Inspiration: Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin

One thing we can't keep up with is the proliferation of free music players. From Seeqpod to Pandora to Grooveshark to today's discovery, Songza, we're paralyzed with kid-in-a-candystore syndrome: there's so much we want, we can't decide. Fortunately, Songza forced our hand with their inspired featured playlist. Eighteen Serge Gainsbourg tracks? Why not? By the time we got to Comic Strip, backed by a vintage video (left), we were trawling the 'Net for pictures of Gainsbourg and Jane Birken.

It would be difficult to find a more stylish and attractive couple. Even knitwear geniuses Lutz & Patmos have been influenced. The way they wore their clothes was just so ... French! It was ennui in an outfit. Inspired, we searched the floor for shoes in the spirit of late '60s Paris and discovered some gems we simply had to share.

Nicole Serene in Canary
We love the stacked wood chunky heel and round buckle. Double-needle contrast stitching points to quality and the sunny yellow leather is the perfect counterpoint to a risque mini.

Biviel 1893 in Blue
Chunky stacked heel, check. Softer, vintage palette boldly mixing gray, brown and blue, check. Add padded platform and retro-modern styling and the 1893 is the perfect throwback to '60s haughty and wild chic.

Bronx 083422 in Marrone

The pillar-like quality of this straight, leather-wrapped heel is a thrill, as is the apropos contrast stitching. Adjustable slingback and cross-over front straps on top a platform make this an incredibly cute, fun and laidback shoe.

Poll! Gianna by Boutique 9

Does This Make You Glad or A-Greaved? Boutique 9's Gianna tackles the Roman sandal trend.

One of the trends we're looking at is a continuation of the gladiator look of Spring 2008. Whereas last year's re-introduction of the style stayed true to the classic look of the form – a strappy-strappy thong bound about the foot and up the ankle – this year's models tweak convention to give the sandal a more sleek, contemporary feel.

Boutique 9's Gianna addresses the basics, then abstracts them: buckles along the outsole bind the foot from toes to ankles, giving the sandal a functional vibe. The all-leather construction is perfect for a trip to the Forum. Straps, however, have been filled-in, replaced with a wide top greave. Cutouts here reference straps without actually binding anything. The full heelcup has a zipper, making them easy to get into and out of.

Is it a good look? Take our poll and let us know!

Now That's a Review!

We were trawling the Internets as is our wont when we stumbled across what may be the most enthusiastic and glowing review of Lori's we've seen in a long time. Many, many thanks to Erica G. for her wonderful review and witty repartee. Get in on the fun yourself by reviewing us on Yelp.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed Lori's, I LOVE Lori's. I have shopped here since the area was not as swank as it is now. I shop here today. I worship shamelessly at the Altar Of The High Heel. They're bad for your feet, but shut up - they're HOT! I can't wear them every day (woe is me!), but I can keep them in the Archives to bust out when necessary. Gorgeous, gorgeous shoes and bags (and jewelry and accessories!). I browse more than I buy, but that's a comment on my wallet, not Lori's selection.

I bought a pair of shoes here that I took on an imminent trip to India. The shoes were casual! shiny! cute! dressy! hot! comfortable! They were all that and a slice of vindaloo. I wore them OUT in the Subcontinent, and bid a tearful goodbye to them when I left them behind, gasping for breath in the throes of their demise, in a fleabag Chennai motel. They wished me well. But ohhh, did they serve me well - and stylishly - thru cities, villages, rickshaw rides, train cars and ghats.

The selection is, yes, that good. You will find the shoes here that will change your life. You heard it from me. :-)

Petra ist Wunderbar

German shopping magazine Petra was kind enough to include Lori's in their spread of online shoe retailers. And even though we don't carry the shoe they show (we're sure there's a good story in there somewhere), the Germans certainly find us worthy of the mention: German-bound orders are way up! So thanks to Petra and our new base of German shoe fanatics.

Original Text:
Sandalen sind im sommer unverzichtbar, selbst wenn sich die Sonne in Stadten wie Hamburg nicht allzu oft blicken lasst. Egal, dann nehme ich eben elle mit in meinen nachsten Urlaub. Meine neuen sind Wedges, siehe oben, die ich auf dieser Seite super gunstig erstanden habe und am liebsten jetztschon jedenTag anziehen wurde. Loris hat wirklich echte Must-Haves - ab 60 Dollar.

