...it's Spring 2014: Chic sneaks

"In the history of fashion, around 1800 to 1840 or 1845, women had flat shoes.  Even with a ball gown, they had flat shoes." Who said this?  Chanel genius, Karl Lagerfeld, said it in a video interview posted on Chanel's website.  In his Spring 2014 Chanel Haute Couture runway show, the models were all sporting sneakers.

Blinged-out sneakers will not be replacing high heels in my repertoire; however, I do like a good sneaker.  Especially with my latest crush on fashionable activewear, my scale is tipping toward the comfort cool of the sneaker in everyday wear.

Image from nydailynews.com.

Image from vogue.com.

The pairing of skinnies and sneaks in NYC this fall was everywhere.  I adore the look below and the quirky pairing of high-end fur with hi-top shiny patent kicks.  So chic and comfy.  The preppy pink pant gets a little edge with a waxed jacket and old-school Adidas samba shoes.

Images from Lisa Bida.

The season between boots and flip flops, which in New England is going to be a long one this year, look to the sneaker to add some fun and comfort to the mix and to bridge the gap.

I'm gaga over Tory Burch's simple, white soled quilted uppers in basic navy or pale green.  The pairing with a dress feels easy and fresh.

Images from toryburch.com.

For classic kicks, think canvas.  I like Superga 2750 and Keds which are the 'it' brands of the moment.  Check out the different stylings with Supergas!

Image from zappos.com.

Images from pinterest.

Jennifer's a big fan of Tretorns.  J.Crew is carrying a huge selection of sneakers at great price points.

Image from jcrew.com.

When it comes to wardrobe, go with skinnies that messy tuck into hi-tops to create an elongated leg.  Cropped ankle pants are a good choice (and a great choice for Spring 2014).  If you aren't a skinny jean-kinda-gal, think a skirt or dress.  Take down a fussy dress to daywear.  Skirts are a natural - keep them right below or at the knee.  

W2WW Spring 2014 Kicks

Tory burch shoes / New balance shoes / Superga sneaker / Tory burch shoes / Joie sneaker, $215 / Joie sneaker / Zara flat shoes / Keds shoes, $50

If it's good enough for Karl, it's good enough for me. ~ LB

...it's Fall 2012: Oxblood

"We’re suckers for the dark red everyone seems to be calling “oxblood,” even if that also sounds like something GOOP would tell us to drink as part of a spirit cleanse."  The Cut, NY Magazine.

Image from nymag.com.

Better known as maroon or burgundy in the 80s and 90s, oxblood is a color we haven't seen much of until now, but it's a major look for fall.  And if you follow me on Pinterest, you know that it is the color that is dominating my fall fashion wall. This deeply-saturated wine color is flattering to almost any skin tone and mixes well with almost any other color, making it closet-worthy for fall.   From head to toe, it can be a simple accent or a major anchor in your oufit.  Count me in.

The love affair started in the spring with this chiffon backed leather tee that I picked up at Topshop.

Image from topshop.com.

Since then, I see the world through oxblood-color glasses and am finding inspiration in the most unlikely places.  A trip to Brooklyn last weekend yielded not only a decadent gelato at Jacques Torres in DUMBO, but this divine scooter sitting out front. 

Image from mrchocolate.com.

Images from Lisa Bida.

White leather, shiny chrome, black trim and glossy oxblood paint. Voila!  A new look for yourself...or your front entrance.

Image from elementsofstyleblog.com.

Image from colourlovers.com.

Image from victorianvaluesconstruction.co.uk.

Or try my new fave color with 50 shades of gray and if you're in the mood, a touch of black.  

Image from jcrew.com.

Image from colourlovers.com.

Image from neimanmarcus.com.

Tory Burch pulls it all together with the navy ensemble.  Play with other colors in the purple, navy, fushia family that are already in your closet to updates your wardrobe for fall.  

Image from toryburch.com.

Image from colourlovers.com.

Image from colorlovers.com.

My daughter just got these totally cool kicks from hometown favorite New Balance.  The pairing of cool turquoise and deep red is fresh and right on trend.

Image from newbalance.com.

Image from colourlovers.com.

I L.o.v.e. with a capital L this bracelet from Rocklove jewelry. 

Image from rocklove.com.

This purse from Tory Burch is killer! Can you just see it dressed up with a black outfit or cooled down with denim?

Image from toryburch.com.

For the dabblers,  try just a touch of this magical color on your nails.

Image from pinterest.com.

Lastly, booties, which Jen reported on in a recent post, are my obsession right now.  I love these two from Urban Outfitters and will be adding a pair to wear with my outfits this fall.  The bit of burnished suede we're seeing this season is just the beginning of what will be a key trend in fall 2013/14.

Image from urbanoutfitters.com.

Image from urbanoutfitters.com.

These little beauties from Vince can be folded over just slightly.  

Image from nordstrom.com.

Kick it old school with these nerdy cool loafers from Bass.  Roll up your jeans, throw on a blazer and you're good to go to a meeting or pick up the kids.

Image from zappos.com.

Email us or leave a comment with your favorite finds in oxblood! ~ LB

...you want to look on-trend and unique...at the same time.

Customize!  When I started monogramming bath towels (we highly recommend the Matouk Factory Store for bed and bath) with custom embroidered initials (in a rainbow of colors by Carol Leach's "Initials on Wednesday" in Natick), little did I realize I was participating in a movement called "Mass Customization" - essentially customizing a mass-produced product, in color, design or otherwise, to be unique to moi.  

The concept isn't a new one but the method in which it's been recently deployed by fashion world -  from Louis Vuitton’s Mon Monogram to Nike's nikeid.com -  is changing the face of consumer interaction.  Business of Fashion states, on the one hand, purchasing luxury fashion is about being “in fashion” and participating in a group movement.  But on the other hand, it’s about expressing uniqueness.  It’s a concept that Anna Wintour captured particularly well in the August 2008 issue of Vogue, noting in her editor’s letter that what’s admired in fashion is people simultaneously “looking on-trend and beyond trend and totally themselves.”   

One of my faves right now is New Balance's custom 574 booth.  Right in our own backyard at the Natick Mall and one of only two venues for this new custom venture, you can walk right up and with the help of a New Balance associate, create your own 574 from a myriad of colors and materials.  The design gets sent off the factory, most likely in Maine, and made to your specs.  Who could resist channeling her/his inner designer with these one of a kind kicks M&M candy colors, luscious leathers and funky laces?   

Photos from LB.

When it comes to handbags, Jen and I both lean heavily toward the simple Goyard tote.  I knew I wanted a classic shape with easy access and traditional color but when it came to how to customize it, I had no idea.  Classic? Crazy?  Business of Fashion notes...."Back when craft production was the dominant economic activity, luxury goods makers offered their clients more than a list of possible options from which they were to configure their own products. Alongside an array of options, they offered expert advice that was tailored to the individual, with whom they often had a personal relationship. Indeed, when a client went to a master craftsman, product design was a collaborative process that usually got better over time."

Fast forward to 2011 and enter George DiVenuti, the Goyard Specialist at Barney's in Boston.  He patiently walked me through the dozens of possible combos and helped me decide on this one.  And when it arrived a few weeks later...voila!  Perfection...and a very happy customer.

Photo from LB

How will you channel your inner designer in 2012? ~ LB