Selectism recently highlighted the Spring/Summer '08 Collection of John Varvatos amped-up Converse Chuck Taylors and Purcell Vantages. Apparently styles are veering away just a bit from the popular laceless Chucks, although they're not gone, with a return to the more traditional laced Chucks. Varvatos also styled hi-tops and added the Purcells.
This collection features shoe-like sneakers (you won't be playing basketball in these) made from a mix of leather and canvas. Hi-tops are lined in a material that resembles mattress ticking, but with better colors.
Try as I might, I could not find these on the Varvatos site, but Zappos sells a few dozen of what might be last season's styles for between $95 - $145. Converse also featured about the same number of styles, although, again, not from this collection. These ranged from $110 - $145.
Looks like you need to find a Varvatos store to be so very this season.
Thanks, David, for this tip.
Gallery: Converse Chucks and Purcells With a Varvatos Touch
Generally, I'm no fan of a sandal on a man, but is it really fair to expect a man to encase his feet in leather prisons in the summer months while I run around in little wisps of footwear? And what about a dinner at a beachside restaurant on a warm summer night, a man should be able to enjoy a nice toe breeze off the water. Luxury men's retailer Gordon Rush has created the dress slide, a type of shoe normally reserved for women but made masculine with rich woven leather details. The slide comes in brown or black and sells for $265. It just might make you rethink mandals.
I can totally justify spending nearly $200 on flip flops when they are this cute! These are the must have thongs for summer, perfect for dressing up any breezy sundress or bikini cover up. They feature faux turquoise stones, varying in size and shape, set on shiny gold metallic straps. All that dazzle is offset by subdued brown suede, and a simple 1/4" wooden heel. Don't you hate how some flip flops hurt more than than high heels? Not these! I tried them on and they are super comfy! Available online, for $175.
London born fashion guru, Alexander McQueen is famous for his daring and sometimes shocking designs. This season he revamps the classic black pump, by adding a dramatic squared silver toe. The black crocodile looks fierce paired with the shiny silver, these are some pretty amazing shoes! And as if the 4.5 inch heel isn't fabulous enough, there's also a hidden 1 inch platform! At $1,440 they aren't exactly a great investment, but they're definitly worth taking a second look at. Net-A-Porter.com
These stunning Roberto Cavalli Wooden Wedge Platform Sandals, kick any simple summer outfit into high gear. Towering 6 inch heels (+3 inch platforms) may have you teetering, but no one said fashion was easy, right? Soft leather in a basic creamy nude shade, is embellished with shiny silver hardware including studs and a large silver buckle. These fabulous wedges retail for $1,850 and are available online.
As a longtime Zappos fan, I love the free shipping and returns, ease of ordering and fantastic selection. I knew Zappos carried high-end items, but just discovered its Luxe Life branch. Here you can find couture shoes (natch), jewelry, apparel and bags for women and men, as well as kids' shoes.
Let's do a quick search, shall we? Criteria: women's shoes, size 8, medium width, any heel height, any price, black. The results? More than 530 styles that range from a high of $1,114 for Cesare Paciotti t-strap pump made of haircalf and accented with a crystal vamp ornament to a low of $79 for an adidas by Stella McCartney slide with a rubber sole.
You can browse by designer, too, that is, if you haven't fainted from sticker shock or spent your whole month's apparel budget on sandals for your children.
Givenchy's been around since the 50's and has employed both John Galliano and Alexander McQueen as featured designers. Audrey Hepburn was perhaps the most notable Givenchy lover. These black leather open-toe ankle booties, are fashion forward and fun. The large silver buckle is offset by the strappy detailing, making them look both feminine and tough! These would look so cute with a black high-waisted pencil skirt. Available on shopbop.com for $995.
A reader brought my attention to Michael Toschi golf shoes. These are some of the most attractive golf shoes I have seen. They are basically fine Italian footwear that is wearable out on the golf course. The shoes have an Italian calf upper with a kidskin lining and the CONTAC sole. The days of lethal spikes are gone, these shoes have a terragrip outsole with a stance-stabilizing traction system. The shoes start at over $400 with most of the styles selling for $530.
Gianfranco Ferré is commonly referred to as "the architect of fashion", his signature label reflects years of experience and his expertise in all things "haute". Ferré became fashion director at Christian Dior in '89, and successfully integrated his relaxed ready to wear style into the company. Although he passed away last year his designs and impact on the fashion world live on. These high heel sandals demonstrate the elegance that is Gianfranco Ferré...snakeskin print black leather with gold hardware and an understated 3 inch heel. Available online for $603.
One&Only has collaborated with designer Christian Louboutin and is now offering 3 new styles of his popular espadrille shoes. Called The Cataribbon (top left), The Tiburon (top right), and The Isabelle, each of the styles will be available in several colors and will only be found at One&Only resort destinations around the world -- plus a few will be sold in Louboutin's London and New York boutiques. Available this June for $375, these three are the just the first of Louboutin's designs for One&Only -- be watching for more styles due to come out in November.
Stella McCartney is a well known fashion designer, and the daughter of former Beatte Paul McCartney. She is famous for using no fur or leather in her designs and being a devout vegetarian and animal activist. These stunning engraved platform sandals, feature intricate floral etchings on the 6 inch wooden heels and simple beige canvas straps over the toe and around the ankles. The rubber soles on the bottom are a nice touch since some wooden shoes can be very slippery! Available on net-a-porter.com for $1,095.
Ruthie Davis launched her signature collection of women's shoes, simply named, Davis, in 2006. Making unique foot wear from materials seldomly seen in fashion (Titanium, Chrome, Graphite and Carbon Fiber), Davis shoes combine sleek architectural lines with feminine shapes, as seen in this round toed pump. Black patent leather, with a peep toe opening, sitting atop a four and a half inch square gold heel...how cool is that? Ruthie Davis Ford Peep Toe Pumps are available online for $585!
The Prada fashion house started Miu Miu back in 1992, and while Prada tends to veer towards the norm, Miu Miu designs stray far from it! These Harlequin Booties look like they stomped off the runway, and visited the circus before they arrived at the boutique. Black suede with silver and pink cut out design and a heel adorned with rhinestones, make these shoes quite the little conversation starters. Retailing for $890, and with a limit on the number you can order, apparently brave fashionistas are buying these up in a hurry! I wonder what you wear them with?
Christian Louboutin, maker of the most fabulous shoes available, brings you these stunning Fontanete Platform Pumps. They're available in eye catching fuchsia (my fave) or demure taupe for a more subtle approach. Made of soft Nappa leather (which seems to be the must have material for summer 2008) and styled with side openings all the way to the top and gold metallic piping on the edges, the Fontanete is both elegant and stylish. Louboutins have a cushy padded insole, so your feet won't hate you at the end of the day. Available online, for $795.
Do people even use roller skates anymore? I thought they had pretty much gone the way of the dinosaurs, but obviously I'm wrong as there is apparently quite a market not only for roller skates but for high-end roller skates. The Skorpion Quadline Roller Skate available from Emporio Armani features sleek looks (of course) and is adjustable to fit most any shoe size, plus of course it has all the fancy gear necessary for a smooth ride and responsive braking. They're only available in the one color scheme though (black) so you'll probably either love them or hate them. $425
Selectism recently highlighted the Spring/Summer '08 Collection of John Varvatos amped-up Converse Chuck Taylors and Purcell Vantages. Apparently styles are veering away just a bit from the popular laceless Chucks, although they're not gone, with a return to the more traditional laced Chucks. Varvatos also styled hi-tops and added the Purcells.
