Lock Down Your Fabric – Blahnik, Rousseau, Jcrew and Anthropologie

I haven’t written on this blog in ages but I had to make this post because I was so appalled and amused by this fabric situation.

Designers! This is why you lock down exclusivity for your materials!

To start with – these are all current season and currently available for purchase shoes.

First up are the Manolo Blahnik BB’s in this great embroidered floral fabric. $765 at Saks.

But I also found these JCrew Ankle-wrap slingback heels in the same fabric. $228

And then I found two shoes from Jerome Rousseau – Abelline Sandals for $595 and Booties in a black version of the floral for $895.

I also found the black version in an offering from Anthropologie – the Ouigal Pearl Block heels $228

Obviously, it’s a popular fabric, but seeing it all over really dilutes the special-ness of it. It makes you remember the fact that these are produced versus crafted.  And that’s not usually what I want in a shoe.

Buying BBs

Manolo Blahnik really knows the way to keep me buying their shoes. They tend to take my favorite style – lately the perfection that is the BB pump – and make it available in tons of different fabrics and colors.

And they are continuing with their “made-to-order” option, now via Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

I first fell in love with the BB when I got a pair in neon lime green (similar to the current Cocorita option) but I’ve now expanded my collection to black, red, and the grey/burgundy Bipunta cap-toe version.
But I’m thinking ahead to spring and I really think I need the marine blue and nude options.  Of course the fuchsia and cobalt are beautiful too. 

I love that you can chose your height preference too… although I think 105mm is the only option to truly showcase the slender, iconic BB heel.

Dotty for BB

Manolo Blahnik’s BB style is fast becoming one of my favorites.  Not only is the design and heel shape perfection, but he’s mixing it up with different fabrics and embellishments.  There’s a gorgeous black lace version, leopard print and now a playful Italian canvas with bouncy black and red polka dots.

The BB has a great classic shape and, when combined with crisp dots, you get a perfect show to wear for work and into the evening.

Manolo Blahnik BB in dots – $654 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Buying Basic Black

This may sound hard to believe but… I do not really have a single “basic black” pair of heels.

Understandably, you don’t believe me.  But it’s true!  Oh sure, I have a ton of black heels in various iterations  – peep-toe, sandals, slingbacks, platforms, t-straps, mary janes, flower heels, with giant roses, patent, cloth, etc. – but not a simple black pump.  No chunky sole. No embellishment. No corset lacing.

What I wanted were plain (not patent), pointy toe, black pumps.  Thin heel. Sexy. Simple.

But, as simple as you would think this would be, I was struggling.  The heels needed to be high but walkable, which in my size meant less than 4″.  I wanted shoes I could walk around the city if I wanted to but still had some height.  I wanted a silhouette that was both sexy and professional.  A delicate heel profile that spoke to me like the inspiration images above.

But 400+ pages on ShopStyle and I was not thrilling to many.

My ideal was the Christian Louboutin Helmut.  I think these are one of the sexiest shoes around.  But I have a pair in blue and they run big and are not easily available so they were out.  The Zara knock-offs were not available either. 

I narrowed it down, after looking high and low, to two options.

The Louboutin Pigalle was option 1. But I know how this heel is cut and on me it tends to cut low at an uncomfortable spot on the sides of my feet, plus it’s just an inch or so too high.  I’d never be able to wear these around. Although they are a darn pretty shoe.

The second option, and the one I ended up with, was the Blahnik BB heel.  The height is a bit shorter than my chartreuse pair.   And they are pretty close to perfect.  The topline isn’t too low.  The vamp is the perfect height.  The heel isn’t too high and is just thin enough.  Great profile and great from the front and back.

Considering I recently got black wedges with ankle straps, black and nude crystal sandal-y heels, black and nude Rockstud kitten heels, and black patent beribboned mary janes… these had better be perfection or I’m in big trouble!

Do you have a “perfect” black heel?

Instant Access – 8/13 – 8/28

Hello from Shoe World!
I’m sorry it’s been sort of quiet around here.  We’ve been dealing with car repairs, work, 12-hour-each-way car trips, earthquakes and hurricanes!  How are things in your world?
But there are still shoes, right?

I needed to get in these two beauties before winter takes away all my wearing opportunities – Christian Louboutin Very Prive in cork and neon green suede Manolo Blahnik BBs.

Manicures are still happening too –

Cute polishes from Lé Métier de Beauté – above is the Bergdorf Goodman custom polish Lavande and below is the new copper, Silk Road.

My first attempt with a flower! Sally Hansen Ice Queen over Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud.

Within all the crazy times we did find time to go to this great architectural salvage place.  I’m in love with these pastel sinks.

These shades would be great in a powder room…

We ended up with these light covers.  They are going to be painted and go in our upstairs bedrooms.  Finished pictures someday soon, I hope!

We made the drive to Chicago to visit family.  Car trip means I can use some of my favorite luggage like my vintage American Tourister Tiara case… holding shoes, of course!

The pups came with us.  They are great car companions, even on a 12 hour trip.

Hope you made it through the crazy weather okay.  Now, back to posting.

Poochie