Spot On!

—Carrie of Barestyle

The second I spotted the Jeffrey Campbell Pixie Tie Leopard booties at Lori’s, I knew they would fit flawlessly into my closet. They look so simple and basic from the front, but the back gives way to a much more interesting look that can spice up even a simple pair of black skinnies. I can’t wait to pair them with black vinyl leggings and a sheer black tunic or an over-sized grey sweater dress with tights. The cool weather options are endless!

I’m wearing a thrifted, DIY studded denim vest, asymmetrical tank dress from Express and Seventh Door jewelry.

It’s definitely safe to say that the leopard print trend is holding steady. It made a subtle debut several years ago, but now it’s back with a vengeance. From shoes and bags to coats and tops, it’s an acceptable print to rock in any area of your wardrobe. And the best part? It’s completely neutral! With its mixture of black, chocolate, cream and camel, leopard print is ideal to pair with nearly any shade. However, there are a few simple guidelines to assure that an outfit bearing the leopard’s spots is a success. 

A little leopard goes a long way. Pick one leopard print item and stop there. You don’t want to actually look like a woman in the wild.

Say no to additional prints. Unless you’re a fearless fashion maven, it’s best to stick to only one print and not add any additional prints to your ensemble. For example, pairing floral print and leopard print is typically not a smart combination. Keep it subtle.

Keep it tasteful. Your goal is to keep the look on-trend, not tacky. Avoid tight, skin-bearing leopard print pieces that give way to leopard print's formerly tawdry reputation.

Here are some additional animal print pieces I’m loving right now at Lori’s:

1) La Regale 25467 Leopard Clutch
2) Jeffrey Campbell Foxy-WD-F - Cheetah
3) Franco Sarto Luxe - Tan/Black Leopard
4) 7CHI Leo - Leopard Clutch

Leggings & Loafers

Our truly awesome marketing team was on the bus recently when they spied the absolute cutest look and were inspired to blog.

The look is at left: knee-highs and penny loafers under a knee-length skirt. It's that "mostly covered" look we've loved all fall. We love this update on the academic look with loafers replacing traditional maryjanes (call it Catholic Schoolgirl meets Young Corporate).

And while we've touched on tights before, we've overlooked the loafer. We were distracted by wine-dark heels reaching ever higher. As we extolled the virtues of height, the lowly penny loafer quietly infiltrated our shelves until we found ourselves surrounded. We gladly capitulated.

The resurgence of this stereotypically conservative clog is hardly surprising given the seasonal lean toward clean, tailored looks and a reliance on menswear. In fact, we can't help but wonder if endless campaigning and a rumbly stock market haven't become fashion's newest influences. Have a vertiginous stock ticker and acrimonious politicians become a base from which to build a classically stylish look?

Below we've paired three takes on the classic penny loafer with leggings designed to add some spice. You can bend this look more feminine, play up its so-called conservativism or complicate it with layered textures and bold gestures for something altogether different.

Look 1: Poli-Chic
This look marries the stalwart Bass loafer -- a gleaming, cordovan-hued genre classic -- with olive green leggings braced in a soft lime green diamond pattern. It's '40s Ivy League Student Body with a dash of Sexy Librarian thrown in to spice things up.



Look 2: The Compassionate Come-Hither Conservative
While based in traditional menswear looks, this pairing has a more audacious energy. A bold, semi-sheer argyle legging steps into a chestnut-colored Jeffrey Campbell penny with a fabulous snub toe. Casual sawtooth finish on the tongue adds some zippy playfulness to the lines. (Maybe it's the leg form, but we can't help but be reminded of the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window. Ralphie would have loved it. Grownups will too.)


Look 3: Bailout Bohemian
Perfect for strolling over to Washington Mutual to clean out our desk while celebrating our unexpected freedom from the corporate workplace! The banded vamp of the Franco Sarto Kline is a reptile patent with a feminine buckle. Patent trim lines the opening and contrast topstitching on a suede upper keeps it easy and casual. The heather gray cashmere tights are luxurious but simple; a pair of Hot Sox legwarmers keep things interesting with bold, working buttons reminiscent of spats.

Nevermind the Prynnes, We're Co-Responding.

We know them over here as spectators, but the English, with acid aplomb call them “co-respondents,” the 19th-century legal term for the fellow-adulterer in divorce cases. Since adultery was typically the most expedient, albeit publicly messy, way to obtain a divorce, something of a cottage industry of slick, dapper men oozed into being. A spectacle indeed.

The archetypal spectator is a high-contrast, two-toned affair, often made of calfskin and a breathable mesh or suede. John Lobb claimed to have first invented them, but it was the Duke of Windsor who elevated the style to fashion status, no doubt for their slick, jazzy balance of the formal and the casual. With this kind of pedigree it's not surprising to find the WASPish spectator a favorite of golfers, swells and the white shoe crowd in the Gatsby Era, with resurgences in the boomtime ‘50s, the Wall Street ‘80s and again today.

