Get Schooled: Lori's in Metromix

Metromix, the entertainment outpost for the Tribune, recently interviewed Lori for tips on buying boots for fall. She gave them quite an education. Below is a sampling from the article by Lisa Arnett that appeared Monday, August 25, 2009.

Know the Trends
"One thing that this season has going for it is that there are some real strong trends," says Andre. The three biggies? Cowboy boots (especially shorter styles), motorcycle boots with studs or chains and over-the-knee styles (ladies only).

Get a Good Fit
When shopping, wear your own socks (rather than those disposable shoe-store footies) and spend a full five minutes walking around in the store. "If it doesn't feel good now, it's going to feel a lot worse later." Try the toe-wiggle test: They should have enough breathing room to wiggle freely inside the tip of the boot. Another trick? Stick your hand inside the boot to feel for bumpy seams or rough edges where the lining meets the sole that could potentially irritate your foot. And if your calves are either more muscular or slimmer than average, look for brands offering knee-high boots in wide and narrow calf widths.

All About the Material
Look on the boot's box or lining for a label noting what it's made of. "Boots that are really high-quality are leather lined, leather-soled and leather-uppered," says Andre. Leather keeps your feet warm but is also breathable, and, when used for the sole, offers more flexibility and shock absorption than molded plastic. But because leather has a more involved treatment process and a higher import duty, it'll cost you. Likewise, a boot with a synthetic upper costs much less, but because the material isn't breathable, your feet can be a hot sweaty mess after all-day wear.

Watch the Weather
"If you're going to buy a $600 pair of leather boots and wear them in the snow, they're going to get ruined," says Andre. Salt and water can erode leather over time, unless it's treated to be waterproof. "We always tell people, buy a synthetic boot that's guaranteed waterproof [for snowy days] and wear your fashion boots when the weather is good."


Credit: Metromix photos by Jason Little

Shoe Shopping with Maurizio Celin of Nicole

Our favorite person who just happens to also design Nicole, Mr. Maurizio Celin, was recently in town for a visit with Lori. Only he could pull off suede moccasins with abundant fringe under white jeans, tee and a stripey cardi. (Sigh.)

We spent several hours walking the store, examining lines and trends and having a blast. Their faves? A predilection for the moccasins (adored the Medici mocs) and a healthy respect for our freshly arrived boots like Vic's 9940 wedge boot and the 9770 harness.

And Chicago? The shopping got a thumbs up. Frontera Grill, no. Publican, yes. But Lori's home-cooked meal was voted best by a long shot. (No wonder he's our favorite.)

No Proust, But We Wouldn't Lose Any Time Finding These

As reported in WWD Accessories, Chloe Sevigny is guest-designing a collection for Bass with Opening Ceremony. Click the image above for a readable version. While we won't have this at Lori's, we do have the classic Bass styles that tap into the menswear trends of the season. Read the article and take a look!

The Embellished Leg

Last fall was a banner year for leggings. Colors were rich and deep, textures spanned the gamut from gossamer lace to thick cable-knit wools and patterns ran from conservative argyles to trippy pop abstracts. There was a lot to be excited about.

So this must be a billboard year.

We have been inundated with leggings and the flood has only just begun. Daring (and darling) new pieces are on the way. Our faves? The super-trend stud leggings (left) and shimmering sequin jobbies (below) that take edge and sparkle to a glorious new place. Also on deck are the (faux) leather legging and a general emphasis on hardware: zips at the ankle and knee, ankle snaps (replacing the buttons of last year).

All this taps into the larger metal trend we're seeing in shoes, boots, bags and accessories. It's not quite rock-and-roll, but it's not quite not that either. Black is finally just black. Gray is its sidekick. Heavy metal hardware and deep reds accent. Is Fall is a knife fight? Picture the ersatz tumble in "Beat It." The S.E. Hinton aesthetic ... Are we dressing as the new Outsiders – hard and tough on the outside, uncertain with a heart of gold within – after being Socs for so long? The edges are harder: our collective slump away from excess during a lean year in which we've all bled a little.

Fall's message is that there's excitement even in hard times. Some of the gilt's flaked off to reveal our hard metal chic underneath. So be daring and bold and determined this Fall. Confidence is sexy, especially moxy that shimmers outrageously in legs like these.

