THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: The underdog

This week, we're taking a different point of view in the Hot List, featuring a brand we think doesn't always get its due. Ladies... Alberto Fermani.

Fermani is the quintessential Italian designer, fashion forward and ahead of the curve, yet always classic, clean, tailored and beautiful. This season the label nailed the menswear trend, inspiring us to get a fabulous pair of trousers and a tailored blouse.

We've got a number of the brand's styles, including a Mary Jane Lori's has oggled and worn for years, the 10003 in Cuoio. It's unbelievable gorgeous and meticulously crafted.

We like Alberto Fermani because the shoes are out of the ordinary; they're wearable conversation starters; they'll prompt people on the street to ask you where you got them. Really, they're everything we crave in footwear. And did we mention they're comfortable? They are.

Lori's likes and underdog, and we think Mr. Fermani will emerge as a true champion!

STYLE WATCH: Campaign shoes

No, not the ones candidates are wearing for the approaching elections.


We're talking about ad campaign shoes- the ones vendors are featuring in their national magazine and newspaper ads. Lori's carries, wears and adores a number of "have you seen these?" styles. In fact, several of the fresh-faced exhibits are our best sellers!


One in particular is Aerosole's fantastic Sleigh wedge. Not only is it totally cute and in, but the shoe has a fantastically comfortable and flexible sole, which means easy walking as fall shopping season is in full force. Hurrah!


Another campaign shoe is Vaneli's Narayanan boot in brown suede. It's a gorgeous selection from our "dress" category, with ankle buckles and a high heel... to boot. From Lakeview to the Loop, rest assured it's one of Chicago's top choices.

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Comfy Mary Janes

Our Lincoln Park Girls-On-The-Go cruised into the store and took advantage of our latest Berne Mev shipment, shooting the little athletic flat up to the top of our best seller charts. The leather and rubber number with a Mary Jane strap comes in a plethora of colors, including matte and metallic styles.


Also hot in the store this week was Erin Gallagher's mult-chain bracelet in silver and gold. Gallagher's a local girl we love for her clean, easy pieces you can wear anywear. We noticed, too, that customers were interested in her vintage charm necklaces. Very chic. Very layerable.


Now we're making a best seller prediction for next week- flats have been a trendy pic this month (see above... and below!), and we just got gorgeous styles from Seychelles and Jeffrey Campbell. Pictures coming soon!


(Erin Gallagher brass locket necklace)

TREND WATCH: Walk the walk

What do pumps, peep toes, ankle straps and Mary Janes have in common? They all played a big part in this season's runway styles.

We saw one designer mix white T-strap pump with sheer black tights and thick black socks, while another one paired textured opaque tights with ankle strap heels. Kenzie, meanwhile, is showing its Crezy Cat peep toe (right) with white socks, completing the label's layered, shabby-chic look.

We like to wear our pumps, Mary Janes actually, with sleek socks in matching tones- with or without tights.

Whether you like your legs covered or bare, colored or nude, we're encouraging our shoppers to remember these classically sexy styles, even as boot season is upon us. After all, what polishes off an outfit better than a fabulous pair of high heels?!

STYLE WATCH: Second City style

You're invited!

Our great city, sometimes overlooked by our friends in the fashion industry, is putting on a show to highlight just how fresh, creative and utterly fabulous designs in Chicago are.

The Fashion Focus event will run 11 days, from September 20th thru October 1st, in locations all over- from Grant Park to Bucktown and the Loop to Lincoln Park (yay, Lincoln Park!).

Lori's will be doing its part Thursday, September 21st as part of Armitage Avenue's neighborhood shopping event. On that night we, and over 30 of our closest friends, will be open fashionably late (until 9 p.m.) and serving yummy cocktails.

We also challenge you to bring an outfit... any outfit... and our local style gurus will help you polish it off with some great accessories.

So stop by Armitage Avenue on the 21st to shop the unique boutiques on our great street. This is an amazing opportunity to see all that our remarkable neighborhood- and city- has to offer the style community.

Can't make it to the city on September 21st? Perhaps you can visit us in Naperville where our west suburban Lori's will be participating in the 'burb's "Ladies Night Out." Receive 10 percent off EVERYTHING in the store, or 20 precent off with the purchase of an Alfonsi Venetis handbag. Half of all proceeds that night will be donated to charity.

For more Ladies Night Out information call the Naperville store at 630-416-3663

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Sassy pumps, suede wedges

A new season, a new attitude. September is the unofficial start of fall and with the calendar change we're seeing a change in our shoe searcher's buying habits. Gone are the days of sandals and flip flops, in are the weeks of leathers and wedges, peep toes and covered toes.

