Summer Staples, cont...

Barney's fashion director Amanda Brooks in Castaner espadrilles

Cool and comfy espadrilles are warm-weather classic (see previous post Summer Staples)...  But I also love a glammed up version. The summer shoe with a platform wedge is the perfect way to give a casual look a slightly dressier feel -- and the ideal footwear for on-the-grass parties (to avoid the dreaded sunken heel syndrome).

Tory Burch

Yves Saint Laurent

Lanvin

Christian Louboutin

Rochas

Gray V. Nude

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin

Now for the question of shoes. 

Shades of gray...

Manolo Blahnik

Balenciaga

Yves Saint Laurent

...Or neutral nudes?

Christian Louboutin

Manolo Blahnik

Christian Louboutin

I was instantly attracted to a pair of patent gray pumps the other day at Bergdorf and could see how they would fit into my wardrobe so well -- adding texture and richness to my many monotone gray looks. I have a pair of smoky-shaded flats I wear a lot.  


Patent-nude pumps, however, are so so versatile in a wardrobe. And look especially chic at night. I have a pair of peep-toe patent nude Louboutins that I can't get enough of.... so much so that I simply must invest in another pair (or two).  


Hmm... When in doubt, buy both.

Blue Wave

Sarah Jessica Parker

More on the recent wave of color... Caribbean blue also seems to be transitioning from the runways to the red carpet and the streets. SJP looks effortlessly chic. Love the flouncy, feminine skirt paired with a tailored jacket (and those crazy high Louboutins!).

Jessica Alba in Atelier Versace

Blakey Lively in Pucci

The glamour gowns are definitely red carpet worthy (and Blake Lively's choice of footwear is fab)... However, I admit that this is not a color I am usually drawn to.  It doesn't read sophisticated to me -- although, SJP's urban-polished look may change my mind. What do you think? Maybe it's better on blue-eyed blonds?

For spring and summer  (and pretty much all year), I wear a ton of navy. I've posted about it before -- it is one of my favorite wardrobe shades.  Is there something in between this eye-catching cornflower blue and a classic dark navy (royal?) that would be worth trying? Say, a patent Manolo or a Proenza PS1 bag?!

Christian Louboutin

Manolo Blahnik

Proenza Schouler

Neon Now

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Grammys

Did anyone notice Gwyneth's neon feather earrings (and matching pink nails) at the Grammys the other night?  I loved the color burst with her all-black outfit.  While, I probably wouldn't wear feather earrings myself, I thought they looked great and were perfect for the occasion.  

Wilfredo Rosado Fine Jewelry

The earrings -- which have added diamond and pink tourmaline bling -- are by Wilfredo Rosado, an incredibly talented and supernice person.

Beyonce and Gwyneth

I am really into the neon trend. I walked into the J.Crew store near my house the other day and was instantly attracted to the loud fluorescent colors mixed into the racks throughout the store. While, I've been going on and on about adding color to my mostly gray wardrobe, the neon thing surprised me. The next thing I knew, I had an armful of electric pink and yellow pieces and was heading to the dressing room.

Jil Sander

3.1 Phillip Lim

Did I make any purchases? No.  I realized that trying on neon in the dead of winter was not the best way to convince myself... but I will definitely be back to buy because I think neon will be a fun wardrobe boost for summer. On my list are pink and yellow neon V-neck tee shirts and a pair of khaki shorts with a neon pink stripe on the sides. I can handle the ultrabright hues when they are in simple cuts and paired basics.  Maybe I'll add a florescent shoe or bag to my must-haves...  

J.Crew

J.Crew

Jimmy Choo

Lanvin

**  What did you think of Gwyneth's "Futura" Louboutins?

Christian Louboutin

Seeing Red

Jason Wu

While I would almost always choose black for formal evening (I usually play it safe that way), I must say, the red gowns that have been gracing the recent runways make a strong case to experiment with color. 

Costello Tagliapietra

Prabal Gurung

Derek Lam

I also like the pairing of red and pink. Like black and navy, it's sort of unexpectedly chic!  I might try it in a more subtle way (i.e. red shoe with a pink sweater) but I like it. It certainly turns heads.

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung

Will I really start incorporating color into my wardrobe like I keep writing about?  I will try -- and happily start with a Louboutin pump.

Some eye candy for Valentine's day: 

Christian Louboutin

Going Wide

Derek Lam

I've been going skinny for a few years now... squeezing myself into the tightest jeans I possibly can -- even when I was very pregnant. Despite my husband telling me that even Kate Moss doesn't look good in skinny jeans (I beg to differ), I persisted. And since I've gone skinny, I'm not sure I can ever go back. 


I admit that I recently bought a pair of J.Brand bootcuts to wear over a pair of high Louboutin boots. I tried them on for my sister, who gasped and said, "What is this 1998?"! Back to Saks they went. I even tried the whole "boyfriend" jean thing -- and just felt sloppy. Sticking with my skinnies.


But maybe now is the time to go to the other extreme -- super wide-leg denim. There is something chic for spring about the flared jean -- seventies jet-set. They actually can be quite flattering, if worn right. Heel height is important -- unless you are supermodel tall, the higher the better when it comes to footwear. And I love a platform with wide-legs. I'm into the high-waisted style, too, with a blouse tucked in or even a basic tank or tee.

Notify jeans

MIH jeans

A look from the new Rachel Zoe collection

So, I'll give wide a try this spring -- but I am not giving up my skinnies! 

Dreaming of Studs

In the mist of yet another snowstorm here in New England, snow piling on top of snow (with more blizzards in the forecast), I strangely can't stop thinking about studs. Studded sandals, that is.

A pair of Prada strappy flats studded with pointy spikes caught my eye the other day at Saks and I immediately imagined my jet-set-with-an-edge summer look. Maybe with my sailor top and white jeans, with khaki shorts and a basic tank, with a little black short shift -- adding a slightly hardcore twist to the classics. I'm obsessed.

Prada sandals at Saks

Now all I see are studs. I also love the Valentino gladiator style and think the brown or nude leather version might be more versatile for summer than the patent black.

Valentino sandals from saks.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

Oooh. But the Balenciagas are slightly more downtown -- I like that and love the creamy color. And the powder blue option is adorable if I had the budget for more than one pair.

Balenciaga sandals from Balenciaga.com

I definitely cannot picture myself in the dominatrix-y platform Louboutin that the celebs seem to be into (think Kardashian). Although, when styled with simple looks, the result is pretty cool. But the flat version is more my speed.

Louboutins on display at Saks

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum in studded Louboutins

Louboutins from Net-a-Porter.com

And I am kicking myself that I never bought the Alexander Wang bag with the studs subtly peaking out from the bottom when it came out a few seasons ago.

Mary-Kate Olsen with an Alexander Wang bag, also right.

Burberry showed trenchcoats bedazzled with studs in the spring 2011 collection. Doesn't quite jive with my mom-on-the-go look but the concept is cool nonetheless.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear from style.com

Emma Watson in studded Burberry from popsugar.com

While I wouldn't wear more than a single studded piece at a time, I am not sure I can buy just one. A girl can never have too many studs in her life, after all.