Lori's Interviews Ty McBride of Jeffrey Campbell

Continuing our love affair née shoe-crush with Jeffrey Campbell, Lori's recently bandied words with Ty McBride, the brand and style guru of the company. We've always loved Ty's irrepressible personality (we often visualize him bouncing off the walls as he types to us). So we followed suit: several strong coffees later we hammered out some insouciant questions and sent them over to get a glimpse of what's doing in the land of Campbell.

Describe a typical day in JC Land.
Ty: That’s the best part about my job – no two days are alike!! I spent the majority of today in client meetings all over NYC. I spent the balance working on a TEEN VOGUE request for a fashion shoot and answering emails from Jeffrey Campbell clients. Oh, and I leave for China at Midnight. Still gotta pack!

Where does the inspiration come from? Give us a tour of the process.
Ty: Well, I work with and for Jeffrey. I concentrate on branding and styling, taking cues from what girls are wearing, blogging, dreaming and wanting! I do a lot of people watching and thrifting. I also have a young intern. She keeps me in the loop on what's cool!! This is helpful now that I am, well, getting older. (31!!) We take cues from every place possible. We shop Europe. We look to our favorite celebs and the stores we love as well.

How do you think the economic climate is influencing how people dress? What kind of trends are you seeing?
This is a great question and I think one that has several answers. People are being careful, cautious and spending wisely, but let's face it: the ladies want their shoes! We are finding that FUN ITEMS for us are really checking. Updated classics that pop and are FRESH. Items that when she sees them at Lori’s she thinks, “Hmmm, I don't own this already ... " I feel that, at JC, we are at a perfect pricepoint, if there were one, for a time like this. We keep it real. We keep it affordable. We still try to pass on comfort, trend and the Jeffrey Campbell edge that our clients have come to trust.

And how will that affect how you design for the next few seasons?
Ty: When the economy took a turn, we just looked at it and thought that this was our time to prove who we are and to do our shoes the most fun and fashion-forward way possible. The response has been good; we like the fashionista in everyone! We are just trying to put out items that shoppers see as fashion, fun and affordable while remaining unique and true to our brand vision.

What is your current favorite style? … And dress it for us.
Ty: Our favorite shoe style ... hmmm. We love AMERICANA meets MASCULINE items, shoes included. We love looks that involve Pendleton Wool shirts, structured looks and classic American throwbacks remixed for the 2000s. We like how women are bending proportions with oversized and superfitted items and then truly using shoes as accessories.

Describe Jeffrey Campbell, the collection, using only gerunds.
Ty: If I had to choose a few: Winning. Working. Doing. Getting. Giving. Entertaining. Moving. Making.

Ty is holding the Hatcher, named after Teri Hatcher and available online.

In the Buff

I recently talked with Jeffrey Campbell after shopping the Milan shows. It's fascinating how much everything there looked unmoving. No activity in the stores, no leaps ahead in terms of design and risk. Seems the global upheaval has put a weight around the neck of retail. It reminded me of how we Americans always assume the Europeans (especially the Italians) are our sartorial masters. To be in Milan and Venice is to be reminded how much they are influenced by us as well.

I was surprised at the lack of shoes. All was boots, boots, boots, as Jeffrey would later confirm in Madrid. In the store we've seen a growing demand for closed-up footwear -- pumps, ballet flats and clogs -- but not quite sandals. (If it ever warms up in Chicago, we'll definitely see this change.) The color of the moment is definitely nude. It is everywhere. I was too early this fall with neutral colors. Never pays to be too early.

The interest for next fall is cowboy. Short, roughed-out, distressed, hand-washed but not too extreme. The colors are tortora, fango ... any natural color. Navy seems to be trying to be the new black. We shall see.

Platform interest is still evident. I did see a lot of crepe in Milan (which does not sell here). I saw blockier heels, man-tailored oxfords and buckle shoes. Over-the-knee, riding boots and lace-ups remain important for next fall.