Making a return to the top of the best seller list is the Lalo from Steven, a perennial Lori's favorite. This year patent styles are flying off the shelves, in addition to the leopard print highlighted September 1st. It's a sexy and stylish choice- a great partner for the throngs of great minis and slim pants out there.

Another fantastic shoe having an impressive few weeks is the Gentle Souls Rosa suede wedge. Not only does it look totally cute with tights and knee length skirts, but it is unbelievably comfortable. It's cloud-like, really, and a great choice for our busy chic shoppers constantly on the go!

An honorable mention also this week goes to Vaneli. Two of the label's shoes, the dress boot Lillium and Mary Jane wedge Billow, have been big hits at our Highland Park and Northfield locations. Nicely done!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Metallic flats

Viva Dolce Vita!

This week's top seller comes from our Italian friends at Dolce Vita. They know what we like in Chicago! From Lincoln Park and the North Shore to cyberspace, the brand's cute metallic ballets have been quite a hit.

Our customers are snatching these cuties up and teaming their new ballets with black or grey opaque tights, black leggings and even skinny jeans. Well done!

A little preview for next week. We're noticing more and more chain and/or frame bags. You know, bags with old school roots. However, our favorites have also been blessed with modern style as we're seeing big chain bags with lots of structure and textures. We carry ours with patent wedges and pumps.

LORI'S SUCCESS STORIES: Help me find boots!

Often times forlorn shoppers will tell us stories of their quest to find the right boot. We empathize because buying the right one for you can be difficult.

We had one such down on her luck shopper in our Armitage Avenue boutique recently. Distraught that she couldn't find a boot to fit her slim calf, she turned to sales leader Kathryn. And having been down the beleaguered boot path before, Kathryn was armed with brand knowledge and ready to assist.

She pointed our shopper to the Gentle Souls Riley boot (very cute, very lush!), which was known for having a narrow shaft. Low and behold, it fit! Not only was it just right in the toe, but the boot snuggled up against her leg, just as it should. Plus, it looked fabulous with the brown pencil skirt she was currently wearing.

Another day, another success story. Congrats to our loyal Lori's customer and kudos to Kathryn!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: It's a jungle in here!

Jungle fever is all around Lori's as we head into summer's final weekend. Or maybe it's a Steve Madden thing. You tell us.


Topping the charts as the week’s popular buys were his designs Bunni in (an adorable little wedge) and Lalo (a hot peep toe platform), and the Steven by Steve Madden Persuade (the cutest ballet)- all in leopard.


Sure leopard and other animal prints currently grace the pages of Elle and the like, but we embrace the style because it works on (ballets, wedges, pumps, bags etc.) and with (leathers, cottons, dresses, denim etc.) just about anything. No matter which print you choose, count on jungle patterns to be in season after season. Now that's great style!


Although we do love Steve Madden, Lori's has additional animal print footwear- tiger, snake and giraffe even! Check out the Anne Klein and Jeffrey Campbell pumps, or maybe even our swanky Via Spiga Mary Janes.

STYLE WATCH: Emmys jewelry

While some stars opted to wear classic jewelry pieces for Sunday's Emmys, others brought a bit of creativity to the red carpet by mixing metals and layering necklaces. We say, "Bravo!"

But don't think layering is only for designer gowns. Unleash your inner fashionista and strut your overlapping accessories with a number of outfits, including wrap dresses, V-necks or even a chic T. Try different metal- gold, silver and platinum- and size combinations to find what works for you.

Lori's likes the layering trend because it's a fantastic urban look, and it allows us to make a personal statement through fashion. While you should be careful not to go overboard, this trend's key is to experiment and have fun!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: HOBO clutch

HOBO's black Hayward clutch is cute and compact, but it's carrying a big punch a Lori's right now and is one of this week's top sellers.

The bag is classically styled, perhaps after its namesake, silver screen starlet and beauty icon Susan Hayward. However, HOBO uses cracked leather and silver to give this dish a modern twist. It's a cool way to dress-up a pair of jeans or dress-down a little black dress. Either way we give it a standing ovation. Hurrah!

Other quick sellers during the week were our Susan Danielles whimsical silk headbands, and BCBGirls' Larry, a pretty peep toe pump with a flirty bow.

TREND WATCH: They're baaaack...

They say fashion trends come in 20 year waves. As the calendar is flashing 2006 that theory seems right-on since we're seeing "the best of the 80s" spreads in all of the fall fashion magazines.