Fall (and Beyond) Preview: Bass

Gone Fishin': Menswear inspiration from Bass is coming this fall.

Bucks! We love 'em. There is something so intractably preppy about the buck that charms us. That red gum sole, the suede upper and round toe. Add to that a saddle shoe with punch patterning and a patent loafer and menswear is back in the mix this fall. (We also threw in Spring 2010's pastel variations to keep you abreast of the trends.)

The look here is pure Annie Hall: baggy pants or boyfriend jeans rolled at the cuff and menswear-inspired materials like oxford cloth and ties. Tone down the testosterone with an unstructured bag from Imoshion or Big Buddha in romantic jewel tones. Or go in the other direction with something delicate and feminine to eke out the clunky casualness of the silhouette for some truly adorable outfits.

An Interview is an Interview is an Interview with Carla Mancini

A while back we had a fantastic opportunity. Carla Mancini sent us a wide selection of her line for an online trunk show at ridiculously reduced prices. We took the opportunity to send her in return a list of questions on her collection, her inspiration, what's next. What we got back was an entirely different interview, questions and all. Seeing how an interview is an interview is an interview (and we ain't no journalists), we're posting it anyway. Herewith, the impostor interview:

Do you have any style/trend predictions for the season?
I think this fall season is about exotics, animal prints, python prints, and color. Add purple, cobalt, green, red to your outfit. It just works, bringing some excitement to the black and brown that we have seen for so many years. I see also a lot of studs and embellishments. We need a mood enhancer, especially in these times.

You’ve said you are inspired by the vintage look and Italian culture. What else?
My friends – the special women in my life – have been the greatest source of inspiration. Their needs and also the excitement on their face when I come up with a new style is priceless. We live in a world that is so demanding. Our bags become heavier by the day – the iPods, cell phones, wallets, you name it. How can we still look stylish and sexy while we carry all this weight and responsibility? This is where I get challenged and inspired.

When you got started in design, did you know it was handbags that would ultimately be your passion?
The bags I had seen in movies always attracted me. Sophia Lauren had a great bag in one of her movies that I must have replayed a dozen times. The clutches that were in the Dallas episodes were among my favorite. As a teenager I was intrigued by this strange desire to know what was in my mother's friend’s purses, so sometimes I would ask if I could look … whatever it is that we carry says so much about who we are.

Why do you choose to have everything hand-made in Los Angeles?
There is a certain character about the bags made here. For some reason when we produce something overseas and the workmanship is perfect – sometimes even better – it is still not appealing to me. It loses its character.

I know the work and effort behind every bag. The fact that we can create jobs for people that live in the US, and especially in my city, makes me feel good. They put their energy, their heart and passion in what they are doing and that is reflected in the product.

See Available Carla Mancini Bags

Fall Preview: Jeffrey Campbell

Jeffrey Campbell for fall has just started to eek into the stores, so here is a sneak preview of some of the styles we are excited for this fall. Expect improvisation with the short boot – combat, sport/hunter, cowboy – and equal attention to the ultralong (the perforated thigh-high above at left is coming). Studs of varying sizes and shapes co-exist in a riot of tough chic. This picks up the metal trends developing in jewelry, making styling a snap this coming season.

We'll also stock feminine detailing like bows, braids and ruffles on flats in romantic berry tones, animal prints and the season's newest black: black. Check in regularly to see the latest arrivals from JC and more.

Fall Preview: Irregular Choice

We're hoping that Irregular Choice – a new line for us at Lori's this fall – will make a regular appearance in the store and online. We've seen a lot of the full-foldover look (above) across lines. We carried it last fall in Vic Matie and were a touch ahead of the curve. We're glad the curve caught up; this is a great take on the above-the-knee foldover. Irregular Choice injects personality with a slightly Jules Verne, steam-punk, buttoned spat look augmented with classic wingtip punching. A padded stack heel completes the genteely retro-future look.

It's not all costume drama: the sweep of the wingtip detailing accentuates the curve of your calf and layers up the toe to make your foot look small and cute. The casual break of the spat creates exciting lines that break the traditional boot silhouette (we love how it covers the heel and pokes forward of the upper in front).

