Here's a cool and relatively inexpensive over-the-knee boot. This looks seems to be a Fall must-have, but I don't think it's smart to spend a ton on the really trendy looks.
Boutique 9 "Charissa" Belted Boots, $285
They have a 3.75" stacked heel and are leather with fabric lining and leather sole. I like the round toe and substantial look, they would nicely balance out a look with leggings and a long sweater for example.
I would certainly die for a pair of the covetable Louboutin Ni Toi Ni Moi Ankle Boots ($1195 at Saks).
oh my, soooo beautiful!
But really, $1195 is a bit much. For us poor plebians, here is a similar look (but not exact, so not a total knock-off) from Boutique 9. Obviously they're not as spectacular, but not bad either.
They are not up on their website yet, they will be available later in the Fall. They are called the Siaka boot and will retail for $225.
This Colin Stuart Devon Boot from Victoria's Secret looks suprisingly decent...
They're showing a lot of the over the knee boots for Fall. This one is good because you can wear it 3 ways: pulled up high over the knee, folded over, or scrunched in the middle. The heel is 3-3/4", which is a little bit low, but okay. The price is $149... so I suspect the quality is dubious at best. But they are real leather...
They might be worth checking out. It's always good to have some junkers that look pretty good, but that you don't have to worry about if you get caught out in the rain or snow with them on.
Just to torture myself I am on Neiman Marcus' email list... they send out great emails like "personalized picks" and "Editior's Picks"... I say torture because inevitably the stuff in these emails is very expensive, but very tempting...
For example, from their latest email of Editor's Picks, the Sergio Rossi Zippered Platform Boots are to die for.
Oh wow! I love the round toe, the elegant heel and that the platform is hidden... oh, they are superb, and just cool and unique because of the way they've done the zipper. They are also $1,295...
Okay, so I was making fun of those Prada boots yesterday, but it's looking like they're going to be one of the trendy looks for Fall. It seems like nearly every designer has turned out some for Fall: Chloe, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Giuseppe Zanotti...
I can imagine Paris Hilton, Rhianna and other youngsters turning up in these come Fall.
The Gucci version is called the "Divison" - 4.1 inch heel with 1.4" platform, over the knee boots in black, black stretch and black patent leather. $2950, yikes.
Christian Louboutin also has a couple of styles. Here is one, the OTK platform boot in suede. 4" heel. $1,995.
Holy smoke, check out these boots from the Prada Fall 09 Collection.
The OTK Boot in black nappa leather. $1,400. (Honestly, I'm suprised they aren't more. That's a lot of boot per dollar.) But seriously, who would wear that? Carmen Electra?
Somthing like this is a little more normal looking. Tall boot ($990), but the heel is only 3-1/2 inches, why?
Here is a classic for the hideous or fabulous category: Christian Louboutin's Fringe Cutout Boots. ($1,795)
Oh my goodness! I am kind of shocked that he would put his name on something so ugly. I think the only thing these would be good for is a slutty cowgirl halloween costume.
Anyway, Comments? Hideous or Fabulous?
When I first saw this picture of Gwyneth at the movie premiere in Paris of "Two Lovers" I thought she was wearing little white socks with her boots! And, I thought, hmmm that's strange.
But then after a little digging around I realized she is wearing Rupert Sanderson's Kit Kat Shoe Boot ($1,100). The version for sale at Net-a-porter has a white heel.
I can't say that I really like these boots, but I think it was more fabulous than hideous of her to wear them. The dress (with a see-through lace front!) is also a little aggressive fashion-wise so why not? Anyway, fashion is supposed to be fun, you can take risks once in a while. These were certainly a more interesting choice than the Christian Louboutins that have become standard issue for every woman in Hollywood. (not that I don't LOVE those, I do)
Net-a-porter shows them styled with tights and I do think they are A LOT easier to pull off like this.
As a person who loves skull and crossbone patterns (for some strange reason) and has ruined one too many pairs of Gucci shoes in the rain, here's a great find:
They're rubber, so totally weather/water proof and lined with sherpa for comfort. (Sherpa-lined critter wellies, $78) They're a dark charcoal color so they'll go with anything and the skull pattern is small so you won't look too silly! It's so great wearing boots like this when the city streets are full of slush, snow, and mini-lakes (from clogged up drains). Thankfully it's not time for that yet, but they're just as good in pouring rain!
Gwyneth Paltrow always looks great, classic but not boring-classic. Here's a recent picture of her in London.
For a similar look: Sunglasses, Jimmy Choo, $295.
Jacket, Anthropologie, $188.
Skinny Jeans, 7 for all mankind Roxy, $155.
Boots, J. Crew Long Brewster, $198.
On another note about Gwyneth, she has a new lifestyle website called Goop. Here's a link to the October newsletter. I found it quite interesting.
As a follow-up to last Thursday's post, here are 2 more pairs of black leather boots. These are both lower styles which are kind of the "in thing" for boots this Fall.
These by Theory are definitely channeling the motorcycle vibe. "Elodie" Short Leather Boots, $395. The quality of leather is nice and they sort of have a clunky feel, so these are not as easy to dress up.
These by Juicy Couture seem a bit more versatile and they have a killer heel and platform, so they're really high. "Serena" Leather Platform Ankle Boots, $378. They're very well made (although not in Italy) and seem worth the price.