Here's how we like to follow the trend. Step one, find a long, over-sized sweater. Be sure to define your waist by layering a wide belt over your top of choice. Step two, give the outfit a sleek look by wearing slim leggings. Step three, slip into some stiletto booties to capture the complete 80s attitude.


Of course Lori's can help you find perfect shoe for step three. In addition to the lovable Saple 2, don't forget about Jeffrey Campbell's Velux pictured in the August 15th post. You may want to try the Corsica from Matisse as well. If booties aren't your fashion choice, try pairing your leggings with some great almost-flats. Luichiny has the right look.

Have fun!

STYLE WATCH: I thought that looked familiar!

It's going to be a great season at Lori's as a few of our prized possessions have been- or will be- featured in fall fashion magazines.

The September issue of Lucky hasn't hit the stands yet, but we can give you a sneak peek. Right there on the glossy pages of the fashion publication is an olive Franco Sarto cotton tote with brown leather handles. It garnered the attention of those in the industry for its military interpretation and perfect size. We have in store and online for its great price, too.



In other news, our own little Hobo gem "Margo" in ruby red was picked for Cosmo's summer style edition. Although it was nice for warm weather days and nights, Lori's thinks it's just right for fall with its seasonal ruby hue, antiqued gold details and trendy ruching.

Have you seen any of our bags in the fall magazines? We'd love to hear from you!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Jeffrey Campbell bootie

Here's the scoop on last week's hottest sellers at Lori's Lincoln Park store.

Several shoppers were drawn to MIA's Hepburn, a cute little leather flat with a short pointed toe. Chances are good our style intelligent Armitage Avenue visitors were pairing them with leggings, or maybe tights and a skirt. It also looked like some gals were buying for upcoming weddings or other special events, because the Caparros Beethoven in bronze was a fashionable choice. Others, wanting to enjoy the beautiful Chicago weather perhaps, picked up pairs of Havaiannas.

It was Jeffrey Campbell's Saple-2 bootie that was most popular at lorisshoes.com. Apparently our online shoppers have a keen eye for the 80s-chic trend! We recently added a second Jeffrey Campbell number for those that didn't keep their 80s booties but wish they had, check out the black leather Velux.

TREND UPDATE: Menswear everywhere...

The man-tailored/menswear trend is all over the pages of fall fashion magazines. We're seeing skinny, crisp tailored white shirts paired with slouchy pants and cable knit sweaters. Of course, we're here for shoes and accessories, so what does the menswear trend mean at Lori's?

Well, spotting menswear-inspired shoes is pretty easy. Just keep an eye out for features like wingtips, perforated leather trims and metal accents.

It's getting the trend done right that's confusing. Remember, man-tailored pieces should not fit like men's clothing! Oh no. Instead, the cuts should look tailored, allowing you feel feminine and sexy. That includes footwear and accessories, too!

Many of our Italian brands like Enrico Antinori and Alto Gradimento have a man-tailored feel, yet they're still soft and feminine. A little closer to home, Jeffrey Campbell and Sam Edelman have great menswear styles.

STYLE WATCH: What's hanging around celebrity necks

Lately young celebs have been spotted sporting deadly accessories, or should we say dead accessories? Several have been caught wearing skull and crossbones pieces in gold and silver, which has been mirrored by skull and crossbones scarves, shirts and shoes etc.

As a small extension of the trend, other necklaces with statement-making charms like anchors and skeleton keys are starting to create buzz.

We have a number of great styles for fall. Check out designs from W.A. Studios and Ben Amun.

LORI'S SUCCESS STORIES: Help me with my shirt dress!

Having a problem finding the right pair of shoes? The perfect bag? What necklace to wear to your upcoming black tie? Lori's here for you. Over the years we've come to the rescue of thousands of lost fashion souls, ready to unearth each customer's personal style treasure.

August 6-We had one such fashion drifter in our Lincoln Park store recently. She was heartily searching for shoes to pair with the shirt dress she'd purchased for wearing to her husband's 40th birthday surprise party. The dress was really cute, knee length with a brown and blue pattern.

Veteran sales assistant Loraine, a style guru, was there to lend a hand. She helped find an adorable Sam Edelman peep toe, sling-back pump made with brown burlap, wood beads and a printed fabric. It had the perfect combination of sophistication (don't we all want to look sophisticated?!) and fun (hello, it's a party!).

Another Lori's success story. The bash, and the shoes, were a big hit!