Shoe Obsession at the FIT

I’m a shopaholic. I’m sure some of you can sympathize with me when I say, “shoes are a necessity.” It is true! You NEED shoes – you don’t NEED other things. Shoes are that one thing that immediately overrides my shopper’s guilt as the devil on my shoulder quickly convinces me that they are worth more than my first born child. As the proud owner of well over 75 pairs, I should probably stop but – to me – shoes are what complete an outfit. Although I am usually spotted in a pair of riding boots or my Sperry top-siders, my closet is a mecca of shoe porn, from spiked red sling backs to blue suede pumps and even a few pairs of sequined Toms. Excuse me as I give myself props for diversity!

To be honest, I am a pretty boring dresser; when I add a unique pair of shoes to my wardrobe I feel a little bit less lame (perhaps this shoe obsession is a coping mechanism?). Luckily I am not the only one out there looking for quirky shoes to spice up their closet because the Fashion Institute of Technology’s new “Shoe Obsession” exhibit is all the rage in NYC (BRB — booking my Amtrak ticket — yikes, it closes this coming Saturday!).

The collection definitely screams, “A Night in NYC with Lady Gaga” but when you are wearing shoes this hot there is no such thing as a BAD ROMANCE…except maybe the one with your bank….

Here are a few of my favorites! (somebody hide my credit card before it is too late!)

Azzedine Alaia, 2011

Tom Ford, Spring 2012

Masaya Kushino, 2008

Christian Luboutin, 2007

Prada, Spring 2012

Noritaka Tatehana, 2012

Posted by Marie

Image source Fashionista.com

If These Shoes Could Talk

Image source Shoeper Women

When it comes to fashion, my suburbs-to-city commute and early morning wake-ups typically label me as more practical than chic. Footwear is no exception. My occasional pair of heels is usually tucked away in my oversized bag until I’m comfortably in the office, seated, with flip flops stowed under my desk.

That said, the recent delivery of sobering shoe-related news from researchers at the University of Kansas was troubling at best. According to the KU study, students were able to correctly judge 90% of a stranger’s personal characteristics (we’re talking age, income, gender, political affiliation and emotions) just by glancing at their shoes. Eek!

I’m left with a daunting question: What the hell does my chosen footwear say about me!?

For starters, the strappy tan wedges I’m wearing right now are the same ones I wore two days ago (I know, a total crime of fashion), because they were the first pair I saw as I hurried out of the house this morning. The light pink flats in my purse, meant as a means of salvation when the wedges come off for my walk from Copley Square to North Station tonight, match way too well with my similarly light pink dress, revealing that the unwritten rules of accessorizing are not in the forefront of my mind. The seven or so pairs of neglected sandals sitting in an RWU laundry bag in the back seat of my car would tell you that unpacking from college hasn’t been my top priority in the four weeks I’ve been home since graduation (…or maybe they’d tell you I’m in denial that college is over? Not sure I want to hear what those guys have to say on that subject.). The collection of flats strewn across my closet floor with worn out souls and scuffed toes would reveal my constant speed-walker’s pace and my continuous ranking of function over fashion. Oh, and my sneakers? They’d be eager to tell you that they aren’t seeing much daylight these days.

Basically, if people are judging me on my chosen footwear alone, I’m screwed.

According to the experts on my somewhat shabby feet, flip-flops and less expensive shoes typically belong to liberal thinkers, and practical, functional shoes are worn by agreeable people. I can handle that. Research findings also include the groundbreaking discoveries that flashy and colorful shoes tend to belong to extroverts (duh), and expensive shoes are owned by people with high salaries (double duh).

Needless to say, I’ll think twice before donning my tattered wedges for a third day this week. But hey, at least I don’t wear Crocs!

Posted by Mary

Attention Shoe Lovers!

Image source The Fashion Police

Lets face it, shoes can either make or break an outfit. That’s why every single morning I stand for what feels like forever in front of a mirror trying on different pairs of shoes to see which pair looks the best with the outfit I picked out for the day. Like this morning, I slipped on a pair of pumps and then proceeded through my daily self-questionnaire: Are these comfortable? Will I be walking around a lot today? How do they make my legs look? I probably did this with at least four pairs of shoes until I finally settled on a pair of black leather booties.

While I own a ton of shoes, I have yet to find that perfect pair; the pair that goes with anything and everything. I have boots, flats, stilettos, pumps, sneakers, etc… If you can name it, I’ve got it. That’s why when I stumbled across Upper Street London I was absolutely floored! I’ve seen the custom thing for jeans, shirts, cereal, chocolate bars, jewelry, but THIS is the custom I was waiting for – I can finally create MY own perfect shoe! From heels to flats, material to color, closed toe or peep toe — the options are truly endless.

Let me say it again, there is no doubt in my mind that shoes can either make or break an outfit. With Upper Street London in my back pocket, I’m now one step closer to that perfect pair that will make any outfit I wear look and feel amazing.

Posted by Sue

Cork This!

Nothing like having to interrupt a fine wine-drinking experience with constant trips to and from the fridge. And seriously, everyone knows whites should be served in the temp range of 48-52 degrees.

Thank god for this thing. The corkcicle, as it is so aptly named, lets me and my fellow winos enjoy a crisp chardonnay the way it should be. Not only do you get some serious chill (reusable!), but it also comes with cork attached to avoid spills.

Okay, okay, so you’re probably thinking Hey Haley, ever think of an ice bucket? Yeah, no shit, Sherlock! But all that gets you is a mess of cold water. Fine, how about a wine chiller? HA, at a few hundos, I’ll pass. Besides, that’s good shoe-shopping money!

The corkcicle is a cool—ha, get it?!—$22.95 and won’t break the bank. Besides, how about the fact that it’s just effin’ awesome?

Posted by Haley

Handmade Shoes in 20 Minutes

As you’ve read in previous m. blog posts, I love shoes. But as much as I love shoes, I really love shopping. Any kind of shopping—grocery, jean, special occasion, furniture, you name it—excites me. (Ok, I lied, I hate bathing suit shopping, but that’s about it.)

Anyways, while on my recent honeymoon to Italy, I promised myself and my new husband that I would not shop. That’s right, folks, I solemnly walked passed the dozens of boutiques surrounding the Spanish Steps and looked the other way while strolling the Champs Elysees in order to keep my word.

But then I found a shopping opportunity that I simply could not–and would not–pass up…

Handmade shoes in 20 minutes. Yes, the azure waters along the Amalfi Coast were gorgeous as were the oceanside cliffs that we walked up and down every day to get to our hotel, but one of the highlights of my time in Positano were the shoe shops.

Now, I’m not talking about an ordinary shoe shop where you go in and try on shoes. These were shops that only sold custom made sandals…and they were all over the village! Here’s how it works: You tell them (or in my case point and say “Grazie”) what style sandal and color leather you like and then they measure your foot with ready-made soles. Forty-five Euro and 20 minutes later, you have your very own ready-to-wear custom-made sandals.

In light of the (amazing) situation, I behaved myself by only buying two pairs of custom-made sandals. Perhaps there is a such thing as self-control? So if you’re headed to Positano, I recommend shoe shopping…oh and maybe some sightseeing too!

Safari, Positano

Posted by Alyssa