The boot above should walk into the stores in August(-ish). Keep an eye on the site and our Fall 2009 Preview page for new updates.

Luck of the Drawl

We're excited to be carrying Lucky Brand shoes this fall. This Cali-casual/Western bohemian collection of slippers, mules, short boots and loafers is a great addition to our fall lineup. Lucky Brand bills itself as representative of small-town America and a time of innocence, courage and fun. Our faves above have a confident and youthful feel that can energize your look.

Stand-outs include the short cowboy boots with stud detailing, which works back to the peace symbol styling of the slipper mocs on a crepe sole. This in turn ties in the suede mule with burgundy trim and leather appliques. We think the unconstructed driver mocs are a perfect transition from fall to summer.

The Lucky collection is smartly casual and engaging. Any of these pieces will look fantastic with jeans and the boots will add prairie chic to any skirty ensemble. Look for them beginning in early August!

Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner

Bambi M. from Clarksville, Tennessee is the winner of our Summer Casual Hobo Bag Giveaway. Congratulations! Please stay tuned for new giveaways and shopping sprees all summer long.

Fall Preview: Steve Madden

Our fall buy for Steve Madden includes new takes on classic styles, such as the deep green knee-high platform boot with four-inch heel that was described to us as "the new version of Old School Steve Madden." We're also bringing in a number of fold-over booties with a focus on geometric heels, buckles and hardware and supple leathers. Other trends we're seeing are a softer, darker femininity in suede floral motifs and dark ruffles and ruching – subtle touches that read alluring instead of girlie. A patent jazz oxford in taupe rounds out the mix.

We Come from France: Loafers

We've got word from our correspondent in Paris that loafers are everywhere. We were surprised, but not that surprised. After all the look is casual, cute and oh-so-easy to pull off in the summer. What we've got on Paris is that our selection of loafers and driver mocs are on sale for up to 50%.

Here's the dispatch hot off the wire:

Salvatore Ferragamo loafers – very popular. Brown suede even better. I can’t stress enough how popular these loafers are. Everyone has them. Purple suede, brown suede, silver buckle, traditional penny slot. Women in little cocktail dresses and patent leather heels ... I can’t wait to go shopping in Paris!

Or Lori's Shoes, we might gently suggest.

See all our sale shoes


DMN D1023 - Black: 30% off at $89.90


Mia Madrid - Tan: 50% off at $34.00


Mia Madrid - Purple: 50% off at $34.00

Calling All Mavens! Help Lori Buy This Shoe.

The future will be pointy, at least if we have anything to do with it. Pointy pumps, like the J. Renee Masela at left, are a super-trendy, must-have shoe for fall.

For the past season or so we've become increasingly interested in stripped-down, basic pieces that are well-made and elegant in form. This clean, straightforward pump epitomizes that. At three inches the heel is an easy wear. The toe is feminine, sexy and stylish. And the price is right.

We've had daily requests in the stores and online to stock more and more classic pumps. Expect demand to gain steam throughout the summer.

Given how much our customers want the shoe, we thought we'd also let you help buy it. The Masela comes in black patent, black napa leather, dark navy patent, garnet napa, pewter, bronze, bottle green and camel. What color will you be wearing? Take the poll below and Lori will make sure we stock the color that gets the most votes. It's your chance to advise the buying team and help us bring this great trend into the stores for fall!

We're So Excited for Fall

Whoa. We got a peek at Lori's camera back from her fill-in buy in New York and there are definitely several reasons to be excited for fall.

Boots continue to be huge, but the shafts are either cut down and embellished like Frye's (frankly) unbelievable clipped cowboy boot or they are impossibly high like the Jeffrey Campbell perforated thigh-high, high heels. Combat styles are also popping up across the lines.

JC and MXS are also tooling out super Deco-looking, rounded booties that seem inspired by a mix of '60s vintage filtered through a Henry Moore sculpture.

Wedges and, especially, pumps will be gigantic this fall and as we've reported before black will continue to be the new black. Take a look and get excited. Get very excited.

The Fill In

Lori's off to New York to round out our Fall buy as certain trends gain steam. And what are they? A mix of playing it safe while looking good. A sartorial reaction to a falling economy that doesn't depress our vanity. We all may be averse to risk lately, but not the risque.

