Bastille Day

Bonjour, mes amis! You may not think of Philly as a French city, but each year we celebrate Bastille Day to the max. What’s not to love about a restaurateur dressed as Marie Antoinette hurling TastyKakes off the roof of a glorious old prison while people dressed as French peasants celebrate in the streets? That’s right! If you’re planning on celebrating Bastille Day (and I hope you are) you’ll need shoes.

Spending the day as a French aristocrat? These would be perfect:

  The Mamie by Seychelles is the pinnacle of upper-class elegance. The upper is intricately punched gray leather, and it features a round toe and a 1.75-inch heel. Only sizes 7 and 8.5 left, you lucky gals—$70 from DNA Footwear.

French peasant? Eastern State recommends “wooden shoes or sabots.” Clogs it is!

  The Bouquet Clog by Zigi Soho has a 4.5-inch wooden heel on a 1.5-inch platform, and a synthetic upper with a trio of flowers. Storming the Bastille never looked so good! Available in cognac (shown) or pink, and you can find them at DSW for $60.

Not planning on dressing up? You can still get in the French spirit! How about this classic French pattern: toile!

  The Toile Landscape Wedge by Anthropologie is so lovely—a white and orange toile, tan leather trimming, laces and slingbacks, all on a 3.75-inch cork wedge with a one-inch platform. Yours for $128.

In case il pleut, you’ll be needing these: The Black Fleur de Lis Rainboots are rubber with a padded insole, about a foot high, and fit calves up to 14.5 inches in circumference. Order down half a size—they run big! Pick up a pair at Target for $25.

And the pièce de resistance: Oh, je t’aime!! (Yes, yes, the Bastille was stormed in 1789 and the Eiffel Tower went up a hundred years later. Don’t care.) The Tour Eiffel by Giuseppe Zanotti has the bleu, blanc, et rouge of the French flag, a stunning silver stiletto, and a rhinestone-encrusted Eiffel Tower up the front of the foot. They seem to be out of stock just about everywhere, but if they ever come back they’re about $400.

Have fun storming the castle!