Footwear for a Goddess

Shine like a summer goddess with the footwear of the season – the gladiator sandal.

The knee high gladiator sandal, donned by the Greek gods themselves, was seen all over the Spring/Summer 2015 runways, including at Chloe, Valentino and Diane von Furstenberg.

Boost mega style into any casual or dressy summer look by lacing up these chic, statement sandals knee high.

Gladiator flats allow you to forgo the heel without losing sex appeal. What's a sultrier than leg lace ups?

The gladiator heel has stood the test of time for thousands of years without going out of style. Versatile, stylish, and comfortable, the tie up gladiator sandal is the shoe of the millennium fit for a goddess.


(Pictured left to right: Chloe SS15, Alberta Ferretti SS15, Valentino FW14 Couture)

Feet Forward


It's exciting when you see fashion change. It may be one of the only perks of getting older. My favorite new evolution seen on the Spring 2013 runways is with the beloved heel. Rather than a slightly curved heel, it is strikingly straight, and it protrudes from the very back of the sole, rather than a bit in front of it. These may sound like minor adjustments, but  actually, their affect is quite mod!




Louis Vuitton
Heel Now



Arfango
Heel Then 



More Straight & Chic Spring 2013 Footwear...

Balmain

Alexander Wang

Alejandro Ingelmo

Balenciaga  



Proenza Schouler

And the slanted heel is still sleek, as seen at Miu Miu...

The Match-Up

I loved how matchy matchy Spring 2013 runways were. Whether it be a printed suit jacket and bottom, or a playtime duo in a punchy hue, keeping it mono from head to toe exudes a certain polish.


Louis Vuitton
A simple pattern creates a lot of impact when worn head to toe. I also love that the shorts and jacket on the left not only share the same print, they share the same hemline. Very chic. Printed pairs also seen at Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, and Marc Jacobs.

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Dior
All black works when the separates are well tailored. The cut on these pants is gorgeous. A little sheen is good to add some interest, as seen on this silk lapel.  Sleek, solely dark silhouettes also seen at Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent.
 

Michael Kors
Brightly done monotone hues shined on the runways, also seen at Akris, Etro, and Gucci. Simply remember, go bold, go bright, go top to bottom, and you'll ace this trend. Also, don't shy from shiny finishes to accent your look, seen here with a statement belt buckle.  





As far as footwear and accessories, you may have noticed the designers kept right on matching, with replicating pointy pumps, handbags, and scarfs.



Since so many of these looks involve an undershirt (especially the suit sets), here is some inspiration from Chanel an how to have fun with the mix

Fashion Week: Men's Style

Considering my dream man is a very stylish one, I was lucky to view some great men's lines during New York Fashion Week SS/13. My fav collections were Joseph Abboud, Bespoken and Carlos Campos. See the looks I loved with tips on how you can dress for my fantasy.
Joseph Abboud:



Try: One color, head to toe, with varying textures. Creased pants for casual wear.

Try: A polo shirt under a Vneck. A gray sweater.

Try: Cropped pants. Short sleeved button ups. Simple, two-tone pair ups.

Try: Tying a belt instead of buckling it. Button detailing.

Try: A simple zip up coat with clean lines

Bespoken:





Try: A tie with a casual look. Rolled up pants

Try: Prints that add texture to your trousers

Try: Layering a sweatshirt under a blazer, or a collared shirt under a sweatshirt

Carlos Campos:

Try: A Vneck cardigan buttoned up

Try: Pairing the same hue in different shades

Try: Pocket detailing on a coat. Army jackets.

Try: A patterned Vneck sweater paired with pants that pick up one of it's hues

Year of the Dragon

As a die hard Gwen Stefani enthusiast, I was ecstatic to see the iconic beauty in an Yves St. Laurent leather vest at the July 22nd Teen Choice Awards, because a few months ago, I bought a similar one! Granted, it's no YSL (mine is by the brand Paper Tee, and I purchased it at Salvation Army for $9, with an estimated retail price $45), but it has similar details, and I think it gives off the same sexy, vixen vibe. 

I like to think I can put clothes together, but for some reason, it never crossed my mind to pair the vest with black pants. (Stefani's were YSL)

Also love her XIV Karats ankle bracelet with ankle strap pump

For this look: Keep it black from head to toe 

 Many designers actually ushered out the black on black leather look onto the Fall 2012 runways. The chic pairing was so reoccurring, that Style.com included  this sleek and dark ensemble as a main Fall 2012 trend, which they  titled "Year of the Dragon." It included Proenza Schouler, Versace, Alexander Wang, Givenchy, Ann Deneulemeester, Mugler, and Narciso Rodriguez.

Mugler FW/RTW 2012

Alexander Wang FW/RTW 2012

Also try a dark leather vest with a dark maxi-skirt or 
with a white shirt underneath:

Balmain FW/RTW 2012

Skirt: Forever 21

    

Clothing Zen

Let's take a moment to meditate on the Eastern inspired beauty found at Proenza Schouler's Fall 2012 Ready to Wear Collection. "It's Asian, but in a New York Way," Lazaro Hernandez, Designer behind Proenza Schouler.

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." 

-Confucius 

Look of the week:

PVC Trench by Sonia Rykiel

Editorial shot found at Elle.com, Photo by Max Farago
Styled by Mel Ottenberg

Also seen at: Burberry , Emma Cook , Prada

Burberry 2001

Emma Cook 2009

What to wear under it? Neutral color combina-tions

Prada 2002

Schiaparelli

Interestingly, for Spring 2012, NYC's Met Museum currently offers the exhibit,  Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, which views through August 19, and showcases the striking relationship between Schiaparelli and Prada, two similar designers who come from completely different eras. To the left you can see Prada's 2002 clear, vinyl coat, and to the above right is Schiaparelli's rendition from 1935.

Louis Vuitton FW11

 These Trenc-hes remind me of
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TOPSHOP put out a great variation of this designer coat in summer of 2010 for $110, but it quickly sold out, especially after retro loving Christina Aguilar sported the look.

Hello Kitty for Forever21(L)

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eBay.com

Milly Resort 2013

Other places to go or NOT go clear:
DO with an umbrella::

A clear umbrella goes with any look. Plus, they are very afforable, so you can spend more on your rain coat and boots.

DO NOT go clear with a purse:

From Louis Vuitton SS/12. I know a lot of us, especially men, have been taught to never look inside a woman's purse. There's a reason for that, and the clear handbag obstructs that logic. Plus, how aesthetically pleasing is a mess of personal items?