These I think you could wear SJP style, with a pencil skirt and black tights and they'd look really cool. Or with skinny jeans.
They're showing a lot of black leather rocker/motorcycle looks this Fall. Bloomingdale's put out a whole "Hot Rocks" catalog and did their 59th street windows in the same theme. Sadly this catalog is not posted on their website, as some are.
Here are some of the looks. This delicious Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket is done in soft washed leather, $798.
For a ladylike version of the rocker look (if that exists), this Juicy Couture leather coat could work. Shrunken fitted style with rounded collar and gold buttons, $698.
And it would look good with their "Mona" Tall Leather Boots, $478. They're fairly simple with a classic round toe and 3 1/2" heel, but also have a horsebit buckle to jazz them up a bit.
The Bloomingdale's catalog had this really cool MICHAEL Micheal Kors belt, black leather with black pyramid studs (only $42) - kind of a toned down version of the Carrie studded belt from the SATC movie. I guess this belt was very popular because it is nowhere to be found now! I can't even pull a picture from anywhere on the internet to show it. :-( (I need to get a scanner)
Anyway, this belt is also amazing - - but insanely expensive: Alexander McQueen croco embossed leather belt with chain detail, $469. Thank goodness it's made in Italy for that price... and it comes with a belt dust bag (so you can feel like you got your money's worth!).
They're also showing a lot of the low heeled motorcyle boots. I'm not a huge fan because I always prefer a heel, but if I were tall and didn't have that problem, I'd be loving these. DKNY lace up boots, $475. The lace up style can work really well if you have thinner calves, so you can make them fit better.
This morning as I was waiting for the subway I saw the most ridiculous site - - a man wearing the knee high Ugg boots with his 7 jeans tucked into them! Okay, and I mean the Ugg boots that all the girls wear, these:
It was so horrible. I wanted to tell him, like hello buddy, this is not LA... you just CANNOT wear that in New York. I wish I had snuck a picture, because when you google for pictures of men in Ugg boots there is not even one at this level of ridiculous (meaning the high boots which are much more ridiculous). Even when you go to the Ugg Australia website, they do not show the high boots in the Men's section. They make the boots - - so they must like them, and not even they can advocate such a thing!
Here's a good one for the hideous or fabulous category: from Gucci's Fall Collection Shoes, the "Babouska" High Heel Open-toe Sandal/Bootie. $1195 (black leather with antique brass studs, 4.1" heel)
When I first saw these, I thought definitely hideous! But I was looking through the NY Times style section and they have some slide shows from fashion week, and one of the models is wearing these shoes. And, wow, they really look great.
It's so true, you know how your Mom would always say "you have to try it on", and it turned out sometimes she was right... Well these look SO MUCH better on than not. Clearly, you have to be a certain type with a strong fashion sense to pull these off (in good style), but they're not hideous at all! It's good to be wrong sometimes!
It's just barely turned into Summer, but fashion's already thinking about Fall... Fall is, for sure, the best season for fashion... you don't have to bundle up like you do in Winter, nor keep cool as needed in Summer. Some really great boots are already available so you can get a headstart on Fall.
Here are some fabulous Dolce & Gabbana boots, calfskin with a 3 1/2" stacked heel in a gorgeous chocolate brown. $1,375.00.
And a sort of miltary inspired style by Fendi, in supple black leather with a 4" heel, gold buttons and round toe. $1,100.00.
This style from Gucci, to me looks kind of 70s retro in a cool way. The Ginerva boot has a slouchy shaft and 4" heel. There is a Gucci crest ornament on the heel, maybe that's a little over the top... $1.390.00.
And last, here's a leather motorcycle boot from Prada Linea Rossa. I can see these looking very cool with skinny jeans tucked in. Buckle detail at the ankle and top, 2 1/2 " heel and rubber sole. $890.00.
Rain boots are seriously geekdom territory, but you only have to get caught out in the pouring rain once in $500 shoes to learn your lesson. Whenever it's really raining I wear my super geek rain boots, or if it's supposed to rain later in the day, I'll at least bring my Converse sneakers for emergency use. Here are some Burberry rain boot options for anyone who wants to join me in super geekdom.
I wish they hadn't made the Burberry logo so big on these, that's kind of tacky, but oh well. Burberry "Logo Plate" rain boots $190.
Burberry "Knit Cuff" rain boots $210. I'd really love these if they didn't have the knit cuff. Maybe it's possible to stuff it down into the boot instead of folding it over? 
Ugg boots have got to be one of the worst trends that have ever plagued fashion. 
They've been going strong for years now. When will this stop? Please make it stop. I suppose they must be comfortable, but since when does comfort have anything to do with fashion? Even more ridiculous is that these sheep herder boots are often seen at the beach or with shorts. UGG for sure, or should I say FUG? Even worse. "Australian" Ugg Boots are made in China.
One of the funny things about fashion is that sometimes there is a very fine line between the truly hideous and the fabulous. The fashion-forward are the ones who usually test this line, to varying degrees of success. Think Sienna Miller, the Olsen twins, etc. These Jean Paul Gaultier "ankle sneaker boots" are a good example of the hideous/fabulous. They're an interesting mix of canvas, suede and patent leather and have a killer 5" heel. 
I think with the right outfit these could actually be very cool. And one certainly wouldn't have to worry about everyone having the same shoes! (they're $825 at eluxury)
