The Great Shoe Hunt – Case #725: the elusive fabulous yet functional black flat.

I live by the belief that shoes must be fabulous and functional – and I will simply will not settle for anything less.

So when I found out that I needed to stand and walk in black dress shoes all day long at work, I knew I had a shoe hunt on my hands.

I started the hunt with a quick crowd-source of every working professional I know who stands, and the resounding answer was: Dansko. I happily googled what I believed would be my newfound comfy shoe obsession… only to be assaulted by this image -

I know I said comfort was a priority – but that shoe paired with my tailored Brooks Brother’s suit?!?? Even I thought about breaking my zero tolerance rule with this one… so the hunt continued.

Yet my first efforts made me believed I was destined to a grandma shoe…

Sass Shoes: Somehow, I think my boss would frown upon me wearing a lace up sneak with my business skirt… But come on,  it’s slip resistant!

When I started checking out the Shoes for Crews website and not totally hating, it I knew I was in trouble…

Clearly, it was time I called in the big guns – the lead general on my shoe army: Mama Rullz. Here’s her response to my emails with the above mentioned shoes… And I quote: “I don’t know Mags. None of these are exactly that cute. ” Reading that loud and clear Captain. So armed with her (not too many) years of shoe hunting experience, Mama Rullz came to NYC to help me forage.

Here’s to Mama Rullz doin’ her shoe thang…

MamaRullz’s list of Fabulous and Functional Black Flats:

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1) Cole Haan (with Nike Air Technology):

Air Tali Lace Wedge - $158

Air Bacara Ballet - $148

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2) Born:

* Bonus – Their website plays great, trippy music while you shop!

Stowaway II – $100.00

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3) Clarks:

Plush Dot – $99.99

- – - – - – -

4) Stuart Weitzman:

Caring – $365.00

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Alright I’ll admit it… the MamaRullz’s list looks a little better than my own.

After a full day trekking from store to store armed with my pair of try on socks, a purse full of snacks for fuel, and MamaRullz’s list clutched in hand – I fell in love.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…………..

Cole Haan with Nike Air Technology. 

3 weeks and multiple miles of walking and hours of standing later I can now testify: These babies are comfy. Fact. Fabulous and Functional?? CHECK.

Let’s take it to the Blogs -

- York Avenue finds a classic flat look a like for less.

- Don’t want to restrict yourself to just black flats? Fashion Style Advice adds a pop of silver and comfort to your wardrobe!

- Capitol Hill Style gives us plenty of reasons to “give up the height” and go with the flats.

- The luxury spot claims to have found the most comfortable ballet flats EVER.

- The Hollywood Housewife takes us on her comfy shoe hunt with us.

- – - – - – - – - – -

Do you have a fabulous yet functional pair of black flats you’re obsessing over??

My first sample sale… so NYC of me.

What sounds more NYC chic than a designer sample sale in Soho?? Nothing. So when my friend who works at Helmut Lang casually mentioned Helmut’s sale I immediately jumped at the chance to get my newly blossomed NYC fashionista on.

Geared in my fierest looking fashion ensemble, I confidently approached the elusive sample sale… only to be met by this:

 Okay… maybe it wasn’t that severe. But I will say that in a sea of 4 inch stiletto’s, my sensible walking shoes didn’t quite have the ”smart” look I was going for…

So for any newbies like myself out there, here are a few tid bits I picked up from my first ever NYC sample sale:

1) A Little Math Lesson – Everything is still really expensive. 70% off – What?!?? Before you go gettin’ your panties in a bunch, let’s do some simple math. While 70% off an Old Navy T-shirt marks it down to 7 cents… 70% off a designer T-Shirt marks it down to $150. Same percentage, Yes. Same hole in your pocket, oh no. Look Ma – I really am using math in real life!

2) Prepare for some real women boding time. Every guy’s false dream of what goes on in a women’s locker room comes true in the dressing room of a sample sale. Women had their lady parts out in full force as they battled for mirror space in a large back room that doubled as the show’s dressing room. Let’s just say all social conservatism is tossed aside once that price plunges by 70%…

3) Bring your game face. Anyone who says women lack the aggression to succeed in business has never been to a sample sale. There’s only a limited number of silk, asymmetrical tops… and once they’re off the floor they’re gone forever. Elbow’s are up, hangers are flying, and put together seemingly professional women are set to pounce. If you want to succeed at a sample sale, you gotta bring it.