By far the demand is for pumps. Customers are asking daily for a basic, plain pointy-toed pump with a mid-to-high heel. The look is classic, tailored and conservative without eschewing sexiness. Gone will be the ornamentation of summer as we move back to a low-key elegance. Deep berry tones may rule the handbag world, but black is going to be the new black in footwear.

Pumps and booties are a perfect pairing for that trend that is bucking the conservatism: shorter hemlines. Contrary to that old chestnut about plummeting stocks and hems, we're seeing shorter skirts and shorts. This works back to heels and booties in a cinch. We think it will also be a good season for tights and leggings again.

A Tribute to Saint Valentino

Lori and Nicole, our handbag buyer, were working diligently when they had a vision. Saint Valentino Garavani descended in a brilliant light from fashion Olympus and commanded them to carry His handbag collection.

"O, Lord but we would save for Thine luxury pricepoint," cried Lori.
"Plus Bergdorf's already has it," noted in Nicole.

And that is when, with a nod of his perfectly coiffed head, a suspiciously similar (but delightfully more reasonably priced) bag appeared in last week's deliveries.

This is a look worth stealing. Which is why we're immensely excited about High Fashion's tribute Valentino Rose Tote in black and silver (with studs!). The bag is the perfect summer tote: wider than tall with a light lining, you can stuff this full and still find what you need (relatively) quickly. The patent finish lends a timeless chic. You don't so much dress this bag up or down as it dresses you up, regardless of your efforts. The circling folds of the floral front are feminine without being whimsical or cute. We'd ditch the optional shoulder strap, tuck this under our arm and run into the madding crowd. In sum, it's the perfect statement bag. See the summer light and pick one up now.

A New Approach: Jewelry

If you haven't taken a look at our jewelry section lately, please do. We've made some drastic changes as we work to make the site a richer shopping experience for you (ok, full disclosure: we also want to make it more fun for us to photograph).

We decided to breathe a little life into this section by editing down the product into stories. Instead of shopping for necklaces, you shop for looks. We ditched the standard white ground for texture and context and to reinforce the narrative they represent. We also added big, sexy interstitial images to set the mood and get you (and us) excited for the product within. So: less jewelry, better photos and pieces, wrapped in a story that's very today.

We want to know what you think. Answer below, as many as you like or write in your own opinion. Thanks!

Happening Again, Constantly: Interview with Maurizio Celin of Nicole

While in Milan recently, Lori spent a day shopping with Maurizio Celin, designer for Nicole, and quizzed him on the trends of the times and how it shows up in his work. Maurizio's replies – a reflection on global forces shaping trends, yet a recognition of the influence of location and the individual – gave us some insight as to how the collections we love come into being.

Lori Andre: Milan is a city known worldwide for fashion. What are the key trends that you observe when shopping in Milan?
Maurizio Celin: Milan is just one of many cities that you visit to understand what are the "Best Trends" internationally. You can look at what they have in the shops, but it is better to observe what people wear on the street. It is also very important to have a friend who lives in that city who can tell you what’s happening again, constantly. The key trends that I see – not only in Milan but especially in the provinces of Italy – are the people. What are people wearing? And how are they wearing it?

LA: How do you integrate these trends into your designs for the American market?
MC: Since the Internet, we talk about Global Fashion. Perhaps a trend begins in Europe then arrives in the U.S., but just as often the trend starts in America and arrives in Europe. Look at the Loubotin or Blahnik phenomenon: in Europe no one knew them for years even though they had a small market in France and England; with the success of "Sex and the City" every Italian knows them.

For the past few seasons is not even correct to talk about trends since there is total freedom of taste! We can speak of "megatrends" that explode, like the trend of "Western boots." In Italy this has always existed. Italian women, with a little more fashion (and not always in good taste), led while the U.S. had always viewed this style poorly because it reminds American woman of "farm girl.” Now in America it is a trend while we just carry it over season to season.

In the U.S. market there are substantial differences in the quality of the product. Leather soles for you can be a problem; for us is synonymous with quality. Synthetic lining for you is not a problem; our women do not ever wear a shoe with synthetic lining.

