Comfy Boots are a Girl's Best Friend!

Hello dear readers,

I am not attempting to disrupt your style radar or offend your aesthetic sense with this image. Rather, it is simply me trying to cope with the inevitable - with the fact that sooner or later I do have to part with these boots. 

I am sure every girl has had this problem. You buy a shoe - not because you particularly like its design and not because it was on your wish list for the whole season prior to the purchase - but simply because it was an alright enough shoe. The fit was good; the price was fair. But soon after you start wearing it you discover that it is the most comfortable footwear your precious feet could possibly fancy wearing this season. No matter the other five perfectly new, pretty, high-heeled pairs of boots you have lined up in your closet, waiting for their turn to see and mesmerize the world. Who cares about those? Yes, they are glitzy and fancy! But, let's face it, what can compare to a snug comfort, dry warmth and just enough lift during a busy 12-hour-long day of a school-work-chores cycle of the winter months? I think you sense where I am going with this... For the past two seasons there simply was no other boot that could perform these duties for me quite as well as this miserable pair you see in the picture. I promise they didn't always look this miserable... For a long while, their value of style versus the amount of comfort earned them the perfect spot on the X-Y axes of my fashion radar. This picture is my ode to the faithful old boots, with which, alas, I now have to part. Fare well! You've served me well!

P.S. Coincidentally, this post reminded me of the book Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman, where the narrator tell the story of her life through the key items in her wardrobe. I watched the theatrical version of it at Panasonic Theatre a couple of years ago (a date idea of my now fiance!) and could totally relate. I too remember life events in terms of the clothes I wear when they happen.

I am curious whether you can relate to this too? Share your experiences in the comment section!

Outfit Idea #6. Colour Blocking.

Today I wanted to share with you my take on colour blocking. I went graphic with it. I made this dress from McCall's pattern 6278. However, since the peter pan collar has been all the rage recently I decided to adorn the plain neckline of this dress with my interpretation of this fashionable detail. The shape of my collar mimics the angles of the black side panels on the hips and, thus, gives consistency to my dress.

I like how the black and white colour scheme and the collar create the sense of the conservative. Yet, the angular details and pops of red in my outfit give my dress an extra edge. I especially love the shoes that I chose to go with this dress. Metal studs and colour strips also make the outfit more daring. Just the way I like it!

Finally, it is a perfect day to night dress. Drop the bright red, throw on a jacket and you can easily wear it to the office. Pull out your daring heels and bright-coloured purse and you are ready for the night on the town!

Fashioning History

Rejoice shoe lovers! This post will hopefully find you interested and inspired. For 'tis devoted to the elegantly sculpted and tastefully bejeweled creations of Roger Vivier - the father of the beloved stilleto heel. If you have not yet done so, make your way to the Bata Shoe Museum for it holds the treasure beyond all your imaginings - Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection Exhibit. 

While such pathos might sound slightly overboard for those less enthusiastic about shoe fashion history, this fashion designer who specialized in shoe making and worked with Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent did make some very noteworthy shoe history. Without revealing too much about the exhibit I will only point out two of my favourite styles Vivier invented. 

One - the choc heel:

Two - the comma heel:

Both of these styles are present in multiple design variations at the exhibit. 

One might argue that it is hard to shock or even simply to impress present day fashionistas who are used to the likes of Lady Gaga sporting such sights as the atrocious "heel-less heels." Vivier's slightly curved kitten heels are just not bold enough. Nevertheless, I find Vivier's innovative shapes provocative (albeit in a very lady-like fashion) yet graceful. While heel-less shoes make an immediate aggressive statement, elegance and simplicity are timeless! Plus, in my humble opinion, a true fashionista should have all of these styles in her arsenal in order to cover her full emotional spectrum: from 'kitty' to 'scratchy.'

While you do have until April 7 2013 to enjoy this exhibition, I would recommend to not procrastinate and go think "inside the shoe box" (I am referring to the architectural structure of Bata, in case you did not know). The most keen of museum-goers and fashion history-lovers might be interested in taking a look at this additional brochure outlining the Lecture and Movie Series offered at the Bata Shoe Museum in connection with this magnificent exhibit. 

“To wear dreams on one’s feet is to begin to 

give a reality to one’s dreams.”

-Roger Vivier

P.S. Oh and if you are lucky enough, on paying your admission to the museum you will receive a 2-for-1 admission to another city museum, one of which is DX - Design Exchange. Their current exhibition is even more exciting! A full report to follow. Stay tuned!

Outfit Idea #1. Grecian Inspired.

I am very excited to share with you my outfit idea #1 (#1 on this blog that is). Yesterday one of my best friends had a birthday party after which she is embarking on a long European trip. So since I will not be seeing her for a while I wanted this night to be a memorable one. And what makes a special occasion more special other than a special outfit? 

My choice fell on a white satin dress which I made from Cynthia Rowley pattern 2178. I love the asymmetric detail on the shoulder and the slightly loose fit.

It turned out to look very Roman-inspired so I decided to go along with that theme of ancient Rome and complete the look with appropriate accessories. The interwoven straps of my heeled sandals reminisce of Grecian sandals. 

As do my gold-tone cuffs with Roman design. Nothing makes a better statement than an over-sized piece of jewelry, hence, the ring and big gold-tone disc earrings. A matching clutch with gold-tone detailing completes the look.

 Voila!