While on this side of the pond we not talking from Dimmesdales and Prynnes, we will declare the spectator pump a hot style for fall. Taking the best of the men's original – wingtip punching, bold two-toned leathers and suedes – and adding feminine touches – stacked wood heels, peeptoes, softer, more subtle palettes and ribbon – these new shoes co-opt the shoe's sleazy and dandy masculine legacy into a newly modern, feminine form. The look is an nod to wealth, scandal and prep of the traditionally male style to add some depth and complexity to your outfit.

So how should you wear it? Knowingly. Play off the naughty heritage and jazzy slicksterism of this look. This look is rooted in history; acknowledge it! Consider the shoe colors your ensemble's foundation. Your clothing will build off the shoe color. Use accessories to pick up the shoe colors for a put-together look. A period cameo would be a master stroke.

Since a lot of this season’s picks are color-on-color, you should also consider the texture difference. Pick up on the shoe's history by incorporating other traditionally male fabrics: pinstripes, high-twist wools, waistcoats, hornrims or a dashing chapeau.(This isn't to say you should go out looking like an extra from Express Yourself; a little goes a long way.)

Jeffrey Campbell Tombo in Ivory $148
The Tombo (available in three colorways) is a remarkable shoe. A chunky, four-inch wooden heel for height, and four-color (including insole) upper for spectacle. The Tombo has a fin-de-siecle boating flavor (think Becky Sharp at the Crystal Palace) with it's warm tans and bone ivory paired up with a smart fuschia lining. The grosgrain laces are a nice touch.

Try a fuschia dress or top to pull out the lining color, or push-and-pull the high-key colors with some dark jeans and a crisp white blouse. Boater's straw hat optional, but recommended (mostly for the grosgrain hatband).

Corso Como's Carson in Black/Bone $136
The Carson comes closest to the traditional black-and-white two-tone of old. Subtle shifts keep it feminine: the mellow ivory, a small peeptoe, the mary jane strap and a sleek, sculpted wedge. A small rhinestone is set into the center of the sole for a flashy walk in the sun.

Pair these with wideleg, high-waisted, wool pinstripe dress pants and a smartly tailored buttondown. Pop in some color with a skinny red patent belt.

Vaneli's Klodina in Brown Suede $90
This milk chocolate brown suede pump picks up style points with its burnished, perforated sawtooth panels. The Magic Shell gloss of the leather works great against the soft, chalky nap of the suede.

This shoes makes us think white, billowy dresses. Maybe a peasant top to play against those sharp edges. We also see small, bright pops of color in earrings, rings, dress patterns, working well. A judicious shade of dove gray or blue-black working marvelously with these.

Franco Sarti's Ability in Grey $76
The Ability is a t-strap translation of the spectator in soft, warm grey. A black sole and dark grey patent band define a cute peeptoe. Wingtip perforations across the patent and t-strap. The heel cup and 3-1/4" heel are also wrapped in dark grey patent.

This shoe is all about the perfect pedicure. The grey surround will compliment a range of colors and the patent's gloss will magnify your glossy toes. The cutway sides and t-straps promote long legs under a red, navy or white skirt. This would also work well with a slim-cut business suit with long-tailored capri pants, hornrims and a traditional calfskin briefcase.

Yellow Patent is the New ... uh, Black Patent.

Patent leather is nothing new, though 2008 has found it a very popular finish. Combine that with the Spring trends of light, natural and yellow and you end up with some pretty interesting shoes. Yellow Patent! We love this look; it's so ... much that you have to pay attention. Here are some of our faves and why:

Jessica Bennett Forli: The Maximalist
These hot numbers are an instant scene-stealer. Yellow patent with teal patent trim lined in gold, topped with a buckle and set on a stacked wooden heel? Subtle this is not. It's ultra-maximalist so pair it with a relatively simple outfit or let them just peep out from some longer, darker clean jeans. The darker denim texture and bagging at the ankle will contrast nicely with the slick jaune of this 'Jane toe and make the teal just sing.

Franco Sarto: The Mod
A kittenish slingback with a chunky heel, this pale yellow patent shoe will be a summer classic. The spare lines and subdued yellow with white banding are the ground for a popping black button. Pair these up with a darker skirt at the knee or above -- aim to match the button to establish a visual continuity which lengthens your legs. The sling will draw attention to your lovely ankles and the round toe is a simple, understated finish.


Pour La Victorie: Beach Glam
Yellow patent topper with white piping and antique gold strappies. Closed heel. Leather sole. Slightly gladiator, slightly Dallas, the Nanette should dress up a casual outfit -- shorts, bathing suit, sari -- and declare '80s yuppie decadence. (The level of irony is completely at your discretion; we opt for none: the full embrace.