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!

Peacock Plumes

I was walking up 3rd Street recently when, lo and behold, in the window of Carmelita Couture were two pairs of peacock-themed shoes! Let me start by saying that I love me some peacock feathers. All my Christmas decorations have peacock feathers; I wear peacock feathers in my hair... to work. (My co-workers are very indulgent.)

I’m not sure if you can buy the shoes in Carmelita Couture as they may be part of the Design Philadelphia Old City Windows project, but there are plenty of peacock-plumed shoes that are available for purchase. Like these! Mmm-mmm-mm. The Peacock by Johnathan Kayne has a blue silk satin upper, ruched ankle strap with jewel and feather features and Velcro closure, a four-inch heel with a 1.5-inch platform, and a cushioned insole. They also come in black, and you can find them least expensively from Toast Bridal for $90.

Prefer something not quite as tall?

  These beauties have a 1.75-inch heel and come in medium or wide widths—and in ONE HUNDRED COLORS! Whatever color you could possibly need! You also get to pick the type of rhinestone feature at the toe from five different kinds. And—the pièce de résistance—you can get a matching clutch! (Hurry up, though; there’s only one of those.) $142 for the shoes and $68 for the clutch, from Etsy seller Parisxox.

How about a wedge? How cool are these? The Ankle Wrap Wedge by Sun Luks has a 4.25-inch cork wedge with a one-inch platform under the peep toe, and a peacock-printed fabric upper with two adjustable straps with buckles. They also come in a few other crazy prints, and you can find them at DSW for $50.

Peacock feathers don’t have to be overly fussy (as much as I enjoy fussy). How about these flats under jeans? Wonderful! The feather overlay design is printed on Keds Champion mini slip-on sneakers—just slip them on and go! You can find them on Zazzle for $60.

Or these sandals! The Peacock Plume sandal by Anthropologie has a one-inch wedge, double buckles around the ankles, and is made entirely of leather. (Look at the fringed leather feather behind the peacock feather!) Yours for $118—these would be too cute with shorts.

And it is summer—always a chance of a surprise downpour. Be ready in these! The Peacock City rainboot by Chooka has a rubber upper and sole and a fabric lining. The boot shaft is 13.5 inches high and they’ll fit calves up to 15 inches in circumference. How could these not make a rainy day happy? Pick them up at Nordstrom for $65.

Sales this weekend: 
Bare Feet Shoes: 4th of July sale: enter JULY4TH at checkout
Bus Stop Boutique: Green with Envy sale: 25% off shoes with a green sticker
Macy’s: 30-50% off, plus an extra 10% off using code FOURTH
Nine West: $20 off $100 (deduction taken automatically at checkout)
Lord & Taylor: Sandal sale: one pair 30% off, two pairs 35% off, three pairs 40% off