Shopplr » shoes

Spring 2010 shoes: Coach Stefanie platform is gorgeous and easy to walk in

Esme Vos — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:49:53 +0000

Coach is better known for bags than shoes. But every year the company comes out with a great line of spring platform shoes and sandals. Two years ago I bought a pair of strappy platform shoes but I need to replace them. I looked around in department stores and shoe boutiques, and concluded that these are my favorite pair. It is called the Stefanie platform and it costs $188. Although the heel looks dramatic, it is easy to walk it because of the platform. The difference in height between your heel and the ball of your foot is minimized. The hell is 4.5 inches (11.43 cm); the platform is 1 inch (2.54 cm).

You can wear these shoes with a mini- or maxi dress or jeans.

www.coach.com

Shopplr loves Max Mara’s suede shoes and ankle boots

Esme Vos — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:05:49 +0000

Loyal readers of Shopplr already know that I love Max Mara and its sister brands, Sportmax and ‘S Max Mara. Their clothes, shoes and accessories are classic, sophisticated and modern, not ultra-trendy or loud.

In looking for accessories this season, I struggled to find shoes that have a minimalist, sleek and elegant look – and a gorgeous finish. The only shoes I’ve found so far that fit those criteria are these suede pumps and ankle boots from Max Mara (see above). Just look at the graceful, clean lines of the suede pumps – they make your feet and ankles look slim and willowy. The ankle boots are so chic and refined that they enhance the look of any trousers or skirts worn with them.

Not all Max Mara boutiques carry them so you’ll need to call your local Max Mara store. The company finally has a website (after all these years), www.maxmara.com, with an online store locator, the 2009 fall/winter collections for their brands (Weekend, Max Mara, Sportmax, Studio Elegante, Sportmax Code, ‘S Max Mara, Weekend) as well as the spring/summer 2010 fashion show. I did not see one of my favorite Max Mara brands – Pianoforte – but I guess that has been renamed or abandoned. Max Mara also started a new line of luxurious coats that bear the “Atelier” label. I will write about that shortly. Max Mara’s strength remains its coats which are truly the best I’ve ever come across. Now if only they would open an online boutique . . .

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What to wear in late summer: high heeled strappy sandals

Esme Vos — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:12:44 +0000

It’s late summer and you are looking for new sexy shoes to take you through the early fall. What to wear?

Imelda 2.0 says: high heeled strappy sandals and platforms. I like platforms because the front of your foot is slightly more elevated. The shoes in the center by Jean-Michel Cazabat are amazingly comfortable but they are high. So practice walking in them at home preferably with a plate of berries on your head to ensure you have the proper posture and are able to walk down the street with grace.

High heeled strappy sandals by Esme Vos featuring Jean-Michel Cazabat shoes

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Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

Imelda 2.0 presents the shoe of the week: Jean-Michel Cazabat Kimberly platform sandals

Esme Vos — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:41:30 +0000

I might have already said before on this blog that I love shoes. I’ve loved shoes since I was a teenager. My mother had dozens of pairs of shoes when I was growing up. I have been carrying on the family tradition. But since we’re Filipinas, we’re excused.

This week, my favorite shoe comes from French designer, Jean-Michel Cazabat. They are called Kimberly Platform Sandals.

They’re gorgeous — just the right balance of sexy and tough. The color – eggplant – is in this season. The leather is suede. They are comfortable even though they have very high heels (4.25 inches or 10.8 cm) because the front part is elevated by 1 inch (or 2.54 cm). You can find them on Shopbop. There is also a version in black leather, but I find it too tough and aggressive.

Here it is being unboxed with loving care:

Background of Jean-Michel Cazabat: He has been designing shoes for over 25 years. He has worked for Charles Jourdan and served as president of Stephane Kelian’s US operations. Note: I loved Stephane Kelian shoes, but the company went bankrupt in 2002, a victim of the recession that followed the dotcom bust.

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2009 picks: Cole Haan, Kate Spade and more

Esme Vos — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:27:09 +0000

Every year, the US department store Nordstrom holds an Anniversary Sale (July 17 to August 2, 2009). This is the best of all their sales and it has brought hundreds of shoppers to their stores, despite (or maybe because of) the financial crisis.

Unlike their other sales, Nordstrom lowers prices dramatically on upcoming season items. So, although it’s still summer, they’ve marked down the prices on fall boots, shoes, clothes and accessories. After the sale, the prices of those items will go up.

I have made a selection of my favorite items from the Anniversary Sale. In the shoe department, look for boots from Cole Haan and shoes from Kate Spade. I have worn Cole Haan boots over the years and I swear by them. They are made in Italy using good leather and are indeed very stylish. Kate Spade makes cute ballerina flats and sexy high-heeled slingbacks.

In the beauty department, I fell in love with three products:

Dior Jazz eyeshadow palette, a beautiful collection of six powder shadows, one of which is for the eye brows and another for an intense eyeliner.

MAC’s Look-in-a-Box, a collection of eye shadows, mascara, powder and lip gloss. My favorite is the Sun Siren look which is perfect for summer.

MAC’s travel-sized brushes.

Note: a friend warned me after I had already bought the brushes that MAC makes these specially for the Anniversary Sale and that their quality is inferior to that of the regular MAC brushes. I will see if these MAC brushes last and if they don’t, I’ll make sure to write an article about that.

Go to: Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale