I'm Breaking My No Wedges Rule For These Alexandre Birmans

($795, Alexandre Birman, Neimanmarcus.com)

Usually I live life in the wedge-free zone, not because I'm not into wedges but only because I can't walk in them. However, I'd gladly break my wedge ban for these gorgeous Alexandre Birman (the Brazilian shoe designer who CAN'T NOT make sexy/exotic safari-from-the-comfort-of-an-SUV heels) python wedges. They're so gorgeous --- delicate-looking yet tough -- and so visceral that they almost look alive. Bluefly has a few pairs of Alexandre Birman, but it's Just. Not. The Same.

Jeffrey Campbell Wins Me Back With These Black And Brown Studded Saddle Shoes

These Jeffrey Campbell clunkers left a totally bad taste in mouth -- like when you accidentally bite into a really bad grape -- I HATE when that happens! But, do you stop eating grapes for good? No. You know there will be a better one later on in the bunch. Anyway, what I mean to say is that, I LOVE these Jeffrey Campbell Capone studded saddle shoes have made up for that bad grape. Know what I mean? A little?

($129, Jeffrey Campbell, Singer22.com)

Boat Shoes: Good & Bad

($45, Converse, Karmaloop)

So cute, so cheap!

($70, 80%20, Karmaloop)

So... never gonna happen.

+ More Fashionbinge boat shoe love here and a little here.

The Proliferation of Payless Cuteness!

I haven't stepped foot inside of a Payless (get it? GET it?) for quite some time, but I'm definitely seeing cuteness online, both within their designer collections and "pedestrian" stuff (har).

($17.99, Payless)

I know. I can't believe I'm coming close to condoning something that comes close to being gladiator-esque, but I like that these don't overdo it with extraneous strappage. And the single diagonal strap is flattering, expeshully if you gots the wide feets.

($35, alica + olivia, Payless)

I really loathe a square heel, however, (don't you love how everything comes with apprehension?), I applaud the loud, fun colors. Someone out there could rock these. I ain't volunteering though. (Note: that someone also probably wears way more makeup than I do and tucks her penis... but that's cool!)

($21, American Eagle, Payless)

Cute, innocuous boat shoes in a variety of colors. And why spend a lot when you know they're gonna need to be tossed due to rank-ness at the end of the summer, you knows?

($19.99, Payless)

If you're gonna own/ wear all-white shoes, they may as well be fun and slightly slutty! Also cute like so:

Oh, but Payless, you'll giveth and you'll taketh away with that very same hand. Vile.

... But... more cuteness: check out the proposed looks for the Fall '08 alice + olivia for Payless collection (photos via Nitrolicious):

More here at Nitrolicious... And check out their coverage of the Abaete for Payless collection, which I might like even more:

What's Up, Preppy? Or: Why the Hull Am I Pining For Boat Shoes?

I never grew up wealthy or preppy (oh but how I am SO both now!) but back in the day, when I was a kid in Cleveland, my middle-middle-class family managed to have a small power boat. A boat, in Cleveland, of all places. I used to hate going for rides on it -- all that choppy rocking, the frizz-inducing mist, peeing in a scary toilet that didn't flush. All that shit freaked me out. Then the Bush I recession hit (like father, like son), and we got rid of the boat -- ironically enough -- before we moved to boat-friendly Florida and then Virginia. Now that I am old enough to appreciate the things I didn't appreciate when I was little, I realize how nice it'd be to have nautical access, if only just for the outfits and cocktails. Maybe that's why I, like Fashionista, am sort of currently into the idea of boat shoes for summer footwear. Eek!

($69, Sperry, Zappos)

The absolute classics. Sure, they get sorta gnarly when you wear them all summer with no socks, but that's sort of the appeal. And they look cool when they've faded and get shiny and worn.

($69, Sperry, Amazon)

I don't think I could pull them off, but I like them in white too. Especially for dudes.

($45, Vans, Karmaloop)

Vans has, for some reason, gone prepster too with their take on boat shoes -- and a nice, femmey take, it is too. I'm sure somewhere, some dude in a ratty Vision tee, clinging to his Kurt Cobain haircut, is gently weeping.

More preppy footwear I'm feeling:

($43, Minnetonka, Buddysmoccasins.com)

In January, I used my awesome powers of prescience to predict that mocs would be on the move this spring. And I THINK I WAS RIGHT! Why? Um, because it's SPRING and I'm about to BUY these!

($58, Tretorn, Amazon)($59, Tretorn, Amazon)

I had a pair of Tretorns back in the day, and I recall that they were the most phenomenally soft, comf sneaks ever. I may need another pair.

($48, Sanuk, Swell)

Ah the surf-prep look. I like these, at the risk of being mistaken for an extra in a Jack Johnson video.

UPDATE: Oh hai! It's MK, all up in ur preppy post! I wanted to add that I am kinda pretty really into these bitches:



Vans boat shoes, $45.50, in HOT PINK. And that is why I like 'em, peeps. Hot pink shoes kinda go with everything! Yay!