even if you’re missing an element to that Halloween costume, you could find the missing link in this shoe. Happy early Halloween!

New Stud Styles: Jeffrey Campbell

Studs are making their way into everything these days. And nothing is stopping them from entering the shoe world. And nothing is stopping Jeffrey Campbell from taking this in full stride for the fall/winter seasons. They’ve not only taken to studs, they’ve embraced studs in all shapes and sizes. See our newest stud styles below, and if you’ve got a favorite stud style, shout back and let us hear it!

The “Club Studs” for $165 just might get you into any club your heart desires, if you flash these babies to the bouncer.

The Hayley easy slip-on flats are a much much cuter version than the TB flats we are STILL seeing floating around on feet. For $118, they’re the urban answer to an easy shoe with the delicate combo of a bow plus studs.

Calling all Berliners or European wanna-bes, the “Berlin” boot for $245 oozes European rough n’ tough hotness.

DTSF: Investing in Alluminum Art or a Shoe?

Shoes are truly fun because you can cross many unforeseen boundaries with them. So, many designers of all kinds like to get their hands in the shoe business and try to add their own panache. Included in this bunch of designers is German industrial designer Christian Werner who recently decided to take CNC-milled (painstakingly) aluminum and make a woman’s wedge heel. The “Zoe” is a hollow-wedged heel with sculptural contour shapes and innovative materials, but with a price tag (it is handmade after all) of $3,940, you might not want these metals to hit the streets. But they could still look just as puuuurty on a pedestal for oooohhhss and ahhhhs just like a piece of art. Does this shoe fit? To decide, you can read the cool interview that Werner did with I.D. magazine right here where he explains in more depth the material of choice and the industrial side to this shoe.

Camper Makes for Comfort: The Males, Pt. II

For all you men out there, we know you probably feel a little left out of this blog. But we’re making an effort to show you what we have goin’ on more in the store. So for you, we’re giving you the styles of Camper, a brand of comfort. Women aren’t the only ones to suffer the pains of sore feet while walking about in this city. So turn to Camper if you want your feet to sit nice n’ easy this season whether it’s in casual or dress shoes.

For $138 (cheaper than the website price) the men’s “Mauro” is designed “for a 12-hour day in the city” as the company says. A walkable dress shoe, you can’t deny that.

A lace-up ankle boot in a light brown striped suede for $145 is also categorized as a “Mauro” shoe, an alternative to the above Mauro.

The “Imar” for $163 makes a walking shoe look hip. The “Imar” line comes from an original collection of shoes designed for the 25th anniversary of the King’s Cup Sailing Race, the most prestigious sailing regatta in the Mediterranean.

The “Peu” for $155 is one of the quintessential Camper designs. You see it, you know it’s Camper. The shape of the shoe follows the natural shape of the foot and with butter soft leather, this is a classic.

Camper Makes for Comfort: The Females, Pt. I

“Reinvent your reality” is the tag line to Camper, the European shoe company, that has been around to see some shoe decades pass by. They truly believe you can change your perception of reality (or at least your shoe and walking reality) when you start wearing their shoes. They offer some funky styles for both men and women, yet maintain the comfort of a good sole whether you have a high arch, a flat foot, or an abnormally wide foot. They cover it all. So to make sure we’re covering it all this season, we ordered up a handful of styles both in boots and heels for you gals. And for you guys, we also didn’t forget about you. Your Camper post is still to come, so stay tuned for Pt. II. But for all you ladies, tell us which style you’re diggin’ the most, we love to hear crowd pleasing favorites.

The “Rachael” comes with a solid, thick beech-wood heel and a soft black leather for $170.

The “Rachael” in teal suede offers the same chunky heel (it’s practically a wedge, but a bit cuter) and for the same price of $170.

The “Isabella” offers a classic retro look. We love love the color combo this boot has got goin’ on. Part leather and part suede, the Isabella is worth the comfort and the look for $320.

The “Rachael” boot offers the same beech-wood heel as the above Rachael dress shoe, but this time it’s worked into Camper’s soft brown color of a comfort boot. And for easy slip-on and slip-off maneuvering, there’s a zipper to make life a lil’ bit easier. For an all leather boot, $330 is not that much for an ever-lasting boot.