 

After fighting my way through the racks, baring it all in the dressing room and hunting for a few good bargains, I was able to leave my first sample sale one Helmut Lang dress and one T-shirt heavier. Success.

 

Let’s Take It To The Blogs:

- Racked is a great site for the latest in fashion news and events. Check out your city on Racked for a personal, up to the minute account of the best shopping scene near you – New York, Chicago, LA.

- Real Simple teaches us 5 great things to know about shopping sample sales… and big surprise, non-rock bottom prices are one.

- NYMag is a great resource for awesome sample sales throughout NYC.

- Top Button bills itself as”the most trusted source for sales and shopping events.”

 

Have you had your first sample sale experience? Details please…

Your Team Spirit Cold Weather Fashion Checklist!

If you don’t know this about me you better go ahead and learn it fast… I went to Boston College and LOVED IT! Loved it, love it and will forever be obsessed. Now that my confession is out of the way, let’s move on to fashion. More specifically, Team Spirit Cold Weather Fashion – because no negative degree weather is going to stop me from showing off my Eagle pride at a BC football game.

This past Thursday night I recruited my Brother (an Eagle by association) to go to the BC vs. FSU game with me. We don’t have to talk about the score… I’m a fan through and through regardless of the down seasons. And besides, a game is really just an excuse to dress up anyways So here it is -

And yes… we are spelling BC.

- – - Your Team Spirit Cold Weather Fashion Checklist – - - 

1) Cold Weather Accessories - I say the more the better. Scarves, hats, coats, mittens… there is no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to team spirit. Please note my winter hat complete with Eagle logo, gold and maroon colors, and pom pom on top.

1.b.) Understated accessories for the boys – if your going to the game with dudes who might want to sport their team spirit sans brightly colored pom poms, opt for some understated pride. Note the Bro’s solid color marron hat.

2) Don’t limit yourself to book store purchases exclusively – Grab and wear as many classic collegiate purchases as your heart desires, but don’t stop there! If you’re out and about and see another accessory that compliments your school spirit do not hesitate to buy. Note my maroon scarf – an Anthropology scarf that doubles as a fashionable neck warmer and an accent of school spirit.

3) Hot Chocolate in hands – Seriously, this is why I love cold weather football games. I average at least one per quarter. Tip – cut the cocoa with half coffee for fewer calories and a little extra pep for your cheers!

4) Plan ahead – Order your cute collegiate wear well before game day to ensure full cute cheering potential. Some shopping sites to check out: Football Fanatics has college wear clothing cut specifically for women, Fansedge has a wide selection of apparel (but you’ll have to shift through some misses along with the hits), and College Wear has got you covered for practically every school. Happy Shopping!!

5) Hand and foot warmers/wool sweaters/warm boots – No excuses when if comes to Team Spirit Cold Weather Fashion. You’re out there to cheer for your team.. and to look fab while you do it

What else do you love to wear on game day??

My New Big Red Rain Coat!!

There are few things as glorious as functional clothing on a rainy day… especially when that clothing is equal parts functional and fabulous!

Me in Big Red!!

The only blemish on an otherwise perfect NYC getaway… rain. And by rain, I mean downpour. High winds. and Slosh. But the real kicker? I was booking it to interviews (where I had to look good it should be noted) in the midst of this city storm. So what’s a fashionable gal to do when she is stuck in a down pour without cute rain gear? Why, make a quick shopping pit stop of course!

Post an interview at 30 rock, I rushed into Anthropologie (conveniently located inside the building… they were making it way too easy) and rummaged through the sale rack. And bam… I met my rain coat soul mate: BIg Red.

My new find also introduced me to a new company: Daughters of the Revolution - a family business committed to sustainable design. Double awesome.

Can we also note the boots?? My other rain fashion obsession: Aquatalia boots – totally weather proof. I was slushing through puddles half a foot deep in these puppies and my feet stayed dry, warm and happy. LOVE.

Front View!

And the Back!

Staying Dry In My New Big Red Raincoat!

Annnnnnd this is what really happens when you try to take pics of your new Big Red Raincoat during a rain storm…