Kit and Kaboodle

Special thanks to Kristi and the folks over at Kaboodle.com for comparing our Melie Bianco grey sling clutch to ... Chloé! While the aesthetics of the argument are up to the individual, we'll readily concede we win on the affordability front. (And extra thanks to the reviewers who also tossed in a comparison to Jerome Dreyfuss.)

Shop Melie Bianco at Lori's

Even More JC Love

We thought our love affair with Jeffrey Campbell couldn't get any more passionate ... then brand specialist Ty McBride interviewed the brains of our operation, visual merchandiser Corree Hamilton, about her favorite trends and Jeffrey Campbell sightings. Take a read on their website and please don't mind the typos! ;-)

Jeffrey Campbell Interviews Lori's Shoes's Corree Hamilton

Happy Happy Winners ...

We're pleased to announce the winners of the Ann Demeulemeester Picklock Charm Necklace Giveaway!

Becky G. from Chicago, IL
Janet W. from Corning, IA
Estelle S. from Chicago, IL

Congratulations! For the rest of our contestants, you still have a chance to win. And please remember to keep an eye on your spam folders: if we do not hear from winners we notify within one week, we pick a new set of winners.

You may also want to follow us on Twitter for advance notice of giveaways.

We Heart JC Even More ...

There are many reasons to love Jeffrey Campbell (33 reasons and counting in our catalog), but we've just discovered one more: they love us back! Nothing says "I love you" like a blog post from one of our favorite vendors that's all about us! We excerpt:

"Winter is still alive and well in CHICAGO–but that isn’t stopping LORI from www.lorisshoes.com from busting out the newest and hottest styles of sandals from team JEFFREY CAMPBELL. Check out the TIER, available in a TON of colors—which is available for your viewing pleasure at LORIS. The mod inspired upper is 100% leather and outlined in contrast leather piping–I cannot even begin to tell you how cute this style is on the foot!! I mean…seriously people."

Seriously, indeed. The TIER is a hot skimpy mod number that puts the pizzazz back in an outfit after months-that-seem-like-years of dreary weather. We are especially fond of the fuschia and blue colorways for the bright pop they put on the pavement.

Read the full post at Jeffrey Campbell.

Spring Trends: Gladiator Redux

Last year's gladiator explosion was strong enough that the reverberations are still felt this spring. Logically, we're calling this trend Gladiator Redux. Really, it's hard to fault the return of a style that was current when Tarquinius was chased from Rome.

What's the rumpus? Gladiators, like a hammer, the Appian Way and the Aeneid, is a form perfectly suited to its purpose. In that sense these sandals are never so much out of style as simply out of the spotlight, the way nailguns, superhighways and James Patterson novels may have the attention of their genre but not the genesis.

The gladiator follows the lines of the foot. Starting at the toe they sweep up the arch, cup the heel and wrap the ankle and shin. While this may have been perfect for securing a legionnaire's greaves or keeping the heat and dust of the forum under control, for us it means a form that is tantalizingly form and space, skin and covering. Gladiators draw attention to your feet, ankles and legs by revealing and concealing them, all the while providing ventilation and a secure fit.

For spring 2009, we are seeing some exciting tinkering. The basic form of the gladiator remains, but it has been abstracted into something seemingly more contemporary. Look for sturdy heelcups and wispy strapping from Sam Edelman or greaved uppers from Steven and lots of embellishments on top of the form, as with Dolce Vita.

The reason galdiators never really go away is because they are perfectly suited to life in the warm weather. Grab a pair. They are bound to stay in style as long as the sun is shining and footwear is the status quo.

Spring Trends: Hiddden Hues

The great thing about a new season is uncovering all the new trends that emerge as more and more shoes arrive. Among our daily deliveries we've seen the merger of two distinct trends into one complimentary style. Neutral colors are plentiful as blacks, taupes and beiges arrive in a variety of materials. But pops of brilliant, saturated colors have also cropped up ... inside the neutrals!

This spring designers have taken advantage of the lining, the bottom of the sole and numerous other out-of-the-way areas to add a touch of personality and vivre to the quotidian basic. Jeffrey Campbell's Attic sports a bright aqua beneath its blacks and browns. Pour La Victoire's Bianca does the same with acid yellows and baby blues.

