The "Skull Boot" Is Here...

The skull boot has arrived fresh off the plane from Italy. This stunner has captured everyone's attention here at Lori's, and for good reason.


Bright silver and pewter studs are intricately beaded into a skull motif for a look that reminds us of Alexander McQueen. McQueen's designs often incorporated skull designs with a uniquely glamorous, couture flare. This boot made us appreciate the brilliance of McQueen's original, risk-taking designs. We still miss him ...

The boot brings a sassy couture style matched with impeccable Italian-made quality. A soft suede upper with smooth leather lining and a rugged rubber and leather sole are pieced together with exceptional craftsmanship. This boot is a unique must-have.

Jeffrey Campbell All-Ruffles

We do love footwear with contradictions. It gets our attention ... and keeps it. It might take a minute. We might let out a giggle, maybe a grimace, but after some deep thought we usually fall in love.

First thought: who would think to make over-sized frilly ruffles from distressed army-green leather? Who would then take those ruffles and belt them around a rugged combat boot? The answer is only someone as clever and daring as Jeffrey Campbell. And that's why we love it. The more you look at it, the cuter it gets. And it's surprisingly easy and versatile to wear!

The obvious look, of course, is to go military. Slip on some skinny jeans, sweater tights or leggings and pair with a T-shirt or off-the-shoulder sweater. Top with a jean or bomber jacket (dark rocker-chic accessories optional).

But don't limit yourself. The name is "All-Ruffles" so we can dress her up a bit too. Wear her over tights or knee socks with a boho floral skirt. Keep it casual and simple on top and add a vintage blazer to complete the look. 

If we haven't already convinced you of the beauty of this boot, consider this: the ruffles can be slipped right off for an instant, classic combat look. And once you've worn out All-Ruffles you can always use it as, well, a planter. How's that for a contradiction?

Zamara!

With her thigh-high height and unexpected peeptoe, Sam Edelman's Zamara is full of surprising details. For starters, the functional rear zipper runs the full length of the leg from the top to the ground, making it one of the longest zippers we've ever seen on a boot. 

Seamless suede panels attempt to conceal the platform and curved heel, but the sheer thickness of it paired with a shocker-of-a-peeptoe only highlight the remarkable height of both the base and leg shaft. With Fall 2010's over-the-knee trend, taller is always better. And you can't get much higher than Zamara.

Small pewter studs trim the top of the leg, with a peek of metallic lining adding a subtle punch of color for those lucky enough to catch a glimpse. We love Zamara for those unexpected accents. Who would've thought that an open toe on an exceedingly tall suede boot would work? And who needs a full-length zipper that covers even the heel? Some details don't make sense until you see them put together. And we have to admit—those quirky details take this boot beyond ordinary and into the realm of must-have fashion. 


Wear over leggings or skinny jeans with an over-sized sweater or poncho for a casually fashionable fall look. For a night out, wear Zamara over brightly colored tights and pair with a mini-dress for a look that will have all eyes on you.

Jeffrey Campbell's Tabitha - Sweet and Sexy

Vintage, 1960s style has been brought to the forefront by shows like Mad Men, influencing Fall 2010's emphasis on classic feminine looks. Luxe materials like satin, lace and fur have been matched with perfectly tailored forms, making Jeffrey Campbell's Tabitha a new favorite. With Tabitha, Jeffrey Campbell joins the likes of Valentino and Christian Louboutin, stepping it up with breathtaking lace pumps. 

But this ain't your grandma's lace. Tabitha's lace is embroidered over sheer mesh for a very sultry show of skin. Super soft suede keeps it modest, cupping the heel and trimming the top. The suede-wrapped platform is squared under the peeptoe for an intriguing architectural accent, complimented by the five-and-one-half-inch suede-wrapped heel.

Sweet vintage style mixed with a contemporary silhouette makes Tabitha a very wearable, very fashionable girl. For a sophisticated day-wear look, pair with wide-leg trousers and a flirty blouse matched with a structured satchel. Slip on a mini-dress with or without some brightly colored leggings for a standout evening look. 

Koolaburra - High Fashion, High Comfort

We're all familiar with UGG® Australia boots by now. Soft and comfy with the cushiest sheepskin and shearling. They're not exactly known for their sexy look, but they're so loved for their comfort that some girls practically live in them. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're on everyone from celebrities to soccer moms, teens and everyone in between. They're even on babies.

And then there is fringe. Boho-chic, classic Americana, cowgirl-hipster-cute. It has movement, personality and is seen year-round on everything from jackets, shirts, skirts, handbags ... and boots.

And that brings us to the Savannity by Koolaburra. Touting soft sheepskin, shearling lining and a comfy round toe, the Savannity also has a rubber wedge heel with long panels of fringe topped with brass grommets. Style and comfort may have made the ultimate union in this little boot. So is it fashion made comfortable? Comfort made fashionable? A little bit of both or none of the above?

Keep your eyes peeled for this emerging trend. Now that UGG® Australia has teamed up with Jimmy Choo to design a line of fashion boots, it seems that Koolaburra might really be on to something as well. And with celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Jessica Biel, and Kate Hudson seen wearing Koolaburras, what more can we say?

In case we haven't already persuaded you to try them out, here's a thought: when you put them on, do you look like the sultry model below with her matching fringed mini-dress ... or not?

The Jeffrey Campbell Lita is here!!

Lita's here ... and she won't be ignored! Couture-inspired design will draw you in—straight to the unbelievably thick platform and towering wood heel. You'll be walking tall and strong in this powerful combat-style lace-up. 

Go for the full effect by pairing with cargos or leggings with a tank or T-shirt on top. Don't forget the military jacket and chain accessories. For a softer retro-chic look, slip on some tights and a flirty floral-print skirt or dress.

On a side note, look what we discovered on the wall in Lori's office! It's a Lita lookalike wood cut-out made by one of her sons some ten-odd years ago. Seems like they were ahead of the times even then ...

Gee'Wawa: something different for Lori's

This fall we are going beyond normal. We're looking at futuristic trends, haute couture designer inspirations and the club/rave/goth shoe art and the artists that make them.

For every shoe addict's wardrobe this fall, we are prescribing Gee'Wawa (not to be confused with Chihuahua, darlings, though both are feisty). Our guest blogger Kitty introduced fall Gee'Wawa last week in her vintage-inspired clog blog.

This line of shoes is undeniably a shoe addict's fall essential. It is cost-conscious and stylish but pushes boundaries. Comfortable, distressed, vegetable-dyed leathers will have you binging on the look and loving the feel. Chunky heeled pumps and big bottom booties dominate this collection. 

Of course, our addiction to big bottoms is not new. Thanks to the late and great Alexander McQueen's lobster boots we have a deep love of silhouette-warping designs. We miss him. His legacy has inspired designers to push this spring trend with brash looks for fall.
 

 

 Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 collection - Photo courtesy of catwalking.com

Whether you love them or hate them, we're sure  you will become attached. Try something new this fall. Get Gee'Wawa and be different, be confident, be chic, be addicted.