Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Red satin pointy-toe slingbacks with dainty bows and a demure 2.5-inch heel, by Karen Smith.  These are generally categorized as “fancy shoes”, but today feels completely springy and I, for one, would like to celebrate it.  With satin slippers.  Impractical?  Yes.  But when have I been known for being practical?

Also–this is my 100th post as The Shoeologist!  I think that deserves a little celebration, right?  For the next two minutes I will have a mini dance party in my cube.  I suggest you follow suit.  (wink)

Nine West Manequin Red Slingback Pump ($55.14)

J.Renee Amaya Slingback Pump, Gold ($52.22)

Moda Spana Quid Pump, Red Silk with bow ($85.00)
(these are quite possibly my favorite from this lot!)

J.Renee Rachele Slingback Pump, Fushia ($89.95)
(these lovelies come in ten different colors!)

Calvin Klein Daria Satin Pump, Midnight (09.00)

Martinez Valero Rusched Slingback, Bronze ($79.72)

Today is the last of the party shoe mini-series, and we are ending on one of my all-time favorite pairs of heels.  Click here for the rest of the party shoes.

Magenta satin t-strap peep-toe sandals with rosettes and 4-inch heel.  I would like you to take a moment to just admire these–they just might be my favorite pair of shoes.  I have worn these only a few times–to the symphony, on a fancy date, around in my apartment on a particularly sad day–they never fail to make me feel like a million bucks.

I have been touting wearing fancy party shoes with jeans, however these ones must be seen.  Please to wear with something that shows a little leg, okay?

I can’t find these online anywhere, but here are a couple of options that are similar.  (Well, they are close–the ruffled roses on a T-strap aren’t to be found.  Sob!)

Miss Me Dazzle-32 Sandal, Coral ($33.78)

Calvin Klein Rajah Ankle-Strap Sandal, Fuchsia (109.00)

Badgley Mischka Kiwi Sandal, Raspberry Satin (137.90)

Bordello By Pleaser Preen Peep Toe Platform, Fushia Satin ($41.95)

This week is all about party shoes, those fancy, satiny, ruffled, sparkly heart-stoppers. Click to see all the party shoes here.

Black open-toe heels with ruffles, ankle wrap and 3.5-inch heel.  I used to wear these fairly often–usually with slacks to prevent raised eyebrows at work–and I had forgotten about them until I started digging around in my stacks.  Such a cute pair of heels!  Swoon!  I tried to find some similar ones, but unfortunately search results for “bedroom shoes” were more fuzzy slipper and less fantastic heels.

Touch Ups Ivanna Pump, Black ($55.16)

Dyeables Frilly Sandal, Black ($19.95)

Betsey Johnson Nelson Pump, Black Satin (40.95)

This week I’m posting all about party shoes, the ones I rarely wear but still are so beautiful I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about them. See other party shoe posts: pink satin peeptoe heels, and silver sparkly strappy sandals.

Aqua-teal strappy evening san,dal covered in rhinestones with 4-inch heel.  These lovelies also came from my beloved Nordstrom Rack.  I love the diagonal strap, and the little rhinestone-encrusted flower on the toe, and the saturated color.  These would be perfect with a silvery gray dress, or a black pencil skirt, or jeans and a sparkly top.  Oooh!  Or hot pink!!  Oh man, these would be fabulous with hot pink!  How often do you get to wear bedazzled aqua shoes!?  Not often, sadly.  I must do something to fix that. (And I’m seriously crushing on the hot pink + aqua

There are not many aqua evening shoes around the interwebs, but here are a few heart-stoppers.

Luichiny Gettin Hitched Sandal, Teal Satin ($32.92)

Charles by Charles David Wisper Sandal, Turqouise ($63.22)

Luichiny Gal Lop Sandal, Teal Satin ($68.95)

This week I’m posting all about party shoes, the ones I rarely wear but still are so beautiful I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about them. See here for other party shoe posts.

Silver sparkly strappy sandals with 3.5-inch heel and criss-cross straps at the toe.  I found these at Nordstrom Rack almost 8 years ago for $35 dollars, marked down from a hundred.  They started out at t-strap shoes, but I was in an anti-T-strap phase and clipped it off.  (What was I thinking!?  I’m glad it was just a phase!  I love t-straps!)  At any rate, I have worn these to the opera, the ballet, a fancy black-tie party, dancing, (smooching!)…I love them.  They go with just about everything and what girl doesn’t need a little sparkle at her feet every so often.  Am I right?

There are about ten-thousand options around the Interwebs for something sparkly and fantastic, here is a small sampling.  Seriously, if you need  a little pick-me-up click through these links.  So many pretty shoes!

Coloriffics Jessica Platform Sandal, Silver ($61.95)
criss-cross straps, peep toes and a lot of sparkle!

Jen + Kim for Coloriffics Devote Ankle-Strap Sandal, Sterling (83.00)
silver silk shantung with a sparkly buckle

Nina Clorele Sandal,Gunmetal ($99.95)
strappy leather sandal with rhinestones and silver baubles, love

Cynthia Vincent Alora Ankle-Strap Sandal, Gunmetal ($295, but oh-so pretty!)
metallic mesh strappy sandal, goodness, these are fancy!

Michael Antonio Casey Sandal, Silver ($49.46)
strappy silver snakeskin

Nine West Edera Sandal, Pewter ($78.95)
glittery leather straps in all kinds of awesome shapes

Bordello by Pleaser Violette-12G Sandal, Silver Glitter ($56.95)
sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!  swoon!

