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What a difference a day makes. Especially when it brings a change of season. I remember making the "grrrrr" sound between my teeth over the weekend because I'd left the house with only my chenille muffler and my leg warmers under my pants for extra warmth when I really could have used a sweater layer beneath my leather jacket. "Grrrrrrrrr!" I feel chilled even now just thinking about it.
Contrast that with today in Chicago when I dashed out for a down the block errand and regretted that I'd put on both my lightweight jacket and my current fave sweater. Springtime has come to northern Illinois. At least for the next few days. I've lived in this part of the world too long to believe that the nice weather is here to stay. In fact, it's been proven that it doesn't get warm and stay warm in Chicago until the first weekend in June. And last summer even that cautious assessment was wide of the mark. 2009 never really got "run around in your shorts and tank top" hot between June and October. Which had me going "grrrrrrrrrrrr" in an entirely different way.
But memory is a funny thing. Even though the forecast for the coming weekend is foreboding. Even though the promised showers will no doubt bringing cooler temperatures. Even though I know better, I still took the time to reassemble my hammock chair on my balcony so I could grab a few minutes soaking up the glorious weather before this reprieve from a typical Chicago spring evaporates. It's not quite warm enough to dispense with socks for the rest of the season (as I love to do whenever I get the chance), yet I think I can indulge myself at least 'til the storm clouds roll in. And just look what new shoes are lurking in stockrooms and warehouses across this country, just waiting for our credit card numbers to summon them forth. Between the unseasonably fine weather and the tantalizing styles on display, our toes are certainly in for a treat this year.
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1. Shank boot from Acne
After all that raving about nice weather, I go and open this post with a clog boot? Go figure. I think I just want to get the remnants of winter attire out of the way. And besides, I had a devil of a time tracking down any photos of this style. I doubt it will be anywhere to be found come the fall. This stern shoe presented itself on the Forward by Revolve web site. I did spot a glimpse of it on a fashion blog in black, I think, but the retailer only offers it...no, make that offered it in Chocolate. It's a lovely clog boot with a distinct personality of its own. And for most of us, I'm afraid, it's destined to be nothing more than pixels on a computer display.
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2. Wood strappy platform sandals from Fendi
Now this is more like it. A pair of shoes designed to help you to embrace the summer days ahead. I love the look of these sandals teamed up with the white skinny jeans on the Net-a-Porter web site. But then I'm always a sucker for chunky soles and substantial heels. No doubt about it, white shoes only make sense when the thermometer is near the top of the scale. So why not get a pair and revel in the sun-kissed days to come.
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3. Suede and wood clogs from Miu Miu
Elsewhere in Net-a-Porter land, these chunky sandals are just pleading with you to take them out and let them show off your legs. And you know they will. I don't often gravitate toward suede when the weather warms. But since they're Miu Miu (you know me--Miu Miu can do no wrong in my book), I'm willing to make an exception. Even if the carmel color puts me more in mind of apple picking parties and weekend drives to watch the leaves turn. Points to the brave sole who will actually wear these with the same sort of high waisted short shorts that the model is sporting. Lord, put that on, and your legs will need mileage markers since they'll look like they go on for days.
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4. Greta woven pumps from Elizabeth and James
Almost as much as I enjoy sturdy platforms and vertiginous heels, I also dig a clog that straps on to my foot. I've never fallen and twisted anything because of the shoes I wear...(insert sound of me knocking on a clog for luck here)...but I have heard horror stories from those who have. One fellow blogger is someone I met on eBay as she was liquidating all of her beloved platforms. (44 clogs in her collection at the time! She made me feel like such a lightweight!) Until the torn bits have properly mended, she's resigned to making Converse her favorite brand. Still, you can do yourself damage in strappy sandals and slingbacks as easily as you can in a pair of slides. But I guess the sense of being firmly embraced by a pair of shoes gives me a greater sense of security. Add some serious stylin' to that security, and I'm there.
Shopbop.com is showing this pair in a variety of sizes. I love the way their web site will tell you how many pairs are left in your size. Helps you decide whether you should snap 'em up right then and there...or wait a day or two.
Also available in Rust...
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5. Raffia platform clog from Elizabeth and James
Also worth mentioning, a straightforward open toed mule with a lot of eye catching detail. Check out the bronze/multicolor raffia upper. And the recessed platform around the front of the sole. Bergdorf Goodman also informs us that celebrity attention getters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are co-designers of the Elizabeth and James line. Did not know. Now do.
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6. Risley clog from Tory Burch
Well, it's been specifically labeled a clog on the individual pages for this shoe on the Tory Burch web site, though leveler heads prevailed on one of the category pages where I saw it referred to as a clog sandal. Either way, I appreciate the simplicity of the design and execution. The gold leather certainly ups the bling quotient of any outfit. Personally, I don't think I've ever gotten tan enough to anything in metallic leather justice. But the other colors can brighten up a summer's outfit just fine in my book.
And here's why!
At this point I'm not sure what Google search landed me on this site, but The Designer's Walk is an e-tailer I'd never heard of before. A moment's pause to grieve for all the fabulous items I might have missed. At least the fact that they offer "Runway designs at working girl prices" makes the tardiness of my discovery easier to live with. Obviously these folks are about more than just clogs, but you know as well as I do that if you're looking for something off the beaten path such as a pair of wood soled shoes, a little digging is frequently required. If I hadn't just purchased a very similar pair of Kenneth Cole knockoffs, I would consider this brown suede pair. The stud detail is satisfyingly decorative without going too far. The squared off toe is a unique look. And I've never met an unusual pair of heels that I didn't like. I'm keeping the listing for this pair of Donald Pliner clogs handy...just in case the price drops at some point. Always an incentive to make a purchase you might otherwise pass by. But if they catch your eye, feel free to pounce! Considering what they originally listed for, the asking price is still a deal!
FYI: I did a little research with the seller. The clogs are a size 10, but I've been informed that the shoe measures just over 11" from heel to toe.
Something about this Miu Miu styles from several seasons back just says, "Goodbye, winter." Can you tell I'm tired of dressing for warmth? Clogs have always been about keeping one's feet free and easy. Pair up an open heeled design with a lightweight woven leather upper, and you've got a shoe that ready for the temps that springtime has to offer. The rather brazenly named eBay seller tropicaltits had this low heeled pair on auction recently, but I recalled a couple of similar higher heeled models I'd spotted in the past. I know it's a Monday. But when better to fantasize about more welcoming weather in the days ahead?
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Just ran across another photo worth adding.
