Shoe Boxers

I was in a horrible car accident when I was 20. Broke nearly everything there is to break in my body. After I came to a couple days later, my first words were, “Where are my shoes?” Never mind that my best friend and I were in ICU fighting for life. All I cared about were those beautiful wooden sole platform shoe with a perfect heel with long wrap ties. They were classic! I could wear them today and no one would shudder and think “vintage”. Yes, my shoe addiction goes back for years and years. And so does my love of platforms.

Piperlime has some gorgeous plaforms they are showing off this week, and I think you should have a look!

I’m loving this platform wedge by daniblack:

Clemens
Strappy wedge sandal
Leather quarter strap
Criss cross elastic bands
Single leather band across vamp
4″ heel, 1″ platform
Leather lining
Leather outsole
Upper: 50% leather, 50% stretch fabric

My thoughts are that you should have at least one hot pair of platforms for spring/summer. Make them a color that you will get the most milage from. Go ahead, get shopping!

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I finally figured out that I’m pretty basic when it comes to fashion. I love fine details, good quality, impressive fabrics and leathers. But what I don’t like is a bunch of frou frou. You know, bows, frills, excess. To that end, the bulk of my wardrobe is black and white, with a spot of color here and there. So therefore most of my shoes are non other that your basic black. Well, I’ll regress a moment. I do have a few pair of animal print, red patent, pink lacy stiletos, metallic sandals, snakeskin wedges in an odd color. But alas, I’m your basic black girl.

So when I saw InStyle’s feature on Floral footwear, I was prepared to be disgusted. But, I’m pleasantly surprised. I actually think I could stomach a pair of these shoes with a cute little summer frock. Or paired with capris while I’m cruising Santorini. Ok, wake up Tracey.

Here is InStyle’s picks for perfect floral footwear:
Stunning Wedges
THE FIND Fabric-and-leather wedges by Delman
THE PRICE $365
BUY ONLINE delmanshoes.com
WHY YOU WANT IT The flirty floral print is a perfect compliment to a little white dress; a trompe l’oeil stripe down the heel gives the walkable wedge a delicate look.

Sweet Slip-Ons
THE FIND Fabric slingback flats by Report
THE PRICE $45
BUY ONLINE piperlime.com
WHY YOU WANT IT The white-and-bright pattern adds sass to a casual spring look, and you’ll love how the comfy rubber soles cradle your feet

THE FIND Betsey Johnson sandals with bow accent
THE PRICE $160
BUY ONLINE zappos.com
WHY YOU WANT IT The Holly Hobby blue-and-yellow print will remind you of pinafores past; the braided straps and blue bows will set off a sexy pair of stems.

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Get great brand name shoes at Zappos.com!

Are you ever confused about getting your shoe look right with your dress choice? No need to worry. Piperlime has made it easy to make fashion sense when it comes to your shoe selection.

Dress type: Mini
Despite the numerous women you see wearing stilettos, platforms and other towering shoes with their minis, this look spells HOOCHIE! Don’t do it. Keep your look feminine and flirty, in particular for day. Try a look like this:

Dress type: Wrap

My all time favorite dress style. So complimentary for the hour glass figure and ideal for faking one. Diane Von Furstenburg continues to design the wrap like noone else. Shoes to wear? Classic and elegant. Piperlime recommends a refined city sandal.

Wedges and chunky heel peep toes are the perfect companion to wrap dresss for day.

Now, no need to look out of style with your dress or your shoes.

Happy shopping!

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I have big feet, size 11 to be exact. The club of girls with size 11’s is by no means small. Even Paris Hilton is a size 11, as are many girls that are tall. But we are discriminated against by the buyers in shoe stores. Just check out the sale racks. There are TONS of shoes from 5-9. But get over a size 10 and there is nothing there. Why? Because there weren’t that many in the first place to buy, and when a big foot girls see a cute shoe in her size, gues what? We buy it, sale or no sale.

One of my readers asked this question a few days ago:

Hi Tracey,

Thanks!

One of my fellow bloggers, Andrea has an excellent site for large shoe sizes, with many options listed. I happen to shop at Nordstrom on a regular basis and they do a great job with large sizes. The key for me has been that I am a regular shopper. Not that I always buy, but I’m seen frequently in the store. I have one person that helps me. He knows what I like. So when new arrivals are fresh in the store, guess who gets the first call on size 11’s? That’s right, none other than the shoe diva herself!