Nina Corvala Sandal, Gunmetal ($89.95)
sassy and strappy with a little flouff at the heel

This week I’ve decided to take a little break from my regular daily footwear postings and do something a little different.  I have several boxes of party shoes that rarely get worn, so in honor of Valentine’s Day* I will be putting a little sparkly, a little frill, and/or a little satin up everyday.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Hot pink satin peep-toe pumps with 4-inch heel, by RSVP.  These beauties would be fabulous with a little black dress (or a little gray dress, or a sparkly dress, or a creamy dress…you get the picture) or a pair of dark, skinny jeans and a flouncy, sparkly top.  I love the pleating and the peep-toe.

Caparros Lizzie Open-Toe Pump,Hot Pink ($64.95)

Martinez Valero Carolina Platform Pump, Fuchsia (09.95)
(These have the most fantastic detail at the toe! Hello, “bedroom” shoes!

GUESS WHondo3 Peep-Toe Pump, Pink ($49.47)

Mojo Moxy Inferno Peep Toe Pump, Fuchsia ($58.76)

Menbur Sling Back Pump, Fuchsia ($52.25)
(These are made in Spain, sling-back and a bow on the toe, absolutely beautiful!)

Whelp, that’s it for today.  Come back tomorrow for something sparkly!

*I know some of you may hate Valentine’s Day / Single Awareness Day.  I am not exactly looking forward to it this year either, I don’t have a date nor a party invite, which means I have no excuse to wear any of these beautiful shoes.  I may just end up ordering a pizza, watching a cheesy chick-flick, and trying them all on again. One by one.  Alone.  In my apartment.  Don’t judge.

Gold metallic snakeskin peep-toe, platform sandals with ankle strap and 5-inch heel, by ShoeDazzle.  Are these particularly “winter weather” appropriate?  Mmm, no, not really.  Have I ever been one for “practical” or “appropriate?”  Mmm, no, not really.

Ok, so let’s chat a minute about ShoeDazzle, they are a subscription shoe dealer, which sounds a lot fancier than it really is.  Basically, you get a new pair of shoes every month for a pretty low price, I’m on month two and have already purchased extra pairs.  And not all of the shoes have 5-inch heels, I promise.  You actually take a little “shoe preference” quiz and they give you a selection based on that.  If you don’t like any of them you can request new ones.  It’s a pretty sweet gig.  And, of course, I get referral points if you use this link to join.  So head over there, check it out, report back to me, okay?  Okay.  Happy Tuesday.

Black suede, velvet and leather strappy Mary Jane’s with 4-inch heel, from Coach. That’s right, Coach. Several years ago I went to Chicago for the weekend to reward myself after a particularly grueling year. I went to see Wicked, visited some of my favorite museums, and wandered along The Magnificent Mile for two days straight. In my wanderings and window shopping, I found these lovelies. They are, to date, the most expensive pair of shoes I own. I got them on sale, a really big sale, but they were still $156.74. I know this, because the receipt is still inside the box. Do I regret this purchase? No. Do I wear these often? No. Do I think they are a waste of money? Absolutely not. They are like the “good china” your grandmother had, beautiful and delicate and not meant for every-day wear. Will I hand these beauties down to my daughter? Maybe, if she happens to be a size 10. (wink.)

Here are a few similar pairs, although nothing quite so outrageous in price. Happy Monday.

BCBGeneration Drift Mary-Jane Pump

T.U.K. Mary Jane Pump

MICHAEL Michael Kors Clare T-Strap Heel
(these ones are a little pricey, but so pretty!)

Bordello by Pleaser Spectator Pump
(I love these, absolutely love them!)

Chocolatey brown satin strappy sandal with 3-inch heel, from B.P.  The last few days it has felt like spring here, it even smells like spring!  In fact, my allergies kicked in last week due to a prolonged thaw!  Don’t worry, I’m sure it will plummet into sub-zero temperatures and a couple more feet of snow will fall in my valley before too long.  But for now I am enjoying the toe-baring weather!

Here are a few sassy pairs of satin heels to tide you over until summer (or, if you happen to live somewhere where it’s always 70-degrees and sunny, you can wear them now)(it has not been 70 here, more like 50)(excuse the excessive parentheticals), or if you need to dress up for a fabulous party or swanky event or an otherwise uneventful Tuesday.

Calvin Klein Rudie T-Strap Sandal

BCBGeneration Erica Pump

Ok, I know these next two aren’t strappy or summery or anything–but there is snow in the forecast and these ankle booties just seem so cozy and snuggly!

Kenneth Cole REACTION How Chicky Ankle Boot

Liliana Carrie Open-Toe Ankle Boot

Burgundy patent-leather pointy-toe pumps with bow and fringe at the toe and 3-inch heel, by Anne Klein.  I love how classic these heels look, I have worn them with dark, skinny jeans and a white button-up, or a suit, or (like today) a printed dress and cardigan.  They go with everything.

I tried to find a similar pair of heels, but apparently burgundy patent leather + menswear-inspired pumps are harder to come by than I thought! I did find some lovely burgundy heels though. I have a huge crush on these layered leather platform pumps and wish I had the extra pennies to order them. Ditto on these burgundy patent-leather Mary Jane’s from Joan & David. This pair of pointy-toe pumps from Charles by Charles David are swoontastic, and they have some color combinations that made my jaw drop (I’m looking at you, camel and orange.)  Here is a really cute pair of Menswearish ballet-flat from Chinese Laundry. I also found two pair of fantastic heels made from several different textures in the same, deep burgundy hue; slingbacks from Anne Klein and these day-to-night stunners by Lovely People.