Like the caves at Lascaux, this artistry is intentionally hidden. But when just a peep is revealed it speaks volumes about your personality. (Unlike the caves, aurochs, buffalo and horses are not depicted on these shoes. Sorry.) It also gives you extra lattitude to style your wardrobe -- a second tier of colors to work with.

These shoes are fun, bright and upbeat -- the perfect introduction to spring!

Unstructured Hats

We are loving a surprise new look from San Diego Hat Company: the jersey railroader. Constructed like a basic engineer's cap with a medium brim, oval band and flat crown, SDHC takes it to a fashionable place by using a thin cotton jersey which is then folded and ruched into a complex form.

We think it's just the thing for warmer weather after all those heavy winter clothes. Unstructured, casual, lightweight and basic, this hat is the perfect topper for those breezy spring days that can't (we hope) be too far away. Scrunch it up, pull it down low, wear it off to the side. This chic and easy lid is simple warm weather style.

Layered Necklace Giveaway Winners!

We've finished our first round of giveaways in anticipation for spring and the enthusiastic response we've received is as exciting as the stuff we're giving away. We have some winners, but first a short recap:

Lori recently returned from a late-spring, early-fall show and found some really fantastic shoes. More importantly, she brought back with her some incredibly cute and versatile jewelry which we're giving away in our new Spring Countdown.

Each week leading up to the Vernal Equinox, we'll be giving away another piece Lori found in New York. Contest one, five layered necklace giveaways, is followed by four key-to-my-heart earrings, then three, then two, then one of upcoming secret surprises! Make sure you check back regularly to the giveaway page and this blog for winner notifications.

This week's winners:
Sarah S. from Asheville, NC
Tawanna N. from Rantoul, IL
Jordana R. from Chicago, IL
Kendra H. from Washington, D.C.
Aileen M. from Hoffman Estates, IL

Spring Trends, Take One

We've been fooling around with our iMovie here at Lori's and decided to add some video posts on the latest Spring trends. We're no De Mille, but we hope the embedded clip here is a good start. Have a look, have a laugh. We start with the obsession we've been harping on for weeks: architectural cutouts and structural inspirations! Ha ha ha ugh.

Word from New York

Spring is fast approaching and as Lori reports from New York on late spring and first deliveries for Fall 2009, and as the City gears up for the fall shows, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek at how the year's shaping up!

A smattering of boots continue through spring, but the big emphasis is on sandals with embellishments and lots of straps that are either architectural in detail or comprise many thinner pieces. Both serve the same function: to create an exciting peekaboo effect along the foot in warmer temps.

Fall 2009 will see a continuation of riding boots, so hold on to the ones you have (or snag some now at our ongoing sale). There is also a new pointer shape coming out which we are less excited about (and you probably will be too). We're seeing a slight turn away from the strictly tailored, OCD clean lines of last fall as zippers, roughed-up suedes and Bohemian traits (albeit with a man-tailored edge) crop up.

A stand-out for fall (and, really, when isn't it?) is Frye's boot collection. Consistently in demand since its founding during the Civil War, Frye's collection of boots are classic quality. Past years have delivered these timeless styles in contemporary colors and detailing. We're disappointed only that we have to wait until July to get them!

Those Pesky Servers!

Looks like giving an additional 40% off sale items for a couple days was a good idea: due to the overwhelming response, we've had a stumble in our checkout process. Between noonish and one-ish, our catalog reeled drunkenly in and out of being like a punchdrunk Rocky Balboa up against Clubber Lang. (Yes, we just compared our customers to Clubber Lang.)

We at Lori's assumed Burgess Meredith's role: we talked some sense and fortitude into it, monkeyed with some database-type stuff and got our catalog back on its feet and slinging shoes to all comers. We did nearly have a heart attack (just like Mickey!) when this happened and we will blithely skip over the amount of our embarrassment.

So: our apologies. We're keeping an eye on everything. If you had trouble accessing the sale section, it is now working. If you had trouble with an order, we are contacting you if we haven't already. In all cases, all our customers' personal information remains safe and encrypted in a secure server facility replete with power backups, guards, alarms and vicious, barking dogs.