LA: How would you compare the different tastes between American women and Italian women?
MC: There is a significant difference between men and women of the North and the South. This is true whether European or American or Asian. Even in Italy Milanese women are different from the women of Rome.

Women in Milan, as the women of N.Y., are more simple. They like classic colors, a little showy jewelry, fashion shoes (but not trendy), the hair is never too long and makeup is more natural. The Romans are more prominent: strong colors, jewelry and large showy, stronger makeup and always tanned, so much blonde hair like your Californian women.

In short, around the world women in the North are more “cool” and women of the South are more “go to town.”

LA: How important is the color and materials in your design?
MC: Materials and colors are KEY to my work. You can use the same construction for several seasons and give them a new life just by changing materials and colors. This is the part of my job that I am most passionate about. The finish of the materials is extremely important. We at Nicole want to give the consumer a good experience and I can proudly say that is one of our strengths.

How to say ... a beautiful shoe in a bad material and color is like a beautiful woman with bad makeup and her hair in disorder.

LA: As a male designer do you sometimes find it challenging to design for women?
MC: These days there are many women designers who are pretty brave ... but needless to say that the best designers in the world are men (usually gay). To give the best of himself in a creative work a man has always needed a woman with a strong personality by his side. Who better than a man to understand the desires of a woman? It’s often said that men can create beautiful things for women because they create objects they would wear but cannot! :-)))))

LA: What designers are an inspiration for you?
MC: MAUD FRIZON. Beautiful woman in the '80s, made beautiful shoes and iperfemminili. A unique and inimitable woman designer.

TOKIO KUMAGAI. Japanese. Lived in Paris and died too soon. The most talented designer to make low heels beautiful and avant-garde.

PHILIPPE MODEL. Un'affetto particular, having got to know him. He’s not only with great shoes but also with hats. He will always and forever be a source of inspiration.

Notes from New York: Tartan Plaids & Dark Flowers

We've been harping about the simple, natural look for a while. (Broken record, we know.) Don't expect it to end any time soon. In addition to leather-wrapped accessories, plaid is huge for fall. We're not talking grungy Seattle throwbacks or some new contemporary take. We're talking straight-up Highlands tartan. Forget anything south of Inverness: if it wasn't woven within site of Ben Nevis, it's not for fall.

Red is the dominant color. Not the berry and jewel tones seen in bags and jewelry, but regal, traditional red in traditional patterns. In addition to the paperboy caps that we're continuing to buy, tartan tam o'shanters – soft round caps with a brim, topped with a pom-pom – will be in the store and we're excited. Plaids will also pop up in our fall assortment of scarves and even a couple clutches.

Speaking of, expect to find flowers without the chintz. Darkly romantic flowers will show up on some bags. These blossoms are more deadly nightshade than American Beauty in blacks and deep hues made from raw silks with seams and unfinished edges.

The light and sunny of our natural look right now is going to take a lushly romantic turn in fall as designers explore the wilds of far-flung climes and aspects of nature that only bloom in the waning light.

Notes from New York: Fall Accessories Trends

One thing we love about the transition from season is the slow wave of color palettes as they luff up in spring bright and high-key, slowly descending over the summer months into a romantic trough of deeper, richer hues. This season is no exception as Lori and our buyers report from shopping the fall trends in New York.

Handbags are softening up. Expect unconstructed shapes, softer lines and materials, most notably roughed-out leathers and suedes perfect for a casual, slung-across look. Colors are predominantly teal, garnet, eggplant – the deeper, more saturated jewel tones – like peering at a candle through a glass of Saint-Emilion. Sangria. Raspberry. Rich and darkly muted.

Jewelry continues to edge back toward the Haight with a strong hand-made trend that includes beading and leather. Picture it on worn-out bluejeans with hand-washed short cowboy boots, plaid shirts. For the city-dweller leather-wrapped pieces are especially strong and a continuation of the natural/organic trends of this season.

Jewel-tone scarves in bottle green, teal and purple and paperboy hats with a nod toward embellishment continue to make changing up an outfit a breeze while adding some affordable personality.

While it's high sandal season at the moment, we're excited for this sneak peek at what we're wearing for fall!