Here is my latest score, a super comfortable and stylish Taryn Rose wedge from Nordies:

So I would suggest the same for you. If there is a local store that you patronize, let them know your wants and needs. Believe me, anyone shoe sales person would love to just have someone they can call for a quick sale!

Also, for online shopping, Zappos does lots of stylish shoes in large sizes. I mean LOTS!

I hope this is helpful!

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GAP has always had a few shoes in its lineup. But recently they have expanded that line up to include more than a few. Currenly on their website, GAP has a complete selection of the Spring Trends. Flats, Espadrilles, Wedges, thongs, casual wooden platforms and even Converse. This is a great site to buy your trendy shoes, as the prices are reasonable. So once the season is over, you don’t mind if you have worn your favorite shoes into the ground. It’s not like trying to preserve your favorite pair of designer heels. (Can you imagine wearing out a pair of Jimmy Choo’s or Christian Louboutin’s in a couple months??)

I’m wondering if this new selection of shoes from GAP happens to be because of the success of their new shoe shopping site, Piperlime.

Check out GAP for new shoes!

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White shoes used to be a taboo after labor day. They were worn strictly in summer only. But now white is the new black, and white shoes are popping up as the color (or non-color) to wear for not only spring and summer, but for winter as well.

Now, I wear a large size shoe; I am admittedly a big foot girl, so I have avoided white shoes like the plague all my life. It’s kind of like that optical illusion of wearing black — you look slimmer. So most of my shoes are that ever-so-fashionable black. But I’m really rethinking the propostion of white shoes. I’m seeing sooo many that are white hot!

Check out Nine West – always fashionable and always reasonable. They have a white shoe in every category — flats, wedges, platforms, sandals. I like this cute little flat. I just wonder how big my foot will look in them…

Nordstrom always has up-to-the-minute fashionable shoes. I found a few pair of whites that I might actually have the nerve to wear. This absolutely cute wedge by Michael Kors is Vanilla with Navy stripes. I suppose when I’m feeling nautical this might be the appropriate shoe. Not only is it white hot, it’s in patent and a wedge heel. 3 trends in one shoe. If you are the trendinista, this is the shoe for you. And priced right under $100, it’s a no-brainer.
I think this open toe slingback pump by Vince Camuto is perfect for me. With the cut out leather which reminds me of eyelet, it’s not too much of a good thing. And and ideal choice for me with my phobia of my feet looking like giant submarines in white shoes. Mind you, no decent designer would call their shoes “white”. Notice Michael Kors, his are Vanilla. And this one by Caumto is Cream. It too is available at Nordstrom for $119.95.

Now I have to give this one bit of fashion advice. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT wear black hoisery with white shoes. That is just plain ugly. Remember, your hoisery matches your shoes. Now in the rare case you are an avant garde type of chick, that may work for you, but for the rest of us, stick with the program of basic fashion sense.

So step out of your comfort zone. Try on a pair of white shoes for size.

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While most of us are still trudging through snow, rain, sleet and generally inclement weather, fashion magazines and major stores are deluging us with the new shoe for spring — the wedge. So who has time to be concerned about spring shoes when it’s time for non-skid weather friendly boots? I do! Every self absorbed shoe loving girl has to be on top of her fashion game, and getting prepared for the next season is just one step in process.

Well, it’s not really new, the wedge was one of the trends for fall, and it has endured for spring as well. The espadrille is one form of the wedge that’s especially hot for spring. Now, the espadrille isn’t new, I’ve worn these shoes off and on for years. They were never particularly chic in the US, but I always loved them for their European flavor. Now they are available in every style, texture and color imaginable. Piperlime has a bevy of espadrilles in dots, leather, ankle strap, lace up, patent, fabric and more.

This black and white wedge by Taryn Rose is perfect with the focus being on black and white for spring. $495 at Nordstrom. A more reasonably priced wedge that’s perfect for a “trend” buy for the season is the patent cork wedge from the B.P. Collection at Nordstrom. At only $59.95 it’s the perfect accessory for a spring wardrobe.

One more wedge that is dainty and just soooo cute, is also by one of my favorite shoe designers. Stylish, fashionable and always comfortable, Linea Paolo makes the most adorable shoes that are an affordable outlet for shoe freaks like me. This perfect pink wedge is a must have accessory for spring.

There you have it! Go get a wedgie! With a price point and style for every taste, you and your mom can be stylish trendsetters this spring!

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