Please do contact us at any time regarding present or future orders, comments or concerns: 773.281.5655 or 888.334.SHOE or email customer service.

If You Wear It, Share It

When blogging wasn't pervasive enough, micro-blogging stepped up. Embodied by Twitter, the little app that could, the growing popularity of this online service is becoming hard to deny ... or avoid. Funnel your Facebook profile updates through blogging software, limit it to 140 characters and you're a micro-blogger. Start posting updates from your phone and you've entered the heart of status-update addiction. You'll even convince yourself everyone cares what you're up to at that very moment.

But if services like Twitter are fascinating in the power of their simplicity, they also tend to be rather general, leading you to ask yourself, "Why ... ?" We may have an answer: currently in beta testing, Try My Fashion is a micro-blogging service dedicated to (and only to) wardrobe updates. Given the runaway success of sites like The Sartorialist, a significant portion of the online community does cares how you look.

We've been using Twitter at Lori's to keep you abreast of new products and promotions even before they are online (so maybe you should follow us). We're excited to share our love of shoes as part of a whole outfit on this new and, we hope, successful wardrobe site!

Spring Preview: Structural Integrity

The Mella by Calvin Klein (left in black) has arrived (online soon). The python patterned leather and short wedge heel are lively and fun, as is the silver insole, but what really motivated us was the sharp, structured cutouts on the wide T-strap and ankle.

This structured revelation of the foot feels very sharp and new, yet also a touch retro as if the ghost of Bauhaus has risen from the grave and came out sporting these kittens. We love the math of this shoe: the deliberateness of it is sexy and bespeaks a wearer who knows how to put together a look.

But Mella isn't the only shoe taking a turn for the Euclidian. In fact, it seems to be quite a trend. And no one, as usual, is internalizing and reinterpreting a trend like one of our favorite designers, Pour La Victoire.

We are OBSESSED with the Bianca by Pour La Victoire. This 4-1/2" pump with platform is going to be huge. It is in our spring deliveries and we've put a rush on it because we want it here NOW and FAST.

The geometry wows us. The shootie upper, punched with asymmetrical shapes, feels decidedly structural and architectural. It reminded us of Prada's flagship store in Tokyo or Rem Koolhaas's library in Seattle. And especially of the windows in Le Corbusier's Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut Ronchamp. And, like those windows, Bianca stragetically reveals your foot while the acid green leaher insole adds luminescence and glow.

We love this trend because it feels so deliberate and purposeful. Just by sporting this look, you instantly add relevence to your look; it dresses up your outfit. We think you can draw a straight line right through these shoes to a hot, current look that's a change-up from fall's covered up tall boots and shooties.

Cruising

Cruise collections are arriving, whetting our appetite for the truly dynamite spring shoes coming in February. That's not to say that these pre-spring beauties lack any punch. Sam Edelman's recent arrivals are serious contenders for the title of hottest sandal.

These new sandals place great emphasis on embellishment, space and binding as ways to direct attention to the foot. They are decadent, flashy, bright and provocatively reference tropical sensuality and bedroom bondage.


Sunny Resort by Lori's

The Giada is a wispy outline of a sandal in pony hair with gladiatorial ankle straps and a footplate laden with Masai-inspired beading. It's an over-the-top cacophony of colors and textures and forms that surround the foot, calling attention along your foot up the arch to your ankle and calves. A special touch -- a zipper on the heel cup -- makes them easy to slip on, belying their complex form.


Navy and Gold Summer by Lori's

The Ginnie has a t-strap top gliding up your foot to a thick ankle cuff with buckle. The navy patent (our favorite) is nautical and polished. The wide cuff confident and aggressively sexual.


Green Summer by Lori's

And the Greco. Ah, the Greco. Our latest addition, this Athenian sandal in citrus green woven leather thongs looks as light as palm fronds and as warm as an Aegean summer. We love the peekaboo slatting effect these straps give our feet. The open heel with ankle straps furthers the sense of flirty revelations. The basket-woven top-of-foot creates a secondary texture that feel natural and easy.

Cruise is not just a warmup for spring, it's a release from fall heralding a return to bright colors, airy silhouettes and a welcome joie de vivre.