The Practical Girl

The buzzword on the street may be recessionista, but that's a little too precious for us. We don't love the idea of taking advantage of a bad economy to score some deals for our wardrobe – we're all in the middle of it! But it would be a mistake to deny that fashions aren't pegged to the Dow in one way or another.

Recall that old chestnut about rising stocks and hemlines? Well, as The Dow rollercoasters around we're seeing a return to the practical girl which makes the trend toward neutral hues great for summer. There's a downplay on glitz and embellishment (though by no means gone) and a renewed emphasis on good design and value. The neutrals and nudes we're carrying are versatile and apropos the warmer months. Pair them up with bright whites for a clean, easy, breezy look as fresh as laundry on the clothesline.

Lori's current favorites:

Graffiti's 3511 in Onyx & Brown is a chic twist on a simple sandal.

Jeffrey Campbell's Tier in grey steps up the style in a fantastic dove/milk chocolate combo.

Sniks's woven wedge in taupe suede is casual sophistication with a touch of huarache trend.

Popular Favorites on Polyvore

As we've mentioned before Polyvore is a social network built around building outfits. Fans use Polyvore's suite of tools to pluck images from the web, perform some simple editing and then compose them into a wardrobe they can share on the site. It brings out the inner stylist in all of us. While results range from the ho-hum to the inspirational, the real success of the site is building a community around a shared passion for style and fashion.

Lori's is, naturally, a popular destination for sampling footwear. We got to wondering what the kids were using when purchasing wasn't the primary goal – a straw poll of sorts on what styles were most in demand.

The most popular by far was Jeffrey Campbell's Attic. We love the suede fuschia version with cool aqua lining. It's so fresh and fun and full of sunshine. Sassy and saucy, it's the perfect pop under denim or to complement the kick pleats on your favorite summer weight dress.

Close on its heels (heh) was Sam Edelman's Giada in yellow. Another bold shoe in yellow ponyhair with a bold pile of carved wooden beads on top. The Giada's gladiatorial styling and maximal embellishment are a great counterpoint to running scared metality of the current economy. We like that.


We were happy to see some bags make the popularity cut. Hobo's Valentina Clutch feels like a prop from a Nagel painting with its black and white palette, sharp angles and mesh panel detailing. Equally graphic in the opposite direction is Shira Leah's embroidered Bird Clutch in pastel blue with five perching birds.





It's no surprise that big, bold patterns that show up well in wardrobe arrangements are popular. But we think it also speaks to our customer. We're happy to see that, recession or no, our shoppers and style mavens aren't afraid to be bold and take risks with their fashions. Take a look on Polyvore for these and more styles from Lori's. We'll sure you'll be just as inspired.

Shoetube.tv love

Thanks to shoetube.tv for posting on Lori's! We like this all-things-shoe site (and we can really get behind their tagline: Live Life. Love Shoes.). We were one of the first features for the site's Chicago correspondent and we're proud to be a part of the community.

Special thanks for this nod to our fanatstic floor staff who make Lori's the place to find the best shoes, trends and styles in Chicago.

Watching the staff prepare for a day’s work is like watching a kid in a candy store, or your girlfriends at a sample shoe sale—it’s pure joy. Their enthusiasm for fabulous footwear is apparent each time they arrange a display or occasionally slip on that “perfect” shoe for a test run.

Read the full article.

First Look: Steven by Steve Madden Fall

Steven by Steve Madden is shell-shocked. The New York designer has taken his fall inspiration from combat boots and paratrooper detailing. Pictured here is a short combat boot in a beautiful, muted brown. The leather is supple and looks as though it's seen more than one tour of duty.

The usual details are here: reinforced heel, reinforced cap toe, stirruped vamp, lace-up front, but taken to the next level with fantastic details. Fat leather laces knotted at the end are meant to be worn open with the laces a-jumble over the bellows tongue. This gives you plenty to work with regarding the tuck-in. The sole is nailed on bottom, a great hand-crafted touch.

Steve Madden's Vice-President of Sales Michael Fishbein personally flew in from New York to give Lori first look and picks for fall. We're eagerly anticpating getting this military look in our first fall deliveries. Expect it to be online in early August.

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.