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.
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.
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.
Bottega Veneta has been making exclusive high quality couture since the early 1960's. After merging with Gucci a few years ago I have noticed their designs appeal to a younger crowd and seem to be getting more stylish with each passing season. These new python sandals are perhaps their most popular shoe to date and are available exclusively to those willing to pre- order and join the waiting list. With a four inch heel, gold hardware and python straps these sandals aren't cheap, they retail for $1,170 and based on their popularity nobody seems to mind!
Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian based fashion house famous for its trend setting designs. These unique and playful D&G flats caught my attention, they remind me of the jelly sandals I had in the 80s! Available in eye catching shades, bright pink, lime green, turquoise, or violet and made of satin, it's hard to pick a favorite. Available for $485 on the Neiman Marcus website where any shoe purchase over $200 entitles you to a butterfly shoe bag.
Lanvin brings you another fashion forward shoe this Spring, the T-Strap Sandal. With a towering wood, cone shaped heel (measuring over 4 inches) and a platform toe, these high sandals spice up any up any little sundress or shorts outfit. Made of fine black leather and topped with a square over sized, silver bow, you better make sure you have a perfect pedicure before putting these on, because people will definitely be checking them out! They retail for $1,055 and are available online and in high end stores, when they aren't sold out!
These chic ballet flats by famed shoe designer Jean-Michel Cazabat are comfortable enough for those long days spent on your feet, but still stylish and fun. Made of python skin and lined with cushy pink padded leather, they feel as luxurious as they look. Available in all the essential basic colors (white, gold and black) they also have that stylish, slightly squared toe that I love. The style is called the Carisma and they cost a somewhat reasonable $525. Available on Barneys.com.
Quite possibly the coolest shoe that Louboutin has ever made, the Mad Mary has arrived at Barneys and these are the shoes that everyone is talking about. Anything that has patent leather and studs gets my vote right away but combine that with a secret platform and pointy toe....I'm in love. These aren't as punk rock as they look, they're surprisingly wearable. Paired with your favorite jeans or your signature little black dress... as long as you don't pull a Britney and add torn fishnets, you should be fine! The best part is the signature Louboutin sole, it's so much more fun to kick up your heels when you're flashing bright red. Mad Marys cost $865 and are available online at Barneys.com
